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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars, I really enjoyed this! It was a fun read and I had a good time with it. I could have read this in one sitting, KJ Charles never fails to draw me into a story.
As someone who loved Death in the Spires, I loved that this leaned a bit a fair bit into the gothic horror rather than just solely romance - the gothic ambience was done so well. My dog snuck up behind me at one point and I actually jumped when I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye.
The characters were perfect, the family dynamics were messy, there was fantastic ADHD rep (and rep for severe arachnophobia), I am seen. And I did adore the dynamic between Gideon and Zeb. I'm not usually a fan of second chance romances in any form, but this was done really well. I loved their development and communication.
(And for what it's worth, as someone who has read some B-tier Edwardian gothic novels, this does everything so well and really captures the real essence of the genre. And the epilogue was perfect.)
As someone who loved Death in the Spires, I loved that this leaned a bit a fair bit into the gothic horror rather than just solely romance - the gothic ambience was done so well. My dog snuck up behind me at one point and I actually jumped when I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye.
The characters were perfect, the family dynamics were messy, there was fantastic ADHD rep (and rep for severe arachnophobia), I am seen. And I did adore the dynamic between Gideon and Zeb. I'm not usually a fan of second chance romances in any form, but this was done really well. I loved their development and communication.
(And for what it's worth, as someone who has read some B-tier Edwardian gothic novels, this does everything so well and really captures the real essence of the genre. And the epilogue was perfect.)
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Slavery, Suicide
This book is excellently done, but is an exploration of a family made up of individuals who have committed horrific acts, save for our protagonist, who modern readers would recognize as having ADHD but who is treated by his contemporaries as lazy/selfish/unreliable/clumsy (and so on). The second chance love story is sweet and their reconciliation is believable. There are also a few scenes with spiders or where the main character (who has a phobia) is afraid there will be spiders.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The House of Usher meets (2002 live-action) Scooby Doo
Right off the bat, the most notable thing about All of Us Murderers is the excellent ADHD rep in our main character Zeb. Even without relying on modern language, it's clear what's going on and it's well-executed. His constant internal monologue hits all the right notes.
Overall, I would say that this book is "jack of all trades, master of none." It's a fun little romp across the three genres of romance, gothic horror, and whodunit.
I personally think it would have been stronger if there had been a bit more focus on one out of the three. For my taste, I would have liked a more robust Gothic atmosphere.
Above all else, I really enjoyed the messy family dynamics and the slow reveal of the character's histories with eachother. The Wyckhams are a tangled mess, and they deserve eachother.
A second-chance romance with a fumbling neurodivetgent. Gothic-lite backdrop and a twisty ghosty whodunit. Wraps up nicely. This is an effortless read that you'll finish in one or two sittings. Easy to reccomend.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Right off the bat, the most notable thing about All of Us Murderers is the excellent ADHD rep in our main character Zeb. Even without relying on modern language, it's clear what's going on and it's well-executed. His constant internal monologue hits all the right notes.
Overall, I would say that this book is "jack of all trades, master of none." It's a fun little romp across the three genres of romance, gothic horror, and whodunit.
I personally think it would have been stronger if there had been a bit more focus on one out of the three. For my taste, I would have liked a more robust Gothic atmosphere.
Above all else, I really enjoyed the messy family dynamics and the slow reveal of the character's histories with eachother. The Wyckhams are a tangled mess, and they deserve eachother.
A second-chance romance with a fumbling neurodivetgent. Gothic-lite backdrop and a twisty ghosty whodunit. Wraps up nicely. This is an effortless read that you'll finish in one or two sittings. Easy to reccomend.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder
Minor: Incest, Rape, Slavery, Abortion
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Take some gothic horror, add spoonfuls of mystery, sprinkle in a second-chance romance, stir well and spread across Edwardian era southern English countryside and you got yourself some good food in the form of All of Us Murderers! Bone apple tea
Zeb's visit to his uncle who he hasn't seen since he was a child is about to be a nice, relaxing, fun time that he really needs. Except for when he shows up at Lackaday House, there's a surprise family reunion with his estranged cousin, brother, and sister-in-law all there being as terrible as always, perhaps even more so when they start fighting over a large family inheritance. To make matters worse, the house itself is large, empty, and ominous, and there are talks of ghosts roaming the halls and a family curse looming over them all. To top it all off Gideon, Zeb's ex, is yet another unexpected prescence at the family gathering and he's not afraid to show how unhappy he is to see Zeb again. Zeb's dream of a relaxing jaunt to the countryside's turning into an absolute nightmare.
This was such a great read! The gothic setting was fantastic and the mystery was highly intriguing. I really enjoyed the messy family dynamics and how KJC never fails to add social commentary to her novels. The romance aspect was also excellent but definitely secondary to the mystery, similar to most other KJC books. While I personally prefer a bit more romance, All of Us Murderers was well balanced.
