About
It’s the 80’s. Teens Agatha Krishna and Georgie Ayyar live in Wyoming with their parents, navigating what it means to be biracial and bicultural in a rural, white community daily. They are forced to welcome their aunt, uncle, and cousin into their home after the family moves from India. Agatha and Georgie kill their uncle (not a spoiler). This book follows the events and reasons leading up to the death as well as the aftermath and fallout.

Topics, Themes, & Vibes
Acculturation. Navigating bicultural/biracial identity in a white community. Otherness. Adolescence. Sisterhood. Childhood trauma. The 80’s. Pop culture references. Dark humor. Rural life in Wyoming/Western America. British colonization of India. Privilege and Status.

Quick Thoughts
- This is some serious pack a punch writing. Quick. Witty. Dark. Candid. Laugh out loud funny.
- A short but jam packed read.
- The narrative voice is perfect. It reflects the irreverent, bizarre, and blunt style of communication used by so many preteens. Added to the authenticity of the story.
- Loved the upfront addressing of stereotypes and related questions.
- Handled dark subject material sensitively and smartly.
- Enjoyed all the 80’s cultural references.
- Loaded with social commentary. Some subtle. Some in your face. All of it well done.

Thanks to NetGalley & Pantheon for the ARC!

I loved this book. I will say, if you’re expecting a thriller you will be disappointed. This is not a fast paced, suspenseful book. It’s more of an exploration of what it means to be “other” in the rural United States, an exploration of familial relationships, taking responsibility, refusing to be passive in your own story, growing together and apart. The little quizzes interspersed throughout the book filled me with a sense of nostalgia and added a little levity to the story. Tbh I’m not sure what else to say other than I ended up really, really loving this book.

Thank you to Pantheon and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of the book to read and review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Nina McConigley's debut novel, How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder is told from the perspective of a single narrator looking back on the events surrounding the death of her uncle when she was twelve.
While the title and synopsis suggest a mystery, the novel felt more like a coming-of-age story. The book's strength lies in the voice of its young narrator and the complex, deeply explored relationship with her mother. The narrator’s biracial identity is navigated with directness, while the impact of childhood sexual abuse is approached with an indirectness that leaves much to the reader's inference.
McConigley's narrative also incorporates a critique of reader expectations for authors of South Asian descent. The narrator playfully acknowledges common tropes—mangoes, saris, spices, poverty, colonialism, etc.—before the narrative largely charts its own course. One way that she does come back to these themes is that she once, impractically, goes on a day hike carrying only a bottle of water and a jar of 'curry powder' whose smell reminds her of her mom.
I found the book engaging and read it quickly. A distinctive structural element is the inclusion of quizzes at the end of some chapters; these begin with a teen-magazine feel but morph into reflections on the frequent absence of easy answers.
Ultimately, How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder is a compelling and thought-provoking debut. It excels as a character-driven story exploring identity, family, memory, and the ways trauma can shape a young life, more so than a conventional mystery. A worthwhile read for those interested in nuanced coming-of-age narratives with a distinctive voice and innovative structure.

A DNF for me. Firstly, if your book centers around sexual abuse, say that up front as it’s a common trigger. But secondly, even without that, this just isn’t a read for me.

Not every book is for every reader. By the end I was left unsure of how I felt about what I had read. While the writing was beautiful and descriptive and the setting was done perfectly, the nostalgia of the 80s could be felt throughout the book, the story felt more like a conglomeration of moments, memories, ramblings and magazine quizzes than a cohesive narrative. It felt repetitive at times, hard to follow (especially with switching between character names and nicknames) and it took me while to get through despite its length. But the story was also thought provoking and tackled complex issues like sexual abuse and and left me thinking about it long after I finished. Overall it was a 3.75 ⭐Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Pantheon, and the author, Nina McConigley, for this eARC

Thanks to Pantheon for the ARC.

The synopsis of How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder is so intriguing, but the writing style unfortunately didn’t resonate with me. This book felt more like a loose collection of childhood moments than a cohesive narrative. The characters felt a little distant or one-dimensional to me—maybe a reflection of the narrator’s isolation. The chapters are interspersed with quizzes in the style of teen/tween magazines (does he like you back?) which I felt didn’t add much to the story. I appreciated that the author touched on important subjects like racism, colonialism, and abuse, but I would have liked to see a different approach.

Readers should be aware the book discusses child abuse and sexual abuse.

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder is a book that reflects on identity in second generation Asian coming of age story. It is reflective and very well written. You won't be able to put the book down. I enjoyed every page. Placed in Wyoming Nina McGonigley captures the cultural nuance of being mid-West and East Indian. I would recommend this book to students in Anthropology and area studies. It is written with a BIG heart.

