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!

I found this book a difficult one to read, the big chunks of Laurie’s stories like I understood why the information was needed but it was too much in my personal opinion.

The actual plot was good although I’d of liked an answer to what actually happened that night.

Overall for the right person I have no doubt it would be a 5* book but for me it was too difficult to read with no flow.

The prologue was intruiging and set up for what i hoped would be an interesting and action packed read.

I wanted to like this book and the author obviously researched well to create the history and details but it took away from the actual novel for me and made it drag where I wanted more action and drama. For some i think the history will be great but for me not so much.

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

Good book.. loved the characters and story line. I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this to other readers.

I really wanted to like this book, but found myself wishing it would hurry up and be over. I was curious enough to see how ended, so I kept reading, but was somewhat disappointed with the lack luster ending. There was obviously a lot of care put into this story, based on the amount of history and details, but I felt this occasionally took away from the story because it was too much. Ultimately, this book was not for me. But based on the number of other good reviews, I would still recommend reading if the synopsis intrigues you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the Arc

So, if you'd like to read a story about a good person who gets sucked up into a toxic group of people and their research, and watch as everything spirals into obsession and murder... this story is for you. I, for one, enjoyed it.

It's a dark academia set in a prestigious academy in Scotland in the '90s, and our protagonist, Finn, is an outsider. However, he soon meets this odd group of people who are just obsessed with finding what kind of drug the Berserkers took to go berserk. How, you might wonder? Well, by trying out every allucinogen on earth in every possible way. Soon, however, things get darker and relationship are tested, as well as the safety of the group and our MC.

It was a wild ride, it started slow but soon picked up, and I could not put it down, especially in the second half. I really enjoyed the research elements and, most of all, I loved the juxstaposition of the darkness of the friend group and the brightness and hope brought by Anna, Finn's classmate. The darker tones were just perfect and the spiraling was horrifying to witness - but in a fun (ish) way.

The prologue was captivating, setting the scene for an easy to read, action packed read.
Unfortunately for me, that was where the excitement ended. The rest of the book felt a little disjointed and labourius to read. It felt rather fluffy.
The mystery/thriller element was great though, which is this novels saving grace.

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.

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.

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.

Had potential, but it ended up being more confusing than compelling. The atmosphere is there – St. Andrews feels moody and rich – but the story gets bogged down by info dumps and dialogue that didn’t flow naturally. Some parts were interesting, but the pacing dragged, and by the end, I felt more puzzled than satisfied.

This was an interesting book in both its premise and its characters, but it was hard to follow and as a reader I needed more context to make sense of everything. It felt like being thrown into the deep end.

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

Enjoyed the engaging plot! This was the first book I've read by this author, and such a great thriller. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

When We Were Killers by C.F. Barrington is a gripping and intense thriller that keeps you on edge from start to finish. The story dives into the dark past of a group of friends, unraveling secrets and betrayals that build to a shocking climax. Barrington does a fantastic job balancing the tension with emotional depth, making the characters feel real and relatable even as their choices take a darker turn. While a few twists were a bit predictable, the pacing and suspense make it a highly entertaining read that lingers long after the last page.

The story has fast-paced storyline with an intriguing premise and high stakes. The writing style is engaging, and the twists keep you turning pages. However, the characters sometimes felt underdeveloped, making it hard to fully connect with their journey. The story felt sometimes confusing. The pacing, while intense, occasionally rushed key moments that could have used more depth. It wasn't my favorite but I had a great time reading it.

I liked this book it was really interesting I really enjoyed it I would recommend this to friends and family

I thought I’d really enjoy this book but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me, it is very well written and I would recommend this book to other people who like this kind of thing.

I started reading this and found it wasn’t for me

The title of the book initially pulled me

DNF@40%