WOW.

Look, I love KJ Charles' fluffy romances (fluffy here means there is a moderate number of murders and other criminal shenanigans included, mind you) but I think I love her the best when she straddles the line between romance and other genres (mystery, horror) because at that moment the playground gets much more interesting.

The over-the-topness of Gothic fiction allows KJC to fill the novel to the brink with incredibly nasty people and their interactions are so much fun. Our MCs are of course the only vestige of human decency in the house. This is a second chance romance which I usually don't go for but Zeb and Gideon are so good for each other, they communicate well and the reasons for the first break up are understandable while not making the reunion impossible. Zeb is a tremendously well done character. I liked reading the novel through his POV.

Also, this is so meta, I love it. The allusions to the Gothic and Zeb's awareness of genre conventions are breaking the fourth wall and winking at the reader constantly. I think this book is a fine representative of the very niche subgenre "two reasonable people stumble into a Gothic novel, are distinctly unimpressed and would like to go home if it is all the same to you, thank you very much."

The only objection I can possibly have is that the atmosphere could have been milked a bit more, the rationality of the MCs kind of prevented me to get really terrified of the house itself.

I want to start by thanking the publisher and author for the ARC that I received in exchange for this honest review.

This review may contain mild spoilers for the book, so consider yourself warned.

This book could've been written especially for me. I am a big KJ Charles fan, having discovered her earlier this year and since then reading 21 of her books (this is 22). I am also a huge fan of the gothic genre, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. That being said, this book should be taken on its own merit, and it is in a word fantastic!!!

If you love Gothic literature you have come to the right place! This has it all; a grim manor house, a family curse, ghosts, stone circles, murder, and (shudder) spiders. All the tropes are present but it never feels derivative. The plot is well crafted and self aware, feeling like a love letter to the gothic genre with a few playful jibes thrown in for good measure. By the time you find out what is actually going on you’re invested in the characters and it goes at a breath taking pace.

This leads me on to my next point, characters. One of the things that KJ Charles does so well in all the books of hers I have read is creating believable characters that you can relate to and love. Not only her lead characters, even the smaller roles get developed and can leap off the page.
All of Us Murderers is no different, Zeb is a wonderful lead character. We see what it’s like for him living with ADHD in a time when it was not understood and how hard that is for him. We also see him being brutally treated by his family. Right from the start he shows a great strength of character, and as the book progresses he becomes even stronger and more sure of himself. He overcomes many fears, and stands up for what is right with grace and courage. This character leveled up the material for me. It became something healing, Zeb's journey touched something inside of me, and I hope it does the same for you.

It took me longer to warm to Gideon, which makes sense as this story is told entirely from Zeb’s perspective. We only get to see the deeper parts of Gideon as things progress between them. The initial impression of him is dark and moody, but there is so much more beneath the surface that comes out in time.

The romance elements are not as prominent here as in some KJ’s books, but it was the perfect amount for this book. The tone of this one is dark but the mix we get is a perfect balance to the tension and suspense. It gives you time to breathe, but not so much that it derails the thrills.

I loved that there was painful history between these two characters. This kind of trouble always lays the groundwork for rich drama. But what makes this relationship leap off the page is that they are able to navigate this past trauma with maturity. They show what a healthy relationship can look like by showing us it’s not how you get into the trouble, it’s how you get out of it! It takes them a while but they get there. Seeing this character growth makes the book all the more satisfying.

The supporting characters are also well drawn. The Wyckham family are a den of vipers and that would’ve been enough to fuel the story. Luckily KJ takes gives us more, taking the time to develop these characters to the point that I almost felt sympathy for some of them (special mention Elise). The book also get's you thinking, who are real villains here? It’s not so cut and dry once the true motives come out.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the setting itself. Lackady house is a character in its own right. Located in the isolated Dartmoor; surrounded by treacherous mist, filled with secret passages, mysterious follies, and my dream library! I was totally engrossed in the location and it added so much to the atmosphere.

I highly recommend this book, It is one I intend to read again and again, and I hope you get as much joy out of it as I did.

Another great book by KJ Charles.

Classic Edwardian country house setting, some truly awful family members, various murders, and a couple of cute lovers. Our main character Zeb is refreshingly honest and well-intentioned despite the rest of his dreadful family, and has a sweet second-time-around romance with Gideon. The different whodunnits kept me guessing for most of the book.

