4.0
The Poison Thread
ByPublisher Description
"[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 Hargrave
From 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 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.
"A romping read with a deliciously dark conceit at its center... Reminded me of Alias Grace."—Kiran Millwood Hargrave
From 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 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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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities250 Reviews
4.0
Ember
Created 16 days agoShare
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BYL
Created 17 days agoShare
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“The title is absolutely PERFECT for this book. Worth reading.”
BookItAlum
Created about 2 months agoShare
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“Wowzers. This was a rollicking tale. It is on the sensational side, but I can forgive that for its immersive setting of Victorian England. I had suspicions throughout the book that proved to be correct, but there were a few twists I didn’t predict.
Above all it is a pretty grim picture of how hopeless it was to be even moderately poor during that time. The domino effect of unfortunate events that compound in such a way that it is impossible for anyone to claim their way out of, no matter how hard they try. This Dickensian look at poverty and entrapment provided heartbreak and bleakness, but the two narrators provide enough spark to keep the novel from feeling overly oppressive.
The author does a great job balancing the sensational with the tragic. I enjoyed this one- I listened on Audible, and while the narrators did a superb job, the asynchronous pacing had me switching from one listening speed to another depending on who was talking. Just be warned.”Nikki in Niagara
Created about 2 months agoShare
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“Dorothea Truelove is a captivating young heiress whose philanthropic endeavours lead her to Oakgate Prison, where she encounters Ruth Butterham, a 16-year-old murderess awaiting trial. As Dorothea delves into Ruth's story, she explores her passion for phrenology and is exposed to unsettling ideas, including the notion that one can kill with nothing more than needle and thread. Will her rational worldview withstand this chilling encounter?
This story is truly exceptional. From the very first page, I was hooked and knew I would adore Dorothea Truelove. The narrative takes a dark turn as Ruth unfolds her life story, and the birthing scene is vividly described—it’s unforgettable. I couldn't put the book down, finishing it in just a couple of days. It’s a disturbing and eerie tale that lingers in your mind, making you eager to discover what else the author has to offer. This is my second read from her, and I’m officially a dedicated fan.”About Laura Purcell
Laura Purcell is the author of The Silent Companions. She worked in local government, the financial industry and a bookshop before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Colchester, the oldest recorded town in England, with her husband and pet guinea pigs. Fascinated by the darker side of royal history, Laura has also written two historical fiction novels about the Hanoverian dynasty.
Other books by Laura Purcell
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