3.5 stars

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a fun, twisted read but it did take me a little to really get into.

I liked Zeb as a main character and his and Gideon’s relationship was the beating heart of this book. I really enjoyed them together.

I think for me the sense of urgency with the mystery was lacking. I’m not exactly sure why—Zeb certainly wanted to leave multiple times and could not—but that lack of urgency for me made the story less thrilling than I think it should have been.

It was still a fun read though, in the end.

LGBTQ+ representation: achillean main relationship

Summary:
Zeb Wyckham knows his family are terrible, alright? But after conversing with his cousin, Wynn via letters for awhile, Wynn convinces him that not all Wyckhams are bad, and to come stay for 2 weeks to get to know each other. However, when Zeb arrives, he finds his estranged brother and his scheming wife, his adulterous and lecherous cousin, and a young girl Wynn claims is their cousin, Jessamine, whom Zeb has never heard of before, and last but not least, Zeb's ex, Gideon, whom he parted on terrible terms with. Wynn announces that whomever marries Jessamine will inherit the family fortune, setting off a round of scheming and backstabbing, all set against a Wyckham family curse that seems determined to tear them apart and maybe even kill them. Can Zeb and Gideon figure out what's really going on, live to tell the day, and maybe talk about where they went wrong before?

Review:
WOW! Wow wow wow this book was SO fun. I had only read one KJ Charles book before but it was so good that I had to request the ARC and wow am I glad I did. I found this book to be witty, and the right amount of suspense. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a whodunit and a scheme, and who loves watching terrible people be terrible. I also really loved Zeb - while not named due the time period, he clearly had ADHD, and I loved how it played into his character and how it shaped him. Consequently, I also really loved his relationship with Gideon because Gideon was so adaptive to Zeb's ADHD, and their communication after their year apart was so good. My only complaint would be that I felt the ending was a bit rushed and I would have liked to see more of the comeuppance myself, but I got it in the scheme of the pacing of the book and the length.

This was a very well done murder mystery. I love the gothic mansion setting, and it really has a great eery atmosphere throughout the book. The relationship between Zeb and Gideon is very well done, and I appreciate how there is very little miscommunication between the two of them during the book. I figured out pretty quickly that Zeb's family was full of terrible people, and they did not disappoint. Overall, it was a really fun read, full of suspense, murder, and intrigue.
Rating: 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.

Actual rating: 3.5

This novel begins as Zeb Wyckham travels to the home of a wealthy relative. Once he arrives he is greeted by an ex, his estranged brother and his wife, and a cousin, all people who he doesn't want to see. Zeb's wealthy relative proceeds to notify the family that he has taken on a ward, and he will leave his inheritance to whoever agrees to marry her. In the midst of the family drama that follows this announcement, a series of strange occurrences begin to happen to Zeb and his family.

The writing and plot included in this book were very reminiscent of classic gothic novels. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt that the first half of the book was too long. The main driver of the plot didn't happen until I was almost 70% of the way through the book. However, I did enjoy how the story played out and the ending was satisfying. The book also made me interested in picking up other novels by KJ Charles.

This is my first book by this author but I have many of her works on my tbr and let me just say WOW!

I saw mystery, gothic, MM romance and was like “sign me up, yes please” but I was not expecting what happened in these pages!

This story follow Zeb to his estranged cousins Wynn’s house where he finds a few other disliked family members and his Ex, Gideon. He’s informed that they are all there to try and “win” the inheritance of Wynn via marriage to his ward Jessamine. This all rubs Zeb the wrong way and he wants out but all his attempts to leave fail. The house wants him to stay! He’s left to figure out what’s actually going on within the shadows and sinister games being played. He is forced to get aid from a disgruntled Gideon and hopefully make it out alive!

This book had me on the edge of my seat and once I thought I had everything figured out it was flipped upside down! The book was so well written and every piece was connected and all questions I had were answered. It’s rare that I’m so satisfied at the end of a book!

The romance was an equal part to the mystery but in a tasteful and important way. The spice was minimal with one scene that can easily be skipped if desired. 2.5/5 🌶️ but still open door at the one scene.

Overall I’m left with an intense book hangover and I cannot wait to dive into more of KJ’s work!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Arc!

I think my biggest issue with this was that I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. Zeb just walked around the house without really trying to get involved with anything, and his romance with Gideon wasn't entertaining enough for me. The other characters are kind of unlikeable, so I didn't really care what happened to them.
I did really enjoy the setting and the gothic, locked-room vibes, tho. Overall, it's not a bad book at all, just kind of forgettable.
2.5 stars rounded up.

