Synopsis: In the Garden of Spite portrays a fictionalized version of the real-life serial murderess, Belle Gunness. Belle, born Brynhild Storseth, grew up in Selbu, Norway and experienced, hunger, poverty, and abuse at the hands of the man who impregnated her. Refusing to live a meager poverty-stricken existence, Belle immigrated to the United States and discovered the easiest way to get what she wanted was just to take it. This dark and twisty tale recounts the prolific killing spree that lasted from 1884-1908 in Indiana. Belle is ruthless in her pursuit to gain status and financial security. Belle was never tried or found guilty of murder, and it was not until after her supposed death that the bodies of her numerous victims were found buried on her farm.

My Evaluation of the Book: In the Garden of Spite was not just a story about the life of Belle; it strove to explain her reasoning behind the murders. I am used to reading some unconventionally dark material as a reader of mystery and horror. However, the realization that this story is based on true events makes it particularly disturbing. The author hails from the same area of Norway as Belle, so I can understand her fascination with wanting to find out more about her life, especially since she is one of the first woman serial killers. Bruce does an amazing job of painting the picture of Belle's entire life including a detailed backstory that makes this typically hated character very relatable.
This story ends similarly to the real-life account. However, the author took liberties to push the story that Belle did not die in the fire that engulfed her farmhouse. The story shows that Belle developed an elaborate plan of escape through staging her own death. I would have liked to have seen the story end without adding this in. The air of mystery surrounding what really happened to Belle Gunness is what makes her story utterly captivating. The author should have let the readers draw their own conclusions as to the true fate of Belle Gunness. Overall, the book was a very impressive tale that managed to achieve a nice balance between the real-life Belle and her fictionalized one.

Chicago’s second most famous serial killer comes to life in this historical fiction. Bella always gets her man!

Belle Gunness is one of the most prolific serial killers and she is also a woman which is even rarer. Not much is known about the murders she committed but there are many rumors. Camilla Bruce did an excellent job of weaving this story between facts and fiction. It is hard to believe how many murders Belle got away with and was never caught. It is also interesting how she was such a spiteful person but had a kind heart for children. I gave this book 4/5 stars because it was a really long and slow read. At 480 pages, I felt that some of the story could have been weened out in order to make it flow better for a more enjoyable read.

In the Garden of Spite was a well-written account of one of America's most notorious female killers: Belle Gunness. If I had been just slightly less of a true crime junkie, I would have enjoyed this much more. I read Harold Schechter's nonfiction title about Belle Gunness, "Hell's Princess", less than a year ago and could see where the author drew directly from passages given to insurance investigators or letters written to possible suitors by Belle. Camilla Bruce manages to stay very true to the actual story of Belle Gunness with the exception of a single character, but that single character greatly changed the way that Belle's crimes were committed. I was not a fan of this change, but I did understand why it was necessary for the creation of a more robust narrative. Bruce also gives Belle a tragic backstory in her hometown in Norway, which was an interesting choice. Overall, it was a good historical fiction crime read, but if you're very familiar with the story of Belle, it may not be for you.

Camilla Bruce does an outstanding job of letting the readers get into the head of Bella Gunness. What does a murderer think before they kill? How does this person justify taking another life? Then we go a step further and get into the rationalizations of Bella's protective sister. Men flock around Bella and then disappear but who could suspect a poor widow? I not only loved watching the crimes occur but Bella's outlook change. She saw things as beautiful and food as fresh. Then things became moldy and rotten. The pacing is excellent, especially if you love true crime.

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

This book just wasn’t for me. Even though the story is dark and graphic, it moved extremely slow for me. I couldn’t really get into any of the characters either. It wasn’t what I was expecting.

