This was a pretty alright read for me. I'm down for anything that has to do with the cultural phenomenon that was the late 1800s early 1900s psychic craze and serial killers, so I was excited to read this. Love all of the nitty gritty details.

William and John and the different quality POVs are what brought the rating down for me. William and John were so. annoying. I just couldn't with them. Go take some laudanum guys and lay down a minute. Them with their bad decisions, obsessions and anger issues, frustration to the max. Hanson's (I'm pretty sure that's his name) POV was a letdown. Wasn't that interesting; obviously since I'm not even sure of his name. It's nice to have an outsider's perspective, but not if it's not interesting or well written.

Overall I think it was a good book, but the cons were big enough to bring it down to 3 stars unfortunately.

Historical Serial Killers in Kansas

All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce is a historical fiction novel based on the true story of the Bloody Benders, a family of serial killers in 19th-century Kansas. The Bender family, consisting of patriarch William, matriarch Elvira, their daughter Kate, and son John, ran a small inn where they lured and murdered travellers for their possessions.

All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce is a compelling blend of historical fiction and true crime that provides a chilling look into the lives of one of America's most infamous families. With its rich character development, atmospheric writing, and exploration of dark themes, the novel is a standout entry in the genre. Bruce's ability to weave historical facts with creative storytelling makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in the macabre and the complexities of human nature.

A wonderfully fresh fictionalization of the "Bloody Benders", this book breathes life into a time and place that has been somewhat overlooked in American literature. The family that slays together, stays together...or do they?

Based on a true story this book is quite interesting! The writing is fantastic! You really can't help but get lost in the story! Great read!

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I found this novel too detailed. There were descriptions that were more information than I would like. That's my taste. I wasn't able to finish reading the book because of getting too bogged down in description. If someone likes that sort of work, I am happy to refer them to this book. It is well written, and it is an interesting premise.

"All The Blood We Share" by Camilla Bruce is a sinister and chilling novel that delves into the dark and twisted tale of the real-life Bloody Benders, a family of serial killers in the old West. Set against the haunting backdrop of the Kansas plains, the story weaves a web of suspense and horror that is bound to leave readers unsettled.

The author skillfully creates an atmospheric setting, with the winds shifting nervously on the plains, whispering of lost travelers and witches. The town of Cherryvale initially welcomes the rising medium Kate Bender and her family, finding solace in Kate's messages from the Beyond and her mother's potions. However, behind the facade of their seemingly benevolent services, a malevolent secret lurks—one that offers a shortcut to a better life, but at a macabre cost.

The world-building in this book is exceptional, transporting readers to a time and place where darkness and evil thrive. The author's attention to detail brings the old West to life, while the intricate characterization adds depth and complexity to the story. Kate, the gifted seer, is a compelling protagonist whose missteps drive the narrative forward, and the other members of the Bender family are equally intriguing, their actions shrouded in mystery.

Bruce's writing is gripping, and the plot is filled with startling, violent, and horrifying moments that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story also offers thought-provoking themes, forcing readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature. The emotional depth of the characters and their struggles adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, making it an engaging and compelling read.

One of the standout qualities of "All The Blood We Share" is its basis in truth. The author weaves fiction around the real Bloody Benders, infusing the story with an eerie authenticity that lingers long after the final page. This truth-based fiction adds an extra layer of fascination and makes the events even more chilling.

In summary, "All The Blood We Share" is a gripping, dark, and atmospheric novel that is sure to captivate fans of horror and historical fiction alike. Camilla Bruce has crafted a tale that is both chilling and thought-provoking, with great world-building and characterization. This book is a must-read for those seeking a haunting and unforgettable reading experience.

LOVED this one! I am obsessed with serial killers and true crime, murders, cold cases, ya know---the crazy stuff-AND THIS JUST HIT THE NAIL ON THE COFFIN! I have never heard of the Bloody Benders before and I loved this fictionalized story centered around this serial killer family. I found myself researching so much about them after reading this.

The author's note is a must read with this book! What a fantastic, twisted, horrific, and violent read! I cannot wait to see what else Bruce releases in the future!

4.5/5 stars

All The Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce is a creepy murder story inspired by the very real Bloody Benders in Kansas. This book will have you locking your doors at night and looking at your neighbors in a different light. How much do you actually know about them and what they do in the night, anyways? Continue reading to get my review of this upcoming release!

Narrators
It was an interesting choice to have two of the three perspectives be from the Bender family – spoiler alert: they are serial killers. (I promise it’s not actually a spoiler alert) Since All The Blood We Share is not a whodunit and is instead when/will they be caught a type of story. We know they are the antagonists in the story, but their perspectives are incredibly different. The mother and daughter do not see eye to eye on much of the goings on in their stint in Kansas. Although they are both willing participants to a degree, they provide diverse perspectives for the reader.

I am glad Bruce used a third perspective from outside of the family. This individual is close-ish to the family (both in distance and familiarity), but still far enough away to bring in the doubting perspective. “Well, there is no way it could be the Benders! They are my neighbors! We would know if something nefarious was going on.” I liked how this character, Hanson, was not directly opposed to the perspectives of Kate and Elvira Bender, the daughter and mother.

Truth and Fiction
I have heard of the Bloody Benders and listened to some podcasts about them. Due to the lack of certain details (this did occur in rural Kansas in the late 1800s), it makes for a fascinating true crime story on its own. To me, what makes All The Blood We Share a successful novel is the fact that while it is based on a true story, there is enough ambiguity of the real story that Bruce is able to weave a story of their own. The afterward makes it clear where Bruce intentionally diverts from the truth and where they had to supply their own information, such as the names of certain victims.

Plot
Bruce could get creative to a certain extent with familial dynamics, relationships outside of the family, and individual motivations. At the same time, there was a certain point in the middle where the story slowed down. It seemed that since Bruce wanted to include a number of victims similar to what has been recorded it caused the plot to drag on. That would be my largest critique.

Overall
All The Blood We Share was a fascinating fictional account of real events. Camilla Bruce did a great job of researching and inventing to have this story unfold before the readers. While the plot did sag a bit in the middle, Bruce did create an interesting tale from the bits of fact and rumor that had to be sorted through. If you are interested in true crime at all, I’m sure you would enjoy this book. If you are not, it may be a bit gruesome, but I’d still recommend you branch out!

Wowza! The fact that this was based on a real family of serial killers.... I am unwell. The characters are all wild but haunting and I don't think I'll get the Bloody Benders out of my head for awhile. I loved the multiple POVs and this book was truly so gripping. I highly recommend it to fans of all things spooky.

Camilla Bruce has taken the true story of The Bloody Benders of Kansas and woven a story about these sinister serial killers that reveals the darkness at the core of humanity. She immediately immerses you into the voices of Benders, in particular, Kate and Elvira, daughter and mother. She also invents a third character to fill in for the voice of the townspeople experiencing the work of the Benders. These three different points of view allow the reader to engage with both sides of the story and present a unique vision into the thoughts of the Benders, their possible motives and why they killed others.

The story of the Benders is messy, complicated and delves into true human darkness. It chills you to the bone understanding that not only were these real killers but that they were so willing to harm others for their own gain. While the story was slow and the characters difficult to like, the story was a fascinating study of The Bloody Benders of Kansas. The story kept me engaged and wanting to find out what would happen. I also love that the author kept it as realistic and authentic as possible. 

If you like stories of serial killers and want to learn more about this unusual family, I recommend the novel. It was slow and sometimes included unnecessary details for me. I also don’t normally read much about serial killers so you can take my review with that in mind. But I thought this was a fascinating study into the minds of the Benders with the author keeping the narrative focused on these sinister serial killers. While you might not like the characters, I think you will find the story incredibly intriguing.

I know this was fiction based on a real family, but this book made we want to read about the actual family. I blame this book for putting me down a rabbit hole.

What: The story of the Bloody Benders with a darker twist…if you thought it was possible!
About: The Bender family has moved into town and soon, a darkness speaks to young Kate urging her to indulge in her sinister desires.
Features: dark, cold, bleak, bloody
Assets: the historical source material(what exists) is well represented here, and leaves enough room for Bruce's imagination to shine.
Obstacles: don't expect jump scares or action — this is a slow burn worth the time.
Who it’s for: readers who enjoy classic true crime and reimagining history with supernatural overtones — fans of Alma Katsu will really love this one.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as Bruce’s last, In the Garden of Spite. Garden of Spite really dug into how and why the main main character becomes this notorious killer… this book seems a bit disconnected. The “draw” of the book for me was the dynamic between the family and why and how they started killing, but the execution missed the mark. I think the author was trying to show how Kate draw people towards her and causes bad things to happen, but I didn’t ever feel quite satisfied with the “why” for the rest of the characters.