I am an OG KJ Charles fan and have read (and will continue to read) every single thing she puts out, so I was giggling and kicking my feet when I got this ARC in my inbox. However, I think this is the first ever KJ book that I’ve given 3 stars for.

It is definitely very different from her usual books and I think if you like really (like, REALLY) plot heavy, twisty books, you will probably enjoy this more than I did. By about 40% in, my brain was starting to hurt trying to put together all of the different pieces of the mystery. And then the last 5-6 chapters, I seriously felt like the stress was going to kill me LOL.

The writing, as always, is impeccable and I was genuinely impressed by the creativity and ability that went into making a mystery like this work. I think if you enjoy a thriller or a more complex mystery book, you will really enjoy this!! At the end of the day I am too easily stressed out and it was a personal preference!!

It's no small thing for me to say that this is now one of my favorite books from one of my favorite authors.

K.J. Charles has always been an engaging writer in historical romance, romantic fantasy, mysteries and the like. I know I'm in for a good time when I pick up one of her novels. However, it's been hard to say which of her books has been my favorite. Not that I need one--it simply would be nice to say "Ah! This one! I feel the most connected to this one of all her books." This is that book, for sure.

The style of the book pulls from gothic mysteries and complex family drama while still poking at some of the more over-the-top aspects of the genre. Imagine being caught up in a bid for the family fortune, but you don't want it? That you're not interested in hurting others to reach success, but everyone expects the worst of you because they are at their worst? That's the sort of mess that Zeb finds himself in. Like a virtuous maiden caught in the throes of gothic horror, but it's an baffled fellow in his late twenties that is simply trying his best for himself and others. I adore Zeb and he carried me throughout the story.

Another aspect about Zeb that I love is that he's learned to adapt to and live with his ADHD is marvelous little ways, in spite of living during a time where his way of life was seen as invalid and lazy. As someone with ADHD as well, as soon as he mentioned the rosary in his pocket, I understood what it meant and what he was going through. Every detail after built so well into a realistic picture of someone with ADHD and I can relate to him so well throughout.

There's many aspects of the book that I enjoyed: the story structure, the hilarious asides, the tense family drama, and the genuinely earnest romance woven throughout. But when it comes down to it: Zeb stole the show and I loved him for it. I'm definitely going to re-read this book in the future as my comfort read. I'm looking forward to that.

A bunch of horrible people sitting around in a spooky house will never not make for an intriguing read. Bonus points when it's all one family and I can't even decide who the worst person is. It's definitely not the protagonist Zeb, but he is considered the Wyckham family failure anyway and so he joins the family meeting at the gothic Lackaday House only reluctantly. There he meets his estranged family members and, surprisingly, his former lover Gideon, and also a cousin who certainly didn't exist before. Everyone was invited to sort out an inheritance and to compete for the hand of said cousin. Most characters are greedy for the house and the money and the wife, but the three main candidates are actually too old, too (already) married or too gay for the position. Zeb couldn't care less about his family and so he is suffering through shared meals and pretentious talks and the not so passive aggressive behavior of everyone at all times. A series of very strange events doesn't help to lighten the mood either and so everyone is having a bad time at Lackaday house. For some reason I expected this to be more of a horror novel, but for the most part it is a mystery with some slightly creepy moments thrown in. There are people claiming they saw a ghost and there are some rude writings on the walls that vanish from one moment to the next, but I as the reader was never scared. (Wouldn't recommend this book if you have arachnophobia, though.) Still, the gothic atmosphere was strong and the house surrounded by impenetrable fog a chilling setting. This book is marketed as a genre mix anyway and so I just went with everything I got. I was reading for a while when I wondered about when the romance was supposed to come in, but then I was hit with a full chapter of smut almost immediately. I liked Zeb and Gideon together, but I couldn't really grasp Gideon as a character. I know almost nothing about him, especially in comparison to all the other shady characters in here. I also think that this book lacked depth in general. It is very much an enjoyable and rather quick read, but a lot of reveals missed the impact that they easily could have had. Still, I would recommend this book without any reservations if you're interested in a historical m/m romance in a somewhat creepy setting. I can also imagine reading from this author again in the future and I understand that her previous books are very well-beloved. That's not hard to believe at all after reading her newest release.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

