A Killer Among Friends (Jade Riley Mysteries Book 2)

A Killer Among Friends: A Jade Riley Mystery

When journalist Jade Riley returns to Melbourne, she’s thrust into a chilling murder investigation after her friend Nick is found dead. Determined to uncover the truth—and reclaim her journalistic footing—Jade digs into the lives of those closest to her, only to unearth a tangle of secrets, guilt, and corporate corruption.

As suspicion spreads across her tight-knit group, Jade begins to question everything—especially the long-accepted story of her best friend Elena’s suicide. Was it really suicide, or something far more sinister?

With a trail that winds through insider trading, money laundering, betrayal, and buried trauma, Jade must confront painful truths and navigate shifting loyalties. Every answer leads to more questions, and someone is desperate enough to kill again.

A taut, character-driven mystery with emotional depth and razor-sharp twists, A Killer Among Friends explores the dark places friendship can go—and what it takes to survive the fallout.

Get your copy now and uncover the truth alongside Jade—before it’s too late.

Excerpt from the book

Jade, now

The drum solo marked the highlight of Jade’s monthly pub night at the Rock ’n’ Barrel. Her friend Danny, dark-haired, dark-eyed and dark-humoured, played with the accuracy of a Swiss watch and the abandon of a drunk. He newly impressed Jade every time she heard him. But tonight, something sounded off. Not technically – he delivered a flawless performance – but his frenetic energy told Jade he was stewing over something. His drumsticks vanished in a blur. Feverish eyes appeared at odds with his deep concentration.

He finished his solo with a flourish, and as the band kicked back in, the small crowd broke into enthusiastic applause. The ensemble had three players – vocals and lead guitar, keyboard and drums – so they’d called themselves Mélange de Trois, Mix of Three. As Danny had told Jade, they loved the cheeky nod to ménage à trois.

They’d been doing gigs here for five years, so nerves didn’t cause Danny’s distress. He wore his emotions as blatantly as his lime green jacket, but Jade hadn’t seen him this strung up since Elena’s death. Elena had died three years ago, but her absence influenced them as strongly as her vivacious personality once had. Where she used to instigate visits to festivals, galleries and new restaurants, they now did these things in her honour.

Jade gave herself a little shake to break free of the ever-present grief over her friend’s suicide and refocused on the present: the tang of her gin and tonic, the sticky tabletop, the long wooden bar, the regulars busy sinking pints, and the cracked vinyl bench that scratched her legs. Across the booth sat Iris, Danny’s twin sister, and her boyfriend Curtis, who also rated as Danny’s best friend. To call them a tight-knit group didn’t do them justice.

Curtis polished off his beer. ‘Danny nailed it again.’

Iris snuggled closer to him as if afraid he’d vanish. ‘He’s such a ham, always plays up to the crowd.’

‘In his element on stage.’ Jade raised her glass. ‘I wish I could perform like him. So uninhibited.’ As an amateur ballroom dancer, she strived for fluidity when stage fright made her stiff. Now she thought about it, she realised what Danny’s act had lacked. Normally, he moved freely, but tonight, tension kept him straight-backed as a British schoolmarm.

Curtis wrapped his arm tighter around Iris. ‘Sometimes I wish he’d be more inhibited. The other day, he went ballistic at one of our tech guys who hadn’t put in his expense claim. Way over the top.’

Jade could picture the scene. ‘He can be a bit extra, but that’s why we love him. And that’s probably what makes him so musical.’ From colourful clothing to poetic language, Danny revelled in excess.

Iris snorted. ‘Mum always said his temper would get him into trouble. He’s got to watch himself.’ The twins sometimes bickered, but mostly they seemed closer than the average siblings; they still lived together in their early thirties. Creativity ran in their veins – where Danny used his gift in music, Iris poured her soul into work as a graphic artist. She always wore eye-catching clothes or statement jewellery. Tonight, a hot-pink bandana around her neck lifted her black jeans and shirt from mundane to hip.