What do you think?
Rate this book
Jem Flockhart #1
Beloved Poison
Ramshackle and crumbling, trapped in the past and resisting the future, St. Saviour’s Infirmary awaits demolition. Within its stinking wards and cramped corridors, the doctors bicker and backstab. Ambition, jealousy, and loathing seethe beneath the veneer of professional courtesy. Always an outsider, and with a secret of her own to hide, apothecary Jem Flockhart observes everything but says nothing.
And then six tiny coffins are uncovered, inside each a handful of dried flowers and a bundle of mouldering rags. When Jem comes across these strange relics hidden inside the infirmary’s old chapel, her quest to understand their meaning prises open a long-forgotten past—with fatal consequences.
In a trail that leads from the bloody world of the operating room and the dissecting table to the notorious squalor of Newgate Prison and the gallows, Jem’s adversary proves to be both powerful and ruthless. As St. Saviour’s destruction draws near, the dead are unearthed from their graves while the living are forced to make impossible choices. And murder is the price to be paid for the secrets to be kept.
And then six tiny coffins are uncovered, inside each a handful of dried flowers and a bundle of mouldering rags. When Jem comes across these strange relics hidden inside the infirmary’s old chapel, her quest to understand their meaning prises open a long-forgotten past—with fatal consequences.
In a trail that leads from the bloody world of the operating room and the dissecting table to the notorious squalor of Newgate Prison and the gallows, Jem’s adversary proves to be both powerful and ruthless. As St. Saviour’s destruction draws near, the dead are unearthed from their graves while the living are forced to make impossible choices. And murder is the price to be paid for the secrets to be kept.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2016
143 people are currently reading
5027 people want to read
About the author
E.S. Thomson
7 books276 followersElaine Thomson has a PhD in the history of medicine and works as a university lecturer in Edinburgh. She was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Award and the Scottish Arts Council First Book Award. Elaine lives in Edinburgh with her two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
February 19, 2017
"Have a care," I hissed. "I am not what I seem, and I can poison you so vilely that you will scream for my forgiveness."
St. Saviour's Infirmary stands like an increpid old woman whose legs tremble from an ancient palsy. It's 1846 and her towering stone walls will soon come crashing down to make way for a new railway route. Like all decay, its origins lay within the festering hallways and even within the residents themselves.
Enter Jem Flockhart, an apothecary apprentice, surrounded by drying flowers and pungent herbs. Jem has been routinely tutored by her father, the senior apothecary, whose health is fading fast. There are deep secrets in those vials and jars that must be measured and issued precisely. There is also the elusive secret wrapped in another identity for Jem. A Flockhart male presence has always been in residence at St. Saviour. And, of course, her father sees to that.
Will Quartermain, a junior architect, has arrived to attend to the removal of those buried in the cemetery alongside St. Saviour's. A gruesome task to be sure, but one in which more than just the dead will be revealed. He and Jem align themselves in search of answers after six small caskets are found hidden in a wall opening. These crudely constructed artifacts will lead them deep into a bottomless abyss.
"Anatomy and physiology had improved understanding of the body's functions, but the mind, and the brain, remained a mystery." And the mystery bubbles within the cauldron of the physicians and their remedies and practices at St. Saviour's.
E.S. Thomson had me from the first page. Pour me into a vat of Victorian and I'm there. Thomson has an especially precise talent of descriptors of time, place, and person. Her ability to form sharp visuals within the reader's mind is uncanny. Thomson also implements her experiential background and knowledge of medicinal herbs. This is a smart, smart read that showcases the state of medicine and the questionable practices of this era.
I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in this Jem Flockhart series. Say no more. I'm waiting anxiously.
St. Saviour's Infirmary stands like an increpid old woman whose legs tremble from an ancient palsy. It's 1846 and her towering stone walls will soon come crashing down to make way for a new railway route. Like all decay, its origins lay within the festering hallways and even within the residents themselves.
Enter Jem Flockhart, an apothecary apprentice, surrounded by drying flowers and pungent herbs. Jem has been routinely tutored by her father, the senior apothecary, whose health is fading fast. There are deep secrets in those vials and jars that must be measured and issued precisely. There is also the elusive secret wrapped in another identity for Jem. A Flockhart male presence has always been in residence at St. Saviour. And, of course, her father sees to that.
Will Quartermain, a junior architect, has arrived to attend to the removal of those buried in the cemetery alongside St. Saviour's. A gruesome task to be sure, but one in which more than just the dead will be revealed. He and Jem align themselves in search of answers after six small caskets are found hidden in a wall opening. These crudely constructed artifacts will lead them deep into a bottomless abyss.
"Anatomy and physiology had improved understanding of the body's functions, but the mind, and the brain, remained a mystery." And the mystery bubbles within the cauldron of the physicians and their remedies and practices at St. Saviour's.
E.S. Thomson had me from the first page. Pour me into a vat of Victorian and I'm there. Thomson has an especially precise talent of descriptors of time, place, and person. Her ability to form sharp visuals within the reader's mind is uncanny. Thomson also implements her experiential background and knowledge of medicinal herbs. This is a smart, smart read that showcases the state of medicine and the questionable practices of this era.
I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in this Jem Flockhart series. Say no more. I'm waiting anxiously.
October 17, 2016
What a fantastic start to not only a new series but a first novel. A London infirmary, St Saviors, in the 1850's provides a dark and foreboding setting. Jem is an apothecary's assistant, her father the apothecary, lives with a big secret, but generally loves working with the herbs and flowers that made up a major portion of medicine during this time period. When six small caskets are found it is the beginning of a quest that leads to many deaths and revelations.
Resurrection men, early anatomists, the state of medicine at that time all help provide a wonderful reading experience. Jem is a very interesting character, and will not quit until all answers are revealed, a search that include brothels, an asylum and a devastating look at a family illness.
Historic, atmospheric, guess I just picked up a new series. Needless to say I am looking forward to the next.
Resurrection men, early anatomists, the state of medicine at that time all help provide a wonderful reading experience. Jem is a very interesting character, and will not quit until all answers are revealed, a search that include brothels, an asylum and a devastating look at a family illness.
Historic, atmospheric, guess I just picked up a new series. Needless to say I am looking forward to the next.
February 23, 2016
Jem Flockhart is the apprentice apothecary at St Saviour’s Infirmary. The hospital was built in 1135, but it is now 1846 and progress has decided that it needs to be pulled down to make way for a new railway. Will Quartermain is the junior architect for Shaw & Prentice and, being a junior, is given the unpleasant task of emptying the graveyard.
In this debut novel, the author creates a Victorian setting, and characters, which are almost Dickensian at times. We go from back street brothels, to Newgate and asylums; but always with St Saviour’s itself – which is almost a character itself, with its endless corridors and troupe of lady almoners. The novel also boasts a larger than life cast of characters, from the handsome Dr Bain, the besotted Mrs Catchpole, the insecure and jealous Dr Graves and Mrs Magorian and her beautiful daughter, Elizabeth; almost all of whom have secrets to hide. Indeed, the main character, Jem, also carries a secret – although it is one that Will guesses almost at once. The two team up to investigate when they discover six small caskets, with bizarre doll like figures inside. However, their investigation unearths more secrets and some of them are deadly…
I really enjoyed this novel. It could have been over the top; with the rich cast of characters, dark themes and Victorian setting of a hospital stuck firmly in the past, but it worked. From Dr Bain and his investigations into poisons, to Will be forced to witness a shocking amputation at St Saviour’s itself, you are immediately absorbed into the Victorian atmosphere. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by this talented author. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
In this debut novel, the author creates a Victorian setting, and characters, which are almost Dickensian at times. We go from back street brothels, to Newgate and asylums; but always with St Saviour’s itself – which is almost a character itself, with its endless corridors and troupe of lady almoners. The novel also boasts a larger than life cast of characters, from the handsome Dr Bain, the besotted Mrs Catchpole, the insecure and jealous Dr Graves and Mrs Magorian and her beautiful daughter, Elizabeth; almost all of whom have secrets to hide. Indeed, the main character, Jem, also carries a secret – although it is one that Will guesses almost at once. The two team up to investigate when they discover six small caskets, with bizarre doll like figures inside. However, their investigation unearths more secrets and some of them are deadly…
I really enjoyed this novel. It could have been over the top; with the rich cast of characters, dark themes and Victorian setting of a hospital stuck firmly in the past, but it worked. From Dr Bain and his investigations into poisons, to Will be forced to witness a shocking amputation at St Saviour’s itself, you are immediately absorbed into the Victorian atmosphere. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by this talented author. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
August 21, 2016
I honestly loved this. It's no something I'd usually have chosen. Crime fiction set in the past has never been my thing. Then I read The Dark Inside and then I read Darktown: A Novel. What I realised was that I just hadn't read really good historical crime fiction. So I gave this one a go and was pleased to be able to give it the same rating at the above: 5* Each of these books are super different from each other, but blindingly brilliant in their own ways.
Here, once you pass the barrier of the beautiful cover, you are mired in filth. Thomson drags you down into the realities of contemporary living, there is no attempt here to rose tint the past. Shit covered streets, rotting flesh, the dead and dying in stench filled wards, dangerous/often fatal medical procedures, sexually transmitted diseases...I could go on. The sense of time and place is almost overwhelming at times. I have a newfound appreciation of modern plumbing. And cleanliness. That's how much this book gets to you. On top of that there's murder, jealousy, rage in a tightly woven plot line that kept a few surprises till the end. And humorous situations that go well into the slapstick, like a Punch and Judy sketch.
