I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and feel of this book. I spent the majority of the time wondering what was happening, was it actually supernatural or were there people behind the mysterious moments. there were some things that I picked up on and others I was so far off, but I enjoyed how it all unraveled and revealed itself to the reader. I loved Gideon and Zeb’s relationship and how they dealt with past issues and made their realizations that they really did want to spend their life together. I love the stereotype that they fit Zeb into when he really was just a pure soul of a person who believed the best in people and just did the best he could. This was short and sweet and there are some elements that I feel could’ve been flushed out more to add length and I would’ve gladly read another hundred pages of the story building up the mystery.

I loved this book so much! KJ Charles is a must read for me and I have been really enjoying the more mid-century historicals she's been writing recently. As an ADHD having person myself I felt extremely seen with the main character, Zeb. The feeling of inevitably disappointing your loved ones is a very familiar feeling to me so having Zeb, his brain, and his emotions be treated kindly in the end was very cathartic for me. Also I love the pulpy cover of this book so much I'm sure I will end up buying a physical copy just so I can display it on my shelves.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

This book is a gothic inspired whodunnit with an eerie setting, taking place in a possibly haunted house with an assortment of good, flawed, and downright evil characters. It is a little darker than I expected it to be, but I would still recommend it, especially to fans of Knives Out and The Haunting of Hill House.

The main character is not perfect, but he is still a loveable and good person who tries his best to be different from the rest of his terrible family. He really drew me in once I got to know him and I spent the rest of the book hoping that nothing bad would happen to him in all of the stressful situations that he ends up in. I also liked the ADHD rep, and felt like it was well done and fit the story and characters nicely.

If I were to try to sum up what this book is about, I would say complex family dynamics, terrible people and what they’re willing to do to get what they want, revenge, and not knowing what is real or who to trust. This house and this family are definitely haunted, but is it in the literal or figurative sense?

The romance is definitely more of a side plot, and I was unsure of how I felt about their relationship in the beginning (I’m not opposed to second chance romance, but some couples just shouldn’t get back together). However, after seeing them clear up all of their miscommunication and misunderstandings, a lot of which were the fault of other people, I started rooting for them. I actually wish I had another book that followed their story after the epilogue (and also gave more information on a few things in/after the epilogue… some aspects were a little rushed/vague, but that also fits with The Haunting of Hill House vibe).

I do have to say I wasn’t immediately hooked by this book. I couldn’t figure out when it was set (which is revealed much later on) and it has a pretty slow—and sometimes repetitive—start. However, it does eventually pick up, and of course the last 25% is pretty fast paced with all of the big reveals and the race against time, which I have come to expect with books in this genre. So I ended up enjoying this book despite the occasional pacing issues. I could overlook that in favor of everything I liked about it.

This book was a brilliant, fun ode to Gothic literature. It had everything I could have expected, from a decaying mansion, creepy mist, estranged family fighting over an inheritance, ghostly monks, and mysterious writings on the walls. It was truly the perfect Gothic setting and elements. But what really made this book for me was Zeb. It was impossible not to love him, with his genuinely huge heart, always making the right choice even if it’s not the ‘smart’ choice. He always thought the best of everyone, even when they did not deserve it. I do wish he had given up trying to see the best in most of family sooner though. It was also a bit repetitive watching him try to convince them all he was not as self serving as they were. But in the end he managed to convince and save the one person that mattered, Gideon. I love a second chance romance so much, and it was so beautiful watching Zeb and Gideon learn to communicate and rebuild a stronger relationship even with everything else going on. So overall I loved this book and highly recommend!

I truly loved this book--as someone who's read everything by KJ Charles and Wilkie Collins, I've been excited for her gothic novel ever since she first announced it. It did not disappoint--so many of the things I loved about it are spoilers, so it's hard to say much, but it was a total delight. Genuinely creepy in parts, and also very funny.

Some things that are true about K.J. Charles:

1. She is very, very funny:

the disgraceful state of his black trousers suggested very accurately that he’d spent some time kneeling in them

He classified it (from experience) as the kind of book that led one to toss oneself off to heated imaginings and feel thoroughly ashamed afterwards.

He spoke with unusual sharpness. That might have got him listened to, or it might just have been the fact that he was the one with the money.

