This was a good book! I love the touch of magic/supernatural elements there. It kept me entertained and seemed entertained and I liked the characters throughout this book, and how some of them have such dark pasts and histories. It was a great thriller with lots of mystery and suspense

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

I really liked this, especially the ending. There was a lot of interesting information on history and theology and even herbs which might have seemed incongruous, but somehow wasn’t. Despite the main cast of characters having little to make them in any way admirable, the author makes them work together as a fascinating group driving a twisty plot. It took me back to uni days and all the w*nkers who think they are special, and then took it further to a very dark place.

I enjoyed this book, an excellent dark academia novel set in the 90's England. It had great characters, and the suspense had fantastic pacing that kept me reading way past the time I should have gone to bed. I'm definitely going to read more books from this author!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

When We Were Killers: A gripping, shocking dark academia thriller about toxic friendship set in Scotland by C.F. Barrington is a masterful blend of suspense, psychological intrigue, and the haunting beauty of Scotland’s academic landscape. Barrington crafts a narrative that is chilling and thought-provoking, delving deep into the complexities of friendship, ambition, and the dark side of human nature.

The story centers around Finn Nethercott, a misfit first-year student at the prestigious St Andrews University. From the moment Finn steps onto the salt-scented quadrangles, he is met with indifference and a sense of foreboding. The university, with its ancient buildings and storied traditions, becomes a character in its own right, its gothic architecture and shadowy corners providing the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Barrington’s characters are richly developed, each one harboring secrets and hidden agendas. The core group of friends, bound by their shared outsider status, quickly find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and danger. The dynamics of their relationships are explored with a keen psychological insight, revealing how toxic friendships can fester and lead to devastating consequences.

Barrington expertly balances moments of quiet tension with explosive revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The plot twists are both unexpected and meticulously foreshadowed, creating a sense of inevitability that heightens the suspense. The narrative is interspersed with flashbacks that gradually unveil the dark history of the characters, adding depth and complexity to the story.

The setting of St Andrews University is vividly brought to life, with Barrington’s descriptive prose capturing the eerie beauty of the Scottish landscape. The misty mornings, crumbling ruins, and stormy seas all contribute to the novel’s atmospheric tension. This sense of place is integral to the story, grounding the characters’ actions in a tangible reality that makes their descent into darkness all the more believable.

When We Were Killers tackles themes of privilege and power, examining how societal structures can enable and conceal wrongdoing. Barrington’s critique of the academic elite is sharp and incisive, adding a layer of social commentary to the thriller’s gripping plot. The novel raises important questions about morality, justice, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets.

When We Were Killers is a standout entry in the dark academia genre. C.F. Barrington has crafted a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is thrilling, with a story that lingers long after the final page. Fans of psychological thrillers and dark academia will find much to admire in this gripping tale of toxic friendship and hidden dangers. Whether you’re drawn to the atmospheric setting, the complex characters, or the intricate plot, this book is sure to captivate and haunt you.

I loved this book..

I enjoyed the build up and the seemingly solidarity among the boys and the fallout.

Books such as these always highlight the strengths and failures in relationships and what happened to Finn is a right of passage in this genre. His four new 'friends' were unlikeable but played their part well

I loved the setting, it is dark and atmospheric and the plot although a little slow to build up was intriguing. I found it a wonderful read and have already recommended it ..

St Andrew’s University, Scotland in the 90’s is the atmospheric setting for this page turner.

Four students entice a fifth into their inner sanctum. Although it appears that the new recruit, Finn, has little in common with the others, their shared fascination of the history of Scotland brings them together, though it is the search for the elusive beserkers drug that binds them.

Mysterious and suspenseful, with a touch of magic and the supernatural, this is the dark side of academia.

Perfectly written, with excellent descriptive prose, this book was a joy. One or two words I had to Google, but hey, every day is a school day 😉

A good, tied up ending that rounded off a belter of a story.

4.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus.

Overall this dark and moody thriller was really good! It was a bit slow in parts but I loved the dark academia setting and overall plot! Would recommend

Dark academia fans, if you’re on your second or third reread of "The Secret History" and "If We Were Villains" to satiate your desire for a moody fall girl read, look no further than this book.

Reminiscent of both the best and most tragic dark academia novels, Barrington will take you instead to the early nineties at the prestigious St Andrews university, where the tragically-inclined Finn Nethercott has just become a first-year student. With dynamic and vulnerable characters, gripping dialogue, and intellectual intrigue, "When We Were Killers" surpasses even the highest demands for this gothic and melancholic genre.

With one of the best opening lines in a novel I’ve read this year, Barrington cements this novel as a new dark academia must-read in the upcoming season.

Thank you to the publisher for this e-arc, this book will be published March 6, 2025.

