The Art of Murder
Available for Preorder now!
Coming June 10, 2025
In the idyllic town of Cedar Plains, safety and community are not just expectations; they're guarantees. Courtney Faith never doubted she'd raise her children here, nestled away from the world's chaos. But the discovery of a body on a local farm shatters the peace, twisting her reality into a nightmarish intrigue.
Alexa Huston knows chaos intimately. A life feeling perpetually out of control takes a dark turn when she's involved in an accidental murder, igniting a troubling question within her: is murder justifiable if it targets the deserving? As she steps deeper into the shadows to impose her version of order, bodies begin to surface, leaving the local police baffled and desperate for answers.
When Courtney stumbles upon evidence linking Alexa to the gruesome crimes, the fabric of their friendship begins to fray. Torn between loyalty and justice, Courtney faces an agonizing decision. Alexa isn't just her friend; she's the keeper of Courtney’s darkest secret. Revealing the truth might free her or destroy everything she holds dear.
As secrets teeter on the brink of exposure, Courtney and Alexa find themselves locked in a deadly dance. In Cedar Plains, some truths are too perilous to unearth. Can Courtney confront the monster hiding behind a familiar face, or will their secrets remain shielded, buried within the heart of Cedar Plains? Only time will tell because, for now, their darkest deeds are cloaked in silence, and in this town, no one truly knows anything.
Early Praise for The Art of Murder
"How far will you go to protect the ones you love? The Art of Murder is a sensational thriller that will keep the reader turning pages. From its blood soaked beginning to twisty end, friendships and family bonds are tested, strained, and ultimately destroyed to satiate an unquenchable thirst for death and the attempts to keep evil buried. Giles has crafted an idyllic small town that shelters some of the darkest characters imaginable and the secrets they’ll carry to the grave. The Art of Murder is a dark and bingey read, sure to please fans of Karin Slaughter or John Marrs."
-Rebecca Taylor, Bestselling author of The Last Nanny and Once Upon a Lie.
"A dark and disturbing page-turner about friendship, loyalty, and small town secrets."
"The Art of Murder, by Maggie Giles, is a twisty psychological thriller that hooked me from page one. Told from dual perspectives, I loved diving into the dark psyche and small-town secrets of two very different best friends. Filled with lies, betrayal, and murder, this is a fun, fast-paced read."
"The Art of Murder by Maggie Giles teems with secrets and delves into different manifestations of evil. Set in a once serene Canadian town, the murders start piling up early. Both friendship and family are tested as tension builds, past stories unravel, and the future becomes ever more dangerous. Two best friends think they know everything about each other and commit to hiding the other’s mistakes, but as the bodies pile up so do their doubts and fears. Don’t miss this sensational new thriller."
"Maggie Giles masterfully peels back the layers of small-town perfection in The Art of Murder, delivering a suspenseful, twisty ride through loyalty, deception, and the dangerous line between right and wrong. With tension that tightens like a noose and characters so real they’ll haunt you, this thriller is impossible to put down. Giles proves once again she’s a standout voice in the genre."
"A captivating thriller where every sketch hides a secret, The Art of Murder blends the reckless joy of being in your twenties with a devilish darkness I couldn’t get enough of. With a cast of vivid characters, all with their own troubled pasts, Giles had me questioning who to trust while loving every twist and turn along the way."
"Wow! Gripping, propulsive, and action packed. Giles has woven an intricate plot of murder, lies, and secrets. I devoured every dark and twisted word!"
