Triflers Need Not Apply
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- Create Date：2021-09-06 08:52:04
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Camilla Bruce
- ISBN：0241442303
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Summary
Early in life Bella Sorensen discovers the world is made only for men。 They own everything: jobs， property， wives。 But Bella understands what few others do: where women are concerned， men are weak。
A woman unhampered by scruples can take from them what she wants。 And so Bella sets out to prove to the world that a woman can be just as ruthless， black-hearted and single-minded as any man。
Starting with her long suffering husband， Mads， Bella embarks on a killing spree the like of which has never been seen before nor since。
And through it all her kind， older sister Nellie can only watch in horror as Bella's schemes to enrich herself and cut down the male population come to a glorious， dreadful fruition 。 。 。
Based on the true story of Belle Gunness whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900， Triflers Need Not Apply is a novelistic tour de force exploring one woman's determination to pay men back for all they have taken。
A woman unhampered by scruples can take from them what she wants。 And so Bella sets out to prove to the world that a woman can be just as ruthless， black-hearted and single-minded as any man。
Starting with her long suffering husband， Mads， Bella embarks on a killing spree the like of which has never been seen before nor since。
And through it all her kind， older sister Nellie can only watch in horror as Bella's schemes to enrich herself and cut down the male population come to a glorious， dreadful fruition 。 。 。
Based on the true story of Belle Gunness whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900， Triflers Need Not Apply is a novelistic tour de force exploring one woman's determination to pay men back for all they have taken。
Reviews
Amy Coles
，
2。5 stars。 This is the mundane life of a female serial killer from the early 1900s。The story just seemed a bit aimless - I was hoping for more :/
Kat
，
Deliciously macabre and murderous。 The main character is absolutely awful， and mesmerising at the same time。I found this book easy to read and nothing like I'd expected it to be。 I'd read a review somewhere that referred to this book at not particularly 'high brow' but I don't think that affected my enjoyment one bit。 It was well written and well paced， with the right amount of the two sister's voices speaking in turn。 I found myself liking and hating the character in equal measure， she carried Deliciously macabre and murderous。 The main character is absolutely awful， and mesmerising at the same time。I found this book easy to read and nothing like I'd expected it to be。 I'd read a review somewhere that referred to this book at not particularly 'high brow' but I don't think that affected my enjoyment one bit。 It was well written and well paced， with the right amount of the two sister's voices speaking in turn。 I found myself liking and hating the character in equal measure， she carried repulsive acts whilst holding onto little shreds of humanity。 I'd never heard of the real Belle Gunness。。。 And I'm pretty hot on my serial killers so I'm glad I found this book。 The author does take some elements of the story and add her own embellishments， but this didn't bother me particularly。 There were justifications for these decisions added to the end of the book and I felt each extra fictional addition helped to flesh out the story at key points。 Perfect 'My Favourite Murder' territory！ 。。。more
K。S。 Marsden
，
Bella is almost killed by her lover， but is driven by pure spite to survive。 Her survival instinct will see her cross continents and defy the expectations of society。I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。Little Brynhild grew up as a lowly tenant's daughter on a farm in Norway。 All she has ever known is hunger， poverty， and constant hard work。 Her fortune seems to change when she catches the eye of the farmer's son Anders - but he is not the charming prince she th Bella is almost killed by her lover， but is driven by pure spite to survive。 Her survival instinct will see her cross continents and defy the expectations of society。I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。Little Brynhild grew up as a lowly tenant's daughter on a farm in Norway。 All she has ever known is hunger， poverty， and constant hard work。 Her fortune seems to change when she catches the eye of the farmer's son Anders - but he is not the charming prince she thought。 。。。more
J。J。
，