2. She's no fan of TERFs, though I'm sure this is completely unconnected to the fact that one of the books-within-the-book includes a character named Lady Ravenclaw, who comes to a bad end.

3. She's deadly serious about history, and under "Things KJC Is No Fan Of" we can also add "Enormous fortunes made in the slave trade."

4. She's very good at twisty plots, and I say this although I identified the chief villain less than a tenth of the way into "All of Us Murderers," because what I didn't see coming was -- everything else: a phrase that covers a lot of territory here.

A few words about Zeb(edee! what a name) and Gideon and their relationship. Initially I expected Zeb to be something of a shrinking violet, because he enters the narrative much in the manner of a cliched Gothic heroine: he arrives alone at a creepy, isolated mansion with no clear idea of what he's about to encounter there. He is a bit beaten down in some respects, thanks to a lifetime of rebukes for being unable to sit still, for being disorganized, for showing up late, for dressing badly, etc., etc. He has never actually quit any of his jobs, because he's always been sacked. But morally speaking he's a tough cookie, and it's not much of a spoiler to remark that his essential decency gives him and Gideon the chance to save their lives.

We see Gideon through Zeb's eyes, so his interiority is less front-and-center than Zeb's, but also KJC is never guilty of riding the miscommunication trope to death; the two start having honest conversations early on about their history and their ugly breakup. Emotionally, Gideon is Zeb's opposite number, orderly, buttoned-up, and, before Zeb came along, sexually repressed. He's also honest, thoughtful, clever, and patient. Over the course of the book we learn more and more about how the pair's individual histories and their strengths and weaknesses intersect, how they were split apart, and how, now that they've met again, they can join to each other in new and better ways. I've read so many "We were both at fault" conversations in romances where in fact one party seems far more in the wrong than the other does, but the balance of fault between Gideon and Zeb is believably close to even.

"Copper Script," which KJC published just a couple of months ago, is a lot of fun -- but, I reluctantly had to admit, not fully realized. "All of Us Murderers" is her in top form, and she is incomparable.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

A stellar novel by KJ Charles. "All of Us Murderers" is an incredible mixture between a gripping gothic mystery and a hilarious queer romance. Perfect for fans of Edgar Allan Poe and TJ Klune. This book fluently switches between funny and thrilling. A story you just can't stop reading and an amiable protagonist, you can't get enough of.
"Great fun and gay as a box of frogs."

I had such a great time with this book. This was my first KJ Charles book and it did not disappoint. The story takes place in a mansion during the Edwardian period, where a family has gathered at the behest of their uncle to discuss their inheritances. Shenanigans ensue and it soon becomes clear that there is something more sinister afoot. I love a good gothic setting and I really loved the main character, Zeb. Zeb is a down on his luck younger man with ADHD that his family looks at as a failure. I thought the portrayal of Zeb's inner thoughts and actions as it pertained to his neuro divergence was very accurate, as someone who is also neurodivergent. The story also has a sprinkling of romance for Zeb and his ex boyfriend Gideon. My only gripe is that I wish it had more of an epilogue. All in all, it was a great read.

What a DELIGHT. Truly one of Charles' standout novels. It's a wonderful book full of truly horrible people doing horrible things to each other and two very lovely men getting a second chance and trying to make things right. As someone with ADHD I loved how it was written in this novel, Zeb felt like such a real and lived in character. I

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC! I mean, cover to cover, All of Us Murderers had me hooked. KJ Charles has such a unique voice and a real talent for capturing the language, feeling, and ambience of her period pieces so well. I was so charmed by this book. It dealt with its heavier subject matter in a very respectful way, while also feeling very grounded in the time period it’s set. I absolutely could not put this book down until I finished it. I love a book full of flawed characters with their own devious schemes. Just incredible. Shout out to the moors. Gotta be one of my favorite characters in this book. (Other than Zeb and Gideon who are, of course, delightful.) I also want to highlight the cover, which is just perfect and pays homage to my favorite book cover theme: “Woman runs from gothic manor/house.” If you’re on the hunt for a good gothic mystery, this book is *chef’s kiss*!!

ll of Us Murderers is an absolute masterclass in tone—witty, macabre, and brimming with that delicious kind of charm that only KJ Charles can pull off while discussing murder. It’s a murder mystery, yes, but also a sharp social satire wrapped in velvet gloves, with a cast of characters you’ll adore even as they quietly plot one another’s downfall.

