The following edition of the text was used in the creation of this study guide: Haushofer, Marlen. Killing Stella. Vintage Classics, 2026. Kindle AZW file.

The novella is narrated by Anna, a nervous and unstable housewife who plans to write about recent events while her husband Richard is away with their children. Easily distracted, she fixates on an abandoned baby bird in the garden.

Anna intends to write about Stella, a young woman who has died, but her account is fragmented and evasive. It becomes clear that Stella ran in front of a truck, that Anna feels guilty for failing to protect her, and that the incident has damaged Anna’s close relationship with her son Wolfgang.

Stella, sent to boarding school by her mother Luise, had stayed with Anna’s family before her death. Anna recalls noticing Stella’s admiration for her husband Richard, whom Anna suspects of infidelity, and Wolfgang’s unease at the situation. After the funeral, Luise visits Anna and grieves, though Anna believes Stella’s death conveniently freed Luise to inherit her late husband’s pharmacy and marry a younger man. Anna reflects uneasily that Stella had become a burden. Thus, her death was a convenience for everyone. Anna claims Stella made her death appear accidental to spare others embarrassment, though the truck driver and Wolfgang doubt that it was an accident. Anna believes that Wolfgang blames both his parents for their inaction. Anna connects this guilt to the dying baby bird, whose cries distress her.

Anna believes her thoughts may have caused Stella’s death, recalling her fear that Richard would destroy her. She regrets allowing Stella to stay with the family, a decision prompted by Luise’s desire to pursue a romantic relationship without her daughter’s presence. Although Anna has known Luise since childhood, she has long distrusted her.

Anna is emotionally closest to her son Wolfgang, while Richard favors their younger child Annette, whom Anna struggles to bond with because she is so similar to Richard. She remembers Stella’s arrival as an inconvenience and describes treating her with detached politeness. Anna hints at a past trauma that has left her emotionally numb. She privately views Richard as a monster and murderer, though outwardly he appears to be a devoted husband and successful lawyer. She copes by retreating into routine rather than confronting him.

Anna regrets having new clothes made for Stella, believing this made Richard notice her. Convinced that she and Richard are responsible for Stella’s death, Anna blames herself for exposing her to Richard. Anna recalls encouraging Richard to take Stella out socially, which suited her own aversion to social life. Certain of Richard’s previous infidelities but fearing his power over her, Anna remains trapped in the marriage.

One night Stella returned home soaked from the rain and distressed. She refused to explain what happened. Richard arrived soon after in an unusually good mood, and Anna feared Wolfgang understood the implication. Later, Anna heard Stella sobbing but chose not to comfort her or ask her what was wrong.

Anna briefly considered intervening in the affair but convinced herself it was impossible, believing Stella to be utterly devoted to Richard. She therefore took no action. Over the following months, Stella became increasingly withdrawn. Anna observed Stella’s disturbed reaction upon seeing Richard’s acquaintance, Dr. W, a gynecologist. It is heavily implied, although not explicitly stated, that Stella has had an abortion.

Anna later received a call from the hospital informing her that Stella had been run over and had died. She went home without contacting Richard and felt guilty relief at the return of her former life. When Richard came home, he angrily insisted Stella’s death was an accident. Anna did not contradict him.

As Anna finishes writing, the abandoned baby bird dies, soon to be forgotten. Wolfgang asks to attend boarding school, devastating Anna, who feels his desire to leave is caused by Stella’s death and Wolfgang blaming her and Richard. The novella ends with Anna watching Richard and Annette in the garden, imagining Stella’s body decaying as Richard’s image is reflected in their daughter’s eyes.