A Poisoner's Tale
A gothic and spellbinding historical novel about the first female serial killer
Published on 11. July 2024
400 pages
978-1-5299-0729-2 (ISBN)
Description
'A gut-wrenching, empowering and gripping feminist read' -5-STAR Reader Review
**SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD 2025**
A dark and powerful feminist retelling of the best serial killer you've never heard of. Inspired by the true story of Giulia Tofana.
'Gorgeous. . . brimming with rich detail and intrigue.' C. J. COOKE
'Not for the faint-hearted' SCOTSMAN
'Fully satisfying . . . savoured every chapter' -5-STAR Reader Review
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Rome, 1656
In Rome's shadowy backstreets lies an apothecary's shop - a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops.
Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands. A path she's determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo.
But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men begin to fall like flies.
With the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . How far will she go for the women who need her help?
MURDERER OR SAVIOUR? YOU DECIDE.
A POISONER'S TALE explores the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society and takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey.
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'An incredible debut that I simply could not put down' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Devastating. A beautifully intense read.' ISABELLE SCHULER
'This book will stay with me for a very long time' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Moving and unforgettable.' STELA BRINZEANU
'Superbly written . . . a real page turner that I didn't want to end' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Perfect example of quality historical fiction.' LAURA CARLIN
'Incredibly compelling.' GRIMDARK MAGAZINE
'Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you've finished reading.' NAOMI KELSEY
**SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD 2025**
A dark and powerful feminist retelling of the best serial killer you've never heard of. Inspired by the true story of Giulia Tofana.
'Gorgeous. . . brimming with rich detail and intrigue.' C. J. COOKE
'Not for the faint-hearted' SCOTSMAN
'Fully satisfying . . . savoured every chapter' -5-STAR Reader Review
--------------
Rome, 1656
In Rome's shadowy backstreets lies an apothecary's shop - a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops.
Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands. A path she's determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo.
But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men begin to fall like flies.
With the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . How far will she go for the women who need her help?
MURDERER OR SAVIOUR? YOU DECIDE.
A POISONER'S TALE explores the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society and takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey.
--------------
'An incredible debut that I simply could not put down' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Devastating. A beautifully intense read.' ISABELLE SCHULER
'This book will stay with me for a very long time' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Moving and unforgettable.' STELA BRINZEANU
'Superbly written . . . a real page turner that I didn't want to end' -5-STAR Reader Review
'Perfect example of quality historical fiction.' LAURA CARLIN
'Incredibly compelling.' GRIMDARK MAGAZINE
'Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you've finished reading.' NAOMI KELSEY
Reviews / Votes
Such a moving and unforgettable story. . . A thoughtful read that asks hard questions and bears us witness to the tragic lives of these strong women and the devastating sacrifices they make to help their sisters in need. A gripping tale of dedication, courage and sacrifice. * STELA BRINZEANU, author of Set in Stone * An utterly captivating tale of poisoners and papal intrigue, this novel is a taut, thrilling and wholly immersive journey through Rome's underbelly. Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you've finished reading. * NAOMI KELSEY, author of The Burnings * A Poisoner's Tale prompts poignant questions of morality and justice. It's a story that is guaranteed to stay with you long after reading it. * CultureFly * A gorgeous historical novel about the legend of female poisoner Giulia Tofana, brimming with rich detail and intrigue. * C. J. COOKE, author of The Lighthouse Witches * A captivating historical novel that weaves intrigue, danger and politics into a richly-detailed narrative * Glamour * A Poisoner's Tale is a compelling story of sisterhood, defiance and revenge. In Giulia, Cathryn Kemp has created a complex and courageous heroine who is not afraid to walk a dark and dangerous path for what she believes in, and I fell in love with her from the start. * ELIZABETH LEE, author of Cunning Women * A Poisoner's Tale is a mesmerizing story of power and subjugation; both temporally and emotionally absorbing; gripping and poignant from beginning to end. The two main characters are beautifully crafted, complex and subtle. . . A perfect example of quality historical fiction. * LAURA CARLIN, author of The Wicked Cometh and Requiem for a Knave * Gripping. Devastating. A beautifully intense read. * ISABELLE SCHULER, author of Lady MacBethad * A Poisoner's Tale is incredibly compelling * Grimdark Magazine * Kemp has brought Giulia back to life through rich layers of detail. This gruesome story is not for the faint-hearted, but whatever the rights and wrongs of Giulia's mission, this novel forces us to question how far society has come - and how far it has yet to go * Scotsman *More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Transworld Publishers Ltd
Edition type
New edition
File size
1,39 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-5299-0729-2 (9781529907292)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Cathryn Kemp is a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and author, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles. Her personal memoir Coming Clean won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction.
A Poisoner's Tale is her first foray into historical fiction. When not researching dark, dangerous and beguiling women from history, Cathryn can be found on the south coast with her son and her familiar, a ginger cat called Gingey.
A Poisoner's Tale is her first foray into historical fiction. When not researching dark, dangerous and beguiling women from history, Cathryn can be found on the south coast with her son and her familiar, a ginger cat called Gingey.
