3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ 

 

“Killingly” by Katharine Beutner 

 

 

📕 Edition: ARC Audiobook via @netgalley 

 

This story takes you to the hallowed halls of Mount Holyoke College in the late 19th century, where the disappearance of Bertha Mellish, a peculiar and enigmatic student, sets the stage for an enthralling literary crime mystery. Beutner masterfully weaves together a tapestry of secrets, suspicions, and desires, leaving readers constantly questioning the truth. 

 

Bertha's best friend, Agnes, emerges as a central figure, her reticence stoking the intrigue. As the search for Bertha unfolds, Beutner delves deep into the lives and motivations of those involved, shedding light on the competing agendas that drive them. 

 

Not just a mystery; it's a beautifully rendered historical portrait of queerness, family trauma, and the daring women who challenged societal norms. Beutner's storytelling skill shines as she navigates the complexities of 19th-century academia and the risks faced by women who dared to defy convention.