I first came across Camilla Bruce when I read "Triflers Need Not Apply". "All The Blood We Share" gives off a similar vibe - based on a true story, strong female protagonist and a penchant for bumping men off. What I enjoyed about this book is that I didn't have any expectations in terms of the story as I've not heard of the Bender family, therefore I can't comment on how true to real life it is.. You also get a Spiritualism angle thrown in for extra enjoyment!

A fictional tale based on true crime, my kind of book. Meet the Benders, a very dysfunctional family have settled in Cherryvale Kansas. They are hiding why?
At first the locals welcome them but it is not long until their true selves are revealed. This is a blood soaked, gory tale of the infamous Bender family. You do not want to cross them or become too close to any of them, you will end up dead!!!!!
A gripping and compelling read which I found impossible to put down and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. Yes this book is that good.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

A dark retelling of the notorious Bender family and their horrific crimes. I had high hopes for this book as a true crime junkie but, while I enjoyed it, it fell a little short for me. Fact and fiction are cleverly weaved together, and the bleakness of the Kansas plain shines through. However the plot felt repetitive and the characters were all fairly flat and unlikeable. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about the family and Kansas in the 1870s, but it just wasn't for me.

Although I liked the storyline for this one, it took me a long time to read it. I felt like I couldn’t focus on it for long, so had to take lots of breaks from reading. However I really liked the storyline and characters. The characters were interesting to read about which is good as this is a very character-focused book. Sometimes I struggle with books set in the past, but that wasn’t a problem with this one. I’ve heard lots of good things about Triflers Need Not Apply by this author and after liking this one, I’m looking forward to reading it! There’s nothing in particular that I didn’t like about this book, except that it took so long for me to read it, but I just didn’t love it. However I would recommend it, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

In Gory Glory…
A dark and disturbing fictional telling of the true story of the Benders - an historic and notorious family of serial killers settled in Cherryvale, Kansas. At first the townspeople welcomed the beautiful Kate, a known medium, and her family but all of that was soon to change. In gory glory the tale of the Benders unfolds. Twisted, tense and often perfectly horrific, the author takes on a tremendous task with blinding results.

I enjoyed this. It was a little repetitive but I enjoyed the different perspectives. The epilogue seemed a little far fetched but this was overall an enjoyable (but dark!) read

I love historical fiction, thrillers and true crime and so this book was right up my street. The book was wel written with a fascinating storyline and well developed characters. I really enjoyed it.

This book is based off of the Bender family, who were serial killers in the late 1800's, and this book is along the lines of "In Cold Blood" in the sense that it is a fictional telling of an historic crime.

All in all, not a bad novel but a bit too slow paced for me

I enjoy horror, serial killers and history so I was very excited to read this book! Focusing on the Bender family, notoriously known for being America's original family of serial killers, this book did not disappoint. The different character narrations really helped develop the characters and Hanson's outside perspective added an extra layer to the story.
I absolutely adored and despised Katie Bender in equal measure. She was certainly her mother's daughter for it was clear Elvira was refusing to take any blame for how her upbringing of Kate shaped her completely. The author did a great job at expanding upon what little we know about the Bender family and her notes at the end on the evident misogyny surrounding the events were very interesting. It's not an angle I had even considered despite how widespread misogyny dictated and fuelled other such historical events including the witch trials in America, the UK and other countries. Highly recommend this book.

3.5 stars

I've never heard of the Bender family, and it's not surprising, there isn't a whole lot of facts out there about them.
The author has taken the basics, and told a story around them.
To me, a very believable story.
Kate is the sort of character that could charm everyone.
She uses this to her best advantage.
With a bleak setting, and some spiritualism thrown in, it ticked quite a few boxes for me.
Enjoyable.

Fascinating, evocative, and grim - this is a compelling read, but one that feels oddly detached from the subject - maybe taking the approach of a true crime narrator? Either way, it tells a fascinating tale, but one I found didn't always compel me to keep turning the pages

I LOVED Triflers needn't apply, so this was a much anticipated novel for me that sadly just didn't deliver. Unfortunately it felt like pretty much a copy and paste exercise that simply lacked substance around both characters and plot. I just didn't feel like there was much of a storyline. I understand there were many gaps in the facts surrounding the Bender family but it was so completely lacklustre I found myself skipping through big chunks of the book. In case of Triflers Belle was such a magnanimous character she pretty much propelled the whole book, and here all characters just were completely bland. It's such a shame, but I am still looking to further books by Camilla.

Meet the “Bloody Benders”, a family of serial killers who arrive in Cherryvale, Labette County, Kansas in 1871. There’s Kate, the daughter who is a spiritualist, she’s beautiful but reckless and most certainly has the devil on her heels. To say there is a darkness in her is an understatement. Then there’s Elvira, the mother, with whom Kate does not have the best of relationships. Finally, there’s William Bender, Kate’s stepfather who believes she “walks with angels“ and his son John who is obsessed with Kate. William and John build a house outside Cherryvale on the Osage Trail and open up the roadside inn.
Weary travellers beware, especially if you appear to have something of value…….

This is quite clearly a dark, brooding and bloody story of shocking wickedness and depravity. What the author presents here cleverly weaves fiction with what little facts are known of the infamous family other than their deeds and it is a horror story that is gruesome and macabre in places. The characters of each of the Benders are portrayed very well giving you the chills.

It seems to me that the writing is a bit detached in places and somewhat unemotional which I’m sure is entirely intentional as it lets their despicable actions speak for themselves. What is present in abundance is tension, not only between the Benders themselves but also in their interactions with others. This is further heightened by the period of time and by the place. It oozes atmosphere, you can see the dusty plains state and the vast endless prairie stretching ahead and the huge skies which can be pictured with your minds eye. Of course, the opening up of the plains and the isolation allows the Benders rather a lot of latitude to pursue horrible practices.

In addition, there are times when the storytelling feels extremely creepy, it’s not just the killings but there’s a mystical dark arts element especially via the séances which are of course very popular at this time. This Gothic element lends itself well to the unfolding drama.

Overall, this novel leaves you feeling very uneasy just as it should but it’s most certainly not for the faint of heart. It’s extremely intense and a story of such evil that it freezes your blood.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.