“When We Were Killers” is a dark academia thriller set against the backdrop of St Andrews University in Scotland. The story follows Finn Nethercott, a misfit first-year student who finds himself drawn into a new circle of friends—four history scholars with an obsession for the ancient roots of Scotland.

Upon arriving at St Andrews, Finn is greeted with indifference in an environment where privilege reigns supreme. He quickly becomes entangled with his new friends, who lead him on wild adventures to forgotten castles and faerie lochs. However, as he delves deeper into their world, he uncovers darker elements: deadly rivalries, midnight rituals, and a frantic quest for a long-lost hallucinogen.

As Finn navigates this treacherous landscape, he grapples with trust issues and the unsettling realization that obsession can have deadly consequences. The narrative unfolds through gripping dialogue and richly developed characters, exploring themes of toxic friendship and the complexities of ambition within an academic setting.

The novel combines elements of psychological intrigue with historical references to Celtic and Viking mythology. It critiques societal structures that enable wrongdoing while maintaining an atmospheric tension throughout the plot. The vivid descriptions of the Scottish landscape enhance the eerie beauty of the setting, making it integral to the unfolding drama.

Overall, “When We Were Killers” is positioned as a must-read for fans of dark academia and psychological thrillers, promising a captivating exploration of friendship and ambition intertwined with suspenseful

Be careful what you wish for - a tale of blind obsession, friendship, ego, wanting to belong, and dealing with loss. The road twists and turns, control is lost, and living with the aftermath can change everything. A tense and addictive read, don't expect any HEA ...

We start the book with Finn getting to St Andrews where he intends to study divinity. Finn has a past and the author writes Finn as a brooding hero who in his first day meets many of the characters that will change his life forever. It’s such a skill to make so much happen in so little pages and yet keep me thrilled.

The book continues and the cast of characters splits, those from Divinity and those who seem to follow their own divinity. Sumptuous details about Celts, Viking’s and Pagan festivals and observances take this book from a dark academia to a well researched and breathtaking thriller with heavy history.

The ending of the book feels a little rushed, I would have liked to have a better understanding of how all the characters did after the events, but that is probably personal taste.

I couldn’t recommend this book more, it has everything you could want AND a search for an ancient hallucinogen. I don’t think you’ll read that sentence again.

I received this book from Netgalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, which this is.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this unbelievable arc!

After reading If We Were Villains and absolutely falling in love with it I have been searching for similar books and I am so grateful I came across this one. It is exactly what I was looking for. Fast paced, easy to read, twisty, intriguing and a brilliant thriller! It is also my first C.F.Barrington read and definitely won’t be my last.

The suspense & psychological aspects, mixed in with the clever plot line made me want to keep reading long after the story had ended. It was so detailed and captivating without going over the top and being confusing or boring. The characters and setting were expertly crafted and I could not get enough of it! C.F.Barrington really knows how to grip an audience and keep you at the edge of your seat. The twists were so perfectly planned and thought out, it really kept me guessing through out which I loved.

Would highly recommend to anyone who loves Dark Academia, twisty on the edge of your seat thrillers or anyone looking for that perfect autumn thriller read. Can’t wait to read more by this author

This had that thriller element that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. The characters had that dark element that I was looking for and enjoyed how good they worked. C.F. Barrington has a strong writing style and I thought the fever dream worked overall.

I'm a sucker for dark academia and this was an excellent version of such, intriguing and deeply divisive characters, a cracking good story and some excellent writing.

I liked the mythology and history entwined into the plot and the setting comes to life vividly. The group dynamic constantly shifts giving the book that lovely unexpected and addictive feel.

It's an entertaining read that would make great television. Paging Netflix!

Finn Nethercott arrives at St Andrews University troubled and indifferent to a place where privilege rules and if your background is right you can get away with murder.
He meets four new friends who seduce him into obsession with Scotlands history, faerie and Viking legends and he soon discovers a far darker side to them all.
There are rivalries and a hunt for a hallucinogen that is lost to history, Finn is sucked into something darker and more deadly than he thought possible, unravelling his own history and changing him forever.

I’ve read Barrington’s Pantheon series before and loved his writing style and this book is no different. It’s dark, edgy, punchy and with characters that capture you so that you just want to keep reading. I couldn’t put this down for a second once I’d started!

If you love a bit of dark academia and ‘The Secret History’ vibes then this is the book for you

When We Were K, by new to me author C.F. Barrington, published by Head of Zeus - Aries Books, is a fast paced thriller that leaves the reader breathlessly craving more. Complex, complicated and full of unexpected twists and turns.
Blurb: The salt-scented quadrangles of St Andrews University greet first-year student Finn Nethercott with indifference. It is a place where privilege counts, and those from the right backgrounds can get away with everything.
Finn is quickly drawn into a new circle of friends – four history scholars with the deepest roots of ancient Scotland – who sweep him away on wild adventures to forgotten castles and faerie lochs.
But he soon discovers the darker sides of his new midnight rituals, and a search for a long-lost hallucinogen. And as Finn sinks into a world where he can't always trust what he's seen each night, the group will learn just how dangerous obsession can be.