This was a fun read! Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

an excellent story that I highly recommend. The story was tightly paced and kept me engaged the entire time.
I appreciate how KJ in showcased how the main character’s ADHD symptoms were perceived by the people in his life and how he managed them. It was well incorporated into the story.

It's a great story, combining elements of locked room murder mystery, gothic horror and some romance.
The writing is immersive, the mystery and the twists are satisfying and the atmosphere chilling.
The relationships dynamics are really interesting, either between the awful family members or between the ex lovers finally reunited. The drama felt real and the second chance at love is truly earned.
I also loved the few spicy scenes, they served the story and were very well written.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

I loved this gothic mystery romance so much! Foggy moorland with a walled in creepy mansion... buy me a ticket and I'm on the next train. The characters were lovely and the ADHD representation was really well done. I've enjoyed KJ Charles' previous works and this one was just as good as their other historical romances.

This was thoroughly addicting and had me continuously turning the page (or poking my kindle) to find out what happens next. Delightfully gothic and creepy AF, I had a great time with this book even with low level dread as my companion. The characters were vibrant and well developed, the setting suitably immersive and the plot twists were a twisting.

Sadly the epilogue and the ending felt a little rushed but other than that this was a wild ride.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for eARC and as I am freezing my butt off here because winter is giving it a red hot go, I have left an honest review

An incredibly atmospheric countryside mystery that sets you into an enclosed location as questions unfold, relationships unravel, and hysteria peaks until the final reveals. A gay relationship rekindles amidst it all.

Whooooo boy, the end of this one really had me white knuckling my way through all that tension. I was STRESSED.

Zeebadee, recently fired from his latest job as a clerk, is contacted by his Cousin Wynn, a man who is basically a stranger to him, and is invited to come visit and spend some time with him at Lackaday House. Almost immediately upon his arrival Zeb discovers that there is more at play in the house than he realised, when he arrives to discover his (genuinely terrible) brother, sister in law and cousin already there alongside his ex-lover.

In respect to this book in the context of the larger catalogue of KJCs works, I think that this one sits closer to Death in the Spires, in that the romance is really more of a subplot to the main mystery, compared to many of her other works which can be more romance forward. Although that being said all the normal trademarks I associate with KJC books are present; vibrant characters, rich historical settings, sexy chemistry and a bit of spice. All of it makes a very satisfying reading experience.

I did admittedly take a little while to find my feet here, you are dropped into the middle of some established and very messy interconnected relationships, that all have their own histories and while that background is progressively revealed as the story unfolds you do need to trust the process a little.

I LOVED the tone and setting of this book, the Edwardian setting in a massive Gothic Mansion? So atmospheric. I also love the boom of British occultism that occurred in the late Victorian era so the occult overtones here had me hook, line and sinker.

Zeb was a real stand out character for me. I thought that his ADHD representation was wonderful and it really made me appreciate the struggles people went through when so little was understood about the condition during this time, and the only solution people bothered with was to scold and beat the child. Despite the challenges and cruelty he has experienced Zebs heart of gold and capacity for kindness were really his defining traits (making the moments when he displayed a quiet confidence and self assurance to assert himself when necessary all the more satisfying).

I really do love a good second chance romance and thought that the trope here was used well between Gideon and Zeb. I’ll admit through that while I came around to Gideon by the end of the story it took me a while to get there, potentially because I felt so protective of Zeb as a character. However, as we learn more about what went wrong between Gideon and Zeb and the things that went unsaid I found myself forgiving and rooting for them to get together, but he was one of the KJC love interests that I struggled to vibe with more so than others.

*Insert my generic ride or die disclaimer for everything KJC writes and my inherent biases this causes*

A fun historical gothic mystery/thriller where the tension continues to ratchet up right to the end! I had a great time. 4.5 rounded up ❤️


Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Planned Release October 7 2025

All of Us Murderers starts with Zeb, a down-on-his-luck man from a wealthy family, arriving at his estranged cousin’s estate for what’s supposed to be a short visit. Once there, he finds himself locked in with the ex-lover he wanted to avoid, the rest of his thoroughly unpleasant family, and is expected to compete for both the inheritance and the hand in marriage of his… cousin’s protégée who is also his cousin? 😐

Honestly, this might be my favorite K.J. Charles yet. The book is laugh-out-loud funny in places, and Zeb, the main character, is a pure cinnamon roll you can’t help but root for, without ever feeling like a caricature. While I can’t speak to the ADHD representation personally (as it’s not my own brand of neurospiciness), it still felt respectful and blended seamlessly with Zeb’s personality.