Although this book is presented as being based on a real-life female serial killer， I have chosen to regard it as wholly fiction， after reading the author's notes。 It is a truly horrendous account of how a young， Norwegian girl came to America and became a widow twice， each time having murdered her husband，。 She went on forge a living for herself and her adopted children by advertising for potential husbands and then killing them，The story unfolds at quite a slow pace in the first two thirds， ma Although this book is presented as being based on a real-life female serial killer， I have chosen to regard it as wholly fiction， after reading the author's notes。 It is a truly horrendous account of how a young， Norwegian girl came to America and became a widow twice， each time having murdered her husband，。 She went on forge a living for herself and her adopted children by advertising for potential husbands and then killing them，The story unfolds at quite a slow pace in the first two thirds， mainly because Ms。 Bruce has inserted excepts from a sister which don't contribute very much except for chronicling the sister's suspicions。 The final third picks up speed with incidents following one on the heels of another until we reach the truly horrific ending。I can't say it was an enjoyable read， as the subject matter was so grim， but it held my interest to the end， so I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this kind of story。I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more
Sarah Haman
，
violent！ not sure I would read this again
Maria Flaherty
，
Triflers Need Not Apply is an astounding crime thriller from Camilla Bruce。 Based on the real-life antics of the infamous Belle Gunness and her killing spree in the early 1900s。 I had never heard of Gunness ahead of reading this novel and now I'm so curious to learn more。The story is told from perspective of Belle and her sister Nell。 Both women have endured a terrible abusive childhood。 And whereas Nell strives to forget the past， Belle is determined to feel her revenge of those responsible for Triflers Need Not Apply is an astounding crime thriller from Camilla Bruce。 Based on the real-life antics of the infamous Belle Gunness and her killing spree in the early 1900s。 I had never heard of Gunness ahead of reading this novel and now I'm so curious to learn more。The story is told from perspective of Belle and her sister Nell。 Both women have endured a terrible abusive childhood。 And whereas Nell strives to forget the past， Belle is determined to feel her revenge of those responsible for her pain。 However， she doesn't stop at killing those men from her past but turns to killing any man that crosses her path。 I cannot same more about the story or I'll be giving away spoilers。 There is one hell of a high body count in this novel and parts are truly grisly。 But it is worth sticking with the novel for the interesting characters and brilliantly drawn scenes of Chicago and life for our protagonists。 。。。more
SuperWendy
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Historical fiction heavy on the fiction with a dynamite author's note at the end。 Gruesome （naturally） with plenty of victims， including children。 Fascinating in a slowing down to gawk at a grisly accident on the freeway sort of way。 As terrible as Belle is - sister Nellie isn't much better。 Little Ms。 Whiny Ineffectual Hand-Wringer who gets one of her nieces killed。 Yeah， maybe DON'T go snooping in Belle's Forbidden Cellar。 She's keeping more down there than root vegetables。 Historical fiction heavy on the fiction with a dynamite author's note at the end。 Gruesome （naturally） with plenty of victims， including children。 Fascinating in a slowing down to gawk at a grisly accident on the freeway sort of way。 As terrible as Belle is - sister Nellie isn't much better。 Little Ms。 Whiny Ineffectual Hand-Wringer who gets one of her nieces killed。 Yeah， maybe DON'T go snooping in Belle's Forbidden Cellar。 She's keeping more down there than root vegetables。 。。。more
Ashley
，
This is the fictionalization of the story of Belle Gunness， a real life serial killer who was active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908。 This story is based on the true events of one of America's most manipulative killers。This delightfully gruesome little book is full of vivid storytelling， so vivid， that at times， it even manages to evoke some sympathy for Belle。 As her twisted tale unfolds， she goes from a woman simply seeking some justice fueled revenge to someone unable to sate th This is the fictionalization of the story of Belle Gunness， a real life serial killer who was active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908。 This story is based on the true events of one of America's most manipulative killers。This delightfully gruesome little book is full of vivid storytelling， so vivid， that at times， it even manages to evoke some sympathy for Belle。 As her twisted tale unfolds， she goes from a woman simply seeking some justice fueled revenge to someone unable to sate their need to kill。 And boy， when she starts killing， the bodies really do drop。The author's note at the end of the book offers a lot of context for Belle's life。 A life that's still shrouded in mystery。 No one really knows the true fate of Belle， no one knows what became of her。 The one thing that is clear， though， is that the author has done a fantastic job of creating a brutal yet compelling story for this enigmatic villain。 。。。more