4.5 rounded up! I really enjoyed this one—it's peak dark academia that is so so perfect for fall. It's very reminiscent of The Secret History to me (just trade the ancient Greek for ancient Norse/Celtic/Viking). I loved the rituals, the pagan celebrations, the history, and the search for an ancient hallucinogen—all at a small university in Scotland in the early 90s.

If you love dark academia, mythology, history, secret clans/societies, and moody male main characters, this is it. It's gripping, engrossing, tragic, and vivid, and I honestly learned a ton haha. (The origin of the word "berserk" will stick with me forever!)

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When We Were Killers by C.F. Barrington is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that blends elements of crime, mystery, and psychological tension. The story follows a group of characters whose dark pasts come to the forefront when they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions. Barrington's writing is gripping, with well-drawn characters and a plot full of twists and moral dilemmas that keep readers on edge. The exploration of guilt, redemption, and the blurred line between right and wrong adds depth to the story. While the book’s darker themes may not be for everyone, When We Were Killers offers a compelling and suspenseful read for fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction.

I love dark academia so I knew I'd probably love this and it delivered.
I loved the setting of 'Sallies' at St Andrew's University and the surrounding Scottish area, I really felt transported and I got a clear picture of where Finn and the clan were. So on that note, the clan, I found them to be an interesting group and they each had their own personalities and role to play. Hope and Finn were my favourites and I grew to dislike Madri. I found her to be quite shallow and single track minded.
History and mythology are also some of my favourite subjects so to have the two intertwined really added to the plot.
The writing was incredible and I found myself really immersed in this book.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

I was obsessed all the way long in the book. soo good it kept me on edge. A real GEM to discover in 2025.

When We Were Killers is an excellent Dark Academia novel.

We begin our journey in 1992 when freshman student Finn Nethercott arrives at St. Andrews University in Scotland to begin his studies in Christian Theology. I have mentioned before about titles that are similar to The Secret History because although in the marketing perspective there is a lot of comparisons like that, few titles actually manage to make good on delivering a story that is by any means even remotely comparable to the original Dark Academia novel. When We We Killers is one of them. And it in fact sits alongside the echelons of what I like to call the holy trinity of religious studies of DA which includes the other two fantastic novels, The Gospel of Eve and The Orchard, which I both thoroughly recommend.

One of the best aspects of When We Were Killers is the fact that it is set in Scotland which allows for the author to explore the many traditions and legends related to spiritual beliefs of the place. So for one we have Finn studying about Christian Theology, discussing about the gospels and having to write essays that sometimes even get borderline philosophical, and for another we have him joining up a group, or better yet a Clan as they like to call themselves, where they observe pagan traditions of several kinds, making their own little rituals and searching for communion with nature, beauty, transcendence and more. Sounds familiar? I bet it does. I love how the author inserted these various traditions, going from Celtic, Gaelic, Druidic, pagan, Roman and Vikings as well, which does take the center stage quite alongside with the Christian Theology part more than any other. The members of the Clan are searching for a drug, more specifically a type of mushroom, that they believe is responsible to cause the frenzies that drove the Viking warriors, known as Berserkers, to battle; giving them superhuman strength and endurance as well as an insatiable desire for violence. I was so so excited about all of these themes and concepts! Not only it managed to bring originality to the concept we are familiar from TSH, and at the same time pay homage to that, but also the author was able to incorporate these concepts so skilfully in the story it created a fulfilling reading experience.

The pacing of the story was great, weaving a different mix of arcs that it kept me interested and on the edge of my seat at the same time. I particularly loved how despite the fact that Finn wants to belong in the select group of the Clan, he still has other friends outside of this circle, and I found that to work wonders for the story, not merely because it allowed for more interactions for the main character to have, but also because it made for a believable character arc and allowed for him to have growth; plus because of that he has two different perspectives in terms of religious studies, but also in friends who pursue vastly different lifestyles than he does, allowing for his worldview to expand. There is also the aspect that the members of the Clan are all older than him, therefore pursuing different scopes of study, but with his friends from Divinity, he is closer to the academic life more narrowly speaking; we have several scenes of him partaking in the annual traditions of St. Andrews such as the foam party and the drinking game on the stairs where he is only accompanied by his Divinity friends. All of that made the novel have so much more grandeur in my eyes, seeing as it was able to add several of the characteristics of a good DA novel, in such a dynamic and authentic way. Trust me when I say, I was positively giddy while reading this one, it was exactly my cup of tea.

