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A Different Type of Poison
Not yet published
Expected 25 Nov 25
The Plot
meets
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in a simmering, slow-burn domestic thriller and psychological suspense novel that explores the stories we tell, secrets we bury, and the price we pay for both, perfect for fans of Sally Hepworth, Liane Moriarty, and Lisa Jewell.
When a bestselling author receives an invitation to return to her hometown to discuss her dark campus thriller, she never suspects she may be walking into the most unsettling plot twist of her life.
After her first two books flatlined, author Molly Archer is thrilled that her latest, Birds at Night, is an instant hit. Newly divorced and raising two children in an upscale community north of Manhattan, Molly will do whatever it takes to sustain her novel’s momentum and support the lifestyle she’s worked so hard to achieve.
When an enthusiastic book club organizer from her hometown reaches out, Molly welcomes the opportunity to meet her readers. Traveling back to Ohio offers the perfect excuse to check on her widowed mom, whose health—and memory—appear to be unraveling.
As much as she looks forward to the trip, one thing troubles Molly: She can’t remember Anna Fox, the woman who extended the invitation and seems all too eager to reconnect. Will Molly’s visit introduce her to a new group of adoring fans or is she stepping into her deadliest chapter yet?
A taut literary thriller with shocking twists, A Different Type of Poison explores the line between where fiction ends and the truth begins.
When a bestselling author receives an invitation to return to her hometown to discuss her dark campus thriller, she never suspects she may be walking into the most unsettling plot twist of her life.
After her first two books flatlined, author Molly Archer is thrilled that her latest, Birds at Night, is an instant hit. Newly divorced and raising two children in an upscale community north of Manhattan, Molly will do whatever it takes to sustain her novel’s momentum and support the lifestyle she’s worked so hard to achieve.
When an enthusiastic book club organizer from her hometown reaches out, Molly welcomes the opportunity to meet her readers. Traveling back to Ohio offers the perfect excuse to check on her widowed mom, whose health—and memory—appear to be unraveling.
As much as she looks forward to the trip, one thing troubles Molly: She can’t remember Anna Fox, the woman who extended the invitation and seems all too eager to reconnect. Will Molly’s visit introduce her to a new group of adoring fans or is she stepping into her deadliest chapter yet?
A taut literary thriller with shocking twists, A Different Type of Poison explores the line between where fiction ends and the truth begins.
Audible Audio
Expected publication November 25, 2025
17 people want to read
About the author
Liz Alterman
7 books441 followersLiz Alterman lives in New Jersey with her husband, three sons, and two cats.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 15, 2025
4.5 stars
Molly has hit it big. She's written a couple of just okay books, but her most recent one? It's a banger, and people have absolutely noticed. In addition to bringing her fame and other professional opportunities, it's also highlighted some challenges in her personal life. Molly has fairly recently gotten divorced (thankfully - the description of her ex's tattoo alone? BLEH) and is parenting her two children (kind of three if you count the ex) on her own. There are pressures to promote her current book as well as deliver the next, and Molly can only handle so much.
While Molly is mostly keeping it together despite the many obvious challenges surrounding her, readers are much more aware of a looming threat than she is because we can see into the perspective of a separate nefarious character. One thing Molly hasn't quite figured out yet is that not all of one's fans have good intentions. When she's presented with an invitation to attend a book club in her hometown, she is not at all skeptical enough about who or what might really be waiting for her. Readers go on a wild ride anticipating what the heck is going to happen when two characters finally converge. In the meantime, we're also learning - through joint perspectives and snippets from Molly's book - what's at the core of this ill-fated potential meeting.
If this is your genre, this book is going to remind you of others that have similar characters and situations, but it also stands on its own. The characters are well developed, and Molly, though deeply flawed, makes moves that seem mostly realistic. She is a bit naive at times, and that can be irritating. One thought: WHY are you so eager to trust folks when you have some challenging secrets in your own past? You write fiction, Molly. You should know better.
This was a fun ride from an author whose work I have consistently enjoyed. I'm already looking forward to what Alterman offers up next and feeling grateful that she clearly knows better than to accept sus invites from mysterious parties!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and One More Page Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Molly has hit it big. She's written a couple of just okay books, but her most recent one? It's a banger, and people have absolutely noticed. In addition to bringing her fame and other professional opportunities, it's also highlighted some challenges in her personal life. Molly has fairly recently gotten divorced (thankfully - the description of her ex's tattoo alone? BLEH) and is parenting her two children (kind of three if you count the ex) on her own. There are pressures to promote her current book as well as deliver the next, and Molly can only handle so much.
While Molly is mostly keeping it together despite the many obvious challenges surrounding her, readers are much more aware of a looming threat than she is because we can see into the perspective of a separate nefarious character. One thing Molly hasn't quite figured out yet is that not all of one's fans have good intentions. When she's presented with an invitation to attend a book club in her hometown, she is not at all skeptical enough about who or what might really be waiting for her. Readers go on a wild ride anticipating what the heck is going to happen when two characters finally converge. In the meantime, we're also learning - through joint perspectives and snippets from Molly's book - what's at the core of this ill-fated potential meeting.