It's the worst family reunion ever: Zeb is invited to a creepy Gothic mansion by his cousin Wynn, who has also asked several of Zeb's least favorite relatives, including his estranged brother. That's not the biggest surprise, though—Zeb is shocked to find that Wynn's secretary is none other than his former lover, Gideon. The reader learns that Zeb somehow caused Gideon to lose his job, resulting in their current frosty relationship, but what actually happened isn't revealed until later in the book.
Wynn informs his guests that the reason he's summoned members of the Wyckham family to Lackaday House is due to a family curse, which results in everyone dying prior to their 50th birthday. Wynn is 49, and wants to find someone who will agree to marry his young ward. In return, they'll receive not just a bride but a massive fortune.
Even the prospect of inheriting all of that money doesn't tempt 28-year-old Zeb, who would much rather reconcile with Gideon. Eventually, the two of them team up to try to figure out what, or who, is causing all of the nasty goings-on at Lackaday House, from ghosts to creepy messages written on the walls to a roomful of spiders (Zeb's particular phobia). Zeb must also deal with his ADHD, which was of course not known by that name during the Edwardian era, but even so, it's pretty obvious that's the diagnosis he'd receive today.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but once it got going, the eerie atmosphere and second-chance romance had me hooked. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy, via NetGalley.

This was truly such a great revisit of the long-told gothic journey. You have the haunted mansion, psychological manipulation, dead bodies, and lies at every turn. by the end of the book I wasn't even sure I trusted the main characters! I thoroughly enjoyed this reading journey!

Ahhhh i don’t know if i can fully express how much i loved this book it hit the spot in every way the romance the mystery it was all perfect. At first i was unimpressed by the mystery as i thought i had it figured out but there was actually a lot more to it than i thought lol. The romance was adorable the way the two characters come together for each other was lovely to read. The only thing was that i couldn’t wrap my head around this book being set in the uk for some reason it felt like it was set in and around new York. When they mentioned London i would always get briefly thrown out the story but that might have just been a me thing
5/5⭐️

Thank you to the publisher for this arc copy!

This had me hooked the whole time! I love a good queer mystery, and this book has it all. The ADHD stuff was done really well in my opinion, and Charles is really good at creating characters and atmospheres that feel both accessible and relatable to modern readers, and accurate to their historical context. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested, or fans of this author's other work!

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.

All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles is a delicious gothic mystery with a queer romance at its heart. Picture: a remote manor, misty moors, an inheritance scheme gone wrong, and family secrets that turn very, very deadly.

What really stood out to me was Zeb, our main character, whose ADHD is written with so much depth—it shaped how he thought, acted, and related to others, without ever reducing him to a stereotype. His dynamic with Gideon (his ex turned reluctant ally) had me hooked from start to finish. The romance is tender, the tension is chef’s kiss, and yes…the chemistry is intense 👀🔥

I’ll admit, the ending felt a little rushed compared to the slow-burn suspense of the setup, but overall I still loved it—the characters, the gothic vibes, the sharp writing. This book had me glued to the pages.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

A whodunnit that actually had twists and turns I never saw coming! Huge thank you to KJ Charles and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-ARC of All Of Us Murderers.

I loved the incorporation of LGBTQIA+ and modern plot lines very refreshing and natural for the setting. The plot remains thrilling throughout and there were twists even I couldn’t guess.

There were some characters I loved to hate but the main couple were so fully realised. Everything felt very fleshed out and dynamic!

"The lush Gothic drama of Crimson Peak meets the murderous intrigue of Knives Out with an LGBTQIA+ love story to die for from award-winning author KJ Charles.

WHO WILL SURVIVE LACKADAY HOUSE?

When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative's remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn't possibly get worse.

Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family - but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there's no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house's shadowy depths...

Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House - and live to tell the tale?"

Yeah, I'd leave once I saw the guest list.

I loved reading this story - atmospheric and spooky and a lot of fun. The romance was touching, and I love a good second chance story, but what I enjoyed the most was the way we're thrown head first into the gothic genre. Over the top in the best way, with some twists I did not see coming.

Ugh...I love KJ Charles! I'm not normally a dark, mystery reader but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to read this. It was scary, a little romantic, very emotional. Highly recommend all of KJ Charles work!

KJ Charles is an insta-read author for me. "The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen" was so fantastic, as was its sequel; A charm of magpies series - amazing; The Will Darling adventures series - fantastic. Society of Gentlemen series - wonderful. Love them all.

This one though... just didn't work for me. The romance was sweet, but it came too little & too late - I was initially daunted by the opening scene of all the family members with similar names bickering over the dinner table -- the circuitous bickering just continued & continued. A few little dollops of Gabriel & Zeb's romance were sweet, but maybe would have been better if we got some of this up front/ahead of the visit to the Uber-Gothic Lackaday house...? The whole over-the-top Gothic Murder Mystery parody (?) got a bit beyond me, I did love how Zeb's upstanding kindness & utter lack of interest in any fortune got him through. But the repetitive, nonsensical conversations /arguements amongst all the characters trapped at this country house, overshadowed the book.

I am generally a KJ Charles fan, but this was not my favorite of hers. A fun send up of gothic novels, but was more focused on the gothic elements than the romance.