Belle, born Little Brynhild in a small Norwegian village, makes her way to America after a traumatic event which could be seen as the birth of the woman she becomes. Some reviewers have mentioned how the blurb describing Belle as a woman scorned is misleading, how she is in fact an evil psychopath whose actions are entirely based on achieving her own selfish goals. To me, both things are true.

Belle grew up under the shadow of a violent father, in a time when women were firmly kept in their places. She is manipulated and attacked by another man, and then she is shamed for what happened. It's a man's world now, and even more so during Belle's time. Her sister, Nellie, further perpetuates the expectations forced upon women by constantly asking when Belle will find a husband, for what other option does she have? On several occasions, Nellie recalls times when Belle fought against the restraints of life, and it is through this gaze that we can understand Belle's fierceness.

This is also a working class story at its heart. Having grown up poor, Belle is determined to never go hungry again, filling her pantry with food she doesn't eat. This is something I could relate to, as someone who also grew up poor. Treats would be kept instead of enjoyed, since I didn't know when I might get another one. This aspect of Belle's personality was very realistic to me and gave further justification for her actions.

Ultimately, Belle is a flawed, ruthless character who, despite everything, held my sympathy throughout. Whether this book is close to the truth I don't know, but Bruce has succeeded in creating an immersive story which sucks you in and doesn't let go. This book is a true tour de force, gruesome and gripping in equal measure.

I'd heard so much about this book I was ready to be captivated,
The start hooked me in with a truly awful event, but when renamed Bella comes to America for a fresh start, I was cynical where this headed.
I had not heard of the true story/true crime before so this was fresh and new to me.
Found this a bit packed with unnecessary detail. Nellie's character didn't do a lot for me in terms of adding any great value,
That being said the story itself and the mystery is so so intriguing.

I am unable to provide a proper review of this book as the file delivered to my Kindle was unreadable, with numbers inserted into every line of text. A real shame, as I was looking forward to reading this.

The fantastic title of the book is from a genuine personal ad placed by Belle Gunness at the start of the twentieth century. Whilst her request to join forces with a wealthy man and run her successful farm suggests a woman with a prim and proper nature, it belies the dark heart beating in her chest. Belle is the trifler; determined to payback men for all that they have taken from her. She is duplicitous, seemingly lacking ethics or morales, and demonstrates an inordinate desire to acquire and hoard wealth. She is also vengeful, merciless and blood thirsty.

The skill of the author, in bringing this real life character to life, meant that as well as the shock and revulsion I felt towards Belle, I also felt sympathy and at times revelled in her determination to be self reliant. Belle knows that she is different and is gloriously unrepentant for this. Allowing the reader to see more of Belle through her sisters eyes brought to life just how much Belle suffered at the hands of men, and cleverly demonstrates just how dangerous and resourceful she became to achieve her aims.

It is an amazing read, one that I savoured over a week, and one that will stay with me for a long time. I would like to thank the publishers and Net Galley for the advance copy in return for an honest review as well as Camilla Bruce for sharing her talent.

I confess that I had low expectations of this book, despite having requested it for a preview reading. I am please to report that it more than exceeded my expectations and was astoundingly good. As the book is a fictionalised account of actual events, it has a foot in two camps. I cannot speak for the elements of the story that came from the real-life case of Belle Gunness, but viewed purely as a work of historical fiction, it ticks all the boxes.

I cannot say that I agree with the statement made in the blurb for this book which states 'one woman's determination to pay men back for all they have taken'. This is completely misleading since in this book, Belle Gunness's motivation was to secure her own comfort and financial security, and the people she killed were merely those whom she either used for whatever she could gain from them, or because she felt they threatened her freedom or liberty in some way. She acted from pure greed and selfishness, and only in a very nebulous way was she motivated by past wrongs. Even her much-vaunted devotion to her children was not born out of any real regard for the children themselves but rather from the desire to fulfil some psychological need of her own. Indeed, when one of these apparently much-loved children became what Belle considered a threat to her, she quickly dealt with her in the same way as her other victims. with absolutely zero compunction or remorse, and nary a backward glance. In a word, the Belle Gunness of this book was purely evil, with absolutely no mitigating qualities whatsoever, so any attempt to portray this story as the revenge of a wronged woman is completely spurious.

Notwithstanding, however, it is an absolute tour de force for all that, and a fascinating study of the inner workings of a completely amoral and sociopathic mind. The telling of the story by two different narrators is inspired, and shows the situation from both Belle's amoral point of view, and that of her mild-mannered elder sister Nellie, who represented the more principled perspective of the outside world. This being said, Nellie's stubborn refusal to acknowledge exactly what her common sense was telling her about her sister and her activities did much to allow Belle's murdering spree to continue much longer than was needful, and I found myself mentally screaming at her many times as I read. However, these events did actually happened and some people do have a tendency to bury heads in the sand as is convenient, so while Nellie was a purely fictional character, her behaviour was by no means unbelievable, if somewhat frustrating.

