Karen has been waiting ten years for this moment: the day when her partner Rex would be released from prison and their life as a family of three - with their nine-year-old daughter Alice - could begin in earnest. As they try to navigate their unfamiliar dynamic and make up for the years they've missed, Karen recalls the wonderful, dreadful summer which brought Rex Capel (and his wild, beautiful sister Biba) into her life ten years earlier; the summer that ended abruptly when two men were shot dead and Rex was arrested. Karen is determined to focus on the future, but wonders if she'll ever be able to stop looking over her shoulder. Because Rex isn’t the only one who made a choice that changed his life all those years ago.

The setting is instantly captivating: a decrepit mansion in the shadow of the ancient, sprawling Queen's Wood, filled with a collection of transient waifs and strays, pounding bass and the smell of cigarette smoke. Add in a sweltering summer and a hit of late 90s nostalgia and the stage is perfectly set for an entertaining mystery across two timelines.

The reader is presented with a number of facts at the beginning of the story - including that Rex was in prison because he killed two men - and as the plot unfolds we follow the narratives of 1997 and 2007 to find out what really happened that summer and the ramifications it will have for Rex's happy reunion with his family. The earlier timeline hums with life; I could almost smell the stale cigarette smoke and feel the unrelenting heat in Kelly's 1997 descriptions. In contrast, the 2007 timeline has barely any characters of note, and the relationship between Karen and Rex completely lacks both the frisson of their earlier dynamic and the devotion Biba inspired in her.

Biba is by far the stand-out character - the barefoot, chainsmoking, vintage frocked version of the manic pixie dream girl - but Karen is a stoic foil to her ethereal, grubby schtick. The other residents of the house feel distinct and fully realised, and, where characters are more one-dimensional, it is usually apparent that this is a choice the author has made. Author Erin Kelly diligently establishes the dull normality of Karen's pre-Capel existence - from the rugby playing boyfriend to the identically-bobbed housemates and the evenings spent watching procedurals and meekly adhering to the cooking and cleaning rotas at the neat houseshare in Brentford. We get a clear sense of how different Karen's life was to Biba's and how a glimpse into Biba's hedonistic, carefree world made her second guess the stability and maturity of the life she had built. At the post-university crossroads which will doubtless be familiar to many readers, it is not difficult to understand the allure of the glamorous squalor of the house, of Biba and the freedom she represents. Only Rex didn't really work for me as a character on either timeline; he is fiercely protective of his sister, but otherwise is a rather bland, insipid character. Biba is interesting even when at her most selfish and unbearable, but Rex doesn't even have enough personality for me to form an opinion of him.

Overall, an entertaining thriller which would be a perfect holiday read. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book.

Starting with Karen Clarke and her nine year old daughter Alice picking up Rex Capel from his ten-year spell in prison for murder, we flashback to when Karen met his younger sister Biba in the summer of 1997 just as they're both about to graduate university. The story is then told as a dual-timeline by Karen in her present, adjusting yo life after Rex's release, and the summer of 1997, as Karen gets drawn into the bohemian world of Biba and Rex Capel, learning about their tragic and chaotic childhood and how it's shaped them in the early and mid twenties, leading to recklessness and ultimately murder. But what becomes clear only as the story progresses is just who dies, and can we trust that justice was truly served? Oh, and what does Karen have to hide?

This is the kind of book that you'll think about long after you read it. I first read it over a decade ago, and I decided to re-read it now for @netgalley , and I have to say it was as good second time round. It's got drama, mystery, suspense, tension, and paranoia (what more do you need?) The characters are all flawed, and your opinions, sympathies and allegiances are challenged and change as you you're kept guessing throughout on who's a victim and a villain, what happens after that summer, and what does Karen have to fear from the mystery silent caller in her present life? I really enjoyed it, and I thoroughly recommend this.

I came to this in the wrong order, not realising The House of Mirrors was the sequel. It didn't matter though - this was a great, slow burning psychological thriller full of secrets and lies. Can't believe it's the author's debut. Thoroughly recommended. Three stars might seem a low score, but it reflects my general scoring and also the fact that I came to this novel in reverse order.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this novel.

Brilliantly written, this story twists and turns all the way to the very end. Just when you think you have figured where the story is heading Erin Kelly adds in a detail that changes everything.
Can't wait to read more from Erin Kelly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Poison Tree.

Was not for me, but I know lots of people who would enjoy it. I love the cover! Unfortunately something missing to make it gripping.

Reminiscent of "The Secret History", The Poison Tree manages to hold its own. It's mesmerizing, unsettling and shocking.
So pleased that this is now a double set with The House of Mirrors!

The Poison Tree is an atmospheric psychological thriller with a strong premise, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Erin Kelly creates an intriguing sense of foreboding, weaving past and present timelines to slowly unravel the mystery at the heart of the story.

The novel excels in mood and setting. There’s a gothic, almost dreamlike quality to the summer Karen spends with the enigmatic Biba and Rex. However, the pacing is uneven, with long stretches that feel slow and repetitive. Karen’s devotion to Biba, despite clear red flags, can be frustrating, making it hard to fully connect with her choices.

While the book builds suspense effectively, the reveals aren’t as shocking as they could be, and the ending feels somewhat predictable. It’s still a decent read with strong writing and a compelling premise, but it doesn’t quite deliver the tension or payoff I was hoping for.

I liked this book but found the story slow. Once I'd read about half of it the book seemed to pick up pace and even though it was predictable I didn't see the twist at the end. I didn't like any of the characters either which didn't help. I am about to read the The House of Mirrors and hoping it's not as slow.

This was a interesting read, I enjoyed the story and the plot twists. Is a gripping thriller, Karen is drawn into the lifestyle of Biba and her brother Rex, unfolding across two timelines that hint at unseen dangers and keep readers on edge. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the access to this ARC .

A great psychological thriller that is full of twists and turns and will keep you hooked from the very first page. Total rating 3 1/2 stars

Sorry, but I didn’t enjoy this book at all. I didn’t find it interesting or exciting and it seemed to take forever to get to the end. Not my cup of tea at all I’m afraid.

Absolutely loved this, beautifully written and the characters are so well portrayed. The ending was such a surprise and perfect. I can’t recommend this book enough and can’t wait to start its follow up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review and to the author for such a wonderful book.

In her compelling debut, Erin Kelly evokes the brooding atmosphere of Rebecca, in a contemporary and completely convincing novel of tangled family desires

An addictive thriller, Karen meets Biba and her brother Rex, she is drawn into their lifestyle. Told in two timelines which underlines the danger coming though you don't know what, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Thanks to Hodder &Stoughton and Netgalley for this review ARC.

this certain was a book with complex characters. i think we often (myself included) from the outside can see things coming and thats testament to books writing in this case. or we know something is bad for someone. and yet they do it. and i suppose thats for the plots sake in stories. but it does happen so often in real life. but we are all guilty of it. and i know its something im tring to work on. the "judgy" part in me.
and i think this was a great example,ha! i was thinking what is happening? what is she doing? how can she not see this is all going to go horribly wrong.
but thats people. especially when so often there is far more that dictates our decisions than just the simple facts in front of us.
good book with that spooked anxiety vein that pumps all the way through.

Erin Kelly never misses and this is one of her best. Complex family relationships, a dark twisty plot line that will have you hooked, this one has it all. Another great read from this author.

The poison tree is a good thriller book to sink your teeth into, whilst there was no character that stood out to me that I adored I liked seeing the dynamics of the characters and their paranoia. I did like the flashbacks from past to present day

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant

Set in 1997 and the present day, this is split into two stories. It was fast paced. Karen is in University and meets up with Biba, a very bohemian drama student. Very thrillerish, but not sure I enjoyed it. An ok read.

Karen is a successful student but one who lacks true friends, she meets the enigmatic Biba and her brother Rex. Lots of twists and turns in this drama. Great story well told