Special thanks to Netgalley and publisher for a copy to review.
This title is a challenging review as it is a historical thiller(?) I guess? Or historical fiction at any rate marketed as much a thriller as anything although there is graphic violence there is only intermittant action. Which is a long winded way of saying it was not a one sitting read by any means. This novel moved slow, which at times was frustrating even as the reader in me admired the skill with which camilla Bruce set the story. Fine details permeated the prose, and although it did not ever seem excessive or too wordy it did slow the plot down despite the beautiful careful prose.
So the biggest weakness may be pacing but the greatest strength in the writing is fictionalizing actual events and plotting a female serial killers story in a realistic and historically accurate setting.
The switching perspective between sisters was at times jarring and seemingly needless outside of narrative structure but overall this book was an entertaining and educational read., however it was little slower than I expected hence only 4 not 5 stars. But if you have any interest in say a reading a little house on the prairie as it would be on HBO as opposed to the PG version I say give this one a try.

In the Garden of Spite was a bit of a drag trying to get into, and it's certainly a beast in itself to finish in terms of text length, but it was well worth the time spent making my way through it. It's not so often that such a believable female killer is portrayed in fiction, and I believe Bruce has succeeded in that. In equal turns dark and intriguing, I see this being a big hit for mystery/suspense readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Press for this free eARC of In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce. First, I had not heard of Belle Gunness, The Black Widow of LaPorte. Even in my amateur interest of true crime stories., I had not come across her infamous killings. Her story is pretty fascinating, and while fictionalized, In the Garden of Spite felt very true to life. It is certainly not for the faint of heart, especially as she began to ramp up in her number of victims. I found the story to wander at times, and think it could have been condensed without losing the sense of Belle and her depravity.

In the Garden of Spite tells the chilling tale of Belle Gunness also known as the Black Widow of LaPorte. Belle is considered to be one of the first female serial killers in America.

Growing up, Belle (fka Little Brynhild) wasn't the angelic, picture perfect daughter of the St¢rset family. With a quick temper and spiteful tendencies, Belle's anger causes her to be brutally beaten by Anders, the man that impregnated her. Shortly after Belle's recuperation from her injuries, Anders mysteriously falls ill and eventually dies.

The bodies continue to grow in number even as Belle emigrates to America. A series of questionable unfortunate events, accidents, and illnesses plague Belle and her reputation.

Written in two points of view (Belle and her sister Nellie,) the author adeptly blends the two views into one cohesive novel. A compelling read, In the Garden of Spite is the consummate combination of historical fiction and true crime. It will leave you speechless. Five stars. Unforgettable.

I received a digital ARC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

My review is scheduled to post to my blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook accounts on 1/12/21. With reviews on retail sites such as Amazon and Barnes&Noble occurring on publication day.

So I totally loved In the Garden of Spite. Belle Gunness is vengeful, crazy, lascivious, and shameless. She becomes pregnant after trusting the farmer's son. Her reputation and life is ruined when he rejects her. He gets angry and kicks the baby out. She buries it and plans revenge. She poisons and kills him. Determined to never let another man betray her and take what is hers, she leads a life of luring men into her life, taking the rough sex she wants, convincing them to marry her and leave all their money to her and then she kills them.

Historical Fiction Early, 1900's, Based on a true life tales of a murdering woman who was never captured and convicted.

Her arrogance and strength remind me of Scarlet O'Hara. Her psychotic belief she is right and just reminds me The Tell Tale Heart in her justification of not being mad, but smart.

The hate she carries is so intense, is she crazy?, So much is over the top....She even kills off a couple of her adopted kids.

Her partner in crime is a man named James Lee who reminds me of Rhett Butler in his cool calm demeanor and how well he sees through her. In the end they ride off together and she says coyly "aren't you afraid I'll kill you off in your sleep?" and he smiles and says something like "That my darling is part of your charming attraction."

This book is gruesome at times and can be hard to swallow for some, but I loved it.

