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nathel's review against another edition
5.0
Grisly murder mystery
Belle Guinness was an evil woman who murdered and then butchered people, including children. I had heard of her but never realized the depth of her deeds. This was a fascinating portrayal of one of the worst serial killers in history.
Belle Guinness was an evil woman who murdered and then butchered people, including children. I had heard of her but never realized the depth of her deeds. This was a fascinating portrayal of one of the worst serial killers in history.
lacyk_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I've been on a "true crime" kick lately, and this story grabbed me from the beginning. I hadn't heard of Belle Gunness before ... and I'm wondering how?
I thought the author did a fine job of compiling the information. Multiple sources mean multiple perspectives at one time, so it could have been very confusing. But it was laid out in an easy-to-understand way.
I thought the author did a fine job of compiling the information. Multiple sources mean multiple perspectives at one time, so it could have been very confusing. But it was laid out in an easy-to-understand way.
inkspots's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.25
bonnadarney's review against another edition
2.0
Man, I’m so disappointed. I had this on my to read list for awhile and was SO excited to get my hands on it. Unfortunately, it didn’t thrill me at all. The writing was okay, it was factual. But halfway through the book you know the ending and...it’s just kind of pointless to finish. I think I would have liked this book much more if it was condensed into about half of the pages
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Interestingly boring.
Okay, I wont even lie. I am so freaking happy that I was not born around the time that Belle was on her killing streak. I thank my lucky stars every day. Now before I dove into this book, I honestly had no clue who Belle Gunness was. Nope, I just went into because I've been on a murder mystery kick. Since this book is based off a true murderer, well shit - I had to dive into it!
At the beginning, this book was completely interesting. We get to meet Belle and learn about her victims. I originally thought that this book was going to be more about her murders.. but then it switched to being about her own actual murder. The change didn't really bother me since I knew jack shit about her. However, it got boring pretty quickly and I wished it was actually about her own murders.
This book had many flaws. I hated how Belle was constantly stated as not being an attractive women. I get it, you thought she was ugly but don't say people only wanted to be with her because of her land. Rude as fuck. Just say it once and move on. I don't need to be repeatedly told she was fat and ugly. Then there was the nickname .. I just didn't like it.
Overall, it was jam packed with information but it did get a little boring here and there.
Okay, I wont even lie. I am so freaking happy that I was not born around the time that Belle was on her killing streak. I thank my lucky stars every day. Now before I dove into this book, I honestly had no clue who Belle Gunness was. Nope, I just went into because I've been on a murder mystery kick. Since this book is based off a true murderer, well shit - I had to dive into it!
At the beginning, this book was completely interesting. We get to meet Belle and learn about her victims. I originally thought that this book was going to be more about her murders.. but then it switched to being about her own actual murder. The change didn't really bother me since I knew jack shit about her. However, it got boring pretty quickly and I wished it was actually about her own murders.
This book had many flaws. I hated how Belle was constantly stated as not being an attractive women. I get it, you thought she was ugly but don't say people only wanted to be with her because of her land. Rude as fuck. Just say it once and move on. I don't need to be repeatedly told she was fat and ugly. Then there was the nickname .. I just didn't like it.
Overall, it was jam packed with information but it did get a little boring here and there.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
The concept of a female serial killer is low. Mostly, serial killers are male. Yet, to have a female serial killer back I this time period is very rare. The fact that Belle lured and killed dozens of men not only for money but pleasure is a horrific thought.
Yet, as I read about the many disappearances and the concerns of neighbors, I could not help but wonder why authorities did not investigate Belle sooner. Yeah, she hide the bodies and had stories for the disappearances but the stories still drew questions. It was not until a fire broke out at Belle's farm that authorities dug up tons of graves with butchered body parts.
If you are a fan of true crime, than you will appreciate this book. Mr. Schechter does not gushy up the story of Belle but lays down the facts of Belle and her reign of bodies left behind. Just when I thought I would grow weary of all of the facts I would read something that just intrigued me.
Yet, as I read about the many disappearances and the concerns of neighbors, I could not help but wonder why authorities did not investigate Belle sooner. Yeah, she hide the bodies and had stories for the disappearances but the stories still drew questions. It was not until a fire broke out at Belle's farm that authorities dug up tons of graves with butchered body parts.
If you are a fan of true crime, than you will appreciate this book. Mr. Schechter does not gushy up the story of Belle but lays down the facts of Belle and her reign of bodies left behind. Just when I thought I would grow weary of all of the facts I would read something that just intrigued me.
kathythelibraryteacher's review against another edition
4.0
It’s interesting to think about how many diabolical killers may have gotten away with unimaginable atrocities in the not so distant past. Women, especially, were so underestimated. I wonder if these crimes would have gone undetected for the same length of time today? Also, isn’t it interesting that “catfishing” isn’t really a new concept?