Belle Sorenson Gunness (1859 – 1908) — born Brynhild Paulsdatter Størseth — was a Norwegian-American serial killer. Standing six feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, she was a physically strong woman. She killed most of her suitors and boyfriends. She may also have killed both of her husbands. Reports estimate that she killed between 25 and 40 people.

In 1910, Thomas Samuel Duke (Born 1871) published the book "Celebrated Criminal Cases of America" which included a 10-page chapter on Gunness which has been republished here for the interested reader.