Q&A: Katie Bernet, Author of ‘Beth Is Dead’

We chat with author Katie Bernet about Beth Is Dead, which is a modern reimagining of Little Women as a young adult mystery/thriller in which Beth March dies in the first chapter and her sisters will stop at nothing to track down her killer—until they begin to suspect one another.

Hi, Katie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I live and write in Dallas, Texas. I’m one of three sisters, and we’re all really close, so we spend a lot of time together. When I’m not writing, I love gardening (I’m about to harvest my very first homegrown figs), cooking, and true crime podcasts.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

Growing up, I wanted to be a dance choreographer—so much so that I moved to New York to study dance at NYU. But after my freshman year, I was dealing with an injury, and I realized that I didn’t want to pursue a career in dance. My favorite thing about dancing had always been the opportunity to tell a story, so I started writing short stories and then gradually started writing novels.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
• The one that made you want to become an author: “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin

Your debut novel, Beth Is Dead, is out January 6^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Modern “Little Women” with murder.

What can readers expect?

Beth is found dead in chapter one, so you can expect a page-turning mystery right from the start. Get ready to meet the March sisters as modern day teens and read from all four of their perspectives—including Beth’s in flashback—as they race to uncover the killer. You can also anticipate three romantic subplots and tons of sisterly rage and love.

Where did the inspiration for Beth Is Dead come from?

Before I ever read “Little Women,” I knew that Beth was going to die. Her fate was spoiled by my best friend’s older sister who was crying in front of the 1994 film adaptation during a sleepover. I think the idea started simmering way back then, but it really caught fire many years later when I was searching for a new project, and a fellow author recommended that I try a love/hate list. She suggested that I write a list of all the books, movies, topes, themes, and life experiences that I love as well as those that I hate. When I finished, two things stood out to me on the love list: “Little Women” and mystery-thrillers—a combination that would help me explore and conquer a lot of themes on my hate list like loneliness, loss, and feeling trapped by the perceptions of others.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I really enjoyed writing from Beth’s perspective. When I first read “Little Women,” I didn’t much like Beth. Honestly, she freaked me out. I couldn’t understand how she could accept her own untimely end with such ease. I wanted to shake her and say, “Aren’t you going to fight? Don’t you want to live?” Of course, she did. Writing “Beth Is Dead” helped me understand that Beth March never wanted to die, but she wasn’t given a choice, and she faced the unimaginable with bravery and strength.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Oh, so many. It was really difficult to weave all the threads of the mystery together—but with the help of spreadsheets and revisions—I was able to pull it off. It was also challenging to silence the voice in the back of my head that kept telling me I was risking my neck by reimagining a novel as beloved as “Little Women.” I’m glad I did.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

It took me ten years and six manuscripts to get published, so it’s been a long and winding journey. But I’m really glad it happened when it did, because I’m very proud of “Beth Is Dead,” and I’ve learned so much along the way.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on reimagining another literary classic that was one of my favorites as a kid.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up in 2026?

I can’t wait to read “Salt Water Blood” by Manuia Heinrich, “Natural Selection” by Clare Edge, and “Young World” by Soman Chainani.

Will you be picking up Beth Is Dead? Tell us in the comments below!