
In the Garden of Spite
A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte
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Narrated by:
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Natalie Naudus
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Stacey Glemboski
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By:
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Camilla Bruce
About this listen
“Riveting! Camilla, high-five! Amazing work!” (Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, number one New York Times best-selling authors of Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered)
An audacious novel of feminine rage about one of the most prolific female serial killers in American history - and the men who drove her to it.
They whisper about her in Chicago. Men come to her with their hopes, their dreams - their fortunes. But no one sees them leave. No one sees them at all after they come to call on the Widow of La Porte.
The good people of Indiana may have their suspicions, but if those fools knew what she'd given up, what was taken from her, how she'd suffered, surely they'd understand. Belle Gunness learned a long time ago that a woman has to make her own way in this world. That's all it is. A bloody means to an end. A glorious enterprise meant to raise her from the bleak, colorless drudgery of her childhood to the life she deserves. After all, vermin always survive.
©2021 Camilla Bruce (P)2021 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"In the Garden of Spite is a chilling, pitch-perfect novel that should finally make Belle Gunness a household name. A superb and unforgettable read." (Deanna Raybourn, New York Times best-selling author of A Murderous Relation)
"Mesmerizing.... Fans of fictionalized treatments of notorious murderers will be fascinated." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
"Bruce uses a framework of fact to create fiction that horrifies...[a] grisly historical thriller." (Booklist)
What listeners say about In the Garden of Spite
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- Shelly
- 05-06-21
Worth every minute listening!
Along with being very well written, this story moves along from beginning to end, never a lagging page. The writer clearly knows her characters and they come together in a way that engages and ensnares.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Shopper79
- 02-08-24
A+
Great story line, held my interest the whole way through. Loved the narrators reading. I will definitely look for more books from this author.
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- Michael J. Henrichs
- 05-09-21
Definite must listen for Murderinos!
You know who you are, if you’re intrigued by what you’ve learned about the Widow of La Porte, then you must learn the full story, well the embellished version I guess. Some truth, some speculation, but all juicy as hell! You will love and hate the woman Belle Gunness. Your heart will break for her and she will break your heart... and many others. So very well done!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-01-23
So good!!
It honestly took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once it started, it was never ending roller coaster! So very good and worth every moment to get there! In fairness, the history given at the beginning, proved to be very important. Great story! Great narration! A must read!
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- MICHELE L CHECK
- 05-19-21
Great listen
I stayed glued to this title all the way through the book! Totally unexpected ending. Thoroughly enjoyed.
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- Hector
- 01-03-22
Amazing Book!
It was compelling from beginning to end! Once you started listening to it, you didn’t want to stop! My husband and I loved it!
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- Anonymous User
- 09-28-24
Absolutely brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and deeply admire the author for how she managed to craft such a concise and meaningful story from a limited amount of information about Belle. On the pages of this novel, Belle comes alive, fully developed, and her story is truly fascinating.
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- Nancy
- 04-24-21
enjoyed it
Narrator is excellent! kept me listening to the end, but maybe a bit long. I am a true crime fan and didn't know this story.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Carrie Edwards
- 05-06-21
Loved this book
Heart breaking, stomach turning, twisty turns, this book is a must read for true crime lovers.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jennifer Singh
- 09-14-22
Indiana history of Belle Gunness
This wasn't wholly accurate as there was a major character in the book that does not exist.
Overall I enjoyed the story put together and told by this author. however, it did become apparent at one point that someone told her sex will sell a book, and to be honest, I don't believe sex is the driving force behind all depraved actions.
I did enjoy the story as a whole. Finished it quickly.
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