The locked-door mystery is both thoughtful and well-crafted. There *are* some far-fetched elements, but the humor is perfectly balanced with genuine suspense, and it never feels overdone. For me, it’s a masterclass in the genre. I was thrown for a loop in the first half [(what do you mean, we’re suspecting ghosts and there’s no murder yet?!) (hide spoiler)] but I was thoroughly engaged the whole time. Pacing-wise, the book is rock solid. The ending really stands out, too; I appreciated that the entire story is confined to the manor, even though some reviewers complained that made the ending feel “abrupt.” The epilogue is well-rounded, and the last few sentences had me laughing out loud.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say I wished for a bit more pining between the romantic leads before they jumped into bed. It felt a little fast for me. However, their history is well-drawn, and I appreciated the lack of miscommunication drama. I also really liked that the romance didn’t overshadow the mystery; I don’t know why people always expect K.J. Charles to write romantic smut when she’s been crafting strong plotlines for years at this point.

The book tackles some heavy themes (CW for [slavery and rape (hide spoiler)]), as well as reflections on injustice, legacy, and privilege. It does so thoughtfully, without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

In conclusion, this might be the strongest release in K.J. Charles’s catalogue yet (a relief after Copper Script, not gonna lie); it was everything I wanted but didn’t dare hope for. I’m so thankful I got to read this!

4,5 ⭐
A gothic mansion filled with possibly sinister entities, a gloomy Dartmoor setting, truly delightful family reunions, inheritance built on blood...and sweet and hot romance.

Honestly, the ingredients couldn’t have been better for me - except for the second-chance romance. This trope rarely works for me. On one hand, there must be a valid reason for the characters to separate in the first place, and at the same time, the reason can’t be grievous enough to make me not root for the reconciliation.

But damn did it WORK, and work incredibly well!

Wow, was I swept off my feet by Zeb and Gideon, their chemistry was a very comfortable one, and the way they navigated their previous misunderstandings was heartwarming. These two truly gave off the good old “made for each other while being opposites” vibe.

Zebedee Wyckham isn’t usually the kind of character I tend to gravitate towards, but somehow, he won me over completely, and I would fight for him (not spiders though, sorry Zeb). He’s a fidgety, scatterbrained motor-mouth that’s utterly relatable to everyone with ADHD, and being in his head made me grin, laugh, and hurt in sympathy. His struggles with self-worth after being put down constantly by everyone, starting with his aforementioned delightful family, seriously pulled at my heartstrings.
And Gideon Grey, organized, reserved, inexperienced Gideon. He and Zeb shouldn’t have worked in theory, but oooh boy I can’t imagine them NOT being perfect for each other.
And that gentle exploration of a new kink?? So hot! I wouldn’t mind peeping in on the continuation of that lol 👁️👄👁️

I’m almost disappointed I didn’t get more of them as a couple - almost because for me, the balance between the mystery/suspense and the romance was perfect - which might mean there will not be enough romance for some readers, mind you. But the pace wasn’t slowed down by an overabundance of romantic scenes, the mounting tension kept the story going, and yet, Zeb and Gideon together were such a highlight that I loved their every moment.

The mystery regarding the mansion and the inheritance of a powerful Wyckham family? I’ve never been to an escape room, but reading this book was very much like being in one. I felt trapped with Zeb and Gideon, and I wanted out, I wanted them to get out, and it made my heart pound like crazy at times. Most of the storyline isn’t unpredictable, but there were enough little gasp-worthy moments that kept me completely hooked.

The ending came a bit too abruptly for my tastes and I deflated like a balloon, though to be fair, most of it was definitely relief. And the epilogue made me cackle, so cheeky!

To sum it up, All Of Us Murderers is a new contender for my favorite KJ Charles novel (though I still haven’t read many of them), up there with Death in the Spires ❤️

An incredibly fun gothic thriller! The mystery & romance elements were really well done, and it fulfilled all the parts of a gothic that you'd want. Heartily recommend!

A note to start: while K.J. Charles is primarily a writer of m/m historical romance, this book is a Gothic novel with a m/m romantic subplot.

