Title: IN THE GARDEN OF SPITE
Subtitle: A NOVEL OF THE BLACK WIDOW OF La PORTE
Author: CAMILLA BRUCE
https://camillabruce.com
Genre: FICTION, HISTORICAL FICTION, MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS, BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Length: 480 PAGES
Publisher: BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Received From: NETGALLEY
Release Date: JANUARY 19, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-5931-0256-5
Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DESCRIPTION:
An audacious novel of feminine rage about one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history–and the men who drove her to it.
They whisper about her in Chicago. Men come to her with their hopes, their dreams–their fortunes. But no one sees them leave. No one sees them at all after they come to call on the Widow of La Porte.
The good people of Indiana may have their suspicions, but if those fools knew what she’d given up, what was taken from her, how she’d suffered, surely they’d understand. Belle Gunness learned a long time ago that a woman has to make her own way in this world. That’s all it is. A bloody means to an end. A glorious enterprise meant to raise her from the bleak, colorless drudgery of her childhood to the life she deserves. After all, vermin always survive.
MY REVIEW:
This book will grab you and although the tension builds slowly, you will be unable to put this book down.
Currently, true crime is big business. Serial killers have fascinated people before there was even a term to describe this type of heinous multiple murderer/murderess.
Based on a terrifying true story, Camilla Bruce has crafted a superb tale of one woman who set her sites on potential suitors (and others) and methodically slaughtered them.
With quotes such as the following one, readers cannot help but be hooked by the antics of the “Black Widow of LaPorte.”
“Halfway through the meal, Moira had to excuse herself, as she was feeling ill. I wished her a speedy recovery as she made her way upstairs. Soon after, I cut her throat and let her bleed out in a bucket.”
IN THE GARDEN OF SPITE is not for the faint of heart. This is however the perfect book for anyone who likes a bit of history alongside their true crime fix.
Belle proves that women can be just as deadly as men. The saying ‘the fairer sex’ does not apply to Belle Gunness. She had a heart as black as night and took what she wanted.
I am a fan of the true crime genre, yet until reading this book, I was unaware of the existence of this serial killer. Author Camilla Bruce grew up hearing the story. I am glad that she chose to bring Belle’s story to the attention of readers everywhere.
I enjoyed this book and at a length of 480 pages, readers get their money’s worth. This is well worth buying and would be a fabulous selection for your local book club. There is much to discuss and debate.
I rate IN THE GARDEN OF SPITE as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and highly recommend purchasing a copy or two.
*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Camilla Bruce is a Norwegian writer of dark speculative and historical fiction.
Her debut novel, You Let Me In, is out now from Bantam Press (UK) and Tor (US).
Her dark historical, In the Garden of Spite, will be published by Berkley (US) and Michael Joseph (UK) in January 2021.
To learn more about this author, visit the following links:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://camillabruce.com
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To learn more about real-life serial killer visit the following links:
Belle Gunness lured lonely men to her murder farm
Female serial killer Belle Gunness placed newspaper ads in Midwestern newspapers seeking male suitors.
Some say there were as many as 40 victims of her crimes.
https://uw-media.barnstablepatriot.com/embed/video/81108372?placement=snow-embed
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