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The Poison Tree: A Novel Hardcover – January 6, 2011

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,150 ratings

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From an incredible new voice in psychological suspense, a novel about the secrets that remain after a final bohemian summer of excess turns deadly.

This taut psychological thriller begins when Karen and her nine-year- old daughter, Alice, pick up Rex from a ten-year stint in prison for murder. Flash back to the sultry summer in 1990s London when Karen, a straight-A student on the verge of college graduation, first meets the exotic, flamboyant Biba and joins her louche life in a crumbling mansion in Highgate. She begins a relationship with Biba's enigmatic and protective older brother, Rex, and falls into a blissful rhythm of sex, alcohol, and endless summer nights. Naïvely, Karen assumes her newfound happiness will last forever. But Biba and Rex have a complicated family history-one of abandonment, suicide, and crippling guilt-and Karen's summer of freedom is about to end in blood.

When old ghosts come back to destroy the life it has taken Karen a decade to build, she has everything to lose. She will do whatever it takes to protect her family and keep her secret. Alternating between the fragile present and the lingering past with a shocker of an ending,
The Poison Tree is a brilliant suspense debut that will appeal to readers of Kate Atkinson, Donna Tartt, and Tana French.
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

British author Kelly deftly weaves past and present in her highly satisfying debut novel of psychological suspense, which reveals how a convicted murderer came to be released after serving 10 years in prison. In 1993, the naïve yet brilliant Karen receives a scholarship to London's Queen Charlotte's College, where she's beguiled by Biba Capel, an iconoclastic and edgy drama student, who soon introduces Karen to her strange older brother, Rex. Karen joins sister and brother at the grand but deteriorating Capel family house in Highgate, with its several unconventional tenants. The three throw disorderly parties that enrage the neighbors, but they succeed in creating their own Edenic existence until the unwanted intrusion of Biba's hostile lover. Though melodrama looms, including a double homicide, the tension never wanes, and the ensuing horror comes as a major shock. The surprises don't end until the last page of this twisted tale with its wonderfully evocative London atmosphere. 5-city author tour. (Jan.)
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From Booklist

A dark, twisted tale of domestic tragedy, Kelly’s debut doesn’t miss a step: character, plot, dialogue, atmosphere, and pacing are right on the money. Karen Clarke has always done what’s expected and been a good girl: exceptional, conscientious student; obedient daughter; undemanding in her personal relationships. Then she meets fascinating Biba and falls in love with the young actress’ impetuosity and freewheeling lifestyle, both so different from anything Karen knows. That Biba wants to be her friend amazes Karen, who gratefully moves in with the actress and her protective older brother, soon to become Karen’s lover. At first, Karen finds her housemates’ casual lifestyle immensely appealing, but it isn’t long before she unearths the tangled emotions and tragic history that lies beneath the carefree scene. By that time, however, she’s so deeply enmeshed in her friends’ complicated, messed-up lives, she is unable to back away. Intriguing characters, a carefully constructed story that smoothly integrates past and present, and a shocker of an ending make this one special. --Stephanie Zvirin

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pamela Dorman Books; First Edition (January 6, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670022403
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670022403
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,150 ratings

About the author

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Erin Kelly
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Some stories take longer to 'cook' than others. It's no exaggeration to say that my latest novel, The Skeleton Key, about a family of artists, and a treasure hunt that takes on a life of its own, was a lifetime in the making. As a child, my favourite picture book was the 1979 treasure hunt phenomenon Masquerade, by artist Kit Williams. On every page, riddles were posed and intricate, dreamlike paintings depicted Jack Hare in his quest to deliver a jewel from the moon to the sun. Each picture was bordered by letters that held a clue to the location of a tiny hare, wrought in gold, studded with precious stone, and buried somewhere in England. My favourite page was a double-page spread of a little girl sitting in a field of dog roses while Jack Hare galloped past. I envied her so much: she was in the story, as I longed to be. I thought that if I looked at the picture for long enough, I might fall into it: and in a way, I did. Masquerade became part of me, and forty years later, it has found its way out again in the form of The Skeleton Key.

Aside from The Skeleton Key, I'm known for He Said/She Said, about a young couple who witness a rape and, after the trial, begin to wonder if they believed the right person. It was number one in the kindle charts for six glorious weeks, and spent three months in the Sunday Times Bestseller charts.

My first novel, The Poison Tree, was a Richard and Judy bestseller and a major ITV drama starring Myanna Buring, Ophelia Lovibond and Matthew Goode.

I’ve written six more original psychological thrillers – Stone Mothers, Watch Her Fall, The Sick Rose, The Burning Air, The Ties That Bind.

