Review Detail

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.