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If there’s one thing KJ Charles knows how to write, it is hopelessly devoted historical men. In All of Us Murderers, Charles turns her attention to the early Edwardian era, and tries her hand at a genre which has cropped up in some of her previous novels: the Gothic thriller. Unlike Amanda Frisby of Band Sinister, however, Charles’ version has a bit more queer romance, and one would assume, a few more open-door intimate scenes.

Zeb Wyckham is the second son of a vicious, conniving, and all round unpleasant moneyed family. He is more than happy to live his life in isolation from the lot of them. So what if he can’t keep a job, and the only meaningful relationship of his adult life ended because of his thoughtless impulsiveness? He’ll make do. Then he receives a letter, well, letters from his very persistent cousin Wynn. On the, admittedly naïve, promise of a warm familial welcome, Zeb sets off for Lackaday house. He arrives to two unfortunate surprises: the first, if the presence of his entire family already at each others throats; the second, the handsome face of Gideon Grey, the man he lost, a man who hates him. Emotionally overwrought, desperately dodging dastardly family members, beset with spooky happenings, and an utter fool for his lost love, Zeb must contend with enemies unknown, in this rapidly unravelling Gothic thriller, shot through with Charles’ trademark aching romance and well-penned spice.

I will forever be a fan of KJ Charles. There is such an excellent balance of history, character, tension, emotion, humour, and, yes, sex in her novels, that they consume you. All of Us Murderers is no exception, once it got going I was hooked. Something I appreciate about Charles’ take on historical fiction, is her commitment to representation, and to history. Race, gender, and sexuality are all areas she has explored in her novels, never shying away from a potentially difficult topic, and this was no exception, but here Charles also tackles, with specific intention, neurodiversity, in a very real and realised way. 

I must say, without spoiling anything, I did find the ending a bit lacklustre, which for me knocks this from a 4.something to just a 4. Nevertheless, this is a spooky, intriguing queer read perfect for the ‘ber months, and the looming spooky season.