From the bestselling author of The Best Kind of Beautiful, Frances Whiting, comes an endearing, wise and witty novel of love and friendship, which asks, how far would you go, to protect your friends?

Shortlisted for the Lord Mayor of Brisbane's People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award 2026


In the summer of 1997, five high school students meet. Nina, the Good Girl. Beatrice, The Poetess. Harriet, the Ghost. Cosmo, the Professor. And Hunter, the Golden Boy. In their last year of school, they become inseparable, five sides of the same star, until a fault line cracks between them, scattering them to all corners of the globe.

Now, fifteen years later, Hunter has called them with his conch shell lips to return to the place where they lived and laughed and cried together, before secrets were whispered, and promises were broken. No-one knows why he has assembled them, but there is no question they will go. Because to outsiders, they might be, in turns, a little bit weird, a little bit glamorous, and a little bit dangerous. But to each other, they are, and always will be, The Nocturnals.

From bestselling author Frances Whiting comes an irresistible, witty, darkly delightful and utterly endearing novel of friendship - and the lengths we will go to protect those who we love.

PRAISE FOR The Nocturnals:

'An alluring novel of thwarted dreams and unrequited love' The Australian

'Charming, nostalgic ... Effortless to read, it's rich with heart, warmth and conjures a world so vivid, you'll feel like a member of the Nocturnals.' Gold Coast Bulletin

'An endearing cast of characters ... a joyful look at the formative friendships of youth.' Sydney Morning Herald

'A new Frances Whiting novel is always a cause for celebration! Frances writes page-turning stories filled with warmth, wit, wisdom and charm. One of my favourite Australian writers.' Liane Moriarty, New York Times Bestselling author of Here One Moment

'Frances Whiting writes friendship with such warmth and precision it made my heart ache in the very best way. I fell in love with these characters - and when I finished the novel, I immediately wanted to ring every friend I adore. The Nocturnals glows with tenderness. It's a witty, soulful story about the families that shape us, the families we choose, and the version of ourselves that surface in the private hours after midnight.' Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of Mad Mabel

'The Nocturnals is witty, luminous and frankly, irresistible. Think The Breakfast Club meets The Great Gatsby - clever, funny, and impossible to put down. I'm calling it as one of the best reads of 2026.' - Rebecca Sparrow, Birds of a Feather Book Club

'From the first page, I knew I was in the hands of a master. Frances weaves the threads of her characters' stories together with such effortless clarity, that I found myself kicking my little feet in bed with anticipation of every next page. I'm bereft that the book is over, and nostalgic for friends that I wish were mine.' Astrid Astrid Jorgensen, Founding Director Pub Choir