Goodreads - 5/24/25
DNF. I rate this book 2/10 or 1 ⭐️. I really wanted to like this book. The cover is so cool, the writing style is totally in my lane, and the title is intriguing. Unfortunately I made it 25% in and decided to stop. I could not continue. First off, there was no indicator that there would be sexual abuse (trigger warning). Secondly, it seems like she is repetitive to some degree. It just seems like she wants everyone to KNOW, for a fact, with no doubts, that white people are racist. It kind of got old the third time. A quarter of the way in, there was no hook, no action, just confusion. Like what happened? Where in the timeline am I? Where is the point in all the rambling? Again, she is a phenomenal author, well written.

This book offers a compelling glimpse into the life of an extended family, woven together with beautiful stories and dark secrets. Set against the backdrop of the vibrant 1980s, it captures the essence of girlhood with relatable elements like Neutrogena and Seventeen magazine, providing a delightful nostalgic touch.

At the heart of the story are two sisters grappling with the gravity of their actions after murdering their uncle. This central event propels the narrative into a deep exploration of guilt, family dynamics, and the struggle for redemption. The juxtaposition of poignant moments with lighthearted scenes creates a rich emotional landscape, making the characters feel both relatable and complex.

What stands out most is the book's ability to serve as a private confession to the reader, drawing you into the sisters' inner turmoil and their journey of self-discovery. It's a true original, bravely blending themes of innocence lost with the stark reality of their crime. This book is not just a coming-of-age story; it is an exploration of the darker sides of familial love and the consequences of our choices.

Overall, I found this book to be an engaging read that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It’s both poignant and entertaining, making it a noteworthy addition to any bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Pantheon, and the author, Nina McConigley, for this ARC. It is released on January 20, 2026, and you will want to run, not walk, to your local bookstore for a copy.

This is a book about sisterhood, revenge, expectations, and how the world changes around you, no matter how much you think you understand it. This short book feels like several things rolled into one. It is a hyper-factual series of exploratory essays (but it's fiction). It is a brutally honest memoir (but it's fiction). Above all, it's a story of sisters and the many ways the world can dissect a girl's shape, race, actions, and potential to tear her and everything she knows apart. Nina McConigley doesn't cut her reader any slack (in a good way!), and her narrator is a witty speaker, unwilling to treat even her darkest moments as confession. This is a book that you have to be willing to immerse yourself in, and when you do, the ending will
haunt you for a long time. It is absolutely a book you could read and reread finding new layers to dissect every time.

Thank you to Pantheon and Nina McConigley for an ARC of this book via NetGalley

Thank you so much for this arc!

I didn’t really know what to expect going into this. After finishing, all I can say is I’m blown away. McConigley made me feel SO connected to her characters. I’ve read books twice as long that failed to make me feel as connected. I’m just so impressed.

Georgie’s narration is so unique. The prose is beautiful and lyrical but still so easy to read and absorb. I think the layout of the book is fantastic, I loved the quizzes scattered throughout. It was nostalgic and really made me feel just how young, naive, and innocent Georgie and the other kids are. I felt like I was living in her mind as she was going about her life.

This is such a sad and beautiful and political story, but it’s not for everyone. I’m not sure everyone can appreciate it. If you’re expecting a classic true crime murder mystery then this is not it. This is so much deeper, so much more complex.

♡ DNF @ 50% ♡

1/5 ⭐️

thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and Nina McConigley for an ARC of this book via NetGalley

okay... i really wanted to read this. i really wanted to LOVE this.. but i just couldn't. i tried to power through but ended up DNF at 50%.

i thought the plot of this story was very confusing. there were many things that were seemingly unnecessary to the story and holes that didn't seem to fix themselves. mind you, of course i only made it to the half way mark... so maybe these resolve themselves later in the story.

one main point of confusion comes from the different names for the same character (ex: AK Akka and Agatha). if Ak Akka was her nickname, that's fine! but to go back and forth between both names was very confusing. same with Thomas.

i felt the quizzes were total left field and had nothing to do with the story. the first one i encountered, "how to know if a boy likes you", left me soo puzzled. i reread the chapter it was in and the chapter after to see if i had missed something. ultimately i felt all of the quizzes added nothing of value to the story and weren't on the same playing field as the plot.

this story (seems) to revolve around sexual abuse, which i felt was not disclosed in the blurb of this story. please be mindful of this trigger warning before reading!

Nina is a very descriptive writer and i could really see myself in the story, but the plot was not it for me.

2.5 rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder is a raw, emotional, and painful coming-of-age story. Georgie and her sister Agatha Krishna navigate the complications of family and family secrets, learning that family doesn't always mean love and safety.
This was a thought-provoking and balanced, character-driven and plot-driven novel.

While the themes in this novel are undoubtedly important and need to be talked about, I would have loved a bit of content warning going into it.

I don’t know where to start with this book, but I'm not going to provide a plot summary. I read it in a day.
It's like a treasure chest. Each page, each paragraph, is something new. Something special. Something regular. Something irregular. Something precious.
It's a rare book that manages to be both character-driven and plot-driven, and How to Commit does that. And it does it in a thoroughly new and exciting way: a circular, self-referential narrative that somehow manages to be both ordinary and profound.
This is a book about family. Loyalty. A sense of place. Finding your place in the world. And so much more.

Utterly original. Much darker than I expected. The subject matter was sad and disturbing enough that I had to take a long break midway and come back to it when I was ready. But like my favorite books, sad and humorous at the same time. I loved the bond between sisters, the depiction of the 80s was pitch-perfect. There were some pacing issues—I found the quizzes clever at first but tiresome later on, and like a lot of debut novels I’ve been reading lately, the emotional resolution in the end felt too abrupt. But overall, I loved the voice and would absolutely recommend and keep reading this author.

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley is a story about a lot of things, maybe too many. The main character, Georgie, has a great voice: insightful, funny, full of teenage snarkiness, caring, searching, and daring. She and her sister Agatha Krishna are trying to navigate all of the difficulties of family especially as their extended family from India comes to stay in their already small home. Georgie, having grown up in Wyoming is already trying to come to terms with living in a rural area, being a minority in a rather homogenous state, and various microaggressions and expectations, when the power dynamics and safety in her home are changed.

The author is a wonderful storyteller and makes being in Georgie’s head so readable and entertaining while dealing with a number of serious subjects. This is a short book and she has covered a lot of ground: colonial history (the India(n) vs. native American discussion works so well here), word play: caste/cast, racial politics, otherness, friendship, trauma, abuse, power, and so much more while detailing fun parts of the 80s and magazine quizzes. I felt like it was too much when I finished the book, but after reflecting, I don’t know how anything could be left out. I was completely engrossed, and the plot is well paced and flows nicely. I grew up in the 80s in Wyoming (pretty close to the fictional town here if I am reading the clues correctly) and the setting is spot on.

This is McConigley’s first novel, and I am looking forward to reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for the eARC.

A coming of age story with a bit of murder.

An Indian family living in Wyoming. This book focuses on Georgie, her crys for help. Realizing that no one was going to save her and her sister except for herself. To save herself she has to commit murder. The post Colonial part comes in as they do blame the British for their deed and pass them off as a scapegoat.
The book deals with adult content and heavy topics. This was a short book, but sometimes the shorter the book the heavier it is.
I enjoyed the look into Georgies life and reminiscing over camp and MASH the magazine quizs. Nostalgia.

“But do you know what pioneers do? They colonize. They take things that aren’t theirs…..” “We had to become pioneers if we were going to kill him. We had to do what was best for us, no matter how it might affect other people. That’s what pioneers do. That’s what colonizers do.”

With a writing style reminiscent of “We Could Be Rats” and a story about sisterhood, growing up mixed, being split between two different realities, and how far two girls go when the big bad man shows up, this novel was stunning. When Georgie’s uncle, aunt and cousin move in from India, her and her sister, Agatha Krishna’s worlds are turned upside down. Georgie and Agatha Krishna are desperate to escape this pain and so they kill their uncle Vinny. But first, Georgie tells you a tale of her family, of foreign intelligent women coming to America and being demeaned as less, of growing up mixed in rural Wyoming, of the 80s, of sisterhood, of colonization and of how far she’s willing to go to be freed from her pain.

“It is an acknowledged truth that to be a girl, is to be extracted. Girls, we are taken. For once, we were the ones who were going to extract. We wanted to be the ones to take. To take Vinny Uncle right off the earth.”

Ultimately a coming-of-age story, this novel brings together family and murder with a heavy handed sprinkle of traditionalism and a light whiff of humor. This is a really quick read that offers tons by way of familial ties and how to....cut them.

A surprising little gem, this book packs a lot into its 224-page frame. We get to explore the beauty and the ugliness of nuclear and extended family, the lasting impact of trauma and its clawing tendrils, the impact of being different in a homogeneous land, the lasting aftereffects of colonialism, and the 80s in all of its glory.

Being in Georgie’s head felt comfortable and familiar, even though we share little in common. Her narrative voice felt natural and she told a complex tale with relative ease.

The power of sisterhood was palpable, as was the muted terror that lives at the heart of the murder, which is really only a single strand of plot among many despite it being featured in the title.

Pick up this book for a quick, but rich look into the messiness of life.