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America's Femme Fatale: The Story of Serial Killer Belle Gunness
How does a Norwegian farm girl become an infamous American serial killer, responsible for upward of 40 murders? Born in rural Norway in 1859, "Belle" Storset Sorenson Gunness was constantly dealt bad hands in life—so she decided to take life into her own hands.
In America's Femme Fatale: The Story of Serial Killer Belle Gunness, Jane Simon Ammeson traces Gunness's path from a poor teenager rejected by a wealthy lover; to a new wife in Chicago, desperate to escape the poverty of her childhood and impatient for a child to love; to an ambitious, widowed landowner in La Porte, Indiana. Ammeson's careful research reveals how the young immigrant slowly turned into one of America's most dangerous serial killers, allegedly murdering husbands, lovers, and children, and, for a price, disposing of inconvenient corpses for others. Ammeson brings this shocking story to life, detailing the suspicious neighbors who were cowed into silence by Belle's intimidating personality, the culture of orphanages trafficking children and matrimonial agencies, the carnival atmosphere that exploded around the pile of bones found on Gunness's farm, and the sensational reporting that filled newspapers for months.
Perfect for true crime fans fascinated by the creation of a sociopathic serial killer, America's Femme Fatale will leave you entertained and looking over your shoulder.
In America's Femme Fatale: The Story of Serial Killer Belle Gunness, Jane Simon Ammeson traces Gunness's path from a poor teenager rejected by a wealthy lover; to a new wife in Chicago, desperate to escape the poverty of her childhood and impatient for a child to love; to an ambitious, widowed landowner in La Porte, Indiana. Ammeson's careful research reveals how the young immigrant slowly turned into one of America's most dangerous serial killers, allegedly murdering husbands, lovers, and children, and, for a price, disposing of inconvenient corpses for others. Ammeson brings this shocking story to life, detailing the suspicious neighbors who were cowed into silence by Belle's intimidating personality, the culture of orphanages trafficking children and matrimonial agencies, the carnival atmosphere that exploded around the pile of bones found on Gunness's farm, and the sensational reporting that filled newspapers for months.
Perfect for true crime fans fascinated by the creation of a sociopathic serial killer, America's Femme Fatale will leave you entertained and looking over your shoulder.
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
8 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Jane Simon Ammeson
12 books23 followers Ever since she started her own newspaper at age eight, selling it to neighbors who had no choice but to subscribe, Jane has loved to write. She’s now upped her game writing about travel, food, history for newspapers, magazines and Websites and is the author of 14 books including the recently released How to Murder Your Wealthy Lovers and Get Away With It; Murder & Mayhem in the Gilded Age, Lincoln Back Roads and Side Trips, Hauntings of the Underground Railroad: Ghosts of the Midwest and Murders that Made Headlines: Crimes of Indiana. She also authored A Jazz Age Murder in Northwest Indiana, a true crime book about a murder that took place in her hometown. Jane writes a weekly food column for the Herald Palladium and Shelf Life, a book column for the Times of Northwest Indiana, and currently has three Bindu Travel Apps: Michigan Road Trips, Experience Curacao and Indiana Journeys.
A member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTA) and Midwest Travel Journalists Association (MTJA), Jane’s home base is on the shores of Lake Michigan in Southwest Michigan. Follow Jane on Facebook at janesimonammeson; Twitter @janeammeson1 and @travelfoodIN and on her blogs janeammeson.blog and shelflife.blog
A member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTA) and Midwest Travel Journalists Association (MTJA), Jane’s home base is on the shores of Lake Michigan in Southwest Michigan. Follow Jane on Facebook at janesimonammeson; Twitter @janeammeson1 and @travelfoodIN and on her blogs janeammeson.blog and shelflife.blog
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 12, 2023
AMERICA'S FEMME FATALE is the story of a female serial killer who did it for the money or to keep people quiet or from looking at her too closely. Belle is cold-hearted, cold-blooded, and sadly in my mind, managed to get away with it.
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
We follow her from her teenage years in Norway to her going to America. The book is full of photos of Belle herself, plus other people and situations relevant to the story. I do believe that part of the reason she was able to get away with so many murders was, quite simply, the time in which she lived. I would hope and pray that something of this magnitude wouldn't happen in this day and age.
Although this book has been incredibly well-researched, it was a bit dry and confusing in places. At one point, we make a segue into highlights of the lives of some of her victims which I found to be unnecessary to the story, as it didn't make it any clearer. I personally would have enjoyed it more to stick with the main part of the story.
There were a couple of editing mistakes that I found, but nothing to take away from the story itself. Just a change of name, for example.
An interesting read about someone I hadn't heard of before, and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 1, 2021
May 3, 2025
me, trying to get out of her killing me: “belle gunness? more like belle FUNness”
indiana sheriff discovering my body in 1908: “this is the most battered corpse i’ve ever seen in my life”
Jane clearly had fun writing this macabre portrait of one of the most monstrous women to exist (possibly even worse than Anita Bryant)
indiana sheriff discovering my body in 1908: “this is the most battered corpse i’ve ever seen in my life”
Jane clearly had fun writing this macabre portrait of one of the most monstrous women to exist (possibly even worse than Anita Bryant)
November 10, 2022
Pretty decent synopsis of cold-blooded Belle’s life and what led her to be the “Hell’s Belle” of serial killers. There are a lot of facts mixed with speculation out of necessity. No one knows the true number of her victims because there were so many dismembered, lime-decayed bodies buried on her property that they gave up counting.
And no one knows if she really died in a house fire because the body’s head was missing.
Pretty horrific - and we probably only know the half of it.
And no one knows if she really died in a house fire because the body’s head was missing.
Pretty horrific - and we probably only know the half of it.
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
America's Femme Fatale offers a heartfelt, empowering perspective on navigating life's toughest challenges, from loss and grief to finding happiness and resilience. With practical advice and an inspiring story, it encourages a journey of healing and personal growth, making it a great resource for anyone seeking hope and strength.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
America's Femme Fatale offers a heartfelt, empowering perspective on navigating life's toughest challenges, from loss and grief to finding happiness and resilience. With practical advice and an inspiring story, it encourages a journey of healing and personal growth, making it a great resource for anyone seeking hope and strength.
November 13, 2021
Wow! Wow! Wow!
This woman killed for sport and money… horrific! Well researched and really worth the read.
Personally, I believe the sheriff was involved, got her out and in his own interest kept the murders from being found until it was too late.
Crazy. Well worth the quick read. Left with a ton of unanswered questions though…
4/5 stars
This woman killed for sport and money… horrific! Well researched and really worth the read.
Personally, I believe the sheriff was involved, got her out and in his own interest kept the murders from being found until it was too late.
Crazy. Well worth the quick read. Left with a ton of unanswered questions though…
4/5 stars
February 22, 2022
Wow. An account of America's first reported female serial killer. We start in Norway with the now Belle Gunness, and are taken to Chicago and La Porte, IN.
Just enough photos accompany throughout to show real-life people who were involved. After all the reports, there is still mystery surrounding the fate of Gunness.
Just enough photos accompany throughout to show real-life people who were involved. After all the reports, there is still mystery surrounding the fate of Gunness.
July 29, 2023
Unironic use of the words "white slavery" about Chicago. Photos of victim's remains-some people may feel differently about this, but I find it disrespectful (and mentally extremely upsetting). It's an interesting case but not a very good book.
March 20, 2025
Most detailed account of Belle Gunness that I have read.
I grew up and live near where her Indiana crimes were committed, so I’ve read a quite a bit about her. However, I learned a ton from this book.
I grew up and live near where her Indiana crimes were committed, so I’ve read a quite a bit about her. However, I learned a ton from this book.
September 20, 2025
Story of “Belle” Gunness, who may have been America’s most prolific female serial killer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Scandinavian native wound up in La Porte, Indiana, where her victims included men, women and children, as she amassed a fortune in money and land. Book also details all that is known about her demise, which was assumed to be in a fire in her home but never convincingly proven. Narrative went down too many rabbit holes for me, but they had a connection to the book’s subject.
November 3, 2021
Was shocked by the fact that it was reality!
November 17, 2021
She killed for money...and maybe enjoyment? It seemed pretty well researched, but it's still kind of a mystery.
November 25, 2022
She was a very wicked woman! She wanted men and children in her life so she could get insurance on them and the do away with them. Evil!!
February 29, 2024
2.5 rounded up. The end was just all over the place with a bazillion characters discussed
September 25, 2024
This book tracks the life of a female serial killer using good historical and cultural research. Gruesome pictures from the time period are a good touch.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews