A Slow and Secret Poison: A Novel

by Carmella Lowkis

In the early 1900s, a young gardener at a lush English manor falls in love with her employer whose past is shrouded in deadly secrets—from the author of the “twisty, Gothic thriller” (Entertainment Weekly) Spitting Gold.

1922, When Vee Morgan accepts the job of gardener at a crumbling stately home in southwest England, she’s hoping it’s a fresh start.

But Harfold Manor is shadowed by its own grief and the memories of long-faded glory, its rooms haunted by the only surviving member of the family, Lady Arabella Lascy. Vee is fascinated by her enigmatic new employer, a woman obsessed with the curse she believes has killed her family one by one and is coming for her next. Her only hope for escape is a local the elusive dancing hare that gave her ancestor its blessing and the house its name.

But even as Vee falls deeper under the thrall of Harfold and Lady Arabella, her own dark past finally catches up to her in this lush and atmospheric novel.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Gothic, Queer, Historical, Mystery, LGBT

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 22, 2026

Reviews

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical gothic set at a crumbling old manor in the English countryside, A Slow and Secret Poison is dripping with spooky atmosphere and dark family secrets, with an extra dose of toxic lesbians. Vee is running from a mysterious sordid past in Cardiff, and it's not what you'd assume, so she takes a job that asks for no references as a gardener at a remote estate as a fresh start. A woman gardener is already unusual enough for the time, and Vee is desperate to escape her past, so she asks no questions.

There she meets Arabella, the lady of the house, a lonely and eccentric woman whom she is drawn to, like caring for an injured baby bird. Awkward courtship ensues, with Arabella sewing Vee embroidered portraits of herself when she didn't know Arabella was watching. But this was no sweet romance in which queer people eke out love at the margins of an oppressive historical society; in fact it is no romance at all. It is more like a revenge story. Arabella believes she is cursed, as everyone in her family line has died except her and another caretaker, her cousin, who is hiding secrets of his own. But the root of her curse is a dark family secret.

Arabella and Vee are more alike in their secrets than they think, class and privilege protecting only one of them.

I liked the layers of class and family secrets in this, taking the upstairs downstairs approach of Downton Abbey with a darker edge. I loved the dog, Mutton, and Reacher's pet finch, which provided an intimate element that bonded these characters together. CW for a dog death, but this one didn't trouble me as they usually do. It was a pivotal moment for developing these complex and dark characters.

I wasn't sure who I was rooting for in the end, because nobody in this was entirely innocent or likable, but I really enjoyed the lush writing and toxic, complicated characters. No one was really morally grey in this, they were morally black with few redeeming qualities. It was more historical than supernatural or horror than I was anticipating so this is hard to categorize, but I appreciated that as well. This is a genre mashup that doesn't quite fit any tropes and crosses borders.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Liana Gold]

1900s, twisty gothic fantasy thriller. Dark pasts, deadly secrets. Seems like an atmospheric read with juicy details. On my January reading list.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Carmella Lowkis for an early ARC.

Publication date: February 10, 2026

[Ghoulfriend_pls · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 ⭐️
This is a solid embodiment of the gothic genre. The setting is gorgeous and decrepit. It starts off with a swift punch to the gut, lulls for a bit, but then starts to hop along at a swifter and swifter pace (about 1/3 of the way through) sending the reader down several curious rabbit holes. The plot shifts were smooth and the mysteries and histories the characters elude to are surprising, shocking, and terrible. This book had a few great disappointments and I mean that in the best way! Once I was far enough along I had trouble putting this one down. Very worth the read especially if you like a good creepy gothic mystery.

Thank you to Goodreads, the publisher, and most importantly the author for the advance reader copy of this awesome book!

[Ja’Laya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It’s everything I want in a gothic historical novel—atmospheric, mysterious, and full of haunting beauty. The setting of Harfold Manor was so vividly described that it felt alive, almost breathing with the weight of grief and secrets. The mix of curses, folklore, and the legend of the dancing hare added such a magical yet eerie touch.

The relationship between Vee and Lady Arabella was one of my favorite parts. Both women are flawed and carrying their own wounds, yet their stories interweave in a way that makes you question what’s real, what’s imagined, and what’s been buried for far too long. The prose was lyrical and immersive, pulling me deeper into the story until I couldn’t put it down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A beautifully written, unsettling, and unforgettable read. If you love gothic tales of haunted houses, secrets, and folklore, this one will stick with you long after the last page.

