“[An] uncanny Gothic mystery… Satisfying.”—New York Times Book Review“A romping read with a deliciously dark conceit at its center… Reminded me of Alias Grace.”—Kiran Millwood HargraveFrom the author of The Silent Companions, a thrilling Victorian gothic horror story about a young seamstress who claims her needle and thread have the power to killDorothea Truelove is young, wealthy, and … power to kill
Dorothea Truelove is young, wealthy, and beautiful. Ruth Butterham is young, poor, and awaiting trial for murder.
When Dorothea’s charitable work brings her to Oakgate Prison, she is delighted by the chance to explore her fascination with phrenology and test her hypothesis that the shape of a person’s skull can cast a light on their darkest crimes. But when she meets one of the prisoners, the teenaged seamstress Ruth, she is faced with another strange idea: that it is possible to kill with a needle and thread–because Ruth attributes her crimes to a supernatural power inherent in her stitches.
The story Ruth has to tell of her deadly creations—of bitterness and betrayal, of death and dresses—will shake Dorothea’s belief in rationality, and the power of redemption. Can Ruth be trusted? Is she mad, or a murderer? For fans of Shirley Jackson, The Poison Thread is a spine-tingling, sinister read about the evil that lurks behind the facade of innocence.
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THE POISON THREAD is the second novel I have read by Laura Purcell, and I enjoyed it immensely! The Victorian era tale is told in two Points-of-View: That of Dorthea, a wealthy woman doing charitable work at a prison; and Ruth, a sixteen year old girl accused of murdering her Mistress.
The unraveling of Ruth’s story, and the psychological twists, really were my favorite parts. However, learning about Dorthea, and how wealthy women were expected to act–in order to ensure a favorable/monetary wise, marriage–were eye opening as well.
How the two of these stories eventually entwine was something that really “made” the novel. Although the women couldn’t have been more different in regards to how they were brought up, some similarities are there regardless of your station.
Recommended!
I couldn’t quite place when The Poison Thread took place, but I am assuming late 1800’s or early 1900’s. This type of writing and era intrigues me so I picked up The Poison Thread. Dorothea Truelove is the daughter of wealth, and she enjoys continuing the charitable work of her deceased mother and is fascinated with the shape of people’s heads. From her studies, she believes the shape of one’s skull determines how a person will live life. Dorothea visits women in prison, and she meets 16-year old Ruth Butterham. Ruth comes from a poor life, and she has pleaded guilty and is waiting for trial for murder. Ruth tells her life story to Dorothea, and I applauded Laura Purcell’s back and forth from both points of view throughout the story without repetition. The last chapters were enlightening and brought the whole mystery/murder to a rather frustration conclusion. I would have rejoiced had the real murderers been brought to justice, but Dorothea’s father’s demise was gratifying. If the customs and ways of life are true to the era, I am very grateful I am living in today’s world!
A gorgeous gothic story with two unreliable narrators. Darkly twisted beautifully written. This one was a page-turner for me.
A romping read with a deliciously dark conceit at its center… Reminded me of Alias Grace.
I don’t know where to start with this one. Sometimes I am successful in trying new to me genres and authors. Sometimes I’m not so successful. Unfortunately, for me, this one is in the latter.
I just don’t know what to think with this book. Neither character is reliable. Their stories both have holes in them. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to root for them or damn them. Their telling of their stories was a bit sloppy, hard to follow at times. The whole book was choppy and slow moving.
At first, I thought my issue with this book was the Victorian speak. I don’t read Victorian books, ever. But after a while, I realized it was just the book itself. It drug. I lost interest. It is in NO way any form of a horror book, that is for sure. And that disappointed me. I had initially picked it up for the horror aspect.
And what is with that ending? I mean, okay karma. But at the same time… who really was at fault? Sometimes endings like this work. In this case, the ending just doesn’t work. There is such a huge build up for the ending and then… well, I can’t spoil it. It is highly disappointing.
Overall, I just think Victorian books might not just be for me. I think if you typically read these books, you may end up liking it.