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I found it really interesting to read about Belle Gunness, it just didn’t grip me as much as I would have liked. The story was told from alternating viewpoints and we read from both Bella and Nellie’s perspectives. It perfectly showed the difference between the sisters, as Nellie’s sanity and sense of decency clearly highlighted Bella’s callousness. There, Gunness met her first known victim: her husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, whom she married in 1884. Born in poverty in Norway, she was the victim of a cruel and unspeakable act, unproven, to explain her spiteful nature and murderous intent. On moving to the USA to start a new life, intending to raise above her childhood poverty, she married twice. Both husbands died painful deaths when she tired of them. She inherited their property, life insurance, and also insurance payouts from buildings she set afire. The ensuing investigation would turn the town of La Porte, Indiana, into the center of America’s attention.
Concurrently, Gunness had begun to develop problems with a farmhand named Ray Lamphere. He had romantic feelings for Gunness and resented all the men that showed up at her property. The two once apparently had a relationship, but Lamphere had left in a jealous rage after Helgelien arrived. Usually I find one serendipity month read that is of the first sort if it happens to be a "woman's read" book. And mostly they core the more common stereotypes. And depending upon the writing skill I might actually enjoy most of it. But here, this is exactly why I do the one month serendipity thing. If I knew the subject matter I wouldn't have read it. And I am glad I did read most in slow pattern to nuance too. Because this is a bit of a departure- as I believe horror or true crime is morphing a bit when it crosses women's easy read fiction. There doesn't seem to be a bottom feeder level that is not fully deported to grabbing readers now. Not only within sexual mores either. I enjoyed this one from the very beginning. I love books based on true events and people. Belle is an interesting character. AS the story progresses, we see her interact with others and commit her crimes, all without remorse and all with survival in mind. I know nothing about the ‘house of crime,’ as they call it,” he said, when asked about Gunness’ murders. “Sure, I worked for Mrs. Gunness for a time, but I didn’t see her kill anybody, and I didn’t know she had killed anybody.”This is well written, mind blowing, extremely intense, dazzling, riveting novel. I devoured slowly but each chapter was like heavy meals which take extra time to absorb properly. By all outward appearances, Belle Gunness had a hard lot in life. Born on a farm in Norway, she emigrated to the United States in 1881 when she was 22 and settled in Chicago, where she met her first husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson. Two of their children (who may have been adopted) never lived passed infancy. Around 1895, a candy store they owned burned to the ground. In 1900, one of their homes was turned to ash. That same year, Mads mysteriously died. We shall be so happy when you once get here,” Gunness purred in one letter. “My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. Come prepared to stay forever.”
La Porte County Historical Society Museum Investigators search for more bodies on Belle Gunness’s farm after the initial discoveries in 1908. I researched Belle after reading the book and enjoyed seeing how much the storyline mirrored the true events but with the author’s own fictional understanding of who Belle was. On seeing her photo, I am now able to see her as she actually looked in real life and this has left me with a permanent vision of her and her story. Neighbors described the 200-pound Gunness as a “rugged” woman who was also incredibly strong. One man who helped her move in later claimed that he saw her lift a 300-pound piano all by herself. “Ay like music at home,” she supposedly said, by way of explanation. His mind immediately turned to the other people living in the house. Three children, as well as the home’s owner—a 48-year-old widow named Belle Gunness—were likely sleeping. Maxson was the family’s hired farmhand and had lived on the small La Porte, Indiana, farm for barely three months. It was his job to protect the property and the people in it. He ran across his bedroom and tried to open the door leading to Gunness’s half of the home. Because she's angry. She's bloodthirsty. She's willing to kill to get what she wants - starting with her husband.The ensuing court case became a media circus. As Lamphere pled for his innocence, his lawyers argued that Gunness had started the fire and had framed her old farmhand. For weeks leading up to the event, she had diligently worked to hurt Lamphere’s reputation and credibility, constantly bad-mouthing him around the town’s authorities. If you're interested in true crime, Victorian era or female historical characters then I absolutely recommend this book for you. Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this outstanding ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.
While this is a work of fiction, many truths were incorporated into the story. Belle wasn’t the most prolific female serial killer out there-apparently- but she was likely responsible for more deaths than can be proven.Investigators digging up bodies on Belle Gunness's property / LaPorte County Historical Society Museum
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