What I Learned:
This story reminded me that grief and trauma can linger like ghosts, shaping the way we see the world and the people around us. It showed how curses—real or imagined—often symbolize the weight of the past we carry. And most of all, it reminded me that sometimes the only way forward is to face those shadows head-on, even if it means confronting the darkest parts of ourselves.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Carmella Lowkis for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella Lowkis was a 5 star read for me until the ending. It fell a bit flat and felt rushed compared to the rest of the book’s pace.

That being said, I can’t think of another author that matches Lowkis’ atmospheric writing. Set in the early 1900s English countryside, this book immerses you in the complex class dynamics between the manor’s owners and the people who work for them. Harfold Manor truly comes alive on the page- thick with secrets, revenge, isolation, and grief. The slow-building tension and unease made it a hard book to put down. I absolutely loved this book!

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.

[Michael Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. Gothic horror isn’t my #1 genre, but I do enjoy whenever I dip a toe into it.

This was a very tight read, went down quick and easy (like its name would imply, ha). The characters felt developed and likable, but with enough mystery left that their motivations weren’t always plain clear. Like the best of these stories, it drops enough hints going along that you can read a bit ahead, but I at least didn’t guess the ending.

Overall it was just fun! Highly recommended when it drops next spring.

[Samantha✨ [reads everythinggggg] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️ I received A Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella Lowkis through a Goodreads giveaway, and as someone who has been wanting to get into more Gothic novels of any genre, I was super excited to have won this one! Thank you to NetGalley and Goodreads for facilitating this ARC read for me.

The pacing, length, and wording were excellent, as was the descriptive writing. It really made me feel like I was on the Hartford Manor with Vee. I really enjoyed the different quirks of the characters, their complex personalities, and how their backstories—combined with their current situations—played into both the storytelling and the thriller aspects of the novel.

The family secrets, the different levels of wealth, and the townspeople who stayed away from the manor all fed into the eerie and twisty story that completely captivated me.

I honestly never saw the big twists coming, and even at the end, when I knew who was right and who was wrong, I still felt bad for the “so-called bad guys.”

Also I loved Mutton 💕

[Rachel Martin]

ooooh I am not sure how I want to rate this yet, especially because I had such drastically different reading experiences for the 1/3 of the book and the following 2/3; the latter was so juicy and exciting while the former had me struggling to get through.

Edit...several days later:

There was genuinely so much to love with this one--it reminded me a bit of a Sarah Waters, but very much with elements of a classic Gothic. Part of the reason I love the Gothic genre is purely for the atmosphere and this book served! A manor in disrepair? I mean, that's all I need to hear. A curse, real or imagined (?) was the cherry on top! I thought Lowkis really conveyed the mysterious aspect of the book; the characters are a bit shady and there are secrets aplenty (imagine that!). I'm not sure if it was my state of mind while reading since I had a touch of the blues, but I had a difficult time immersing myself in the story. However, once the characters and plot were established, I was 100% invested!

After reading this as well as Spitting Gold and enjoying both, Carmella Lowkis is definitely an instant buy author for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this one early, so so so appreciated!

[Dan Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

1922, Wiltshire.
When Vee Morgan accepts the job of gardener at the stately, yet diminishing, crumbling home known as Harfold Manor, it isn’t simply to feel purpose to her day to day life, no she is hoping for a fresh start.
A place where nobody has knowledge of her much-troubled past, somewhere she can become a totally different person and she is determined to make it happen as whatever is in the past must stay there.
Yet Harfold Manor is veiled in grief, cloaked by loss and death, fond memories of long-faded golden glory; its vast rooms haunted by its limited staff and sole surviving family member, the wallpaper peeling away as if trying to escape the house and it’s broken past.
Lady Arabella Lascy soon becomes somewhat of an obsession for Vee, she is fascinated by her enigmatic employer who hides within this shell of a house, a woman obsessed with an apparent curse she firmly believes is the very reason she now stands alone - a curse that has claimed many family members over the years - and that it is coming for her next…
Vee quickly immerses herself in the world of Harfold and increasingly is under the spell of Arabella and the Manor in which she resides in, but as Vee orbits closer to Arabella, she must remember she is no innocent herself for if her own secrets step out of the shadows, the curse won’t just claim one victim.
It will very gladly take Vee too.
Compulsive, gripping, and dripping in malice and drama, A Slow and Secret Poison is a hedge maze full of surprises, secrets, and treacherous creatures.

