Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: All of Us Murderers
AUTHOR: K.J. Charles
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
LENGTH: 352 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2025
BLURB:
The lush Gothic drama of Crimson Peak meets the murderous intrigue of Knives Out with an LGBTQIA+ love story to die for from award-winning author KJ Charles.
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?
REVIEW:
Zeb Wyckham arrives at the Gothic manor of lord – his wealthy relative Wynn. He’s been lured there under quite false pretenses for a fortnight visit. When he arrives, he is stunned to find none other than his former lover who was sacked from his last job because of his association with Zeb. Gideon Grey has taken the position with Wynn because he hadn’t other prospects and family pressured had left him destitute.
Gideon is not pleased to see Zeb. Zeb is further dismayed to find his estranged brother Bram and his unhappy wife Elise and his cousin Hawley as well as another cousin Dash. The real reason Wynn has asked everyone to come because he wants to marry off his ward Jessamine and leave her husband as his heir. To a 150,000 pound fortune and the manor.
However, Zeb is not interested in women and especially not this young woman. Oh and his brother is already married? And a womanizer. Dash and Hawley are not suitable either. Then there are the various stories that Wynn has apparently told each of the “suitors” which don’t match up. And why in the world would he hire Zeb’s former lover if not to make things more strained?
There is also the business of the family curse. And a fortune made on the backs of slaves. Also the house appears to be haunted and every person is getting ghostly messages, seeing apparitions and discovering unspeakable act that have apparently occurred in the house. The previous own was also an author and his book seems to be coming to life now. Couple that with the mist on the moors, the locked gate and everyone is trapped in this house of mystery where lives are on the line.
Oh my! What a treacherous family! Zeb’s family were completely awful. And the lies told! Criminal. And the greed! Zeb’s brother Bram has already betrayed their father and turned Zeb out without a penny. I loved that Zeb has not let that stop him. He and Gideon have been through a lot. Lies have been told but some truths too – like the fact that Gideon and Zeb had been lovers. Wynn has set off these events, but to what end? There are too many gotchas and red herrings and false starts, but Gideon realizes that he’s gotten things quite wrong about Zeb. And it turns out that Zeb has his own secret – one that can set him free of this family 🙂 If only they can escape the house before anyone else ends up dead. I enjoyed the unexpected help and guidance that come their way – because they are both decent men. So many surprises! I will not spoil any of this because the ride is particularly satisfying without any previous knowledge of the story. Just read it. It’s delicious and gothic and surprising and dare I say romantic? Yes, I shall. I loved Zeb and Gideon 🙂 Highly recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
Yes, I’ve just finished it. Great review. KJ Charles never disappoints
Gill