The setup alone had me grinning: a circle of old acquaintances, a dead body (naturally), and secrets layered so thick you need a knife to cut through them. Every line sparkles with dry humor, and the banter is top-tier—clever without ever feeling forced. But underneath all the elegance and wit is a surprisingly tender exploration of morality, guilt, and what it means to protect the people you love… even when they may not deserve it.

This isn’t your typical whodunit. It’s more like a who-didn’t, as the narrative peels back layers of complicity and connection, revealing how everyone is a little culpable, a little cracked. And I loved every second of it.

If you like your mysteries with bite, elegance, and a touch of queerness and chaos, All of Us Murderers is an absolute gem. Equal parts cozy and cutting—it’s a murder story with a deeply human heart.

I quite enjoyed this book! Having a character with ADHD in this style of gothic horror was super cool. I do think the book was slow to grab my attention, but by halfway I was totally hooked. Would recommend if you’re a gothic mystery fan who’d like to read something that puts a new spin on the classic tales.

Hell must have frozen over if I'm Dnfing a KJ Charles book. I had a lot of trouble getting into this one. Can there be too much dialog? I was bored. It has such a beautiful cover too!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

This was a super fun gothic romance. Really atmospheric. I used to say this all the time, but it has been a while, I think - this would be a GREAT movie. All you need is an old pile and the ability to build some follies on the grounds. If you liked that ready or not movie, I think this would speak to you, though MUCH less violent. But that same everyone locked in together, who will emerge feeling. PLUS, a very good romance throughline. Also, I am a scaredy cat, but this wasn't too much for me, as a barometer for other scaredys.

I love everything kj Charles writes. This is a fun and mysterious haunted house- it follows the Zeb and his family. Everyone has baggage and everyone has fears. I loved a good second chance romance so Zeb and Gideon are so darling. I could read more of the two of them. The rest of the family is horrible but it works for this story and I ate it all up. The plot was solid yet a bit predictable but I don’t care bc I enjoyed myself.

I'm writing this review at 3am because once again, KJ Charles has written a book that's so compelling that I had to read it in one evening. I loved the Gothic setting and plot (my heart is still racing from the suspense), and I really appreciated the fact that the real horrors were the depths of human cruelty. Zeb is a wonderful protagonist and I teared up at a few key moments. Another banger from KJ Charles!

Thanks Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy. #KJCharles #AllofUsMurderers

tl; dr : I love a bit of intertextuality and I cannot lie.

And: AAAAHHHH happy sigh. I love being reminded of the great sea of other books out there (including KJ’s own), loved the trope busting, loved the importance of books and writing to the plot. It’s also a terrific ripping yarn—in case you didn’t work it out from the cover, it’s a full-on, haunted-house, ghastly family, innocent-virgin, blood-on-the-altar, screaming heebie-jeebies-scare-fest while also being a tender gay romance—it’s KJ Charles, what were you expecting?
I do think no one plots a book better than KJ, with threads from all the way through tied up neatly at the end, while the baddies get their just deserts, thoroughly and emphatically. The bad guys are fully creepy , the romance woven throughout is swoon-worthy, and our hero is placed in some truly scary situations. It’s an absolute emotional roller coaster, but wrapped in a book that never lets you forget you’re in a book. That’s some kind of brilliance from KJ Charles.

This book really is genre-bending in the best way. It’s Gothic, it’s a murder mystery, it’s a romance, and it’s also surprisingly funny. Not in a slapstick way, but with a witty and realistic tone doesn’t cheapen the drama.

I’m not a big fan of second-chance romances where we slowly get information fed to us through the story, but for this one, once I got my footing, I was fully in.

The mystery is well done, with just the right amount of twists to keep me guessing and paying attention. The way it handles the themes of retribution and justice was unique to anything I’ve read.

Also, I’m a sucker for a good epilogue and author’s note and these are chef’s kiss. Do not skip them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3⭐️.
I liked this book for its gothic vibes but didn’t care for the characters or the plot.

This atmospheric Edwardian mystery is an ode to gothic tales and a gothic tale within itself. I love K.J. Charles's historical romances, but I have also enjoyed her turn into historical mysteries with a side of romance. If you enjoyed Death in the Spires, you will definitely enjoy her take on a gothic mansion mystery.