Excellent read by Kendare Blake. The story is well written and the plot is engaging. I would recommend this book to my upper level students.

While this book didn't quite grab me the way I'd hoped, I definitely still plan to recommend it to others! All These Bodies has a great hook and an enticing mystery amidst a historical setting. For me, I just had trouble connecting with the main character and the slow start made it hard for me to really get into the story.

As a teen services librarian, I'll absolutely still be purchasing this one for our collection! I will definitely be recommending it to fans of horror & historical fiction. While this one didn't wow me, I'm still looking forward to reading more of Kendare Blake's work in the future.

All These Bodies
by Kendare Blake
Pub Date 21 Sep 2021
HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books
Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Teens & Y


I am reviewing a copy of All These Bodies through HarperCollins Children’s Book, Quill Tree Books and NetGalley:




It’s the Summer of 1958 A gruesome killer plagues the Midwest, leaving behind a trail of bodies completely drained of blood.



Michael Jensen was an aspiring journalist whose Father happened to be the town sheriff. He never imagined that the Bloodless Murders would come to his backyard. Not until the night the Carlson family was found murdered in their home. Marie Catherine Hale, a diminutive fifteen-year-old, was discovered at the scene covered in blood. She is the sole suspect in custody.



Michael had no idea that he would be part of the investigation, but soon he found himself being drawn in when Marie decides he is the only one he will confess too. As Marie recounts her version of the story, it falls to Michael to find the truth: What really happened the night that the Carlsons were killed? And how did one girl wind up in the middle of all these bodies?




I give All These Bodies five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I received this arc for review from Harpercollins. I really enjoyed the writing style and main character. It made it easy to get through. I did think the ending was a bit lacklustre and left much to be desired but that could mean there’s a second book. It’s a great spooky read and I loved the protagonist voice.

This book was just as Erie and I thought it would be. So good without pushing things too far. I’m so sad it took me so long to actually pick this one up! I know it will be even better when I reread it

[This book contains graphic depictions of violence, descriptions of corpses, gun violence, animal death, and domestic violence.]

I very much enjoyed Kendare Blake’s ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, so when I saw that she had yet another book about a teenage girl covered in blood, I had to get my hands on it. I’m pleased to report that ALL THESE BODIES will be a great read for anyone looking to get into the Halloween mood or for those who enjoy true crime (provided they also don’t mind a touch of the supernatural). The murders in ALL THESE BODIES are (loosely) inspired two different events: the 1958 spree killings by Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, and the 1959 murders of the Clutter family.

Rather than portraying the terrible events in ALL THESE BODIES as an in-the-present-moment true crime narrative or mystery, Blake uses Michael’s first-person narrative to tell us the story after it’s already over. ALL THESE BODIES is Michael’s recounting of events the next year, which means that Blake can do things like tell us outright in chapter one that Marie is the only perpetrator ever caught for the murders. This framing also allows us to question Michael’s story even as he tells it—and as he questions it himself. In one passage halfway through the book, Michael says “I can’t recall if I disliked [character] on sight.…Now, maybe I hate him. So I guess I could have hated him from the start.” Truth, lies, the faulty nature of memory, the stories people latch onto because it fits their current feelings, worldviews, or ambitions—all of that gets explored throughout the novel.

Marie and her story, of course, are central to these themes as well. Her decision to confess only to Michael shapes much of what happens in the book, not only in the actual course of the investigation but also in the shifting attitudes in Black Deer Falls. Marie is keenly aware that after she’s arrested, one of her only avenues of control over her life are in her choices about who to speak to, what to say, and how to say it. Her character is a complicated one, and increasingly so as it becomes clearer precisely what she won’t say. The interactions between Marie and Michael are compelling, especially as Marie opens up more and Michael starts empathizing with her better.

I think what I enjoyed most about ALL THESE BODIES was that it was a story about the stories we use to define ourselves. Many questions are left unanswered in this book, which I think suited the story Blake was telling, though I know that may frustrate some readers. Ultimately, this book hit a lot of themes and narrative devices that I love, and I’m glad I was able to read it on the cusp of autumn.