Best of all were the characters. Jem was a fascinating person, written so well that I was hoping to keep on reading past that last word. Rarely do I see such amorphous, intelligent, and brilliantly drawn versions of behaviour and sexuality. More please.
My sincere thanks to ES Thomson, Little, Brown Book Group ltd, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Here, once you pass the barrier of the beautiful cover, you are mired in filth. Thomson drags you down into the realities of contemporary living, there is no attempt here to rose tint the past. Shit covered streets, rotting flesh, the dead and dying in stench filled wards, dangerous/often fatal medical procedures, sexually transmitted diseases...I could go on. The sense of time and place is almost overwhelming at times. I have a newfound appreciation of modern plumbing. And cleanliness. That's how much this book gets to you. On top of that there's murder, jealousy, rage in a tightly woven plot line that kept a few surprises till the end. And humorous situations that go well into the slapstick, like a Punch and Judy sketch.
Best of all were the characters. Jem was a fascinating person, written so well that I was hoping to keep on reading past that last word. Rarely do I see such amorphous, intelligent, and brilliantly drawn versions of behaviour and sexuality. More please.
My sincere thanks to ES Thomson, Little, Brown Book Group ltd, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2017
4 stars
This debut novel, the first of a series, is the written equivalent of the Victorian crime show Ripper Street. Whereas this novel is geared toward medical and Ripper Street towards "coppers", the same era of medical experimentation is pertinent to both, as is the slums and degradation of that time period.
In a crumbling Victorian hospital in the middle of the 1800's a woman poses as a man - a doctor, an apothecary. Jem Flcokhart discovers six tiny coffins hidden in the Infirmary's chapel and sets about her discovery of what they mean. Secrets abound in this novel, as many of the prominent doctors and their families are drawn into the story. It is a maze of lies and deceptions, back stabbing and unprofessional medical procedures, as only can be imagined.
E. S. Thomson, new to the writing world, has a degree in the history of medicine. Her knowledge is evident in her work and this being her debut novel speaks volumes in her abilities.
This debut novel, the first of a series, is the written equivalent of the Victorian crime show Ripper Street. Whereas this novel is geared toward medical and Ripper Street towards "coppers", the same era of medical experimentation is pertinent to both, as is the slums and degradation of that time period.
In a crumbling Victorian hospital in the middle of the 1800's a woman poses as a man - a doctor, an apothecary. Jem Flcokhart discovers six tiny coffins hidden in the Infirmary's chapel and sets about her discovery of what they mean. Secrets abound in this novel, as many of the prominent doctors and their families are drawn into the story. It is a maze of lies and deceptions, back stabbing and unprofessional medical procedures, as only can be imagined.
E. S. Thomson, new to the writing world, has a degree in the history of medicine. Her knowledge is evident in her work and this being her debut novel speaks volumes in her abilities.
November 6, 2020
I enjoyed this story but I found it hard to hold my attention on it in the middle. I think the next book will be better because the main characters are established now and the setting can continue to be explored.
August 4, 2018
I was fully expecting to enjoy this book; I regret to say that I didn’t. It’s difficult for me to recall all the reasons – I finished reading a few months ago – but my overwhelming impression is that it was cold and contrived. The main character’s motivations were somewhat of a cipher to me; the character themselves was. Jem Flockhart is a woman, you see, and sees herself as a woman, is attracted to women, but is male-presenting. So far so good. The problem for me was that I had no clear picture of how the other characters perceived her. The father treated her sometimes as a woman and sometimes as a man; the doctors and other staff at the hospital regarded her as a man; her new friend Will – I was never sure, it seemed that he thought that Jem was a man from the beginning, and had no problems with that, and then there were clues that he thought of her as a woman after all; and for the love interest she seemed to be a woman. I’m intensely interested in gender fluid characters, but there was something missing in this setup. Maybe I need to re-read it.
I thought that the details of medical practice, the state of hospitals, hygiene etc. of the time seemed well-researched and believable. I’m always suspicious of graphic descriptions of poverty and filth in historical fiction written in first person, however. What exactly is the frame of reference for those characters? What are they comparing their world to? Unless they are at the absolute top of society, how do they know that this or that thing smells or looks offensive? I’m afraid that the hospital, or even the operating theater, wouldn’t have looked all that bad to Jem. Same with the moral attitudes – the misogyny and hypocrisy were very, very over the top, complete with unbelievably crude language. Oh, I’m aware that Victorians swore and fornicated and showed absolutely appalling cruelty, but they were masterful at hiding behind appearances, and where the language was concerned, they could be masterful to the point of charming. I’m reading Middlemarch right now and it shows the Victorian society to be scarier, crueler, and darker than any contemporary Victorian/Gothic fiction I’ve read so far – in perfectly measured, elegant language to boot.
