Beth is Dead

An effortlessly modern retelling that gives the March sisters an edge of notoriety and anger in a combination of whodunnit, thriller, and family drama. The multi POV bounces between the sisters as well as timelines, exploring then - before their father's controversial novel - and now, when Beth is found dead. Alongside the tragic investigation, the story raises questions of authorship (who owns a story, the people who live it or the ones who witness it), cutthroat cancel culture, and sisterhood.

As a casual fan of Little Women - I've read the original novel once or twice, and seen one film adaptation - I appreciated the details put into this retelling and how each of the sisters were reimagined in a modern setting. We're immediately introduced to the sisters, the murder, and a whole host of their acquaintances, so while I don't think knowledge of the original work is necessary to enjoy this, it certainly made it easier to keep track of the many names and faces who flock to the scene of the crime.

This is a book that thrives on conversation, with minimal setting in favor of fast-paced dialogue while suspicions fly. While I generally prefer a quieter piece, I admire the depth of subjects presented, like the importance of valuing oneself over spectacle, or girls wrestling with whether they need to "redeem" themselves of the caricature others have placed upon them.

Content is upper YA - the sisters are in their late teens, early twenties. There's some swearing, drinking, and discussion of self-harm.

Katie Bernet’s debut novel, Beth is Dead, reinvents the classic Little Women. This modern retelling centers on Beth March’s death and the subsequent murder investigation. With its multiple perspectives and flashbacks, the story is captivating.

On New Year’s Day, Beth is discovered dead in the woods near her home. Amy, Jo, and Meg grieve for their sister, but as they try to uncover what really happened, they grow suspicious of one another and their friends. Numerous secrets emerge, and the plot’s many twists keep the ending unpredictable.

What I Liked: The mystery element of this book is incredibly well done. Bernet keeps the story very fast-paced, and almost every chapter introduces a new twist and another possible suspect. I couldn't put this book down, but I also wanted to savor every moment and not have it end. Bernet did a fantastic job of making the characters her own while still keeping elements that are integral to each one. I especially thought that Amy’s character remained very true to the original Little Women, while also having a lot more depth in this book. Each of the sisters having a voice helped readers to understand their perspective, but also to see how each of them could have been motivated to kill Beth. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks, but Beth’s flashbacks really helped tie the story together.

Beth is Dead is a highly addictive murder mystery that will appeal to mystery lovers as well as fans of the classic Little Women.