Recommendation: Get it now if you love true crime/mysteries with a hint of the supernatural. Kendare Blake’s ALL THESE BODIES is an intriguing book about truth and some truly terrible murders. ALL THESE BODIES will leave you questioning what really happened in a good way. This is a great read for people who want to get into the Halloween mood.

4/5

One-line review: A YA horror-mystery blend that takes you through a journey of what is the truth and what may be lurking in the dark.

Full review:
Slowing crawling my way back from a horrible reading slump (and still am in one), All These Bodies took me on a horror and murder mystery rollercoaster that alleviated my lack of reading. Set in the 1950s, the backdrop of a small town brings us to the attention of Michael Jensen, the son of the sheriff, who is tiptoeing around the alleged murderer - a young teenage girl - of several people. There is something about Marie Catherine Hale that draws Michael (and the readers) in. Something odd, yet intriguing.

The current case that has this small town in an uproar is the murder of the Carlson family. Both parents and their teenage son were found lying side-by-side on the living room floor, bloodless, except for Marie standing covered in blood from head to toe. Another odd thing is that usually all victims found were all murdered, except the Carlson toddler daughter was left untouched.

Investigating this murder case from the lens of Michael was a joy and thrilling ride. There was always something lingering at the back of my mind that Marie couldn't be working alone nor be human. The plot was slower paced, however, it worked in its favour that represented how a small town, even in murder investigations, can be slow-paced. Answers are given at the end of the book. I was a little disappointed at how things wrapped up, but it didn't take away from the overall story. A nice horror book in time for the spooky season!

My first read by Kendare Blake and what an exhilarating read (until it wasn’t) but more on that later.

It’s the summer of 1958, Midwest is horrified and shaken by the Bloodless Murders, 12 bodies discovered, and all drained of blood.

In a Minnesota farmhouse the Carlson family has been found murdered, slaughtered. Fifteen-year-old Marie Catherine Hale is found on the scene, covered in blood; however, none of the blood is hers!

Michael Jensen, an aspiring seventeen-year-old journalist, is the only person Marie will talk to.

So starts the exhilarating historical mystery/horror.

This book reads like a black and white thriller. With precision, eerie writing and so much detailing, I could imagine every scene. Small touches throughout that keep the crime alive, the discussions between Marie and Michael, the gradual shift in him from an investigative journalist to becoming a confidante to Marie.

Every sequence was explained so well, from Marie’s expressions to the jail house to Michael Jensen’s home. Michael’s thoughts and reflections. It would have been nice to hear more of Marie’s thoughts.
The emotions being felt by the characters; the desperation of many to get answers.

The plot was well paced and developed, bringing in Marie’s fantastical explanation about the murders.

Now, here is where we pause; confession time: I don’t take well to ambiguity in stories. I like my stories well rounded, with answers and solutions.

The author takes us on a ride and in the last three chapters, she lost me. The ending is left vague and cryptic.

I felt so let down! It has been left on the reader to draw their own conclusion, but that just didn’t work for me.
In the end it almost felt as there was a lot being packed into the story, all the questions leading up to the discovery fell flat. It almost became boring!

“All these Bodies” started out as a great read but ended bland.

Having devoured and delighted in the “Three Dark Crowns” series, I’ve been eagerly anticipating a new release from bestselling author Kendare Blake. Her writing is always deeply atmospheric and her characters compelling.

“All These Bodies”, once again fully draws you into the story creating great difficulty in stepping away from this delightfully spooky book. Main characters Michael and Marie are well-written with a gentle complexity that earns both empathy and a wariness when questionable decisions are made. Supporting characters are equally strong and all play an important role in the events that unfurl from a series of gruesome murders at the core of the plot.

Fans of Blake’s work looking for full out horror and/or fantasy will be disappointed. This is a perfectly atmospheric and spooky mystery. It’s quieter than her previous work but also more refined. I absolutely adored it.

A great choice for Fall reading as the nights get cooler and the dark skies come sooner. Sincere thanks to HCCFrenzy for an advanced readers copy via Netgalley

Set in the 1950’s, All These Bodies is the story of the bloodless murders and Marie Catherine Hale, told to us by Michael Jensen a seventeen year old aspiring journalist from Black Deer Falls, MN. Black Deer Falls is the the location of the most recent in the murder spree that has terrified the Midwest all summer. It is also where a teen girl is found at the since, the first break in the case, and a chance to finally get justice for the murder victims. The only trouble is Marie Catherine Hale, the girl found at the seen drenched in blood, will only talk to Michael Jensen, and the story she has to tell isn’t what anyone was expecting.

