Is this dark academia? The dead body probably means yes. Mysteries set at boarding schools!
created by tritsy
last updated May, 2026
Iâd recommend âThe Secret Placeâ by Tana French as an addition (and actually rec reading all her books lol, though this oneâs actually set in a boarding school). This book is technically part of a series but you can read them as standalones!! They just have overlapping detective characters but not plots.

Thank you! Adding it now!
If youâre taking recs: 1.A Lesson in Vengange 2. The Spirit Bares itâs Teeth

Yes! Recs are always welcome! Thank you, I will add those!
damn. i wish i could remember if there was a murder in The Divines. definitely a boarding school, definitely a mystery, but i cannot say whether or not there was murder.

I had not heard of this one but it looks like not a murder Iâm basing that off this very spoiler filled review
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley fits here!

Thank you!!! Do you know if it can be read as a stand alone or do they need to read the previous books first?
Thereâs enough exposition in the first few chapters of every book to catch readers up if they havenât read the others! aside from involving the same narrator and a couple revolving side characters, each book introduces enough new characters that only matter for that one book that they can all be read as standalone.