Angie
，
Dark， disturbing， literally messed up。 And， I loved it！ The writer， Camilla Bruce， met her goal when she wanted to write about how the main character， Belle Gunness aka Little Brynhild， turned out the way she did。 I was afraid for everyone in the book。 Well done！
Thebooktrail
，
Travel to the locations in the novel Triflers Need Not ApplyI was quite nervous about reading this book。 A novel inspired by a real life serial killer was always going to be something。 How would the author weave in the facts of the real life case and bring it to life？ Very well is the answer。 This book is a very dark tour de force。 It’s a gruesome tale and a violent one at that。 Disturbing and very very dark。 Brilliantly dark。Before even starting this novel， I really wanted to look up Belle G Travel to the locations in the novel Triflers Need Not ApplyI was quite nervous about reading this book。 A novel inspired by a real life serial killer was always going to be something。 How would the author weave in the facts of the real life case and bring it to life？ Very well is the answer。 This book is a very dark tour de force。 It’s a gruesome tale and a violent one at that。 Disturbing and very very dark。 Brilliantly dark。Before even starting this novel， I really wanted to look up Belle Gunness but I didn’t。 I wanted to meet her in this book and really get under her skin or she， mine。 I think that was the best option as this book and this women terrified and fascinated me in equal measure。 Who on earth was this woman and why did she end up the way she did？ What did she do and why？Well， it’s not long before you find out。 Belle was a victim herself in many ways。 Her early years were hard。 Men abused her and belittled her。 Even her father was a tyrant。 To him， she could even be a changeling。 Charming！ With a father and male friends like Belle’s who needs enemies？ Perhaps the saddest moment of all in the early years is the loss of her baby。 The father of that baby kicks Belle in the stomach so she miscarries。 I really felt ill at this point。Despite what has happened， there is never a reason to go on and kill people of course。 However， Belle is prime example of how life can really drag you down and deal you a bad hand。 She never really had a chance， yet we are never meant to feel sorry for her。 Think of Aileen Wournos for example – she is one determined woman but just uses her mind and resilience to do wrong。This is quite a remarkable story。 A woman who went through so much grief and tragedy goes on to cause it herself。 I couldn’t believe this was based on a true story。 The fact she was Norwegian and moved to America gave the story an added angle of interest too。 Everything about this novel felt fresh and unique。 I love a story mixed with truth and fiction。 Glad to visit Belle in her Chicago setting however without actually going there！There was a part of me which admired Belle。 Not for what she did of course， but the way she never let things get her down。 If only she had survived by doing something good and constructive。 Imagine。 This level of determination and strength could have resulted in something quite amazing。 For a story， however， Belle is one fascinating character and I was in shock and awe at the same time。The settings – Norway and Chicago-are well evoked。 The contrast between them is quite something。 I was pleased to be transported back to this time but also glad to be able to close that page and come back to the present。Hard-hitting and fascinating。 The writing is sharp and compelling。 Highly recommended！ 。。。more
Sarah Waldron
，
Thank you to @millacream and @MichaelJBooks for this advanced copy of Triflers Need Not Apply in return for an honest review。 Triflers Need Not Apply was published on 5th August 2021 and you can get a copy here。Description 🔖Bella Sorensen knows from when she is a little girl that the world is controlled by men。 They own land， jobs and their wives。 But Bella also quickly realises that she wants that same power and knows that she can get it because men have one weakness; women。Bella’s first husban Thank you to @millacream and @MichaelJBooks for this advanced copy of Triflers Need Not Apply in return for an honest review。 Triflers Need Not Apply was published on 5th August 2021 and you can get a copy here。Description 🔖Bella Sorensen knows from when she is a little girl that the world is controlled by men。 They own land， jobs and their wives。 But Bella also quickly realises that she wants that same power and knows that she can get it because men have one weakness; women。Bella’s first husband Mads does not live up to her expectations so she decides that he has to go。 Once his life is no more， Bella sets off on a killing spree， seeking to quench her limitless thirst for death and power。 Meanwhile her older sister Nellie looks on in fear and horror; unable to stop her sister’s rampage through the male population。General Thoughts 🤔Firstly， I love that this book was based on the true story of Bella Sorensen。 There were characters and events added for dramatic effect of course and they made for a fantastic story。 Bella’s actions were horrific and gruesome and for some sick reason， I loved reading about them。 The author didn’t dwell on every single detail of the murders and they were written in a very matter of fact way which I think spoke to how Bella saw the killings。 She was doing a job， completing a task and it was as simple as that。I did find myself wondering how Bella got away with what she was doing for quite so long。 I appreciate that it was a very different time， but authorities were involved on more than one occasion and still she was free to continue her spree。 That said， I’m sure a huge number of women went missing during the Victorian era and not an eyelid would have been bat。Characters 👫👭👬Of course I have to start with Bella。 What a complicated and incredibly fascinating character she was。 She had a difficult childhood and I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her when she lost her first baby。 Though I’m not convinced that that sole event was what made her into the murderous woman she ended up being。 It played a part of course and was probably the straw that broke the camels back， but I think her mind already worked in a very different way to other women at that time。I thought that James was an interesting character and I wonder how many of the murders would have happened if he hadn’t come into Bella’s life。 They both had the same “need” for blood and I think that they spurred each other on。 In some sort of sick way， they had a very strong friendship。 James was there for Bella whenever she needed him and I wonder if James harboured a secret love for her， rather than just lust。Writing Style ✍️The book was told from the perspectives of Bella and her sister Nellie and I thought that it was really interesting to have the story told from two very different points of view。 I found that it evened the playing field for me。 I may have been persuaded that what Bella was doing was for survival and some kind of perverted fight for female empowerment if it wasn’t for Nellie’s side of the story bringing me back down to earth。I loved the authors note at the end of the book。 I love how she came upon this story and decided to research and run with her own version。 I think that the changes and additions that she made to what was known to be factual were perfect and she did a great job of plugging the gaps where there were unknowns。 I liked that the story wasn’t brought to a neat conclusion; just as the true story doesn’t seem to have been either。 I have taken it upon myself to come up with my own little fantasy about what truly happened to Bella Sorensen。Conclusion & Scoring 🎖️I have had this book sitting and waiting to be read for months and I wish I had picked it up sooner。 I was glued to every single page and loved switching my usual reading up for a bit of historical fiction。 I anticipate that I’ll be thinking about Bella Sorensen for quite some time and I owe that to a story that has been written brilliantly well。 。。。more
Shams
，
pretty good！ a little bit tedious at first， but soon gets better in the second half of the book， couldn't put it down！ some reviews say that the chapters written from Nellie's perspective were unneccessary， but i think it adds empathy and much needed contrast from Bella's perspective。Gets a bit disturbing in the last third， but the book is written beautifully。 pretty good！ a little bit tedious at first， but soon gets better in the second half of the book， couldn't put it down！ some reviews say that the chapters written from Nellie's perspective were unneccessary， but i think it adds empathy and much needed contrast from Bella's perspective。Gets a bit disturbing in the last third， but the book is written beautifully。 。。。more
Kate
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DNF。 Got to 55% and gave up。 Serial killer Bella is flat and boring， her motivation for being a serial killer is simplistic and only superficially explored。 Her sister， Nellie， adds nothing to the story but manages to take up page after page。
Ben
，
A novel closed based on the true story of Belle Gunness， a late 19th century immigrant from Norway to the USA who became notorious as a serial killer。 I started the book knowing nothing of the backstory。 Early chapters， describing a miserable poor childhood in Norway where a lover treats Belle cruelly and nearly kills her， are very vividly written， but the story slows down rather once she has travelled to join her sister in Chicago。 From this point on， the books' chapters alternate first person A novel closed based on the true story of Belle Gunness， a late 19th century immigrant from Norway to the USA who became notorious as a serial killer。 I started the book knowing nothing of the backstory。 Early chapters， describing a miserable poor childhood in Norway where a lover treats Belle cruelly and nearly kills her， are very vividly written， but the story slows down rather once she has travelled to join her sister in Chicago。 From this point on， the books' chapters alternate first person accounts by Belle herself and by her sister Nellie。 The writing style is very plain and simple （which is appropriate to the voices adopted） though I felt at times the middle part of the book could have done with tighter editing。 The suspense builds over the latter two thirds of the book， as mysterious fires and deaths accumulate， bringing Belle considerable financial gain。 Bruce gets us inside the head of a woman who was， by any standards， a psychopathic killer， showing how she justified her actions to herself。 Her anxiety， so typical of an immigrant， to accumulate wealth and possessions， is very convincingly drawn。 She is shown as kind and loving to the children she adopts - until eventually circumstances bring an end to her attempts to maintain a family。 The last few chapters are gripping and very unsettling - the reader feels implicated in Belle's twisted value system。 For all that it was possibly a little too long in its totality， I was sorry to reach the end。 I would be interested to know whether this Norwegian writer composes her books in English or whether they are translated。 The only other Norwegian writer I know is ，of course， the playwright Henrik Ibsen。 In his work， too， outwardly happy family lives can be fatally wounded by festering secrets that lie within。 The title， 'Triflers Need not Apply' is used I gather only for the British market。 I find it inappropriate as it suggests that the book's dominant tone is black humour （as in the film Kind Hearts and Coronets）。 There is some humour here， but I think the title used for the US edition， 'In The Garden of Spite' is much stronger and more appropriate。 It helps us to understand that Belle （in Bruce's analysis） is a woman devoted to revenging herself on the race of men 。。。more
Kim
，
Based on a true story and VERY disturbing！
Chasity
，
This was a good read， it was engaging and was an interesting take on the widow of La Porte。 After listening to the author’s note I now understand why she focused so much on the sister， but I was bored in the beginning with her parts to be honest。 However， she did play a much bigger role later on so I appreciate why it was important to have her play such a huge part。
Sarah Hudson
，
We meet real-life serial killer Belle Gunness as a teenaged girl， back in Norway in the late 19th century， having just undergone the trauma that will shape the events of her future life。 We also meet her older sister Nellie， who has herself already emigrated to the United States， as she arranges for the transport of her sister to Chicago。 We then follow the stories of each sister over the following decades in alternating POV chapters – one sister becoming increasingly desperate， depraved， and ho We meet real-life serial killer Belle Gunness as a teenaged girl， back in Norway in the late 19th century， having just undergone the trauma that will shape the events of her future life。 We also meet her older sister Nellie， who has herself already emigrated to the United States， as she arranges for the transport of her sister to Chicago。 We then follow the stories of each sister over the following decades in alternating POV chapters – one sister becoming increasingly desperate， depraved， and homicidal; the other trying to ignore the rumours and see the good person she knows （or wishes） her sister to be。I usually love fictionalised accounts of historical figures， and am also fascinated by true crime， so was excited to read this one。 However， while the author does a good job of creating the time and place in which the tale is set， I found that this one dragged a little。 The pacing was slow and I found Nellie’s story rather repetitive。 There were plenty of gruesome scenes to liven things up， though， and the author did a great job at presenting Belle as an incredibly conniving， chilling figure。 The last few scenes， in particular， were haunting and will stay with me for some time （unfortunately）！My thanks to the author， NetGalley， and the publisher for the arc to review。 。。。more
Mitch Karunaratne
，
Inspired by the real life serial killer Bella Sorenson - this fictional account attempts to shed light on who she was and why she did what she did。 It's interesting， but not gripping。 Bruce does well to close the door on the sensational parts of the story， to deal with the extreme gore very matter of factly and not get bogged down with numbers， dates and back story。 However， it takes a while to really get the story going - but I did like the attempt to tell this from the perspective of Bella。 Inspired by the real life serial killer Bella Sorenson - this fictional account attempts to shed light on who she was and why she did what she did。 It's interesting， but not gripping。 Bruce does well to close the door on the sensational parts of the story， to deal with the extreme gore very matter of factly and not get bogged down with numbers， dates and back story。 However， it takes a while to really get the story going - but I did like the attempt to tell this from the perspective of Bella。 。。。more
Kathy Stibal
，
This was a very long book that seemed like it just kept repeating the same scene。 I would have stopped before finishing but I wanted to see how it was going to end。 I was sorry I had continued when I read the part about the children。 When I finished I read the authors notes about this being a book about a true story that she made into her own story。 That made it more understandable but it still wasn't a favorite！ This was a very long book that seemed like it just kept repeating the same scene。 I would have stopped before finishing but I wanted to see how it was going to end。 I was sorry I had continued when I read the part about the children。 When I finished I read the authors notes about this being a book about a true story that she made into her own story。 That made it more understandable but it still wasn't a favorite！ 。。。more
Darel Krieger
，
There were so many serial killers in this country from the late 1890's to the 1920's it's hard to believe。 This is the story of a transplanted Norwegian woman that found killing much to her liking and killing men an absolute delight。In this book you will read the story of a girl whose innocence was violently taken from her and paid a heavy price in an unloving family。 Fleeing to America to be with her sister she found that life was not much better here。 Thus she began a long dark journey into ki There were so many serial killers in this country from the late 1890's to the 1920's it's hard to believe。 This is the story of a transplanted Norwegian woman that found killing much to her liking and killing men an absolute delight。In this book you will read the story of a girl whose innocence was violently taken from her and paid a heavy price in an unloving family。 Fleeing to America to be with her sister she found that life was not much better here。 Thus she began a long dark journey into killing， mostly men。 But if someone got in the way of her plans or became a threat to her then she had no problem killing them whether they be man， woman or child。 。。。more
Kate
，
I really enjoyed this fictionalized take on Belle Gunness， how she might have ended up becoming a prolific serial killer， how she might have gotten away。
Gemma
，
I had never heard of Belle Gunness before this book and I thought this would be a really dark and intriguing read which is based off her life。 It was a bit slow in parts and I thought Nellie's chapters with her POV were a bit long and boring， however it was fascinating to be inside the mind of a serial killer and also see what it could be like from the perspective of a loved one too。I thought the book was a little too long and could have been shorter but overall it was a very interesting topic a I had never heard of Belle Gunness before this book and I thought this would be a really dark and intriguing read which is based off her life。 It was a bit slow in parts and I thought Nellie's chapters with her POV were a bit long and boring， however it was fascinating to be inside the mind of a serial killer and also see what it could be like from the perspective of a loved one too。I thought the book was a little too long and could have been shorter but overall it was a very interesting topic and the ending was a big shock which I did not expect。* I received a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review * 。。。more
Megan
，
In the Garden of Spite was such an intriguing novel。 I loved that， while it was a blend of fact and fiction， it felt so authentic！ I loved getting the POV of both Belle and her sister， who didn’t necessarily realize who her sister really was。I read this with one of my book club and it provoked so much discussion， especially since the author’s afterword mentioned what areas of the story she took liberties with。 Female serial killers are not quite as common in our history， so it was interesting to In the Garden of Spite was such an intriguing novel。 I loved that， while it was a blend of fact and fiction， it felt so authentic！ I loved getting the POV of both Belle and her sister， who didn’t necessarily realize who her sister really was。I read this with one of my book club and it provoked so much discussion， especially since the author’s afterword mentioned what areas of the story she took liberties with。 Female serial killers are not quite as common in our history， so it was interesting to wonder about what drove her to it and if things changed throughout her life， would she have still been a killer？If you’re the type of person who needs to be able to relate with the character you’re reading about， this definitely isn’t a great book to grab。。 Belle is maddening and extremely selfish and， while there are moments you can’t help but understand her， she was overall pretty difficult to like or have any empathy for。This is a great blend of history and fiction and I definitely recommend it。 As a fan of true crime， the psychology of crime， and retellings， this hit the spot and I really enjoyed it。 。。。more
