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%

I liked the idea of researching Scottish/ English/ Viking history. It gave me outlander vibes. A group of friends at school form a "clan" together to test and discover drugs that they believe the vikings took to be "mad" and have incredible strength on the battlefield. No one was suppose to get hurt but 2 nights go terribly wrong suddenly. The consequences are dire. I was hoping for more history, and romance. Certain parts were a bit confusing and not completely cohesive. A little more mystery would have been nice as well.

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.