by Michael Ford
I'm not sure I'll get past the first chapter of this book. Whatever else follows it, what I've read so far indicates precious little knowledge of the period, or at least conflicts with what I've always understood of it. It's supposed to be from "actual documents" narrated by a scullery maid. A scull...
To begin with, the book was ill-titled. Poison does enter into the story but the house has nothing to do with it. Judging from the first chapter in which the protagonist- a scullery maid- adamantly and somewhat violently attempts to escape her (voluntary) life of servitude one might assume that her ...
This is a mystery book I really enjoyed. Abi is a strong character despite the horrors she has had to endure when her mother died and she had to be under the instruction of Mrs. Cotton, the horrible head of the housekeeping staff. Mrs. Cotton has decided that Abi will bear the brunt of her anger and...
Historical mystery with an ominous Victorian setting.
Originally published at http://rantsnscribbles.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-of-poisoned-house-by-michael.htmlMy ThoughtsMichael Ford did a brilliant job writing a realistic story placed in Victorian times. It is so easy to immerse oneself into the daily comings and goings of Greave Hall, following th...
What an excellent gothic, young adult novel! This book, even as a way-past young adult person, kept me entertained and interestes in the plight of the main character and her mother. Def. a whole lot better than what I was even anticipating!
I really enjoy a good historical fiction and when you toss in a paranormal element, so much the better! This one deals with ghosts, and I thought it was well done.Abi was one of those characters that I liked from page one. She was always trying to get things done and trying to do them the best she c...
http://the-bookaholic.blogspot.comThe Poisoned House was a beautifully crafted tale of gothic classic horror. It’s been quite some time since I’ve picked up a story that held all the elements of a good gothic classic, and I’m happy to say that this one delivered it all. We don’t need gore and guts a...
Summary from Goodreads:The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeepe...