Book: In The Garden of Spite
Author: Camilla Bruce
“How could a woman so patiently braided little girl’s hair and polished shoes to a shine be capable of such atrocities?”
In The Garden of Spite ~ Camilla Bruce
BLURB
An audacious novel of feminine rage about one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history–and the men who drove her to it.
They whisper about her in Chicago. Men come to her with their hopes, their dreams–their fortunes. But no one sees them leave. No one sees them at all after they come to call on the Widow of La Porte.
The good people of Indiana may have their suspicions, but if those fools knew what she’d given up, what was taken from her, how she’d suffered, surely they’d understand. Belle Gunness learned a long time ago that a woman has to make her own way in this world. That’s all it is. A bloody means to an end. A glorious enterprise meant to raise her from the bleak, colorless drudgery of her childhood to the life she deserves. After all, vermin always survive.
REVIEW
In The Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce was a well written historical fiction telling about The Black Widow of La Porte. I appreciated the story telling about Bella, instead of it being more a biography. The dual point of view with Bella’s sister really allowed the reader to see how strange and unhinged Bella truly was. The extent of Bella’s known and speculated crimes is astounding. If you enjoy true crime stories, this is a great read. For me, I just had a tough time getting into it since true crime is not really my reading jam. I read this story as part of my book club. The other members really enjoyed it!
J.T. Brooks Books and Reviews 