Zeb was a wonderful and slightly chaotic MC and I thought the ADHD rep was very well done. It hurt to see how everyone dismissed him as flighty, irresponsible, and incapable but I loved his growing self-worth and how kind he was.
Zeb and Gideon were great together! I'm not usually the biggest fan of second chance romance but theirs really worked for me and the spicy scenes had me fanning myself! I do so love how great KJC is with kink in histrom - it always feels way filthier than in contemporary books and the dirty talk and kink was most excellent in this one!
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. All of Us Murderers is out October 7
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god, where to begin? This was a mystery and a romance and a Gothic nightmare all rolled into one and I read it in a day because I couldn’t put it down.
If there’s one thing KJ Charles knows how to do, it’s write about good people who happen to come from extremely hideous families and this is no exception. Imagine you get an invite from an estranged relative and it turns out he’s brought you to a house filled with your non-estranged but completely horrible family, a stranger he wants you to marry, and your ex. That’s where this book starts, and it only gets more deranged from there. I fear saying anything more might spoil it so you’ll have to trust me.
(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review)
If there’s one thing KJ Charles knows how to do, it’s write about good people who happen to come from extremely hideous families and this is no exception. Imagine you get an invite from an estranged relative and it turns out he’s brought you to a house filled with your non-estranged but completely horrible family, a stranger he wants you to marry, and your ex. That’s where this book starts, and it only gets more deranged from there. I fear saying anything more might spoil it so you’ll have to trust me.
(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood
Minor: Incest, Slavery, Suicide, Abortion
Set in Edwardian times, the story follows our main character, Zeb, as he arrives at a remote mansion at the invitation of his uncle, only to discover that other guests are present, such as his estranged (and terrible) brother, his artist (and terrible) cousin, and his former lover, who isn’t terrible but hates Zeb after the mess of their break-up. After their host makes a surprise announcement about the vast family inheritance, Zeb has to navigate increasingly difficult relations with his family, a tense relationship with his ex, unfriendly staff, an impressionable young woman, a family curse, ghosts and dark family secrets, while they’re all isolated in this gothic mansion surrounded by misty moors. It’s, in other words, a veritable feast of gothicness and if you’re into that, as I am, you’ll love every minute.
I’ve read everything KJ Charles has written, and this is a new favourite. Her pacing is phenomenal as always. I finished this early in the morning because I couldn’t, and didn’t, put it down. It flows magnificently. Zeb’s narration is witty and engaging. There is humour to balance out the bleak moments but also some descriptions of seemingly supernatural incidents that had me shivering with dread (and loving it). The story is brimming with a gothic atmosphere, with the eerie and the inexplicable and the slow descent into madness. The side character cast is another KJC strength, and it shows here in full form: every secondary character is sharp and vivid, distinct from each other, as vibrant as real people. And, boy, they’re all horrible. KJC has written her share of appalling relatives, but this lot takes the cake. Be prepared for absolutely atrocious familial relations.
In the midst of dread and uncertainty, the relationship between Zeb and his ex, Gideon, is the balm we need. There’s palpable longing and raw desire between them, and once they work through their past issues, they’re sweet and lovely, providing some much needed solace.
This is primarily a mystery novel and the mystery of what was happening in the house was well-constructed and kept me absorbed throughout. Without being too spoilery (I hope), I’ll say that I love that it was Zeb’s kindness and empathy that made a difference.
One of my disappointments these days is that I find a lot of the novels published recently are utterly bland and without teeth. Even if not described as ‘cozy’, coziness has seeped into them. Which is why this novel thrilled me: besides the joy in revelling in a gothic story, this is a real and unflinching look at some appalling people and how they abused their immense privilege. It gives the (delightfully eerie and suspenseful) story real substance.
Many, many thanks to the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’ve read everything KJ Charles has written, and this is a new favourite. Her pacing is phenomenal as always. I finished this early in the morning because I couldn’t, and didn’t, put it down. It flows magnificently. Zeb’s narration is witty and engaging. There is humour to balance out the bleak moments but also some descriptions of seemingly supernatural incidents that had me shivering with dread (and loving it). The story is brimming with a gothic atmosphere, with the eerie and the inexplicable and the slow descent into madness. The side character cast is another KJC strength, and it shows here in full form: every secondary character is sharp and vivid, distinct from each other, as vibrant as real people. And, boy, they’re all horrible. KJC has written her share of appalling relatives, but this lot takes the cake. Be prepared for absolutely atrocious familial relations.