[Jamie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true gothic pastiche. Lowkis is deft in her ability to recreate the tropes and build tension and an escalating dread in every chapter, while still able to reinvent the conventions to deliver a fantastically woven web of secrets for all of her characters, especially Mutton, who is the best of all of us.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC provided by the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts are my own**

Another atmospheric, gothic, queer historical from Lowkis. If you liked Spitting Gold, you'll enjoy this one, too- another seemingly hapless young woman with big eyes (but a secret in her past!) that romances our main character (with secrets of her own!)

CW for violence against an animal who does die on page

[Trisha]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Carmella Lowkis's first novel Spitting Gold, and I was so happy to learn she had a second novel coming out in 2026. I was lucky enough to get ARC for A Slow and Secret Poison, and I loved it. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and there isn't enough queer historical fiction. Lowkis scratches the same itch for me that Sarah Waters or Emma Donoghue does. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this novel. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed, and I would have happily read another 100 pages rather than having it wrapped up so quickly, but even so, extremely enjoyable!

[Virginia]

Carmella Lowkis’ debut was one of the first books I read on Netgalley and I really liked it so I was very excited for this one. However this book really started to drag for me and sent me into a month long reading slump and by the time I pulled myself out of it my Netgalley ARC had expired with 25% of the book left…whoops!…so I guess you could say I didn’t like this one. More thorough review to come if I ever finish that last 25%.

ETA: I was able to finish this and I can’t say that the final part improved much for me. There wasn’t a single character I was rooting for, and while I normally like an unlikeable character, everyone was evil in a kind of banal way. Even the lesbianism couldn’t save this; there was no chemistry there. I liked Spitting Gold enough that I will probably read Lowkis’ next book, but this one just really did not work for me.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read most of this over the course of a cool and rainy day, one of those days that signals that fall is peeking just around the corner. it was a perfectly gothic experience, and one that i think will be set up perfectly for readers when this book comes out in february.

i’ve previously read carmella lowkis’s other work, spitting gold, and i’m happy to see some improvement from issues that i had with that narrative. i think the pacing is better overall in this one, much more smooth throughout instead of moving in fits and starts. this book is on the slower side, but i think it suits the content of it to be that way. after all, it’s in the title – a slow and secret poison, built on a type of creeping dread instead of fast paced jump scares. i was very intrigued by the idea of the lascys’ family curse, and the crumbling family seat was the perfect backdrop for their slow unraveling. i found myself reminded a bit of the haunting of bly manor in that sense, which is perfect for this time of year. and that ending!!! she really got me with that one. carmella lowkis does know how to pack a punch!

thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚A Slow and Secret Poison
✍🏻Carmella Lowkis
Blurb:
In the early 1900s, a young gardener at a lush English manor falls in love with her employer whose past is shrouded in deadly secrets—from the author of the “twisty, Gothic thriller” (Entertainment Weekly) Spitting Gold.

1922, When Vee Morgan accepts the job of gardener at a crumbling stately home in southwest England, she’s hoping it’s a fresh start.

But Harfold Manor is shadowed by its own grief and the memories of long-faded glory, its rooms haunted by the only surviving member of the family, Lady Arabella Lascy. Vee is fascinated by her enigmatic new employer, a woman obsessed with the curse she believes has killed her family one by one and is coming for her next. Her only hope for escape is a local the elusive dancing hare that gave her ancestor its blessing and the house its name.

