A sister’s love ★★★★☆

When Bertha Mellish disappears from Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts in 1897, her sister Florence and family doctor Henry Hammond use every resource in their power to find her and solve the mystery of her disappearance.

Quiet, different and studious, Bertha’s only true friend was the unflinching Agnes Sullivan, an equally unconventional college student with ambitions of being a surgeon.

As Bertha remains missing, somebody is fiercely protecting her privacy. But Hammond, Florence, her parents and even Agnes have their own secrets and agendas.

Where is Bertha? Is she dead or alive? Does she want to be found?

A compelling mystery – based on a true story – which exposes the dangers and limitations of being a young woman at the turn of the twentieth century and at the same time sheds light on the longing for a different kind of life and the means a person would go to to find it.

*Many thanks to Katharine Beutner, Atlanctic Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Based on scant facts, this historical fiction offers an insight into late 19th century position of women and the mysogeny that prevailed. The mystery around Bertha Mellish's disappearance is well-presented although there are some clues as to what fate she met. Still, the question remains why. The Author did a thorough research and her imagination allowed her to create a tale which is worth reading. My fourth star is for the Author's skills to link little factual information and transform it into a quite lengthy novel. Some warning should be added as there are some scenes of cruelty to animals.

Historical fiction based on true events are a big favourite of mine. However, although this is very well written it failed to absorb me as anticipated. It took a while to invest in the characters and it was a very slow build, with the storyline being slowly hinted before revealed. I didn't race to read this book and sometimes it was a bit of a struggle to continue. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance review copy.

A slow burn historical fiction, which takes a few chapter to get into, however when you do it hooks you right in. I loved that this is based on the truth behind the disappearance of a Mount Holyoke student in 1897 and this is quite dark and gory at times. The gothic descriptions and haunting undertones add to the suspense and atmosphere of the book giving you chills. The characters are a bit quirky and strange and I don't think this is for everyone but I do believe it is worth giving a chance.

Killingly is an intriguing slow-burn historical mystery, a missing person story that touches on feminist and queer themes.

I loved the world-building: although there is not all that much description, Beutner creates a clear sense of place through people. Mount Holyoke is brought to life in vivid detail, with its intense, claustrophobic society. The recurring motifs woven through the narrative - cats, fire and dissection - add a haunting undertone.

While the mystery itself is not the strongest (a great idea, but the clues are perhaps a little too obvious), the astute characterisation still makes it a compelling read.

Killingly is a historical fiction set in the 19th century. Based on a real disappearance in 1897, the book follows the search for Bertha from the perspectives of Agnes, Florence and Dr Hammond.

The book is described as a haunting gothic and opens with Agnes pinning together the bones of an animal, giving "Wednesday" vibes straight from the off.

I would say the plot is quite slow, as is to be expected with historical fictions like this, yet enough happens to keep the reader interested. However, as the plot reached its conclusion, it didn't feel satisfaction from the "reveal". Without giving anything away, it simply didn't fit what we were led to believe of the characters.

I enjoyed the real touches at the end. For example, the story submitted to class. It's always nice to see the genuine elements the author has drawn on.

Killingly by Katharine Beutner
Publication Date 8th June 2023

Killingly tells the compelling story of Bertha Mellish, a student at all girls Mount Holyoke college who disappears without trace in the late 1800s.

The daughter of Reverend John Mellish and Sarah Mellish who suffers from a mental illness, Bertha goes missing from the college, and the search for her immediately commences. The family physician, Dr Hammond, is appointed to try and help locate Bertha. Her sister Florence will not give up hope either. But her best friend Agnes, with whom Bertha has an intense, intimate friendship as they are both very different from the other girls at the college is not helpful to the investigation.

The plot is a slow burn, the dark and unsettling atmosphere building as we learn more and more as the search for Bertha continues, with shocking revelations and plot twists as the pieces start to come together. I was transported back in time, and found myself completely absorbed. There's tendrils of suspicion cast over everyone.

Mainly told from Florence and Agnes view point, the characters are well developed and multi layered, with full back stories, provoking a visceral dislike of certain characters and compassion and empathy for others.

Ultimately, Killingly is a tale of a mothers love and sacrifice and unwavering kinship between female friends in the face of adversity and misogyny. This is an emotional read from start to finish. The portrayal of what life was like for women during that time period was anger inducing "It seemed that every family, every woman, had a story that began with a man who took what he wanted."

I really enjoyed this wonderful book and would happily recommend.

Thank you to Atlantic Books for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

At first I felt the pacing was too slow on this for my liking, but as I settled into it, it felt perfect for the story.
A disappearance of a girl from her college, and the family and friends that try to find out what happened.
There were interesting developments along the way, twists to what seemed very straight forward.
I found myself really wanting to get back to the parts with Agnes and Florence, who had the most interesting tales to tell.
An enjoyable read.