Title: Bad Influence

Author: Will Carver

Genre: Thriller

Publishers: Orenda

Publication Date: 18th June 2026

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover:

Summary:

Two bored teenagers. 
One stupid game.
The wrong place to play…

Alyssa wants to be seen. Less wants to be someone. She takes two buses to class, posts pictures of her lunch, and pretends it’s all effortless. He hides his privilege beneath thrifted clothes and a sketchbook full of impossible designs. Together, they are inseparable – two outsiders constructing a version of themselves the world might finally applaud.

Then Alyssa stumbles upon the hidden world of phrogging – living unnoticed inside other people’s homes. She and Less slip through Los Angeles’ glossy veneer: influencers, producers, pop stars, all so busy performing their perfect lives they don’t notice the shadows in their attics, the scratching in their walls.

An act of rebellion. A harmless thrill. A social experiment.

Until they choose the wrong house.
Until the influencer they idolise catches them in the act.
Until the cameras, already rolling, capture everything.

What begins as a reckless adventure becomes a nightmare of lies, power … and murder…

Review:

This is the second book I’ve read by Will Carver and it’s clear that he has an incredibly distinct style which I very much enjoy and which was apparent in this compelling and razor sharp look at influencers and social media personalities. I loved the structure of Bad Influence which is a mix of character viewpoints and a sort of continuous scroll of social media posts. It works beautifully, making the book feel all the more addictive and sharply engaging throughout. I found the whole concept of ‘phrogging’ (secretly ensconcing oneself in someone else’s house without their knowledge) darkly disturbing but totally fascinating, and the characters of Alyssa and Less flawed yet still strangely likeable. The story also took some seriously unexpected twists and turns which completely changed the game more than once and which makes Bad Influence an exciting and propulsive read from start to finish. It’s also quite funny at times in an off kilter, sort of twisted way, and immensely clever. Overall, I have to say that Bad Influence is an entertaining, shocking and deftly original read which looks at perception, unreality, fakery, and consequences with a visceral intensity.  I would definitely recommend to all thriller lovers! 

★★★★.5

Thank you so much to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising it. I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

Buy the book:

Waterstones | Amazon