A great story told from a not very likeable main character. This was quite hard to see past at times as I personally always like to feel connected to the main character in some way and then to go through the journey of the book with them.
Not my favourite Erin Kelly book but definitely worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly is a gripping psychological thriller set against the backdrop of a sweltering summer in 1997. The story follows Karen, a diligent, straight-A university student, whose life takes a dramatic turn when she meets the captivating Biba. A bohemian orphan, Biba resides in a dilapidated mansion in Highgate with her mysterious brother, Rex. Despite their eccentric lifestyle, Karen is irresistibly drawn into their world. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that a terrible event is looming, and someone is destined to end up dead.

The strongest aspect of The Poison Tree is the atmosphere Kelly so masterfully creates. From the very beginning, there is an overwhelming sense of impending danger, with a dark, sinister presence lurking just beneath the surface. This constant feeling of unease keeps the reader on edge, always wondering what may happen next. Kelly’s ability to craft a narrative filled with tension and suspense ensures that, while the outcome remains uncertain, the journey is utterly compelling. The book is not only an exploration of the fragility of relationships but also a chilling reminder of how easily the line between friendship and danger can blur.

Read more at The Secret Book Review

I did enjoy this book but it was a bit slow I found myself shouting get on with it. Karen meets Rex and Biba who are brother and sister and moves in with them as she loves their lifestyle but she could never predict what would happen by the end of the summer. I’m just about to read the sequel House of Mirrors I just hope it’s not as slow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC

An uncomfortable book to read in some ways with often flawed or unlikeable characters. But each has a backstory that goes some way to explaining how it is the damage they’ve been through that has defined who and how they are. No happy endings really and an unease that lingers to the final pages.

I was surprised to read this book. It seems to be a celebration of over indulgence of alcohol, drugs and even debauchery. I am surprised that anyone can write a whole story based on the selfish and almost psychopathic personality of one of the main characters, and the complete acceptance and conspiracy allowing the behaviour. Nothing changes throughout the story.
The final chapters are more interesting as the main character takes on more responsibility- but before this, she just accepts and even supports the over indulgence as if it is normal.
I’m sorry but it’s not for me.

Totally addictive writing. Unfortunately, I read the sequel before The Poison Tree, but had I read this one first I would have been rushing to buy the second. Totally engrossing, with characters that are varied and real in a way that many writers just can't achieve. Highly recommend.

A Gothic thriller which I found quite boring actually. Possibly because I did not like any of the characters and the irritating story told by switching to the past and then the present.

Some surprises at the end, but on the whole not for me.

Thanks to Net Galley and Hodder and Stoughton for the chance to read and review.

A great then and now narrative, with events a decade apart interwoven, with the story gradually emerging from both. An interesting mix of characters, some of whom I could relate to and some I couldn’t. The story teases the drama that unfolds with some twists at the end.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
I persevered to the end of this book, but it was a chore. It was boring, repetitive and dull in places.
At the beginning Karen is picking up her husband Rex, he has just served a ten year sentence for murder. Their daughter Alice is also in the car.
The story is told in the past and the present.
In the past Karen had just graduated with a degree in languages, she has met Biba, who she is instantly drawn to and fascinated by. Biba is Rex’s sister and Karen finds herself attracted to them both, she spends the summer at their house, they party, drink lots of red wine and take cocktails of drugs, until it all goes terribly wrong.
I did not like any of the characters, Biba is spoiled and extremely selfish, Karen is irritating and Rex is lazy, his one job seems to be looking after Biba which he is not very good at.
Yes there are a couple of good surprises as the book comes to a close, but not enough to rescue the book as a whole.
2.5 stars

Some people are simply not good for each other, because of what they unleash as a result of their interactions.

That appears to be the case with Karen and Biba - the former a quintessential nerd, and the latter a glamorous actress who plays by a different set of rules, if they can be called rules at all.

At end of one significant summer, a number of casualties - both figurative and literal - must be reckoned with. And no-one involved will ever be the same again...

This one will be eaten up by Gothic thriller lovers, so if you fall into that category do check it out. It gets 3.5 stars.

4.5

I love Erin Kelly's books. I actually read the sequel to this before I read this and to be honest, both can be read as standalone as they explain details. You can understand how Karen was drawn in by Biba and then by Rex. I just wanted to scoop her up and away from the Capel's. I really disliked Biba but the way she was written was just so good because you could fully understand Karen's infatuation. The dual timeline was a win too as you got a glimpse into their past as well as their present day. The only thing I already knew from the sequel was about Alice so that reveal wasn't much of a surprise but I still loved the build up. I found the pacing quick and I was hooked!

It was great to re-read this novel by Erin Kelly. Great characters and another hooking storyline to keep the reader absorbed to the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy.

Set during a scorching mid-nineties London summer, The Poison Tree is an absorbing literary crime novel laced with infatuation, decadence, secrets and lies.

Karen is a chameleon, keen to fit in at university since she failed to make friends at school. To her relief she slots neatly into a group of four, sharing a house owned by one of their parents and dating a boy from the same circle of friends. But this isn't really her. They have completely different backgrounds and she is just going through the motions.

One day she meets a drama student looking for help from a native German speaker. Karen is mesmerised by this girl and sees this as serendipity given her grasp of the language due to her innate gift. She quickly becomes drawn into the bohemian lifestyle of this eccentric family, but by the time her final exams come around, everything is falling apart, her career plans are in tatters and two people are dead.

Ten years later, the plan Karen came up with has helped her out of a difficult situation, but now the layers of deceit are about to unravel.

The cover drew me in the story whirled me round, from the outset exciting and captivating. The main characters very well established and the setting beautifully depicted. I felt as if i was in london with karen the main character it was so immersive. Loved this, excellent.

I was delighted to be able to read "The Poison Tree" by Erin Kelly ever since I had read "The House of Mirrors" and discovered that was a sequel of "The Poison Tree". The time and location the book was set in was perfect for me, having started university in North London in 1996 and living in that area for decades. Although Queenswood Lane doesn't exist (well I couldn't find it on a map), I knew exactly where the author was describing and I have been in houses in that area that are rambling and ram-shackled. It was all so familiar to me. Similarities stop there but the characters were so intense and addictive. I love the way the story flipped from the present to the past and back again. Although there were hints as to what went on, you never got a full reveal, which is a sign of a good story. Looking forward to re-reading the sequel again.

A great read and a new author for me. I enjoyed this unusual book and hope to read more by this author. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another great read from this author. An enjoyable story and highly recommended.. A good pace to the story and easily felt part of the plot.

This is a beautiful new cover for a book which was originally released in 2011, The cover is much more appealing and makes me wonder if it is to make it more attractive to female readers.
The story itself is fast-paced, with lots of twists and turns.The main character Karen’s key personality trait is her chameleon-like ability to assimilate to different groups of people and situations, and I wasn’t convinced of what her true motivations were. I was annoyed by the sheer number of lies she felt she needed to tell.
Overall, it was an ok psychological thriller, with well-described settings, and an exciting climax, but I found the character development unconvincing.

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly is a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller that stands out for its clever plotting and exceptional character studies. Having read it again, (my first reading was way back in 2010), since delving into the equally gripping sequel, A House of Mirrors, my appreciation for this book has only deepened. Having been a much loved book, from what was to become one of my favourite authors, the only real surprise was discovering quite how much the world has changed since the opening in 2007 where wired headphones and congestion zones are the latest thing!

The narrative is meticulously woven, keeping readers on edge as secrets and lies gradually unravel. Kelly's ability to maintain suspense throughout is nothing short of masterful, ensuring that each twist and turn feels both unexpected and inevitable.

The characters in The Poison Tree are richly developed and deeply compelling. Karen, though understated in demeanour, holds a prominent position in the story. Her quiet strength and introspective nature provide a stark contrast to the charismatic and magnetic Biba, making their dynamic both fascinating and complex.

Rex is another standout character, nervously overshadowed by the bolshie Guy yet possessing a hidden depth that adds layers to the story. His character's evolution and the subtle hints of his true nature make him intriguingly enigmatic.

Kelly's exploration of these characters' relationships and the intensity of their interactions adds a profound emotional depth to the novel. The interplay between them is a masterclass in character development, making The Poison Tree a gripping and thought-provoking read.

Overall, Erin Kelly's skilful storytelling and nuanced character portrayals make The Poison Tree an unforgettable novel. It's a book that not only thrills but also prompts readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and relationships