This is an excellent book - much better than expected - but this is an opinion based on the book as a work of pure fiction rather than a true-crime book. It can easily be imagined how those viewing it as a true-crime book may well be disappointed, as can readily be seen from reader reviews already posted. It might be beneficial were the publishers to play down the true-crime aspect of the book and go all-out for the fictional. Indeed, so many 'true-crime' books are actually more than half inference and supposition, resulting in a disappointing read. This book is different in openly admitting to being a fictionalised account, so should suffer less in this regard. Also, to reiterate, the blurb used to describe the book is completely misleading, fuelled, one cannot help but feel, by the current climate of female empowerment. As aforementioned, in this novel Belle Gunness is not a woman wronged by men in any way - in fact, the opposite is true - so any such inference is extremely disingenuous.

I absolutely loved the narration and how the story of Bella Gunness was presented. The fictional parts were brilliant and the pacing, though slow, was worth the build up - it was like watching a train wreck towards the end. Highly enjoyed it and will be recommending to my customers!

Triflers Need Not Apply is an intriguing bit of historical fiction, based on the true crimes of Bella Gunness. It's an uncomfortable read. Bella's spite seethes through the pages and there are some brilliant moments of suspense - although for a novel in which there is so much gleeful murder, I found it surprisingly tedious in places.

An incredibly entertaining read - despite very dark and grim subject matter.

Belle is a girl who doesn't quite fit and isn't happy about it. Growing up in poverty in rural Sweden, she believes she will be saved by the wealthy farmer's son who has seduced her. Instead, he brutally attacks her in a scene that is very hard to read. This starts her on a road to revenge herself on a world that would do her down - which ends up being men whom she increasingly holds in contempt.

The witness to Belle's increasingly violent behaviour is her sister, but she is very much a secondary character in a novel that is dominated by Belle's personality. She has few redeeming traits, but her incredible strength and determination despite her trauma kept me compelled by her. She also has a dry sense of humour that flashes out now and again.

Not usually much of a true crime reader, and squeamish about graphic descriptions of murders and dismemberment, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It's definitely the characterisation of Belle that did it for me - the author has made this character completely her own. There are some deviations from fact that didn't work for me - the recurrent jaw pain as a symbol of her trauma, the mysterious but very unlikely serial killer who is her only real friend - but other inventions, such as the Swedish backstory, were vivid and strong.

Definitely recommended for people who like crime or true crime, but also of interest to people who like a vivid - if very dark! - character study.

My thanks to the publishers for an advanced review copy of this novel, which explores how Little Brynhild, a poor Norwegian girl, who falls pregnant by her employer, the the local farmer’s heir, becomes one of America’s most unusual and notorious mass murderers, Bella Gunness.

The violent beating which resulted in a bloody abortion changed Little Brynhild, who calls herself Bella when she reaches her sister in America. She killed her employer in Norway with none but close family suspecting her revenge. It was just the start.

Camilla Bruce is herself Norwegian and the book covers the instincts and preoccupations of poor Norwegian immigrants to the US well, particularly in the character of Nellie, Little Brynhild’s sister. And the author makes a very plausible attempt to understand what led this damaged and tortured woman to pursue her grotesque bloodlust.

Her ambition never to be poor again and the thirst for bloody revenge for the injuries which made her unable to give birth drives her on an increasingly horrific road from poison to arson and murder. She sees off two husbands and eventually advertises for bachelors with funds to quench her bloodlust. All the while she showers affection upon a succession of orphans she acquires in an age where the safeguarding of children and forensic science were not developed notions!

Many are lured by the prospect of a wealthy widow on a substantial farm. But when things look too good to be true.........it turns out that they are!

This is a gripping if gruesome read

A long read but definitely worth it. I enjoyed this book as a fiction look at a serial killer full of twists and it’s unbelievable ending

What a read! This is based on a true story and it's the story of a female serial killer which makes it a really different read. It is so well written, intriguing and keeps you engaged from start to finish! If you love reading about serial killers you will love this book!

Based on the true story of Belle Gunness, "Triflers Need Not Apply" is the fictional exploration of a notorious female serial killer in 1900s Chicago, and what might have been the motivation for her crimes. Beginning in Norway with one act of violence and one of vengeance, the story moves to America, where Belle joins her kind and protective older sister, Nellie, who has already settled in the States with her husband and young family. Tired of being reliant on and at the mercy of men, Belle has her sights set on marrying into money and becoming self sufficient - and she'll stop at nothing to achieve her goal...

I loved the first book I read by this author, so was excited to read the second - and while completely different, it was just as brilliantly written and just as compelling. Belle is a figure of both terror and tragedy, and I liked how the novel explored that - she wasn't a black and white villain, but at the same time it was sometimes hard to see her as a victim. The novel lead to interesting questions about what made Belle the way she was, opening up the age old question of nature versus nature.

I found Belle a complex and original protagonist, and was conflicted about what I wanted to happen to her - while she deserved her comeuppance, I was also privately rooting for her to an extent, even as I pitied (most of) her victims.

A fascinating and beautifully written exploration of a notorious historical figure - I loved it.

