Book Review: Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce

Triflers Need Not Apply is a novel by Camilla Bruce, published in 2021.

I was intrigued by this book as it was a bit of a change of pace from what I’m used to reading. I don’t usually read true crime or anything overly gruesome but the cover and blurb caught my attention. Plus as it’s set in the 19th century, its a historical fiction novel, a genre that I really enjoy.

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Camilla Bruce

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2020

Plot

Triflers Need Not Apply is the reimagining of the life of Belle Gunness, history’s original female serial killer. Born Brynhild Paulsdatter Størseth, we read about her upbringing in Norway and the events that led to her becoming a ruthless murderer. We follow her as she changes her name and joins her older sister Nellie in America.

Bella (as she is known in the book) has reason to dislike and distrust men and considers them all weak, especially where women are concerned. Bella sets out to prove that even in a man’s world, women can be just as ruthless and black-hearted as any man.

She embarks on a killing spree and becomes history’s most prolific female serial killer. Her kindhearted sister Nellie, can only watch on as she slowly starts to realise her sister is not the woman she thought she was.

Triflers Need Not Apply Book Review

I found it to be quite a dark and chilling read, as you would expect when reading a book about a serial killer! Camilla Bruce gives an unflinching account of Belle Gunness’ crimes and there are some upsetting scenes that I didn’t enjoy reading.

It’s clearly really well researched but I also liked how the author tries to explain who Belle Gunness was as a person. You can almost emphasise with her in the first part of the book but as the story progresses she becomes more disturbed and obsessive and her crimes just cannot be justified.

I did feel there were some unnecessary details that, although factually correct, didn’t really add to the story. It felt a bit stilted at times and I found it a bit slow going in places. It did however pick up the pace again towards the end as the story reached its grisly climax.

The story was told from alternating viewpoints and we read from both Bella and Nellie’s perspectives. It perfectly showed the difference between the sisters, as Nellie’s sanity and sense of decency clearly highlighted Bella’s callousness.

I enjoyed the add on by the author at the end where she explains the liberties she took with some of the facts. It was good to know what was based on real events and what was purely fictional.

I found it really interesting to read about Belle Gunness, it just didn’t grip me as much as I would have liked.