But even as Vee falls deeper under the thrall of Harfold and Lady Arabella, her own dark past finally catches up to her in this lush and atmospheric novel.
My Thoughts:
A Slow and Secret Poison follows Vee, running away from her past in Cardiff, she accepts a job as a gardener on a remote estate in England. She finds herself drawn to Arabella, the isolated yet alluring lady of the house, who believes a curse has killed her family one by one and is coming for her next. As they grow closer, both of their dark pasts threaten to catch up with them.It's an atmospheric novel full of class anxieties, folklore, 1920s queer culture, and a general sense of impending doom. Although some of the reveals were predictable, the book had enough twists and tension to keep me glued to the page. The characters were also fascinating, and the prose was delightful to read. This was a very tight read, went down quick and easy
Thanks NetGalley, Atria Books and Author Camilla Lowkis for the advanced copy of "A Slow and Secret Poison" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AtriaBooks
#CamillaLowkis
#ASlowandSecretPoison
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Classism, Medical content, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Murder, Lesbophobia, War, murder is implied; the death is manslaughter

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vee accepts a position as a gardener at Harfold in order to escape her past, but finds herself becoming obsessed with the lady of the manor. Arabella, Lady Lascy, is obsessed with breaking a curse she believes was placed on her family, and is keeping secrets of her own.

I highly enjoyed this gothic novel, although I would agree with other reviewers that it's not much of a romance. There's a romantic subplot, but overall it isn't the point of the novel. If you like gothic novels or historical fiction with unreliable narrators, and like reading about flawed characters, you will likely like this novel. If you want your gay characters to be morally upstanding and have a perfectly happy ending, you will not like this novel. You could technically say it's Hays Code compliant, but I don't think it's done in a homophobic way. Sometimes, gay characters don't get happy endings or are as morally flawed as straight characters in thrillers are.

This book reminded me of Her Wicked Roots by Tanya Pell, but it's not as fantasy-flavored as that book is. It has some light paranormal elements, but overall is mostly just a historical fiction gothic novel. The element of the mythology of the hare of Harfold is interesting, but it's not the main point of the novel. The main poison is not any sort of paranormal poison, it's simply arsenic. I agree with other reviewers that if you are upset by animal/pet death or animal cruelty, you shouldn't read this novel. It is fairly heavy on the triggers, but it's still a very interesting and well-written novel, almost verging into horror territory as well as thriller. There are also some interesting class dynamics and political dynamics in this novel as well, as our main character Vee is the daughter of a socialist who was imprisoned for refusing to participate in the war effort, and the class dynamics in her relationship with Arabella are highlighted.

A Slow and Secret Poison releases February 10 from Atria Books. Thank you to Atria Books, Netgalley and Carmella Lowkis for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Syndrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a slow burn—in the best way possible—"A Slow and Secret Poison" is a novel where the title is a perfect fit for the story readers will find inside.

The story follows a woman named Vee as she begins her new job as a gardener at Harfold Manor—home of the now dwindled Lascy family. Vee initially applies, and accepts, the position without knowing anything about the family's history, but as she settles in she begins to uncover more knowledge about the family and the curse that the current family head, Arabella, fully believes has been placed upon her lineage.

Lowkis did a fantastic job with the pacing of this novel. We start off really taking the time to get to know all of the characters, their histories, and the setting in general—if anything it feels like a bit of a slice of life story at first. But as the novel progresses there are more and more quips and small details slipped in that suggest things might not all be as straightforward as they may seem. The plot itself slowly becomes poisoned with secrets, distrust, and paranoia as more and more of our character's stories are revealed.

This is one of those novels I probably could've devoured in one sitting if life hadn't gotten in the way! It was a smooth and easy read that captured my full attention from the very beginning. The characters felt like real people, the settings were perfectly descriptive, and the romance aspect was the perfect mix of being important to the plot while not completely overtaking the whole story. I really enjoyed my time with this novel and I'm honestly a little sad that it's already over!

(I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher, Atria Books, via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.)

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of A Slow and Secret Poison! I'm rating it 4-4.5 stars.

A Slow and Secret Poison is a sapphic Gothic historical novel that reads like a faster paced, more sensational and gayer version of Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger. Of course, "faster paced" is relative, and this novel still takes its time in weaving a creepy Gothic story.

It's an atmospheric novel full of class anxieties, folklore, 1920s queer culture, and a general sense of impending doom. Although some of the reveals were predictable, the book had enough twists and tension to keep me glued to the page. The characters were also fascinating, and the prose was delightful to read.

The ending was decent, but for me, it wasn't as compelling as the rest of the book. I was hoping for a little more from it, and it's the reason I'm not giving the novel five stars. However, it still neatly wrapped up the novel.

I recommend this book if: You like rich, atmospheric writing; Gothic novels; 1920s queer culture; twisty novels where you don't know how to trust.

