Murder is an art . . . and she's the next masterpiece.

From the bestselling author of Win Lose Kill Die and Keep Your Friends Close comes an addictive killer-thriller with a horror twist, following an aspiring crime journalist’s investigation into a case of copycat murders seemingly connected to a ‘cursed’ painting. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Naturals series and Bill Wood's Let's Split Up.

When aspiring crime journalist Fliss Keller uncovers a disturbing self-portrait of a man at an estate sale, her Art History professor dad buys it, despite how unsettled Fliss feels. The portrait has been lost for decades and completes a set of four existing paintings of women by the same artist already hanging in the town’s gallery.

That evening, the portrait falls to the floor, revealing paperwork inside the frame that suggests the artist was a serial killer and that the women depicted were his victims. Despite her alarm, Fliss vows to investigate and uncover the truth.

But when a series of gruesome murders rock the community, and some think the resurrection of the self-portrait has unleashed a curse, Fliss knows better than to believe them. There are shocking similarities between the poses of the modern-day murders and the painted women, and she’s sure there’s a copycat killer on the loose.

Racing against time, can Fliss unravel the clues before she becomes the murderer's next muse?

‘A thriller author to watch!’ Karen M. McManus, international bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

‘A wickedly brilliant masterpiece from the queen of YA thrillers. Deliciously dark and addictive, this is Cynthia Murphy’s best – and scariest – book yet.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First

‘Dark and unsettling, Murphy delivers an original, suspenseful thriller driven by richly drawn characters, where the horrors of the past refuse to stay buried. Perfect for fans of twisty crime!’ Jennifer Pearson, author of Drop Dead Famous

‘A delicious mystery full of clever twists and shocking turns.' Jessica Goodman, author of They Wish They Were Us

‘I couldn’t put it down. A really original concept and such a fun read.’ Kelly McCaughrain, author of Just Another Dead Boy

‘Sharp, thrilling and darkly riveting. Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls kept me on the edge of my seat!’ Alexis Henderson, author of When I Was Death

'Slick and twisted. A pulse-pounding thriller that held me captive all the way to the blistering finale! Prepare for a one-sit read.’ Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake

‘A propulsive thriller that’s both wickedly funny and deviously dark' Veronica Bane, author of Difficult Girls

© Cynthia Murphy 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026