If this is your genre, this book is going to remind you of others that have similar characters and situations, but it also stands on its own. The characters are well developed, and Molly, though deeply flawed, makes moves that seem mostly realistic. She is a bit naive at times, and that can be irritating. One thought: WHY are you so eager to trust folks when you have some challenging secrets in your own past? You write fiction, Molly. You should know better.
This was a fun ride from an author whose work I have consistently enjoyed. I'm already looking forward to what Alterman offers up next and feeling grateful that she clearly knows better than to accept sus invites from mysterious parties!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and One More Page Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
October 17, 2025
I went into A Different Type of Poison expecting a slow, psychological story, and that’s exactly what I got. Liz Alterman built tension through quiet moments and subtle clues that kept me second-guessing everything.
This story is a tense psychological thriller about Molly, an author whose return to her hometown for a book event stirs up unsettling memories. When a mysterious woman named Anna pushes to reconnect, Molly begins to question her own past—and realizes some secrets are more dangerous than she ever imagined.
I’ve been wanting to read one of Liz Alterman’s books for a while now, so I was happy to get a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher, One More Page Press. Her writing creates a slow-burn tension that builds through subtle details and emotional unease. The prose was clean and character-driven, keeping the focus on psychology over action.
Collectively, this story had a haunting, quiet intensity that I enjoyed. While it wasn’t one of the more compelling books I’ve read in this genre-mainly because it focused more on tension, secrets, and perception than on shocking twists-I’ll still be keeping an eye out for more from Liz Alterman.
Thanks Net Galley and One More Page Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This story is a tense psychological thriller about Molly, an author whose return to her hometown for a book event stirs up unsettling memories. When a mysterious woman named Anna pushes to reconnect, Molly begins to question her own past—and realizes some secrets are more dangerous than she ever imagined.
I’ve been wanting to read one of Liz Alterman’s books for a while now, so I was happy to get a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher, One More Page Press. Her writing creates a slow-burn tension that builds through subtle details and emotional unease. The prose was clean and character-driven, keeping the focus on psychology over action.
Collectively, this story had a haunting, quiet intensity that I enjoyed. While it wasn’t one of the more compelling books I’ve read in this genre-mainly because it focused more on tension, secrets, and perception than on shocking twists-I’ll still be keeping an eye out for more from Liz Alterman.
Thanks Net Galley and One More Page Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 22, 2025
When thriller author Molly heads back to her hometown, she throws herself into marketing her book, even accepting an invitation to a local book club. Anna, the coordinator, seems to know Molly though Molly can't remember how or when she has met her. Can Anna be trusted?
This wasn't the most original storyline however the execution was excellent and made for gripping reading. Told through dual POVs and with short chapters, it was so easy to get lost in this book. With plenty of twists, Liz Alterman has delivered once again. I am already eagerly awaiting her next book.
This wasn't the most original storyline however the execution was excellent and made for gripping reading. Told through dual POVs and with short chapters, it was so easy to get lost in this book. With plenty of twists, Liz Alterman has delivered once again. I am already eagerly awaiting her next book.
October 20, 2025
I received this as an ARC from Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley. This review is my own. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last! Molly Mason is the author of a wildly successful mystery/thriller “Birds at Night.” She’s busy promoting her novel and writing the sequel, while balancing being a mother and navigating co-parenting with her ex husband. Molly receives an invitation to a book club in her hometown and agrees to attend, though she can’t remember the old acquaintance who invites her. The story unfolds with mysteries inside mysteries and shocking twists that keep the reader guessing to the very end. Excellent!!
October 21, 2025
I love a good domestic thriller and this one was kept me reading way too late, which are the best kind.
An author, a possible stalker and the downfalls of becoming famous.
Author Molly Archer is now a hit after a couple of books. She is newly single and raising two children. She wants to maintain her lifestyle after her divorce, but it becomes a struggle when she gets unwanted attention.
Be careful what you wish for!
This title should let you know you are in for a crazy ride.
An author, a possible stalker and the downfalls of becoming famous.
Author Molly Archer is now a hit after a couple of books. She is newly single and raising two children. She wants to maintain her lifestyle after her divorce, but it becomes a struggle when she gets unwanted attention.
Be careful what you wish for!
This title should let you know you are in for a crazy ride.
October 18, 2025
3.75
I ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK! All dark vibes and twisted characters. A book within a book. It is good pick for someone who is willing to dive in blind (as I did) and wants a good build-up, though I found the first half of book more intriguing than second half, it was overall an interesting thriller read.
I ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK! All dark vibes and twisted characters. A book within a book. It is good pick for someone who is willing to dive in blind (as I did) and wants a good build-up, though I found the first half of book more intriguing than second half, it was overall an interesting thriller read.
October 21, 2025
This book is full of Mysteries and twists, lots of secrets and memories . This was a first read from this author for me and I was so consumed in the story. This book had me turning pages wanting to find out what was really going on.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews