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

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