Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington — A Dark, Twisty YA Mystery Filled With Secrets, Toxic Friendships & Killer Plot Twists

Girls Who Play Dead is a sharp, twist-heavy YA mystery that dives into toxic friendships, grief, identity, and the dark truth nobody sees coming.

Joelle Wellington continues to prove she understands YA horror and thriller better than almost anyone writing today. Girls Who Play Dead marks the third novel of hers that I’ve read, and while The Blonde Dies First still holds the crown for my personal favorite, this one delivered an addictive blend of mystery, social commentary, and psychological tension that kept me glued to the pages. It’s sharp, uncomfortable, unflinching — and absolutely worth the read if you love your thrillers dark and twisty.

A Murder, a Funeral Home & A Girl on the Edge

The book opens with Kyla — working at her father’s funeral home — preparing the body of her best friend Erin, who has been murdered. From page one, the tone is eerie and emotionally charged. Kyla swears she’ll find Erin’s killer, and with the arrival of her estranged older brother Mickey, the tension ramps up immediately. Mickey senses something is very wrong with his sister, and the book wastes no time letting the reader feel it too.

Unlikeable Girls, Toxic Friendships & Why It Works

I’ll be honest — Kyla and Erin are not likable characters. They’re bullies. They’re mean girls. Empathizing with them is extremely difficult… and that’s intentional. Wellington writes toxic girlhood with razor-sharp realism — the pressure to fit in, the complicity of silence, the blurred line between friendship and obsession. Kyla’s grief becomes a warped form of identity theft as she begins embodying Erin to lure out a killer, and watching her unravel is disturbing but fascinating.

The Mystery — and That Wild Cook Cosmetics Reveal

The mystery itself is excellent. I thought I was ahead of the plot, and I absolutely was not. The whole Cook Cosmetics thread had me having Halle Berry Catwoman flashbacks (in the best way) — something is clearly wrong, but not at all in the way you expect. The final reveal caught me totally off guard, and that shock alone made the journey worth it.

The Characters You Can Love

Mickey is the emotional anchor of the story — grounded, empathetic, and fighting hard for his sister through his own anxiety and trauma. The scenes between Mickey and Kyla (without Erin’s influence hanging over her) are where Kyla finally feels real and vulnerable. If I connected to anyone in this book, it was Mickey — and he is easily the character that keeps the novel emotionally accessible when Kyla becomes difficult to root for.

Final Thoughts

Girls Who Play Dead might not have the instantly lovable leads that hook every reader, but the twisty plotting, intense atmosphere, and layered psychological tension deliver a YA mystery that’s absolutely worth picking up. If you love morally messy characters, dark feminine storytelling, and thrillers that keep you guessing until the final chapters, this belongs on your shelf. For me, it’s a solid four stars — addictive, fast-paced, and unforgettable even if the protagonist isn’t someone you want to be friends with.