Jennie Leslie
，
Who doesn’t love a good serial killer novel？ I am fascinated by true crime and love the book Devil in the White City， but there was also a largely unheard of serial killer living at the same time—and she’s a woman。 The book follows Belle Gunness and how events in her life shaped her to become a terrifying murderess。 There is a lot that is unknown about the actual life of Gunness， so it’s by no means a nonfiction， and the author talks about parts she added that most likely weren’t true。 I enjoyed Who doesn’t love a good serial killer novel？ I am fascinated by true crime and love the book Devil in the White City， but there was also a largely unheard of serial killer living at the same time—and she’s a woman。 The book follows Belle Gunness and how events in her life shaped her to become a terrifying murderess。 There is a lot that is unknown about the actual life of Gunness， so it’s by no means a nonfiction， and the author talks about parts she added that most likely weren’t true。 I enjoyed the book， the ending and beginning parts were impossible to put down， but the middle section tended to drag sometime。 Every chapter was a new victim and it weirdly got repetitive。 Overall， an interesting read and would suggest if you’re looking for an easy to read true crime story。 。。。more
Jane Hunt
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An intriguing mix of fact and fiction。 This story is based on a serial killer living in nineteenth-century North America。 The story begins in Norway and is told from two sisters points of view。 It explores what makes a serial killer。 Belle had a tough upbringing and suffered a grievous assault as a young woman。 She emigrated to North America with the help of her sister， who is the story's other viewpoint。 Reading the author's notes， you understand the amount of research necessary for this book。 An intriguing mix of fact and fiction。 This story is based on a serial killer living in nineteenth-century North America。 The story begins in Norway and is told from two sisters points of view。 It explores what makes a serial killer。 Belle had a tough upbringing and suffered a grievous assault as a young woman。 She emigrated to North America with the help of her sister， who is the story's other viewpoint。 Reading the author's notes， you understand the amount of research necessary for this book。 It is a detailed and grisly story with complex characters and a cleverly created historical world。I received a copy of this book from Penguin Books UK - Michael Joseph in return for an honest review。 。。。more
Lesley
，
I was sent an advance proof copy of Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce to read and review by NetGalley。 I was looking forward to reading this novel that is based on a true story after reading the blurb and some early reviews。 Unfortunately I did not share their enthusiasm。 I found the book to be overly long and not particularly tense or exciting， in fact I had to force myself to read to the end。 I felt that the chapters concerning protagonist Belle’s sister Nellie were rather tedious and o I was sent an advance proof copy of Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce to read and review by NetGalley。 I was looking forward to reading this novel that is based on a true story after reading the blurb and some early reviews。 Unfortunately I did not share their enthusiasm。 I found the book to be overly long and not particularly tense or exciting， in fact I had to force myself to read to the end。 I felt that the chapters concerning protagonist Belle’s sister Nellie were rather tedious and on the whole unnecessary， this for me contributed to the book feeling too lengthy。 The true story at the heart of this novel is quite incredible， but in my personal opinion， the fiction surrounding it is not。 。。。more
Beth
