Camilla Bruce was born in central Norway and grew up in an old forest adjacent to an Iron Age burial mound. With a master's degree in comparative literature, she co-ran a small press specializing in dark fairy tales. Her writing delves into the mysteries of Nordic folklore and the supernatural, often exploring themes of ancient myth and hidden dangers. Bruce's prose masterfully builds atmosphere and suspense, drawing readers into unsettling worlds where the veil between the ordinary and the extraordinary is thin.
'By the end of the third page I was not only hooked, but beginning to think that this might be the best book I'd read all year.' Joanne Harris'I wanted someone to know, you see. One is a story of bloody nights and magical gifts, of children lost to the woods, of husbands made from twigs and leaves and feathers and bones .
You've never met a woman as dangerous as Bella Sorensen . . . THE FASCINATING REIMAGINING OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HISTORY'S ORIGINAL FEMALE SERIAL KILLER 'Extraordinary. Bruce does a marvellous job of reimagining this real-life murderer, without excusing her crimes' THE TIMES 'Dark, twisted and dangerously addictive' SAM LLOYD, bestselling author of THE MEMORY WOOD ________ 1900, Chicago. Bella Sorenson knows that the world is made for men. They control everything: jobs, property, money. Marriage makes women like her their slaves. But now Bella is fighting back. Because she's angry. She's bloodthirsty. She's willing to kill to get what she wants - starting with her husband. And then her next husband. And the next one . . . ________ 'Explosive . . . If you like true crime, you'll devour this chilling story of revenge' WOMAN'S WEEKLY 'Dark glee, tragedy . . . Fans of my story The Corset will gobble this up' LAURA PURCELL 'Come for the fabulous premise, stay for the razor-sharp portrait of a marvelously complex (and often totally terrifying) mind . . . Camilla Bruce has absolutely outdone herself' LAIRD HUNT 'Starts as a revenge story but quickly becomes so much more. Clever, shocking and horrific in places, it's the sort of book for which the phrase 'page-turner' was invented' LUCIE MCKNIGHT HARDY
The winds shift nervously on the isolated plain, whispering of travellers lost and buried, whispering of witches. At first the townspeople of Cherryvale welcome the beautiful young medium, Kate Bender and her family. No one knows about their other business, the shortcut to a better life. They're careful. It's only from those who travel alone, and who can easily disappear, that the Benders demand their pound of flesh. But even a gifted seer like Kate can make a misstep. Now, as the secrets festering beneath the family orchard threaten to bring them all to ruin, the Benders must sharped their craft - or vanish themselves.
This unnerving and compelling novel explores themes of obsession, possession, and deadly rivalry. Over a century ago, the townspeople of F- committed a grave act, and local school teacher Catherine Evans has dedicated her life to documenting the drowning of Ilsbeth Clark in a well. Despite the townsfolk's reluctance to revisit this dark chapter, Catherine is resolute in illuminating the truth, believing that Ilsbeth, an innocent victim of gossip and scorn, deserves a voice. Catherine, who has experienced similar ostracism, feels a personal connection to the story. However, the return of her childhood friend Elena, a successful author with a new book, complicates matters. Elena's interest in Ilsbeth's tale, framed around the idea of her possessing natural magic, threatens to overshadow Catherine's efforts. With Elena's platform and connections, Catherine fears that her rival's speculative narrative will distort Ilsbeth's memory. Determined to thwart Elena, Catherine finds herself confronting not only her rival but also unsettling forces from the past. As summer unfolds, the tension escalates, leading to a shocking climax where one woman will die and the other will face murder accusations. The true nature of Ilsbeth Clark remains shrouded in mystery—was she an innocent, a witch, or something else entirely?
A murderess takes on the role of guardian to two extraordinary girls in this captivating gothic tale by Camilla Bruce. The story intertwines themes of darkness, mystery, and the complexities of unconventional relationships, creating an eerie yet enthralling atmosphere. As the characters navigate their intertwined fates, the novel explores the blurred lines between protector and predator, inviting readers into a world filled with suspense and intrigue.
V Chicagu se o ní leccos povídalo. Dobrým sousedům v Indianě se možná občas něco nezdálo, ale kdo by čekal něco zlého od dobromyslné vdovy, které v životě nepřálo štěstí, je vzorná matka a poctivě chodí do kostela? Kdyby jen věděli, čím prošla... Muži k ní přijížděli plni očekávání a nadějí s celým svým majetkem, avšak odjíždět je nikdy nikdo neviděl. Belle Gunnessová na farmě v La Porte totiž dávno přišla na to, že muži nejsou složití. Že žena se na tomhle světě musí o sebe postarat sama. A že nesmí zaváhat a pohrdnout jakýmikoli prostředky, třeba i krvavými, jinak nedosáhne toho, po čem touží a co si zaslouží.