Michael Jensen has been following the bloodless murders, the gruesome murders that leave the victims completely drained of blood, in the papers all summer, just like the rest of the nation. But it’s a little different for Michael, because Michael wants to be a journalist, so he is looking at those articles a little more closely and maybe a little obsessively. Things have quieted down since the most recent murders in Madison, WI; people are starting to feel safe again, but that all changes when Michael is brought to the Carlson house to assist with a search. When Michael arrives, his father, the sheriff of Black Deer Falls, announces to all the searchers that the Carlson’s have fallen victim to the same serial murderer that Michael has been reading about in the papers. There is something different than all the other murders, however, someone was left behind at the Carlson house, and that someone is Marie Catherine Hale.

It is quickly determined that Marie is not a victim, but rather an accomplice, and her case is not helped by her refusing to tell anyone who the man who did the killing was. Marie spends the next several months in a cell at the sheriff’s office, where she will tell her story, but only to Michael Jensen. He dutifully records their conversations, and takes notes on his own, but the story Marie is telling isn’t the one anyone wants to hear. It is a story about a blood drinker who swept her away from a rough home life in Nebraska and brought her along as he killed and drank the blood of all 16 victims across the Midwest. Michael is, justifiably, unconvinced by Marie’s tale, but when strange things begin happening around Black Deer Falls and to his family specifically, he begins to consider what Marie has to say. And after all, if it wasn’t drunk, then where did all the blood go?

The setting for this novel was beautifully created. I felt like I was in the late 1950’s as I was reading this story. The language was so immersive, that even though the plot was fairly slow going, I never wanted to stop reading just so I could stay in this world that Kendare Blake created. If you are looking for top-notch historical fiction, All These Bodies, is as good as it gets! On the mystery front, however, readers may be disappointed. Because Marie tells us one story, and the prosecutors/investigators come up with a different answer than the one Marie gives, the novel ends ambiguously. Even Michael is unsure of what is the truth in the end, though he hopes that Marie’s story is real. I personally loved this about All These Bodies, but it is definitely not for everyone. The answers given by the prosecutors/investigators, and the ones that are universally accepted by the public, reveal Marie to have experienced a significant trauma (trigger warning: child sexual abuse) that would explain why she has created the vampire story to cope with what has happened to her. However, there are so many things left unexplained by this answer, that it could just as easily be believed that the blood drinker is in fact real.

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake is historical fiction, mystery, and horror all in one package. While it may seem like it has too many things going on, it works in this case. But, if you are someone who needs certain answers, I would shy away from this one.

Kendare Blake delves into historical fiction with her true-crime-inspired novel All These Bodies, taking readers on an investigative journey behind a murder spree that left a fifteen-year-old girl covered in blood.

Wanted More
I am a fan of Blake’s Three Dark Crown series; let us start there. I have been sitting at this computer for hours trying to piece together what I wanted to say about All These Bodies. Although I have to admit, I am still struggling to put my thoughts and notes in order.

I knew what I was getting into when I requested an ARC from the publisher. I read the description of the novel, describing it as a true-crime-inspired tale, following a young girl who will only speak to a boy not much older than herself. I was under no illusions that this novel would have a fantasy. However, when Blake snuck in the paranormal and supernatural, I admit, I was drawn in.

However, the void created by that tidbit was never filled, leaving me a little unsatisfied.

All These Bodies is a good story, it has excellent pacing and moves in a very organic way, but the supernatural element felt like a lingering distraction.

Ultimately Gripping
I wanted to know more about Marie and her mysterious partner; I was captivated by that mystery. The friendship between Marie and Michael gives off the right amount of tension for the plot.

Furthermore, the flow and pacing of the novel were very organic. The reader can tell that this is a story Michael is telling someone. He goes back to the beginning of his story, of how he first meets Marie drenched in blood standing in a room of bodies, and it is an excellent way to break up his interviews with Marie.