Thank you to Berkley & Netgalley for a free copy coming out 1/19/21
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I really enjoyed this book. When I read the premise, I knew this was something I would want to read. A female serial killer? Yes please.
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Enjoyed: The ruthlessness of our main character. She didn’t spare anyone. Her relationship with her sister was rocky, but well written. Belle was so sinister that every time she spoke to someone, I was on eggshells. The authors note explained that this is loosely based on the life of Belle, letters, some articles, etc. But the author’s note was really informative!
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Didn’t enjoy: Length. As I have said many times, I’m not against long books. But I loathe when a story drags for the sake of length. This one def dragged for a bit in the middle and was repetitive.
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TW: gory deaths, forced abortion, death of children
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I received a digital advanced reading copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was great and is the first book I’ve finished in a few weeks. This fictional retelling of the story of Belle Gunness brings to life a bizarre and grisly woman. I thought this novel was well-paced, the characters were developed well, and the plot was wild. I would recommend to historical fiction and crime fans alike.

A young woman flees Norway after a brutal attack leaves her traumatized and eventually leads her to become a serial killer. Nellie, the older sister married and living in America is all too happy to take in her much younger sister Belle and offer her a fresh start away from Norway. Belle seems happy at first with her work in the church and marriage to a kind man who provides her with a good life. Soon spending money on fine things but not being able to have children leaves her feeling bored and jealous of other families including her sister's. It is as if a switch has flipped and Belle soon learns to take what she wants both children and lovers. Once Belle kills the first time it awakens her bloodlust and she begins to kill anyone who gets in her way. She collects men and discards them when they fail to live up to her expectations. This is historical fiction that is based on a true story combining the Scandinavian immigrant experience in the midwest with a Lizzie Borden - type psychopath. Fans of Erik Larson's DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY or true crime serial killers will dive into this. I especially enjoyed the grisly background information found in the author's notes. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Belle Gunness was a Norwegian immigrant who came to America with several killings on her tally and proceeded to grow that list like a boss. Camilla Bruce's novel adds fictional characters to Belle's story not in a way to sensationalize her, but rather to help us understand her a little.

I was grateful for the addition of her sister Nellie to the novel because she humanizes Belle and offers someone who knows her ways and what she might be up to. Belle is a complete social climber who has a long way to go if she hopes to reach the middle class in late 19th century Chicago. She uses most of her victims as away up that social ladder but the climb is tough, as Belle is strange and a little scary. So, around her, she gathers an ever changing roster of children to soften her image. Will the children fall victim to Belle or do they leave of their own accord?

"In the Garden of Spite" is like chewing on bitter jerky. It's a long book and it's always a relief when Nellie appears to give us the POV of a normal person. But Belle is also her sister--will that tie make it impossible for her to share what she learns? Keep reading.

Thanks to Berkley publishing and Netgalley for granting access to this title.

~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader

Hear my warning: this book is deeply disturbing. The opening chapters are very graphic in description and for me, that was very jarring. The book is incredibly well written but terribly graphic and descriptive - I did have a hard time reading this one (and I LOVE true crime).

While I would recommend this one, I would recommend you approach it with a clear mind and caution. This will be too much for some people.

This book was nothing I expected but everything I anticipated. Deliciously dark, macabre, and so so hard to put down, this is truly a book I didn't even know I needed in my life until the I picked it up. From the very first chapter it seemed to put a spell on me and sucked me right into the very demented very disturbing mind of someone truly broken and I loved every single minute of it.

Of course the most fascinating part of this whole sordid tale is the very fact that..it's true. Embellishments aside, it really happened.

I loved all the author's notes and thoughts and the end and can't stress enough that they too should be read. This truly was a gruesome delight and I'm so glad I took a chance on it. I think anyone fascinated with the past, with killers, anyone wanting a good thriller and a heart pounding read, is absolutely going to love this.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

You do not want to cross Bella! She is vindictive, vengeful and downright spiteful. Historical fiction at its finest with the feel of a modern thriller. No one escapes Bella when she's been crossed. Highly recommend to both historical fiction fans and thriller seekers alike.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

While I usually love reading about true crime and serial killers, this book was just ok for me. It was well written and certainly interesting but just isn't what I consider a great book. There were definitely some grisly and disturbing moments but overall not as shocking or horrifying as I expected.