And what a Gothic novel! A mysterious house with ghostly figures and flickering lights, a cast of truly dreadful people (not our hero; he's a sweetheart), dark family secrets, foreboding weather, overly convoluted plots and the occasional bout of hysterics. Charles leans in to the tropes of the genre with great relish, resulting in a read that is true to genre conventions, although free of the casual racism and misogyny often present in older Gothic works. The atmosphere is creepy and steadily more claustrophobic as the story progresses, and the sense that something is going on under the surface is apparent early on, but the plot twists are deftly done.

Highly recommended for lovers of creepy Gothic tales.

I wanted gothic haunting, but what I got was family drama. Unfortunately, the vibes were just not it for me. I was quite bored through the first 50% of the book, where it didn't seem like anything but arguing between characters was happening.

In the second half, things at least did get more exciting and I felt more entertained. But I was still quite disappointed with...how mundane it all was. It's not quite what I thought I was signing up for. Plus, the plot seemed laid out in a way that there really was no big reveal. Because everything felt gradually known.

3.5/5

I knew I needed to read this book the second I read the blurb. Crimson Peak meets Knives Out but gay?! How could I say no to that?! Crimson Peak is one of my all-time favorite movies, just check my Letterboxd!

But I do have to say, that I was a tad disappointed with this. Not a lot, but I just wanted more from it. It needed more oomph, as I've been saying lately. I think maybe my hopes were so ridiculously high because of that blurb description relating to movies that I really enjoy.

I did like how ambiguous some things are, I do think that really helped to add to the mystery. By that, I mean how you couldn't really figure out what everyone's motive was. You can't tell who is bad and who is good (besides the main characters, of course).

I did like the main characters, but I just wanted more from them. They had this flat, caricature feel at times. But I do love how easy this author's work is to read without feeling simple.

I also wanted a tad more of a crescendo to the ending. It felt kind of flat. It wasn't this big "oh ha" moment that I wanted, but more of a confirmation to what we've been learning throughout the whole book (sorry if that is vague, I don't want to spoil anything).

Overall, this was a fun little mystery with a touch of romance. Happy Pride Month!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

All of Us Murderers is a perfect queer gothic for the autumn. It is compulsively readable with characters to love and characters to hate, and cathartic resolutions. It is such a fun blend of mystery and romance. This was the first book I've picked up by KJ Charles, but I am eager to go and explore her backlist!

Believe it or not, this is my first book by KJ Charles. I found it entertaining and a tad bit reminiscent of Agatha Christie books, where you’re never quite sure who is bad and who is the worst. Spoiler: In this one, everyone except for the MCs is the worst. While I did appreciate the quality of the writing and enjoy the relationship between Zeb and Gideon, I honestly expected a better story from this much-loved author. There wasn’t really a twist or a surprising reveal, only a confirmation that the rest of Zeb’s family was awful. The climax didn’t have me on the edge of my seat, but I did smile at the ending. I can’t say this book has inspired me to read any others by Charles but I also wouldn’t say I’m opposed to it.

What a treat of a gothic romance! It's Dartmoor, we've got the big gothic house, the follies, the wind and the shadows, the threat of escaped convicts, and really the worst thing of all -- a large group of vaguely estranged family members fighting over a inheritance.

This book slipped down quicker than a quick thing. It built the tension until it all came spilling out in a delightful mess of revelations.

Another great read from KJ Charles.

I have been a big fan of KJ Charles’s work but this might be her best yet. All of Us Murderers is an impeccably-paced gothic mystery with a lovely second chance love story.

The two leads were delightful, and I give Charles props for introducing the characters, their backstory, and the premise so seamlessly in the first couple of chapters. This book drops you RIGHT in to the family drama, but I never felt lost. Just excited for the ride.

The blurb compared this book to Knives Out, and I think that’s an apt comparison, but only because knives out takes inspiration from the same gothic mysteries that clearly inspired this.

As an aside, I have ADHD, and this book features perhaps the best-written ADHD lead that I’ve ever read. I related SO much to Zeb’s struggles.

And if you’re thinking, I don’t know about a mystery, I just want a love story, DO NOT WORRY. There’s a lot of romance and spice here, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a delight and not what I expected at ALL! Went into this expecting a spooky ghost story and got a murder mystery familial drama in a spooky house and I loved it.

Between Death in the Spires & All of Us Murderers, I am more convinced than ever that KJC was made for mystery in addition to romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!!! 🥳