Finn is of course, the perfect unreliable narrator, constantly disrupting the text with ominous foreshadowing’s from the future, which only made my curiosity peak higher. I started to have a theory about how things would go down at the climax of the story, which ended up correct in the end and it only made me happy to know I was right.

This story was immersive and propulsive, filled with beautiful descriptions of settings in Scotland, and the perfect gothic atmosphere of the St. Andrews University. The gothic aspects are also exhaustively present in the construction of the mental state of its protagonist inasmuch as he descends over the course of the novel to become paranoid, insecure, and completely shattered due to the progressions of events he is unable to take control of, or escape from.

This novel is coming out on March 06th and I can confidently declare that it will be the best Dark Academia of 2025! If you’re looking for a fine Dark Academia story that features discussions of religious aspects; secret societies; mushroom tripping gone wrong; the desire to belong; the deadly consequences of pursuing your academic interests to the extreme, look no further because When We Were Killers is the book for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Head of Zeus for sending me an arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

When We Were Killers by C.F. Barrington is a dark academia thriller that masterfully blends historical intrigue with psychological suspense, all set against the haunting backdrop of St Andrews University in Scotland. From the moment protagonist Finn Nethercott—a brooding, troubled first-year student—steps onto the ancient, salt-scented grounds of the university, the reader is drawn into a world where privilege, ambition, and obsession collide.

Finn's initial encounter with an enigmatic group of history scholars propels him into a shadowy quest that intertwines Celtic and Viking lore, ancient rituals, and the dangerous allure of a mythical hallucinogen. As the story unfolds, the group’s academic fascination with Viking berserkers spirals into a chaotic and deadly reality.

Barrington's writing is immersive, balancing rich historical detail with a fast-paced, suspenseful narrative. The setting is magnetic—mist-shrouded lochs, crumbling ruins, and gothic university halls create an atmospheric tension that elevates the story. The vivid descriptions make the Scottish landscape an essential character, amplifying the novel’s eerie, otherworldly tone.

Finn's journey is compelling, as he navigates toxic friendships, repressed trauma, and his search for belonging. However, while the story delves deeply into Finn’s psyche, other characters, such as the enigmatic Madri, feel underexplored. Her extreme reactions suggest a hidden depth that remains frustratingly unexamined.

The novel’s pacing is uneven at times, with some sections feeling overly academic, reminiscent of a lecture rather than a thriller. Yet, these moments are offset by tense, visceral scenes during the group's drug-fueled rituals, where reality and myth blur in a disorienting, dream-like haze.

The ending, while gripping, feels rushed, leaving certain character arcs unresolved. A more deliberate conclusion could have amplified the emotional payoff and provided a deeper understanding of the story's central relationships.

When We Were Killers is a captivating exploration of ambition, privilege, and the dangerous edges of obsession. Fans of The Secret History and dark academia will find much to admire in this atmospheric and thought-provoking thriller, even if it doesn’t fully explore all its narrative threads.

Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was pulled in immediately by this book. It started strong and kept it up all the way through. The story was so good and I loved it all. I highly recommend this book. I read a NetGalley copy.

This book was written with such detail for each and every story that it's hard to believe that it's fiction. The author took great care in the research and details for this story. It was a slow start to get your in with all the characters and the back drop, but once the first event takes place you are then wrapped up in with everyone else till the end.

I am a first time read for this author but found that I enjoyed his writing and I was able to relate well with his characters. Finn, a first year student at St. Andrews University traveling away from home, finds himself with a group of students with similar academic interests. They as a clan are in discovery of what made the ancient Viking behavior so animalistic and raw. It was believe to be because of some drug that they ingested and these scholars were on a quest to seek it out.

I enjoyed the story and the events which took place that ultimately lead them to find their answers. The story took a bit longer than I am used to to grab my attention, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this to those that enjoy a great fiction book.

An intriguing thriller set in St Andrews university in the 90's, slightly reminiscent of The Secret History. The novel follows a mixed group of students
whose obsession with myth and legend takes an increasingly dark turn.

Well researched, there are some fascinating and enjoyable in-depth sections on various mythologies mixed with some strong characterisations and a well thought through plot. The characters were all well-drawn and complex, if some highly unlikeable, the privilege and naivety of university students are well painted.
A geat story, highly recommend.

I was kindly provided my first ever ARC copy by the publisher at NetGalley, thank you for this opportunity. I hadn’t heard of this author before but my word, I was blown away by this dark-academia thriller. Gripping, tense, incredibly descriptive and beautifully written. I was captivated from the very first page. As a fellow Scots, Barrinton done a fantastic job with the magical but darkly setting of When We Were Killers. I was suspicious of the characters but drawn to them like the mmc Finn Nethercott. This is an unsettling yet quite moving read, I felt I was there with the characters at times. My jaw hit the floor for the last 30% with twists you will not see coming. 4.5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