Skip this book if: On-page animal death is a deal-breaker for you, or you want a romance novel, morally good characters, or a fast-paced plot.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since 1911 every three years someone in the Lacsy family dies. Now it's Lady Arabella who is next on the list. Even though she owns Harford Manor and the lands the surround it everything is falling apart. The once lavish maonor is cluttered with so much stuff that you can hardly move around the place. When Vee Morgan is hired as the new gardner, what she finds is not what she expected. When Vee first meets Arabella, she can't believe the mess that Lady Lascy lives in. Lady Lascy won't let the housekeeper clean anything up or throw anything out and this is really puzzling for Vee. Maurice Richer is Arabella's only living relative and spends his time between Harfold and London. When Vee over hears Maurice and Arabella having a conversation, she realizes that she doesn't trust Maurice at all. On an outing into town Vee ends up following Maurice and finds out that Maurice is doing some shaddy buisness . This novel is full of twists and turns that will have you guessing until the very end. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Atria Books for letting me read an advanced copy of this novel.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book.

Following an illicit love affair between Lady Arabella Lascy and her gardener, Vee Morgan, this Gothic tale of love, betrayal, and intrigue certainly lives up to its name. 'A Slow and Secret Poison' is a beautiful piece of fiction - Lowkis' evocative descriptions of the crumbling manor, combined with the slow unravelling of the Lascy family curse, builds tension and creates a dark and mysterious backdrop for the ladies' romantic entanglement. The imagery of nature and hares runs throughout and is used effectively to situate the story in its historical and geographical setting. The characters are mean, morally corrupt, and surrounded by death and decay. I thought Arabella's manipulation and subsequent mental decline was particularly well written.

My only problem with this book was its ending. It felt very rushed compared to the first 2/3s (which I loved) and made the twist / reveal feel a bit underwhelming. Aside from this, though, Lowkis' second novel is an accomplished one. I'll be sure to check out 'Spitting Gold' next!

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up A Slow and Secret Poison expecting something dark and gothic, and in that sense, it really delivered. But as the story went on, I found myself wishing things would move a little faster. The pacing stayed true to the title…very slow…and I kept waiting for that extra spark of tension to pull me in.

The slow-burning between Vee and Lady Arabella had potential, but it never quite built the chemistry I was hoping for. Maybe that restraint fits the 1920s tone, but it left me wanting more emotion. Funny enough, the thing that stood out most to me was the rabbit. It added the unexpected bit of magic that made the story feel unique.

Overall, it’s beautifully written and atmospheric, just not as compelling as I’d hoped. Readers who enjoy slower, moodier historical fiction will really appreciate this book. Thank you to Carmella Lowkis, Atria Books, and NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow and Secret Poison is a solid gothic story with a strong sense of place and a house that feels like its own character. Harfold Manor, Lady Arabella, and the whole cursed-family setup work really well, and the cast—from stubborn aristocrats to wary staff and villagers—feels layered and real. Told in first person, present tense from Vee Morgan’s POV, the book leans into moral ambiguity; by the end, almost no one comes out looking particularly pure.

The F/F relationship between Vee and Arabella is closed door and quiet, more emotional undercurrent than central plot. The pacing in the middle sags, and the slow drip of Vee’s “big secret” isn’t my favorite device, especially when it’s not clear for a long time what we’re building toward. Still, I liked where it landed. The ending leaves room for interpretation, which fits the story’s gothic roots.

3.5 stars – historical gothic with a sapphic thread, better shelved as historical fiction/mystery than romance.

[Danielle Geiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for providing a DRC for review!

CW include death (accidental, murder, and suicide), attempted murder, blood/gore, brief misogyny, and the death of a dog.

A Slow and Secret Poison is a slow-burn gothic historical novel following a gardener running from her past and the secretive woman she comes to work for. This novel is very atmospheric and character-driven, and while Goodreads tags include "horror", the story is more weird than scary. I actually consider this to be somewhat cozy in that much of Vee's perspective involves her time spent gardening and getting to know the other manor staff. Lady Lascy's background and the family curse are mentioned throughout the book, usually by people warning Vee to stay away from her, and are slowly revealed in journal entries that go further back in time as the book progresses. While the overall pace is slow, the reveals are handled well and the ending is both unexpected and effective.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Slow and Secret Poison is a darkly atmospheric read filled with complex, unsettling characters. It weaves together secrets, privilege, and an all consuming thirst for revenge in a way that kept me hooked.

