Sara Ochs delivers a gripping psychological thriller that proves some secrets are worth killing for in her latest novel, This Stays Between Us. Following her debut success with The Resort, Ochs once again demonstrates her mastery of the destination thriller genre, weaving a complex tale of friendship, betrayal, and murder against the unforgiving backdrop of the Australian outback.
The story begins with a chilling premise that immediately hooks readers: ten years after college student Phoebe Barton disappeared during a study abroad program in Australia, her remains are discovered in an abandoned mine. The surviving members of their tight-knit group—dubbed “The Mob”—are summoned back to Australia to face not only police questioning but the ghosts of their shared past.
A Masterful Structure That Keeps You Guessing
Ochs employs a brilliant dual timeline structure that alternates between Claire’s present-day narrative and Phoebe’s voice from the past. This narrative technique creates an almost unbearable tension as readers piece together the events leading to Phoebe’s disappearance while following Claire’s desperate attempts to clear her name in the present.
The decision to make Phoebe the sole narrator of the past proves particularly effective. Through her eyes, we witness the gradual deterioration of friendships, the dangerous games of truth or dare that expose hidden truths, and the toxic dynamics that ultimately lead to tragedy. Phoebe emerges as a complex character—simultaneously victim and antagonist, vulnerable yet manipulative.
Claire’s present-day sections crackle with paranoia and guilt. Ochs skillfully portrays her protagonist’s internal struggle, carrying the weight of secrets that threaten to destroy not only her carefully constructed new life but potentially land her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit—at least not entirely.
Character Development That Cuts Deep
The strength of This Stays Between Us lies in its nuanced character development. Each member of “The Mob” feels fully realized, with their own secrets, motivations, and moral compromises. Declan, the charming love interest with commitment issues; Ellery, the people-pleaser hiding her own darkness; Kyan, the wealthy friend whose privilege can’t shield him from guilt; Adrien, the ambitious one willing to sacrifice others for her goals; and Josh, whose true nature becomes increasingly sinister as the story unfolds.
Phoebe herself is perhaps the most complex character of all. Ochs refuses to paint her as either pure victim or irredeemable villain. Instead, she presents a young woman damaged by trauma, desperately seeking connection while simultaneously pushing people away through increasingly destructive behavior. Her past sexual assault adds layers to her character that make her actions both understandable and tragic.
The Australian Setting as a Character
Ochs’s firsthand experience studying abroad in Australia shines through in her vivid descriptions of the landscape. The country becomes almost a character itself—beautiful yet dangerous, offering adventure while hiding deadly secrets. From the vibrant beaches of Sydney to the desolate outback mining town of Jagged Rock, the setting mirrors the story’s emotional journey from excitement to isolation and despair.
The author’s attention to detail in depicting the Adventure Abroad program feels authentic and immersive. The adrenaline-fueled activities—skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef—serve as metaphors for the risks these young people take with their relationships and their lives.
Where the Story Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, This Stays Between Us is not without its flaws. The pacing occasionally suffers in the middle sections, where the alternating timelines sometimes feel repetitive rather than revealing. Some readers may find the abundance of secrets and hidden motivations a bit overwhelming, with nearly every character harboring major deceptions.
The resolution, while shocking, may leave some readers feeling that certain plot threads are tied up too neatly. The final twist in Claire’s epilogue, though cleverly foreshadowed, risks undermining reader sympathy for the protagonist just as the story concludes.
Additionally, some of the dialogue feels stilted when characters are revealing crucial information, occasionally breaking the otherwise natural flow of conversation that Ochs establishes so well in quieter moments.
Themes That Resonate
Beyond its thriller elements, the novel explores weighty themes that give it substance. The story serves as a powerful commentary on how trauma affects behavior, particularly through Phoebe’s character arc. It examines the culture of victim-blaming and the tendency to excuse male violence while scrutinizing female behavior.
The concept of collective guilt runs throughout the narrative. Each character bears responsibility for what happened to Phoebe, whether through action or inaction. This moral complexity elevates the story beyond a simple whodunit into an examination of how ordinary people can become complicit in tragedy.
The novel also explores the lasting impact of toxic friendships formed during the intense, pressure-cooker environment of study abroad programs. Ochs captures how quickly intimacy can develop among strangers and how that accelerated bonding can lead to dangerous situations.
A Worthy Follow-up
Following her debut The Resort, Ochs has established herself as a skilled practitioner of the destination thriller. While This Stays Between Us shares DNA with other female-driven psychological thrillers, it distinguishes itself through its authentic Australian setting and complex moral landscape.
The writing style shows maturation from her first novel, with more confident handling of multiple timelines and character perspectives. Ochs has a particular talent for depicting the psychology of guilt and the ways people rationalize their worst actions.
Similar Reads for Thriller Enthusiasts
Readers who enjoy This Stays Between Us should consider:
- “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt – For its exploration of toxic friendships and collective guilt among college students
- “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty – For its examination of secrets within seemingly perfect lives
- “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley – For its multiple perspectives and destination setting
- “The Last Ferry Out” by Andrea Bartz – For its focus on friendship trauma and international settings
- “You Killed Me First” by John Marrs – For its dual timeline structure and family secrets
Final Verdict
This Stays Between Us succeeds as both a page-turning thriller and a thoughtful examination of friendship, trauma, and responsibility. While it has some minor pacing issues and an occasionally overly complex plot, Ochs’s skilled character development and atmospheric writing make this a compelling read.
The novel will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and complex moral questions. Those looking for straightforward answers or wholly sympathetic characters should look elsewhere, but readers who appreciate ambiguity and moral complexity will find much to discuss and debate.
Sara Ochs continues to establish herself as a voice worth watching in the thriller genre, combining exotic locations with psychological depth in ways that feel both entertaining and meaningful. This Stays Between Us proves that some secrets are indeed worth killing for—and that the truth, when it finally emerges, is rarely what anyone expects.
The book succeeds in creating that rare thriller that lingers in the mind long after the final page, raising questions about friendship, loyalty, and the prices we pay for our worst decisions. While not perfect, it represents a solid entry in the increasingly crowded field of psychological thrillers and marks Ochs as an author with genuine potential for future masterpieces.
