Through years of success in Hollywood composing music for Oscar-winning films, Chris Lowndes always imagined he would come full circle, home to Yorkshire with his beloved wife Laura.
Now he’s back in the Yorkshire Dales, but Laura is dead, and Chris needs to make a new life for himself. The isolated house he buys sight unseen should give him the space to come to terms with his grief and the quiet to allow him to work.
Kilnsgate House turns out to be rather more than he expected, however. A man died there, sixty years ago. His wife was convicted of murder. And something is pulling Chris deeper and deeper into the story of Grace Elizabeth Fox, who was hanged by the neck until she was dead . .
Read from April 29 to 30, 2012
Received for Review
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75
First thought when Finished: That last half of this book was really well done and kept me riveted!
What I Loved: I can’t really go into detail about what I loved about Before the Poison or the review would be full of spoilers. I will say there is a distinct point in the middle of the book where we start reading parts of Grace’s journal that really, in my opinion, made the book start to sparkle. I was riveted and intrigued. I couldn’t turn pages fast enough in an effort to learn what really happened!
What I Liked: I liked that there was a twist with the main protagonist that I just didn’t seem coming. It did explain much of his behavior that I did not quite understand. The twist also tied together some things that I had been questioning the whole book.
What made me go HUH?: There were a few parts of the story I didn’t like: the affair was a big one. I just didn’t see the need for it but it didn’t distract from the story for me. It did make me like the characters a little less though.
Final Thought: I think if you are a fan of Peter Robinson, you will like this stand alone novel. I also think if you are history/true crime buff you will enjoy it too. The crime isn’t real but the way he hunts down the story reminds of investigation discovery.
© 2012, Geeky Bloggers Book Blog.
For some reason, I prefer female authors, especially in this genre. Less bloody/scary/gory I guess. This totally does not appeal to me.
I don’t think you would like this one—it really isn’t grisly but it was very male-orientated.
wow rubbing hands together a dark twisted riveting read. Cool. The cover is fab…a great spooky feel, You have my attention! This looks awesome!
It was dark, interesting, and not typical. It was like a now and then mystery. I just really enjoyed it :)
Ooh, a twist you didn’t see coming? That’s awesome. I’m terrible at uncovering what might happen so I miss a lot of twists (on the plus side, I’m easily surprised.). Hard when one element really distracts from the real story, though.
I didn’t see it coming! It was like an extra thing that kind of tied the motives for him tracking down the facts and his “whys” for his actions!
Sounds interesting. I like riveting books. Especially when there is a good mystery abound. I’ve read books where the affair was such a distraction you wonder where the author’s head was at and why it had to be included. Too bad that happened… but it still sounds like a good book.
It was a good book! It was a bit of history, current, and a weaving mystery!
This sounds like my kind of story. Hmm, I just got a library card (first one in 20 years!), and I’m itching to try it out!
P.S. Is that cover eerie or what?
You should get it from the library!
It is very interesting and twisty. I loved it from the half point way on :)
Not for me, but I have a friend who I think would like this one
If your friend likes mysteries–I recommend this one!
Nice review! I’ll have to check it out. :)
It was really good (especially the second half)! It was a very interesting mystery and while it hints at supernatural–it really is just a great story!