Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet
Published by Penguin Random House
Beth is Dead is Little Women on steroids. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Katie Bernet’s debut YA/adult novel reads like the best fanfiction.
Told from the viewpoint of each of the four March sisters in the past and present, it is addictive. Who is going out with Laurie – Jo or Amy? What is Meg’s secret? Where is Mr March? Most importantly, who killed Beth?
Readers will enjoy this novel for its much-loved characters told with a twist and its fast pace as a murder mystery. It will also send readers back to the original book.
Reece Witherspoon has even chosen it as her inaugural Sunnie Reads Book Club for Gen Z readers pick.
Extract from Beth is Dead at PaperbarkWords blog
The following extract of dialogue between Amy and Aunt March is approved for use at PaperbarkWords blog:
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet
‘“Your dad was right. You really are arrogant.”
“Excuse me?” I look up, stunned.
“You think Beth threw herself off a bridge because you said something mean? That’s a little self-important, don’t you think?”
I feel like she slapped me, and at the same time, the tension in my chest lets up.
Aunt March sits on the bathmat, stretches her legs out, and smokes. “You need to give your sister more credit. She was way too strong to let a little fight send her over the edge.”
I’m trembling, but her words begin to steady me. I join her on the floor. “You really think so?”
Aunt March takes a drag, laughs it out. “This may come as a surprise, but I’m not that great with people. Beth reached out. She got to know me even though I make it hard. If that’s not strength, I don’t why what is.”
My chest burns like something’s been wrenched out of it. I always thought strength could be measured by the space we make for ourselves, like elbowing through a crowd, but Beth did something harder than that. She made space for others.
“I wish we’d had more time,” I whisper.
Aunt March gets up, and just when I think she’s about to leave me alone on the bathroom floor, she extends a hand.’
(Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet, p.231)
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Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet at Penguin Random House Australia
(Read the beginning of the book https://www.penguin.com.au/books/beth-is-dead-9781761355431/extracts/3227-beth-is-dead )
Little Women at Penguin Random House
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