Cassandra Clare and the Mortal Instruments series

I’ve been re-reading this series because I never read the last book. Not because I didn’t have the books, but because I didn’t want it to end. 

I just recently finished the 5^th book (again), and I’m still as in love with the books as I was the first time. I’m excited to start the 6^th. But I’ve also been re-reading the Harry Potter series, so I go from Clary to Harry, and then I pick up a Jonathan Stroud novel. I’m all over the place with my reading recently. But I enjoy reading that way. I feel like it helps keep my brain on its toes, so to speak.

Anyway, I got off-topic. The Mortal Instrument series I give 5 stars to, of course. Credit where credit is due, and in my humble opinion, Cassandra Clare can do no wrong.

Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men (Kindle Edition)

Though the start and finish dates show that it took me two and a half months to finish this novel, that’s not entirely true. There was a lot of stopping & starting as this was a novel I picked up as my “in-between novels” novel.

The author did an excellent job of providing all the details. I enjoyed the photographs and other digital touches in the novel.

My personal opinion on the Belle Gunness story/saga is this.

The woman seen with her in the moments/days before the fire was indeed none other than Ester Carlson and Belle did her in and took over her life, moving far enough away from everyone—at that time—that she could get away with it. Since they were of similar origin, size, height, and all, it was easy for her to do. Ray Lamphere, in my opinion, did not set fire or kill Belle & her children. I’m of the notion that it was all Belle Gunness, the wicked woman that she was.

It definitely makes one wonder, though.

It was an interesting read and before this book, I did not know of her existence.