Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles Published by Poisoned Pen Press on October 7, 2025
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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WHO WILL SURVIVE LACKADAY HOUSE?
When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative's remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn't possibly get worse.
Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family—but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there's no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house's shadowy depths…
Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House—and live to tell the tale?
A country house party invitation from a distant relation comes at a good time, but the moody Yorkshire moors, the odd quirks in the old gothic place, and the insufferable situation of horrid relations and an ex at the party are sure to bring matters to murder in short order. KJ Charles has been impressing me with her historicals blending with mystery with romance and this latest standalone was no exception.
Zebedee ‘Zeb’ Wyckham recently lost his latest job, but he cared more about losing his ex at the same time. Of course, it was all his fault as it usually was. His fidgets, distracted brain, and oddities made it difficult to find and keep employment or friends. His deceased father’s constant derision toward his quirks and the shameful way his greedy older brother, Bram and his wife treat him made him miserable for a while. However, in true Zeb fashion, he has tried to shrug it off and get excited that his estranged second cousin has invited him to his Gothic-style Yorkshire estate that their grandfather built.
Then, he gets a series of nasty shocks upon arrival. His Wyckham family is all there- brother, sister-in-law, cousin, and the new distant cousins, his ex, Gideon Grey, got a job as secretary to his cousin and coldly regards Zeb’s arrival, but it just gets worse when his cousin has a proposal for them all that decidedly sets the family at each other’s throats worse than usual. Zeb finds himself trapped in a gothic horror reminiscent of the ones his weird grandfather used to write and with the simmering malice in the air as thick as the Yorkshire mists shrouding them in, he isn’t surprised when murder comes into play.
The Edwardian period, the atmospheric gothic setting, and the zany horrid cast of characters was all wondrously spooky. Zeb and Gideon are the center of normalcy surrounded by all that and even they have some testy tension going on until they get a chance to sort out their past and wade through the lies and misunderstandings. The story begins in the middle in some ways and has to backtrack through Zeb’s memories of each of the other players in this one.
I thought it was great that Zeb was wonderfully unique with what in modern times is called ADHD. Gideon was so wonderful and accepting once they ironed out their issues and actually talked through what tripped them up in the past.
Another KJ Charles story that delighted me with the hero and his romance, the macabre mystery, and great entertainment value of the story. Those who like mystery comedies and dark, spicy m/m romancing, and atmospheric settings should give All of Us Murderers a go.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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That sounds really good.
It was like one of those classic dark comedy murder mysteries. I had a good time with it.
I have this on my wish list. It sounds so good.
It was quirky with the feel of that Clue movie. I had fun reading it.
Now this sounds good, and I love a macabre house party!
Oh yeah! It was something else, Kimberly. 🙂
I SOOO did not expect this to be an HR with a title like that lol
Yeah, it does have the flavor of some of these modern shows going on.
The title and cover grabbed me, but I did not at all expect a romance with this! Sounds like it was a good read though. Great review!
LOL, yeah, its got a bit of everything. 🙂