In the midst of dread and uncertainty, the relationship between Zeb and his ex, Gideon, is the balm we need. There’s palpable longing and raw desire between them, and once they work through their past issues, they’re sweet and lovely, providing some much needed solace.
This is primarily a mystery novel and the mystery of what was happening in the house was well-constructed and kept me absorbed throughout. Without being too spoilery (I hope), I’ll say that I love that it was Zeb’s kindness and empathy that made a difference.
One of my disappointments these days is that I find a lot of the novels published recently are utterly bland and without teeth. Even if not described as ‘cozy’, coziness has seeped into them. Which is why this novel thrilled me: besides the joy in revelling in a gothic story, this is a real and unflinching look at some appalling people and how they abused their immense privilege. It gives the (delightfully eerie and suspenseful) story real substance.
Many, many thanks to the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a one sitting book. Well done. Mysterious and atmospheric that wonderfully builds the tension.
Sometimes, there's bits in books that could be removed, but the story is very tight.
And the main characters are delightful.
An amazing nivel by KJ Charles.
Sometimes, there's bits in books that could be removed, but the story is very tight.
And the main characters are delightful.
An amazing nivel by KJ Charles.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
KJ Charles’ foray into the gothic romance is a playful romp with a genre-savvy narrator, zigzagging tropes (some deconstructions, some played straight, many justified), and a cast of mostly awful but compelling characters. There’s ghosts, sacrificial altars, a family curse, a fortune to be won; and, of course, they’re all trapped in the house until the situation can be resolved.
Zebedee is a fantastic lead and I’m glad to have been in his head the whole time. He knows a lot about gothic novels but is a bit bad at life. He has a web of complex relationships- he’s got a difficult family life, he’s lost his job at the start of the book, and the relative that summoned him is employing the love of his life as an assistant. Oh, and the love of his life has not forgiven or forgotten their previous encounters. I admire that Zeb as a character always chooses deliberately to be kind and decent, and take the most charitable way to understand others. This deep empathy really endears him to the reader, and I admire that KJ makes it clear that this is never an easy choice.
Another thing that I admire about Zeb is that KJ has thought carefully about how to put neurodivergence rep into a historical novel without being ahistoric but also without being clunky in the way ADHD is presented. I appreciated her note regarding the multiple sensitivity readers used - this is a great thing for authors to do, and I would love more of them to be open about it. KJ has never shied away from presenting historical realities while still writing glorious and sensitive LGBT relationships, and this holds true for the representation here.
The romance? Gideon and Zeb are a second-chance pair, but despite Gideon’s demeanour the first time he appears on the page you long for him to come back as it’s so clear how Zeb feels. It feels emotionally mature in the way they come together and are able to reflect on the past- even though they are in the middle of a gothic whodunnit! I will admit to being semi-biased, as I love hotmess/competent and also the sex scenes were Up My Alley.
But what about this gothic murder mystery? I am less experienced with the gothic myself, so if you’re a massive gothic fan, I can’t help. I thought the setting was glorious. I am still thinking about the description of the house’s library- constellations on the ceiling, green leather armchairs, oak shelves and a spiral staircase in the middle, if you were wondering - the fact it belonged to a crazy old gothic novel writer notwithstanding. Every element of the house and garden works carefully with the plot of the book, and while Zeb never knows where he’s going, I as the reader certainly had a fully realised concept of the house in my head.
For the mystery, I think something KJ does very well is play with the victim-criminal-murderer dynamic. Sometimes you start believing a character is one thing, and then the scene changes, and they are suddenly very different. Transformation and nothing being as it seems are clear themes here, but also power and who holds it.
It’s a very clever, tongue-in-cheek take on both gothic and murder mystery- I do really need to go back and see if I can find some penny dreadful style gothic pulp; if nothing else, just because KJ clearly had so much fun coming up with titles for in-universe gothic novels!
(ARC copy received for free via NetGalley as a KJC discord member. All thoughts are my own. I was not paid to write the review or give it a set score)
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
For lovers of gothic lit and those seeker more disability rep.
Zeb fills the role of Charles’ usual earnest and chatty main character, and then Charles’ adds ADHD to the characterization and its magical. The romance is great. I love the chemistry and the work they put in to their relationship; it’s never just horniness.
While Charles’ work is usually dialog heavy, this one feels especially so; in part, no doubt, to Zeb being consistent internally and externally and he’s our POV.
W gratitude to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the eARC
Zeb fills the role of Charles’ usual earnest and chatty main character, and then Charles’ adds ADHD to the characterization and its magical. The romance is great. I love the chemistry and the work they put in to their relationship; it’s never just horniness.
While Charles’ work is usually dialog heavy, this one feels especially so; in part, no doubt, to Zeb being consistent internally and externally and he’s our POV.
W gratitude to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the eARC