As for Marie, she comes off as older than fifteen, which is to be expected given everything she has gone through. Moreover, in her story, she does not go back to the beginning. However, again, it is organic. The way she answers Michael’s questions and tells her story in a non-linear way makes the story more engaging because of how realistic it feels.

All These Bodies has a natural fluidity that captures the rising tension of the mystery, keeping the reader engaged.

Nevertheless, it did not need that supernatural element.

Final Thoughts
All These Bodies has enough mystique to keep the reader engaged. With good pacing and rising tension, the organic build between the characters captures the reader. Furthermore, while that supernatural/paranormal element keeps the reader guessing what is and is not real, it is unnecessary.

Ambiguity in stories like this isn’t anything new – and there’s something to be said for allowing her readers to make up their own minds about how they feel regarding Marie and her story. There are certainly historical precedents for the way she’s treated by both the authorities and society at large – it’s not a new thing for women to not be believed, after all. But the ending of All These Bodies so firmly wants to have it both ways – humans are monsters! also real monsters might be monsters! – that it ends up essentially choosing nothing at all.

Part of the issue is that the story is entirely told from Micheal’s perspective, meaning that Marie’s story is ultimately filtered through us through him, and we only see her behavior, demeanor, and tone of voice through his eyes. And though he witnesses creepy and disturbing things happening around town, Michael’s a relatively reluctant believer in the things Marie is telling him. (Until he isn’t.)

So it’s hard to know where we, as readers, are meant to ground ourselves in the story. And, as a result, by the time we get to the end, we don’t know what to believe. It’s an ending that isn’t very satisfying, and one that casts a pall over the rest of the book, which in all fairness is really quite good! The pacing is propulsive and it’s full of the sort of creepy small-town true crime touches that make it hard to put down. Blake is as good a writer here as she is in her other fiction, and though you might find the ending a tad disappointing, the journey is still fairly riveting along the way.

In the Summer of 1958, a string of unsolved murders, dubbed The Bloodless Murders, plagued the Mid-West. In each case, the bodies are found completely drained of blood. Defying explanation, there is also no blood to be found anywhere at the scene, or any other evidence, for that matter. How is the killer getting away with this?

In September of 1958, the spree ends in a small Minnesota town with the killing of the Carlson family. 15-year old, Marie Catherine Hale, is found at the scene absolutely covered in blood. Initially mistaken for a survivor, it turns out, none of the blood is hers and Miss Hale didn't previously know the Carlsons. She is the only lead.

Michael Jensen, the Sheriff's son, soon gets pulled into the investigation when Marie declares that he is the only person she is willing to tell her story to. Michael can't believe his luck. With dreams of becoming a journalist, and leaving his small town behind, Marie's story could be exactly what he needs to help him reach that goal.

However, it's more than that. He's drawn to Marie. The pretty girl is not like other girls he knows. She fast and world-wise. He can't help but be intrigued by her. Over the course of several jailhouse confessionals, Marie Catherine reveals a tale to Michael that includes a bit of a supernatural twist to the killings. Certainly, there's nothing more to that than the active imagination of a young girl trying to avoid blame for truly heinous acts, right?

Nevertheless, Marie couldn't have acted alone, so who was her accomplice? Will the police be able to locate him based on the information Marie Catherine has put forth?

You'll have to read it to find out! Y'all, this was really good. I enjoyed it so much.

When I first started, I was instantly reminded of Truman Capote's masterpiece, In Cold Blood. The whole 1950s-era Mid-Western feel channeled that, for sure. If you are unaware, ICB is my favorite True Crime book of all time. My In Cold Blood vibes were definitely not far off, as the Author's Note at the end did mention the Clutter murders and Truman Capote.

Overall, I found All These Bodies to be unique, compelling and fast-paced. I loved how Blake built-out the relationship between Michael and Marie Catherine. I also really enjoyed the pace at which Marie Catherine's story is told. It kept me completely focused and engaged.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Quill Tree Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will remember this one for a long time to come.

Definitely recommend!

