Perfect for readers who loved the dark social hierarchies of Gossip Girl and the twisty, secret-laden tension of One of Us Is Lying, A Thousand Perfect Lies delivers prep-school glamour, sisterly redemption, and a mystery that turns privilege into peril.
Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from A Thousand Perfect Lies by Monica Murphy, which is out March 3rd 2026.
Secrets don’t die. They just transfer schools.
New York native Billie Vale arrives at Wickham Academy, England’s most elite boarding school, with a forged identity as Belinda Winters and one mission: clear her sister’s name. Isla lies in a coma, accused of killing her best friend. Billie has one shot to uncover the truth in a school built on privilege and deception. Succeed, and her estranged father will finally help her mother. Fail, and it will tear what’s left of her family apart.
But Wickham’s secrets run deep, and not everyone wants them exposed. The school’s golden prince and its brooding outcast both seem to know more than they’ll admit—and both have reasons to keep Billie close. As she digs into the lies that built Wickham’s empire, she discovers that loyalty is just another currency, every hallway hides a motive, and everyone here protects their own at any cost.
But someone at Wickham knows what really happened…
And they’ll bury Billie before they let her find out.
EXCERPT
The moment we’re alone, I glance around the room but don’t spot Sophia anywhere.
“She’s outside. Sophia.” It’s as if Connor can read my mind, or at the very least he’s paying attention to me. And while normally I would be defensive about that, I can’t deny that the consideration leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
I like that he pays attention. That he seems into me and wants to spend more time with me. I should probably stay far away from him, considering what an emotional wreck he is, but I can’t help being drawn to him. He may have been tipsy when he mentioned our connection, but that doesn’t make it less real.
“They seem nice. The Pembrokes.” I’m trying to break the weird silence that has fallen between us.
“They are.” He grabs hold of my hand. “Come on. Let’s go find somewhere quiet so we can chat.”
“Chat about what?”
Connor ignores my question and leads me through clusters of people. He walks as if he knows exactly where he’s going, and he doesn’t seem to notice the many curious stares directed our way as we pass. I feel each one, though, like dozens of tiny pinpricks on my skin. I’m sure they’re wondering who I am, which is fine. I’m wondering who they are, too. Specifically, I’m wondering which one of them put my sister in the hospital.
Only after we slip into a quiet room that looks like a library (what’s with rich British people and their over-the-top collections of books?) does Connor finally speak.
“Sorry. Couldn’t think in that crowd.” He scratches the back of his head. “I, uh, wanted to apologize to you.”
“Again? For what?” What did he do now?
“For last night.”
“You already did,” I remind him.
“Right. I did. But an apology over text is hardly an apology at all.” He takes a step closer, and I can smell his intoxicating cologne. His body heat radiates toward me, and I want to lean in. Press my body against his. “In person is more…genuine.”
I blink hard to snap myself out of his spell, but it doesn’t seem to work.
“You don’t need to apologize again. I accepted it the first time.” I smile, though it wilts when he takes another step toward me.
“Funny thing is, my memories from last night are still a little fuzzy. But I do recall telling you that I felt a…connection between us.” He touches me. A barely-there graze of his fingers across the top of my hand, but I feel it everywhere, leaving tingles all over my body.
“Yes.” I nod. Clear my throat. “You may have mentioned that. But you also said—”
“That I don’t trust it.” He scratches the back of his head again, and I wonder if it’s a nervous tic. “Let’s just say I haven’t had many reasons to trust people lately. But I want to trust you. And I think, probably, the best way to figure out if I should…”
He crowds me against the wall, his body pressed against mine. Blocking me from escaping, not that I want to leave. The air between us crackles with tension, and he dips his head the slightest bit, aligning our mouths so we share breath. He leans in closer, pausing just shy of pressing his lips to mine. “Yes?”
“Yes.” My lips brush against his when I whisper my reply. I can feel his breath ghost across my skin right before his mouth meets mine. Once. Twice.
And then he’s kissing me. Really kissing me. His lips are warm and smooth and undoubtably persuasive. One big hand curves around my cheek, holding me in place. I tip my head back and return the kiss, my lips parting, his tongue teasing. Circling mine over and over.
With a sigh, I give in, sliding my hands up the firm wall of his chest until I’m gripping his broad shoulders. His hands land on my waist, and his fingers press into my flesh, keeping me pinned against the wall. He shifts closer, our bodies pressed so tight a piece of paper couldn’t be slipped between us. I can feel him all over me, and I revel in it.
Want more of it.
Everything becomes a blur. His persuasive lips, the rhythmic slide of his tongue against mine. His fingers tease the hem of my sweater before slipping to the bare skin beneath. I gasp into his mouth, and he pulls away slightly. I open my eyes to find he’s watching me, concern in his gray gaze. I offer the tiniest nod.
The dimples appear briefly before he ducks his head, his mouth finding my neck. I tilt my head back to give him better access while I stare up at the ceiling. All of my thoughts and worries disappear the moment his mouth is on my skin, licking and nibbling, and I close my eyes, desperate to escape my life for even a few minutes and lose myself in this.
I hear voices in the corridor, but I ignore them, which is a bad move on my part, since the door cracks open mere seconds later, letting in a sliver of light.
Connor rears back, the panic on his face obvious. I decide not to think too hard about why he’d panic if we were caught making out and instead grab his hand to drag him down behind the nearby couch. Whoever’s coming into the room won’t spot us unless they purposefully walk behind the furniture. I rest my finger against my lips, and he nods, both of us remaining silent when someone begins to speak.
Excerpt from A Thousand Perfect Lies By Monica Murphy Copyright © 2026 by Monica Murphy. Edited by Rebecca Heyman
About The Author
Monica Murphy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Both traditionally and independently published, she writes mostly new adult and contemporary romance. She has also written as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson. A native Californian, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, children, one dog, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge-watching something. Or traveling.
