Although this is undoubtedly a cleverly woven story, I felt that this wasn't really for me as I'm not good when people get in to 'situations' where it is obvious that something bad is going to happen. This book certainly built up the tension in that way. If you can get past the unlikeable characters, then it's an interesting story- but not for everyone.

The Poison Tree is a story about friendship and family, and the lengths you will go to for them.
Karen meets Biba when she is studying language at college in London. A sensible unadventurous person, she comes to life when she spends time with Biba at her family home and when they go out at night.
Biba on the other hand is vibrant, wears what she wants and does what she wants. She is unapologetic when saying things. She is becoming an actress and would like to be famous!!!
Together these girls and Biba’s brother Rex, become a family.
Events occur that change all their lives forever, and they have to live with the circumstances. It’s sad but reading this story I felt the strength of this love, but ooh there’s a real shocker at the end!!!
I’m going to read the next book now!!
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #HodderStoughton, #ErinJelly.

I read The House of Mirrors 1st by accident so I already knew the outcome of this story, as a result I found myself skipping large chunks of it. Erin Kelly is as always a great story teller

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.

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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.