That's it, I'm calling it. This book is a huge DNR for me. Originally when I requested it, I expected a really morbid, interesting, if not mildly terrifying story about a serial killer. Instead, I've only gotten some watered-down southern tale, with a narration style that I truly hate. This book is so incredibly plot-driven it was hard to connect with the characters. It almost felt closer to reading an academic paper or study at times than a fictional mystery. The pacing was also predominantly slow-moving as well, which didn’t help. I really hated reading from the point of view of the narrator, and I was not interested enough in what actually happened to want to finish the book. I have too many other ARCs to read to stick with this one. If you like something that has some mystery but is slower-paced and a little more of a dry read, then this might be for you.

This is an intriguing premise that I felt like was sort of ruined by the suggestion of the supernatural. It's got a solid vibe if we keep it in the real world. With the social climate of small town 195os, a girl connected with a serial killer is pretty compelling on it's own. The war between what people expect a girl to be and the reality of this particular girl. And the plot doesn't really firmly end. It sort of drifts to a close.

Loved this one! Spooky and thrilling are my favorite book combo when done well and this book was done to perfection! I loved the whole atmosphere set around this story. You don't know who to believe because the story just seems unbelievable. Well developed characters and being able to connect with characters made this book even better. Great read for this season!

https://rebekahreads.ca/all-these-bodies-by-kendare-blake/


All These Bodies was published on September 21, 2021—OUT NOW!
Rating: 4 Stars

All These Bodies is a YA horror novel about a fifteen year old girl who is arrested for a series of gruesome murders that take place in the 50s across the Midwest—also known as the Bloodless Murders, where the victims are found dead, completely drained of their blood. When Marie Catherine Hale is found covered in blood at the house where the Carlson family has been murdered, she is, at first, believed to be a near victim. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that she is somehow involved. Is Marie Catherine Hale a witness? Is she the murderer? Is she an accomplice? WHO is she, really? The only one who can get to the truth of the story is Michael, the sheriff’s teenage son and aspiring journalist—he is the one person that Marie Catherine Hale is willing to tell.

There was just something about this book that I absolutely loved. When I was reading it, it honestly gave me all of the eerie feelings and chills that I get when I watch a true crime docuseries or listen to an episode of a good true crime podcast. I’m not surprised though because this book was inspired by the real-life killings of the Clutter family from Holcomb, Kansas. Knowing that it is inspired by a real-life crime gives it a seriousness that I don’t normally get from other crime books, which I really appreciated.

This story is so atmospheric and eerie; the writing is perfect for the time period, which also helps the reader to be completely transported and immersed into the happenings of this small town. The setting was just perfect.

I also LOVED Micheal’s voice and hearing the story told through his perspective. He was my by far my favourite character and I loved reading his thoughts on Marie and how they slowly changes. She is a frustrating and morally grey character—but seeing how Michael dealt with who she is was my favourite part.

The only thing that I wasn’t a fan of was the supernatural aspect of the book that reveals itself towards the end.  I understand why it’s there, but it just wasn’t my favourite and wish that it had stuck more to the true crime vein that it had seemed to be following.

If you’re looking for a spooky horror book that reads like a true crime documentary, then this is a great book to choose!

Thank you so much to Harper Collins Canada and HCC Frenzy for gifting me this electronic ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All These Bodies is about a series of murders that took place in the 1950s in the Midwest in which every single victim has been found completely drained of blood. A 15-year-old girl is caught at the scene of the crime, and decides she will only confess to one person: Michael, the sheriff’s son. Our narrator writes about his experience listening to Marie’s confession, sometimes making comments from the future about his observations.

What follows is an unwinding account of the events. This story is full of languid suspense, which does not keep you on the edge of your seat but rather has an equally interesting effect—it slowly sucks you deeper into the mystery, like quicksand. You find yourself as intent on getting answers as you are seeing how one small town—and one young man—is transformed throughout the process.

This was a quick and interesting read. If historical fiction isn’t normally your jam, I wouldn’t dismiss this book. The 1950s elements are present enough to remind you of the bygone era, but not strong enough to make it feel foreign. I would classify this as a crime thriller, and while it is chilling at times, it’s more like the slow raising of hair on the back of your neck than a jumpscare that will bring you out of your seat. Sometimes shining a light into the shadows doesn’t reveal the answers you expect.

Please don’t write a mystery if you aren’t going to solve it.