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Triflers Need Not Applying is a harrowing story that recounts the life of Belle Gunness， a serial killer whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900。 I went into this knowing that it was going to be dark， however， I still felt unprepared for just how gruesome and chilling some parts of the story were。 The story begins in 1877 when Belle is a young girl living in Norway， recounting her childhood and whether the events that happened there contributed to her violent nature when she’s older。 It Triflers Need Not Applying is a harrowing story that recounts the life of Belle Gunness， a serial killer whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900。 I went into this knowing that it was going to be dark， however， I still felt unprepared for just how gruesome and chilling some parts of the story were。 The story begins in 1877 when Belle is a young girl living in Norway， recounting her childhood and whether the events that happened there contributed to her violent nature when she’s older。 It’s quite thought-provoking as it raises questions on whether someone is born a monster or made one as a result of how they’ve been treated。 As Belle grows up， we do witness some tragic events and how she reacts to them。 From early on in the story， there’s some chilling scenes and there were numerous times when I had to step away before continuing。 After the events Belle suffers in her home country， she decides to follow in her sister’s footsteps and move to America for a better life。 The narrative alternates between Belle and her sister， Nellie， which was interesting to say the least。 The contrast between Belle and her sister is jarring as both are completely different – like polar opposites。 While Nellie’s thoughts are filled with nothing but kindness and concern for her sister and what she’s becoming， Belle’s are like entering a pit of darkness and the only light is her children。 Belle’s thoughts gradually spiral further and further out of control， as there’s a part of her that thirsts for bloodlust and it’s rarely satisfied。 While she viciously lashes out at the men in her life， she’s a caring mother to her children and wants nothing but the best for them。 It was fascinating but also unsettling seeing her mood instantly change and how she could appear to others as a considerate neighbour。 Belle’s timeline is incredibly detailed and the author takes care recounting every part of her life。 This really helped to build a picture of Belle， what her life was like and ultimately what led her to target men when she goes on a killing spree。 However， I felt the story dragged in some places。 It’s a very long timeline to recount and sometimes my attention did start to waver。 Also， while I enjoyed Nellie’s chapters， I did want something more for her。 She’s put in an impossible situation and while it was interesting seeing her reaction to Belle’s darker side， she’s never sure what to do and I desperately wanted her to make a decision instead of going round in circles。I was shocked to the core when I read the ending。 It’s definitely one of the most disturbing scenes for me and it’s going to be hard to shake it off。 I’m certain those scenes will haunt me for a while。 Triflers Need Not Apply is one of the most frightening stories I’ve come across。 It’s a must-read for fans of true crime。 *I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more
Angela Groves
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A deliciously murderous historical novel， I devoured every bit of it！ Based on the true story of Belle Gunness， this story follows the increasingly murderous life of a Norwegian immigrant， determined to make her life better， no matter the cost。 This is a truly gripping novel ， leaving me desperate to know how much more she can get away with， and how or if she gets caught。
Niamh
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still shook this is based on a real person 。。。
Alexis
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The blurb of this book intrigued me as I love this genre but its not quite what I expected。 Its a mixture of fact and fiction as the lead character is based on a real person who carried out some horrific crimes in 19th century Chicago。 Not much else is known about the real Belle Gunness so the author embellishes and creates a character which in itself was clever and believable。 She is horrific but believable and its set in a time period which was cruel and unforgiving。 The structure of the book The blurb of this book intrigued me as I love this genre but its not quite what I expected。 Its a mixture of fact and fiction as the lead character is based on a real person who carried out some horrific crimes in 19th century Chicago。 Not much else is known about the real Belle Gunness so the author embellishes and creates a character which in itself was clever and believable。 She is horrific but believable and its set in a time period which was cruel and unforgiving。 The structure of the book is a chapter for the main character and then a chapter from her sisters point of view which didn't always work for me。 I enjoyed the beginning and the end but I felt like I had to push myself through the middle as it felt slightly drawn out。 It was different from anything I have read recently and I'm glad I persevered。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Triflers Need Not Apply
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Triflers Need Not Apply&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft