I saw this book in the Bloomsbury catalogue a while ago and I was really looking forward to receiving a copy to review. The blurb sounded very mysterious and I like the spooky cover too.Abi is servant at Greave Hall, a stately London home. She runs away, but is soon recaptured, to suffer once more under the tyrannical rule of Mrs Cotton, the housekeeper. The house though, has a darker secret. Something ghostly inhabits the corridors leading Abi to the very truth someone has tried so hard to bury. The more she discovers, the more her life is in danger, as she begins to unravel the mystery within the poisoned house.
The whole story revolves around Abi and her life at Greave Hall; we know from the very first page that she is desperate to leave as we watch her attempt at a midnight escape. Her failed escape introduces the reader to the extremely sinister Mrs Cotton; she is the housekeeper but also the sister-in-law of the widowed Lord Greave. She is very much a Mrs Danvers character, always watching and listening to everything while hatching some malicious plan.
It is the spooky events in Greave Hall that lead Abi to question those around her. Michael Ford builds the tension gradually and you have to add to it that Abi is completely isolated during these terrifying events, she has no-one to turn to.
The last few chapters are particularly fast paced as Abi comes to clearly understand that her life is in danger. There are many twists and turns and you do not know until the very end whether Abi will survive the poisoned house or not.
I would highly recommend this highly atmospheric book to both young adult and adult readers, it is a spine tingling page turner. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book.
Luckily for readers of Dot Scribbles I received two copies of The Poisoned House so I am offering one of them as a giveaway. To enter simply leave a comment containing your email address, this is open worldwide and entries will be accepted until midnight on Friday, August 27th, good luck!
13 comments:
What a great blurb! It definitely piqued my interest. Also, great review, I'm intrigued.
I am so entering this giveaway, my e-mail address is: sladicirena AT gmail DOT com
This looks fascinating. It sounds the sort of book that you would have to read at one sitting and I'd love the chance to do just that :-)
Well this sounds like an intriguing book. Sign me up for the giveaway!
akosikulot@gmail.com
I'd love to be included in the giveaway! Sounds like the type of book I'd enjoy.
Ooo sounds scary! Might have to hide it in the freezer!
joyhajassad@gmail.com
Boris- I'm so glad it's not just me that puts scary books in the freezer!!
Mrs. Cotton sounds like a one you love to hate! Would love to read this one. The cover is nice spooky too!
Please include me.
CarolNWong(at)aol(com)
Oh I would love a chance to read this one!
My email is, traceyalong AT aol DOT com
Thank you
This sounds spooky - just perfect for the upcoming fall season! Please add my name into the pile for your giveaway.
bagambo (at) yahoo (dot) com
Cheers, Dot!
Intrigued...
christie_mcdonal@hotmail.com
This sounds like a page turner. You made me laugh when you said that you put scary books in the freezer, Dot.
Thanks for the review and I would love to be included in the draw: kimlette7@hotmail.com
Ahh this sounds right up my street, I'm a huge fan of authors like Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson, love a good creepy tale. just returned off a wonderful summer holiday back to drab and cold blighty, this sounds like the perfect read to curl up with.
You lucky thing getting two copies, well might as well give it a shot you never know. My email address is thebookwormchronicles@googlemail.com
Wow! It seems intresting!
Sign me up for the giveaway!
My email is:
shazia831@hotmail.co.uk
xxx
ps, love your reviews!!!
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