I had read scores of psychological thrillers before I heard the term: the books that inspired me to write my own included Endless Night by Agatha Christie, The Secret History by Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and A Fatal Inversion by Barbara Vine. My books are atmospheric thrillers, always about people trying to atone for, escape, or uncover a past crime. I’m more interested in what happens before the police arrive – if arrive they ever do - than how murder is solved.

GET IN TOUCH! I LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS AND ALWAYS ANSWER EMAILS

Email via www.erinkelly.co.uk

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Blog www.erinkelly.co.uk/blog

Twitter @mserinkelly

Facebook @erinkellyauthor

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
3,150 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story interesting and mesmerizing. They praise the writing quality as engaging and skillful. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and pacing that keeps them hooked until the end. However, opinions differ on the description and pace - some find it insightful and worthwhile, while others feel there is too much description and rambling narration.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

86 customers mention "Plot"67 positive19 negative

Customers find the plot interesting and engaging. They appreciate the high standard of plotline, pace, and characters. The story is relatively simple but skillfully ratchets up the suspense until the unforgettable conclusion. Readers appreciate the time-shifting narrative that teases out the plot and the setting description that offers often-startling insights into the attractions and dangers of London's bohemian area.

"...her eye for dialogue and character, Kelly stylishly and skillfully ratchets up the suspense until the unforgettable conclusion...." Read more

"...development, lush setting description, and offers often-startling insights into the attractions and dangers of London's bohemian lifestyle...." Read more

"...; the elegance in decay of the setting; and the time shifting narrative that teased out the plot...." Read more

"...This is a physiological thriller as are all of Erin Kelly's books...." Read more

49 customers mention "Writing quality"44 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and the story moving at a brisk pace. They say the author is skilled in keeping the reader absorbed and interested for a good length of time. The book is enjoyable and a quick read with well-developed characters and twists and turns.

"...Rachael, Roger and Jules, and the simple-yet-loyal Arouna, are vivid, distinct, frequently complex, and unique...." Read more

"...You won't find bodies hidden here and there but you will read a well written book, that gives the reader an insight into a totally different world..." Read more

"Erin Kelly has written a real page-turner, a psychological thriller with great character development...." Read more

"...This was very well written though at times it was a bit overly descriptive...." Read more

33 customers mention "Character development"26 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters and intriguing plot. The story progresses with the characters becoming clearer.

"...Kelly does a beautiful job of character development, lush setting description, and offers often-startling insights into the attractions and dangers..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the youthful decadence of the characters with their overindulgence in drugs, sex, and alcohol; the creepy brother-sister relationship;..." Read more

"Like many fans of Erin Kelly, I love the way she builds her characters. This is a physiological thriller as are all of Erin Kelly's books...." Read more

"...I could not identify with the main character, mostly because she was so intelligent, but continually made bad life choices...." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging. They say it keeps them hooked until the end, with an interesting story and characters that keep them turning pages. The setting is described as eclectic, unique, and diverse.

"...Rachael, Roger and Jules, and the simple-yet-loyal Arouna, are vivid, distinct, frequently complex, and unique...." Read more

"...She makes you care about her characters and she keeps you turning the page." Read more

"...Damaged characters and an eclectic setting all wound together into a great story...." Read more

"...I loved this book for the way it makes you concentrate and really think about the story line. I now have another Author to follow...." Read more

9 customers mention "Description"3 positive6 negative

Customers have different views on the book. Some find it interesting and an introduction to a different world, with family dynamics and an interesting presentation of times and society. However, others feel there is too much description and little dialogue, and the narration is rather rambling. They also mention that the transition from past to present is confusing at times, and they had difficulty understanding Karen's decisions and feelings.

"...This was very well written though at times it was a bit overly descriptive...." Read more

"...you will read a well written book, that gives the reader an insight into a totally different world and characters that are so well defined you can..." Read more

"...I had trouble at times understanding the decisions and feelings Karen was having, so that also left me discontented with the story...." Read more

"...That is my opinion, I know. However, it was confusing to go from past to present. I lost interest at times, but it was better towards the end...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pace"5 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pace. Some find it fast-paced with surprising twists, while others consider it slow and confusing at first. The plot weaves smoothly between the past and present day.

"...Paced exceptionally well, the plot weaves fluidly between the past and present day (1997)...." Read more

"Bit slow and confusing at first but well worth sticking to it, really started to enjoy it after the first quarter, and it didn't slow down at all..." Read more

"...The writing style is engaging and keeps the story moving at a brisk pace...." Read more

"It seemed to take an awfully long time to get to the point of the story. I got restless before I got to the good stuff" Read more

Poisonhouse
3 out of 5 stars
Poisonhouse
Just kinda weird ...but memoriable I've never read a book like it!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2011
    "...so I blocked it from my mind. I could do that with things I didn't want to think about, like snapping shut a book." So says one of the two main characters, Karen (naively and mistakenly), in the early part of Erin Kelly's suspense tour de force "The Poison Tree". If only it were that easy for readers of this haunting novel that stays in the mind long past its conclusion.

    When reading the Poison Tree, I deliberately slowed down while reading it, taking three days when I could've finished it must faster - all the better to absorb and appreciate it as it unfolded.

    Using her eye for dialogue and character, Kelly stylishly and skillfully ratchets up the suspense until the unforgettable conclusion. Beyond the two main characters - the young women Karen and her frenemy Biba - even Kelly's second- and third-tier characters, like Biba's perpetually-and-comically stoned boyfriend Guy, Biba's opportunistic actress colleague Rachael, Roger and Jules, and the simple-yet-loyal Arouna, are vivid, distinct, frequently complex, and unique. Many embody the axiom that every sinner has a future and every saint a past.

    Throughout "The Poison Tree", Kelly skillfully uses ironic dialogue to foreshadow twists that develop later: An elderly woman on a neighbor's arrest: "It just goes to show...you could be living next door to anyone" (Lady, you have no idea) mirrors Biba's later declaration "But it just goes to show, you can't...trust anyone." (Not in "The Poison Tree", you can't).

    And "Well done," said Biba [to Guy]..."Aren't you clever?" mirrors Karen's rhetorically asking "Isn't she clever?" about a baby's attempts to feed. Throughout the stylish "The Poison Tree", cleverness abounds.

    Chris B.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2011
    When I have to put down a really good book and take care of the rest of my life - weekend play dates, glamorous laundry duty, homework management - I often find myself thinking about the story I have left behind. Particularly, I wonder about the characters - their mistakes, motivations, and dreams. And I always snatch the first few moments I can to zoom through the next dozen pages. (Yes, that's me in the carpool line with my Kindle!)

    The Poison Tree is that type of novel, UK author Erin Kelly's debut. Paced exceptionally well, the plot weaves fluidly between the past and present day (1997). Kelly does a beautiful job of character development, lush setting description, and offers often-startling insights into the attractions and dangers of London's bohemian lifestyle.

    Readers are introduced to Karen Clarke, a brilliant, straight-A college student with an uncanny knack for learning languages. Her father encourages her to take the summer off and enjoy herself before entering the real world of work and deadlines. By chance, Karen soon meets an eccentric and glamorous drama student named Biba who seems to intoxicate everyone she meets with her free spirit and grand ideas. From the moment Karen enters the once-grand mansion where Biba and her brother, Rex, reside, she becomes willingly ensnared in a whirlwind lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, and sex.

    Karen initially believes Biba and Rex are orphans, but later learns that Biba and Rex were, in reality, abandoned by their wealthy father soon after their mother died. Their father has married again, started a new family, and attempted to erase almost everything about his old life, including his two adult children. When Biba decides to confront him on the steps of his home, she is roughly dismissed and dragged away by Rex and Karen.

    Biba drinks away her sorrows and enters into a toxic, abusive relationship, while Rex falls hopelessly in love with Karen. After a stormy encounter with her boyfriend ends with Biba in the hospital, she vows to stay away from him. However, it isn't long until Biba breaks her promise and tragedy strikes. Two people are dead, Rex is taken into custody by the police, and Biba urges Karen to flee for safety.

    The storyline continues to twist and turn, revealing many dark secrets and hidden truths. Erin Kelly does an admirable job keeping suspense high, tensions tight, and the plotline moving until the very last sentence. The Poison Tree is a must-read for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller!

    The Poison Tree title is taken from a William Blake poem. The novel, published by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, was released on January 6, 2011.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2011
    I liked this book, but not quite as much as many of the reviewers. I enjoyed the youthful decadence of the characters with their overindulgence in drugs, sex, and alcohol; the creepy brother-sister relationship; the elegance in decay of the setting; and the time shifting narrative that teased out the plot. However, I found the use of what seemed like six to ten metaphors per page to be an annoying affection of the part of the author, but since this is a debut novel, I overlooked that. However, unlike people who found the ending perfect, I found the ending absolutely preposterous. Even though The Poison Tree is fun read, I don't know if I'd recommend it.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2017
    Like many fans of Erin Kelly, I love the way she builds her characters. This is a physiological thriller as are all of Erin Kelly's books. You won't find bodies hidden here and there but you will read a well written book, that gives the reader an insight into a totally different world and characters that are so well defined you can actually visualize them. Of course there is a story but i you are looking for dead bodies in every chapter, then for sure you will be disappointed. I have read most of her books and to date, this is my favourite. Her stories are all totally different as are the endings, some end tragically and others they get their just deserts.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • JenMedBookLover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tense, obsessive relationships and totally compulsive reading
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2024
    What a read. I was totally absorbed in this one from the moment I started reading. It was almost like car crash television to a degree. I knew, from the moment Karen met Biba, it was going to spell trouble, but the relationship between the two of them, three if you include Biba's brother, Rex, was so compelling, the sense of danger so ever present that I found I couldn't stop reading. The book disappeared in a flash and I only wish I had read it sooner. There is something to be said for reading it immediately before it's sequel (and reviewing it that way too as it turns out), but I';ve certainly been missing out on a cracker of a book.

    I am trying to decide what this story reminded me of. I suppose, in terms of the triste between brother/sister duo Rex and Biba and perhaps somewhat sheltered language student, Karen, it reminded me a little of Dangerous Liaisons. Not that Biba was necessarily manipulative in that way, but there was something about her that drew in those around her like a moths to a flame, a kind of charismatic and addictive personality that they find irresistible. Unlike her French counterpart, I don't particularly think that Biba set out with any plan to hurt those around her, it is an unintended consequence of the life she leads. And what a life that is.

    To a degree. I can understand completely where Rex, Karen and all of those around Biba were drawn to her. Erin Kelly has created such an enigmatic and yet troubled soul that despite some of her very suspect actions, that any sensible friend, or sibling, would have called her out on, I couldn't not like Biba. The more we journey into her story, the more I could understand her personality and the way in which she led her life. There are part of hers and Rex's background which would make even the hardest heart leach some semblance of sympathy, but it is carefully fed into the story in a way in which maintains the suspense and that ever present feeling of hurtling towards a less than pleasant destination. I see why Rex was so protective. Why Karen found their kind of bohemian lifestyle so attractive, especially as it was so far removed from her own, rather vanilla upbringing and college career so far.

    There is a great deal of mystery and uncertainty that the author has built into this book. It is a dual timeline tale which allows us a glimpse into the present day, that certainty that something catastrophic has occurred, but denying us the full what and why of it all, meaning that when the revelation comes in the recounting of the trio's past, it is all the more shocking. And there are many secrets to be uncovered as the story belts along, some of them perhaps more obvious than others, and some which completely blindsided me, leaving me quite shocked by what came to pass. It was a heady mix, but one that kept me totally glued to the page. I wasn't putting this book down until I was done - end of.

    With brilliant characters, so full of life and vibrancy, and a narrative that is wonderfully descriptive and transports you right to the heart of Biba, Rex and Karen's all too dangerous life, this is a must read for fans of psychological fiction. It's laded with tension, uncertainty and, on occasion, a sense of paranoia. It is a story of obsession, rejection, loss and the need to feel loved - no matter the cost. It is a story of people will to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the ones that they loved, and I absolutely loved it. Top stuff.
  • Dianame
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super book
    Reviewed in Spain on August 19, 2017
    An amazing piece of work. A rather slow start but soon the drama hots up and the ending is quite unexpected and frightening!
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story....dull paper quality
    Reviewed in India on May 26, 2016
    Well written. The characters are well described...their opinions...their excuses all are well placed in the act. The paper quality is Hodder classic...the dull paper. This is my second Hodder book and by the paper quality it seems like it is a very old book.
  • Léanne
    4.0 out of 5 stars Subtil et prenant
    Reviewed in France on May 5, 2019
    Karen, étudiante sérieuse à la vie terne et rangée, fait la connaissance de Biba et de son frère Max. Ils sont tout son contraire : bohèmes, fantasques et immatures. Ils vivent de petits larcins entre fainéantise, drogue et alcool dans une grande maison délabrée. A leur contact, Karen croit avoir découvert la vrai vie et la liberté. Fascinée par Biba, amoureuse de Max, elle ne voit pas dans quel piège mortel elle a mis le doigt.
    Le roman est long et sinueux et il décevra peut-être les amateurs d'action mouvementée. La psychologie des personnages se dévoile lentement et la situation évolue par petites touches . Tous est basé sur des retours en arrière qui, petit à petit, expliquent comment on est arrivé à un dénouement tragique, alors que l'héroïne décrit ses états d'âme, ses pensées, ses erreurs de jugement, la façon dont elle s'est laissée engluer dans une situation délétère. Le roman semble commencer par la fin, mais ce n'est qu'une illusion, car rien n'est encore joué et le dénouement est surprenant.
    Un thriller psychologique, bien construit, bien écrit, et prenant jusqu'au bout.
  • daman sahni
    2.0 out of 5 stars damaged.
    Reviewed in India on August 29, 2018
    For the first time I received a book that was damaged. The spine is cracked and the edges are frayed. Seems like it's a book that's been read before.