Vee, desperate to outrun her past, takes a position as gardener at a mysterious estate, where she crosses paths with Arabella, the enigmatic and secretive Lady of the manor. Their interactions only deepen the eerie, claustrophobic tone of the story.

I loved how the tension built with every chapter. From the very start, I had a sense of unease, and that feeling only intensified as the narrative unfolded. I didn’t know exactly what to expect going in, but I ended up really enjoying this haunting book!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and these are my personal opinions.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book from the first lines and continued to fall throughout. This world is so rich and atmospheric. It felt like I could step through the pages and know exactly where I was. And the characters were everything I love most in gothic fiction. Complex and messy and mysterious. Their pasts carefully hidden, but if you pay attention you pick up enough hints to guess at what they might be. It was so satisfying, and in some ways bittersweet, to see everyone's stories come together in the end.

I don't want to say much more for fear of giving something away. Overall, this book was everything I expected and so much more. I'll definitely be reading this author's other work, and will keep an eye out for any of her future releases.

I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts are my own.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another Goodreads giveaway win, and a good one!

I love historical fiction that is set at least 100 years in the past, when the world was still so completely different from the one I know. This book is set in the 1920s in a crumbling English manor with a very eccentric lady living in it.

Bonus for me: I also love books with gardens (like The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, or The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton), and the main character is a gardener at the manor, although the garden is not the main plot.

Everyone in this book has secrets, you just never know whether you should like or trust anyone! Even though I had my suspicions early on, the story kept me intrigued until the end.

I enjoyed this book so much that I will definitely also check out the author's first book, Spitting Gold.

By the way, isn't this cover just gorgeous? 😍

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

A Slow and Secret Poison follows Vee, running away from her past in Cardiff, she accepts a job as a gardener on a remote estate in England. She finds herself drawn to Arabella, the isolated yet alluring lady of the house, who believes a curse has killed her family one by one and is coming for her next. As they grow closer, both of their dark pasts threaten to catch up with them.

This really encapsulates a gothic story. Everything is built up well - the setting, the characters, the plot. I was immediately taken in with the descriptions of the estate, and I loved the initial focus on Vee's love for gardening. I was completely immersed, as though I was with Vee on the estate, feeling eyes watching me from the manor.

"Again, I catch myself feeling sorry for her. She has so many layers: the awkward recluse, over the grief-stricken orphan, over the playful woman who still shows through in flashes. Something about her makes me want to reach out and help."

The characters are written very well, they feel real. This is a story where everyone serves a purpose, and I'm a sucker for following flawed characters.

"When I applied for this job at Harfold, I thought I could escape what I'd done. Hide in the English countryside. Start fresh. But what you're running from always catches up with you. And Arabella's not the only one cursed by the past."

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the Wiltshire countryside in the mid-1920s, Vee begins her new life as a gardener at Harfold Manor, home of the Lascy family. A decaying manor filled with a curse and deathly secrets. A Slow and Secret Poison is a wonderful, slow-burn of a read. One that would be perfect for lovers of historical novels who wish for a touch of the gothic. There is a lingering eeriness and sense of dread woven throughout as our protagonist uncovers the past secrets of the Lascy family, whilst we, the reader, learn about her own secrets. I found the book to be very immersive in its story, landscape, and of its time, as there are interesting discussions regarding the role of women and class, both very pertinent to this era of British history after WW1. Overall, a very well-written and intriguing novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of gardening, gothic hoarding, psychological family drama, and T. Kingfisher's A Sorceress Comes to Call... A Slow and Secret Poison is an atmospheric standalone in the English countryside. At first, I thought the main character--Vee--was a goody two-shoes, a stark contrast to her counterpart, the enigmatic Lady Lascy, who reminded me of Kaya from One Piece. If Kaya were prone to violent outbursts. As the book progressed, it became clear that not only were the main characters not so black and white--the side characters were full of secrets as well. That's the slow and secret poison--not magical folklore, but old secrets and guilt clawing its way out of the grave. I cite A Sorceress Comes to Call, because even though this isn't a fast-paced story, the ending was explosive.