Triflers need not apply or In the Garden of Spite gripped me from the beginning as someone who adores history, thrillers and true crime (this story is based on the real life serial killer Belle Gunness) - with aspects of creative license including an affair whilst married to her first husband. .

The book is (somewhat) long, I say somewhat because in parts for me it dragged on - around the 50% mark I hit a brick wall with reading it. However, in general the author did a good job with the pacing of the storyline overall and nothing felt too in-depth or ‘boring’

My cautionary note lies in some of the description (eg. the food!?) - which did sometimes seem overboard and that the dual narrative (Nellie/Bella). Nellie’s perspective at some points added little to the story and slowed down the narrative of the story, though tackling dual narratives can he difficult in books but it was well done overall and did provide interesting potential insight into the thinking or the character

Despite this, the book is well written, engaging and fascinating, although for the history pedants some creative liberty is taken. Though worry not it which distract away from the true story.

Thank you to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Triflers need not apply" is the latest captivating novel written in English by Norwegian author Camilla Bruce based on the real life of Bella Gunness (1859-1908???) an immigrant from Norway who probably became one of the busiest serial killers in the history of the state of Indiana. Unfortunately she managed to disappear into thin air without any traces in 1908.
The novel starts in rural Norway in 1877 where 16 year old Brynhild Storset, the youngest daughter of a very poor peasant family falls prey to a very horrific and vicious attack that will leave her deeply scarred for the rest of her life. It's at this early point in the novel that the reader will realize that Brynhuls will never be one to let go of a grudge.....
4 years later, after she had worked hard, saved her money and with the help of her oldest sister Nellie who had emigrated earlier to America and now leaves in Chicago, our young Scandinavian sociopath crosses the Atlantic, changes her first name to Bella and arrives by train to Chicago. So far so good. The story at this point will be told alternatively by Bella and Nellie.
I will not get further into the plot because I wouldn't want to spoil your fun.... Suffice to say that you better fasten your seat belt because it will definitely be a bumpy and very bloody ride. As for me, because of that deranged Scandinavian wrecking ball I probably won't be able to eat meat, get a blood test or see an orange without feeling nauseous for quite a while.
By the time I reached the end of this horrific story I was speechless and stunned because I lost count of how many limbs, torsos and heads where being thrown around but I did wonder at one point if the state of Indiana owed Bella overtime money because if they did she probably would be entiled to quite a bundle..... It was a fiendishly good read! I least now I can spell the word dismemberment without hesitation👍👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley/Random House for giving the opportunity to read this unforgettable novel prior to its release date

After tragic incident with a man in Bella's youth in Norway, she knows what she wants. Life in poverty and meekness are not for her. She immigrates to USA, change her name and conduct, learns the language and a story of a woman serial killer begins.

She wants to have all and when she doesn't get it, she takes all the action in her own hands. Men are weak, and Bella knows and exploits that fact. But all the money, men and children in the world can't satisfy her hunger.

Based on true events, the novel is very captivating and the reader almost can't believe how naive all these men were. She was like a spider, alluring men to her net. Even after many suspicions, she succesfully avoids the justice.

The novel is a portrait of a true psychopath. When murdering, Bella feels pure joy and power, as if she is limitless. She paid all men back. She is so determined, that decades of murdering go by. She just adapts and changes whenever she has to. She is ruthless, vicious and boundless.
Her sister Nella could not help but wonder if happiness is something Bella was even able to achieve. If she would even know it if she had it.
Bella lives, embraces and nurtures the hate. All for pursuing so called wholesome life.

Great attempt to understand how someone like Bella could have happened.

Gripping and interesting novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the arc of Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce.

4 stars- This was an intriguing and interesting read this is actually about a FEMALE serial killer for a change, this was nice to see for once instead of being male serial killers all the time... This book was so dark gruesome but great it gave me nightmares for weeks!! Coincidently enough these are based around true events in the US. Told in both Belle and Nellie's Belle's Sister POV

Highly Recommend
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Mans’ World.....?
Based upon a true story of the murderous killing spree of Belle Gunness, a fascinating and darkly compulsive account of how it all came to be and...how it all came to end. Well drawn and credible, we follow Bella Sorensen who discovers early on that’s she’s been born into a mans’ world and sets out to change it in her own way - after all, she has also discovered that when it comes to women...men are intrinsically weak.

I found this book really hard to read and still harder to put down. Not because it isn't beautifully written, because it is, the descriptions leap off the page, but because to find oneself inside the mind of a serial killer and feeling for her, perhaps understanding why she did what she did is an unpleasant sensation.

Brynhild/Bella/Belle is not a good woman. She is not kind, not moral, not in any way someone I'd want to know. But she is fascinating and this book tells her story in an incredibly compelling, if upsetting, way

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

This is a fascinating book. I didn’t realise how much of the story was true until I read the author’s notes at the end. Bella migrates from Norway to America to escape grinding poverty, determined never to eat porridge again. As she gets richer and richer her deadly mission continues. Possibly not for those with a weak constitution - the second half of the book does get quite gruesome, but not in a gratuitous way. Quite a refreshing change to not have women as the victims of crime!