It pains me to write this review because I loved Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series. It’s one of the best recent YA fantasy series out there, so despite the genre switch, I suspected Blake could do no wrong. Unfortunately, it’s hard to believe this book was written by the same person.

There’s a vampire on the lose in the great Midwest, or at least that’s who is killing and draining bodies of blood according to the lone witness/accomplice, a 15-year-old girl found at the scene of the latest murders drenched in blood.

She won’t talk to a lawyer, and she won’t talk to the police, but she does want to tell her entire story to the sheriff’s son, a high school kid with designs on becoming a reporter. The police and the lawyers, ridiculously, are like, sure, why not? And we’re off to the races.

This set up (improbable though it might be) may have been fine, except for the part where we don’t actually get a real ending. There’s not much mystery as to who did it, but where that person is is a huge part of the plot. Except that ultimately, the search is, shall we say, inconclusive, and we have a whole bunch of characters puttering around like “hmm, who can say, really” as our 15-year-old anti-hero/villain takes the rap. Was there really a vampire? Again, the answer according to this book seems to be, dunno, who can say?

Some of this stuff tracks (minus the lack of conclusion) if you class the book more as horror than mystery, but it still has no real ending to the case, and there’s a supremely gross aspect of what happens with Marie (TW: grooming, implied sexual assault) that makes her fate in the end even more tragic.

There are some other absurdities to this that I won’t bother getting into (trust me, the plot and a lot of the character behavior is…nonsensical, to put it kindly). And though Marie’s fate seems harsh, she’s not a particularly likable or sympathetic character, even taking into consideration how she ended up where she did.

Overall, All These Bodies is, unfortunately, a poorly-constructed story that includes a lot of bad decisions (or in some cases, refusal to make a decision) by the author. Blake was clearly striving for moral ambiguity (was Marie truly bad?), but the end result is just a subpar horror/mystery novel that is deeply depressing and supremely frustrating for the reader.

There are lots of good YA mystery/horror books available. Read one of those or Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series and skip this one.

Let me preface this by saying I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. That being said, the following review comes solely from own unbiased thoughts and opinions.

This was a great dark, eerie fall read. I read this book in a day (mainly while sitting at my daughter’s soccer practice at sunset on a particularly cool fall evening) and the atmosphere put me in a great fall, spooky season state of mind. I read this book with enthusiasm. I could not put it down. I have been in a reading funk for a while now, and this was just the trick to get me out of it.

Now, you are probably wondering about the three star rating, so let’s get into it.

First a positive: If there is one thing that Kendare Blake does well, its world building. I completely understood this small town (coming from a small town myself) and the dark, scary atmosphere she created was classic Kendare Blake writing. However, in comparison to her other novels, I found the world building lack luster. I wanted more. I wanted to feel more fear for the main characters. There are a few scenes in which I was truly afraid for the main characters (Methodist graveyard scene to name one!) but I wanted to feel that fear through the “mystical” and “otherworldly” things going on in the plot as well. (I’ll leave it as mystical and otherworldly as to not spoil the plot). I found myself put-off about the mystical and otherworldly plot line. I thought this would be more true crime-like but it definitely went another direction; one I do not feel paid off in the end. It definitely is a quick and easy fall read so if you are looking for that, this is a great way to kick off your fall reading TBR.

Now negatives: The ending. What the heck was that? Where is the rest?! I read this on my kindle and found myself swiping through the author’s note and acknowledgements looking for another chapter to wrap the whole thing up. I admit, I was nervous when I got to about three chapters left but there were still so many loose ends. And my gut feeling was unfortunately correct because the ending is abrupt and jarring. I will say it does leave you wanting more, but not in a good way. More like, you feel like nothing was resolved and the author just got tired of writing and ended it on a really weird note. There’s no finality, no conclusion. It left me feeling empty and unsatisfied.

I was really excited to be approved to read this book considering how much I have loved Kendare Blake’s other books, but this did not feel complete to me. I am glad it’s not a series because sometimes it’s nice to just read a standalone novel, but one more chapter at least to wrap up loose ends. I guess she was going for mystery which she achieved, but it was not executed well in my opinion.

Again, a good dark, gloomy read if that is what you are looking for to start off your fall reading list. It is worth a read and maybe someone can help explain the ending to me more so that I may be able to appreciate its mystique better