So I did not know too much about the Bloody Benders until I read this book, and while it is a fictional novel about them, it is quite good, as in creepy, wild, and DARK. I was blown away at the evil going on in this family that all originates with daughter Kate and eventually permeates throughout the rest of them. She performs the first kill, and when the family leaves town to save her from being hung, the father decides to take up some land and build / run an inn known as the Bender Inn. From there the Benders realize it is quite easy to take in strangers who travel alone and take what is rightfully theirs… Amiright? There is a lot more to this story, and again, not much is known about this serial killer family so the author does the best with what she has here (and says as much in the author’s note at the end) but this was quite an enjoyable tale that I could not put down. The audio was fantastic and it was even better listening to this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the digital galley to review.

This one is something so different than what I normally read- All The Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce. It is a historical horror novel that was so compelling I couldn’t stop reading, but not so grizzly I couldn’t stomach it. Thanks @BerkleyPub for this unique read.
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When a book is based on real events and people, I am even more riveted to the story. This book is based on the real Bloody Benders, a family of serial killers in the Old West. These were horrible people that saw nothing of taking a lone traveler’s life if it will help them get ahead.
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On the plains of Kansas, just after the Civil War, people were hard working and anxious for a happy diversion. When the Bender family settled there and opened a roadside Inn, people were happy to have new neighbors. The daughter of the family, Kate, is pretty and proclaims to have a gift to communicate with departed loved ones. Her mother heals with herbs, is she a witch? What else is going on out at that Inn?
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The author blends facts and fiction in a great way, making this an entertaining story that has me digging through Goggle to learn more about this monstrous family.
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The Benders are the “cotton eye Joe” of the serial killing world. Where did they come from? Where did they go?! If you’re anything like me, then you’ve done your fair share of serial killer dumpster diving and are probably just as fascinated by their story. If you’re not like me…. well then you’re probably “normal” (not that there’s anything wrong with that 😏).

Bruce does a fantastic job of giving us this historical fictionalized version of home life for the Benders. Good luck travelers. Ain’t nothing worth a bowl of stew and a place to lay your head (while it’s still attached, ahem). It’s one thing to be faced with being murdered by just one person…. Let’s not underestimate the power of family. 😉

Lesson learned: never sit with your back toward a curtain.

A brilliantly written tale of the Bloody Benders and please y’all, don’t forget to read the Author’s Note!

Stay sane everyone. 💋

Kate and her “Ma” meet her stepfather, William, and his son, John, in the town of Cherryvale. They had to flee from Pennsylvania because Kate did something. Kate wants to lay low for a while but she wants to be a famous psychic. But again, Kate’s nature has her doing what she did back in Pennsylvania. And soon, all became a family of serial killers.

Based on a family of serial killers in the Old West, the author shares her own take on who they might have been and where they all went. She digs deep into each person’s psyche on how they turn to murder, especially Kate. All the Blood We Share will pull the reader into the madness of a scary tale of real serial killers from the past that could give the movie ones, like Michael Myers and others, a run for their money.

#netgalleyarc This book took me awhile to really get into but once I did, I enjoyed it. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but I did like that the chapters were told from alternating character perspectives. Definitely a good horror/thriller YA read that I’ll bring into my library next fall. Overall, a decent read.

Thank you to @berkleypub, @NetGalley and @letstalkbookspromo for the #gifted copy of the book.

Have you heard of the Bloody Benders? This book is based on real events inspired by the Bender Family who were serial killers from 1871 to 1872 in Labette County, Kansas. I had not heard of them until reading this book. It's almost hard to imagine a family of serial killers. This book was bloody and dark and oh so good.

The family consists of William Bender and wife Elvira, step daughter Kate and son John. Kate was believed to have a gift of talking to spirits. She used this to her advantage as a means to make money and lure men into their home. Her mother expected her to raise enough money so she could have a new farm. John was obsessed with Kate and didn't want her flirting with other men. He was an easy target to do her bidding. How does this end? Do they get caught?