I liked Gabriel, the other homeless boy (forgot his name, sorry), the matron, and Eliza. The plot with Jem’s father was very good, but I absolutely loathed the ending of Jem’s love story. It was abrupt, callous and hastily done – without any regard to plausibility, just because it was convenient to end it this way to provide some empty “tragic” feel. Also, Jem’s best friend the doctor – what a repulsive figure. There was something quite not right with his characterization, as if the author herself wasn’t sure how she wanted the readers to feel about him, and because Jem is so attached to him, it becomes the problem with her character too. I thought she was strangely cold-hearted and insensitive when it came to certain moral problems, and it felt to me not as a flaw but more likely an oversight on the author’s part. It’s difficult to explain… I wanted to like this book so much!
January 3, 2018
A richly atmospheric Victorian mystery.
March 2, 2016
A view weeks ago I received an email with the question if I wanted to read ‘Beloved Poison’. I saw the book cover and was immediately fascinated by this book. Even more when I read that this book had a historical medical theme. So when this beautiful looking book arrived I was super excited to start reading.
‘Beloved Poison’ is definitely a unique book. I’ve never read anything like it. It takes place in a crumbling hospital in the 1850s and it’s really different. It definitely took some getting used to and in the beginning I was not sure what to think. But still, from the moment I opened this book I wanted to keep on reading and I just couldn’t stop.
E.S. Thomson’s writing style is very easy to get lost in. And I loved walking through the old hospital through the eyes of her characters. What a fascinating and intriguing read!
As a nurse the whole medical theme was really fun and interesting to read. It was shocking to read how ‘dirty’ everything was back then. Especially if you think that nowadays there is a hand alcohol device next to every single patient. Since I work on a surgical unit it was really interesting to read about how a amputation went back in the day. And although some parts in this book were really dark and a little disturbing at times I found myself loving this book from the moment I started.
The mystery aspect in ‘Beloved Poison’ is also very good. There is a lot happening and everything has this dark glow over it that makes it even more fascinating to read. The main character Jem, finds these dark, old and little coffins and soon after people are being murdered. It was really fascinating to read about her investigation in finding out what was going on. And I didn’t suspect what was really going on until it was revealed. That’s always a good thing if you ask me.
The setting, the medical theme, the mystery and the characters made this book a great one, especially considering that this is the authors debut novel. I loved reading about how things where done in the hospital all those years ago. And I also really enjoyed reading about all those different poisons and herbs. I’m definitely a fan of E.S. Thomson. And have you seen that cover yet??
‘Beloved Poison’ is definitely a unique book. I’ve never read anything like it. It takes place in a crumbling hospital in the 1850s and it’s really different. It definitely took some getting used to and in the beginning I was not sure what to think. But still, from the moment I opened this book I wanted to keep on reading and I just couldn’t stop.
E.S. Thomson’s writing style is very easy to get lost in. And I loved walking through the old hospital through the eyes of her characters. What a fascinating and intriguing read!
As a nurse the whole medical theme was really fun and interesting to read. It was shocking to read how ‘dirty’ everything was back then. Especially if you think that nowadays there is a hand alcohol device next to every single patient. Since I work on a surgical unit it was really interesting to read about how a amputation went back in the day. And although some parts in this book were really dark and a little disturbing at times I found myself loving this book from the moment I started.
The mystery aspect in ‘Beloved Poison’ is also very good. There is a lot happening and everything has this dark glow over it that makes it even more fascinating to read. The main character Jem, finds these dark, old and little coffins and soon after people are being murdered. It was really fascinating to read about her investigation in finding out what was going on. And I didn’t suspect what was really going on until it was revealed. That’s always a good thing if you ask me.
The setting, the medical theme, the mystery and the characters made this book a great one, especially considering that this is the authors debut novel. I loved reading about how things where done in the hospital all those years ago. And I also really enjoyed reading about all those different poisons and herbs. I’m definitely a fan of E.S. Thomson. And have you seen that cover yet??
March 18, 2017
Having made a new year’s resolution to myself that I would endeavour to read more historical crime fiction, I was made aware of E. S. Thomson and Beloved Poison by one of my bookselling colleagues, who couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Set in the crumbling St Saviour’s Infirmary in the 1850’s the story centres on Jem Flockhart, an apothecary’s daughter who disguises herself as a man to practice her medicinal craft. It is a world of stinking wards, visceral medical procedures, and professional rivalries. As the demolition of the hospital looms, six tiny coffins are discovered, which provide a strong link to Jem’s past, and as a series of murders ensue, she finds herself in terrible danger. I thought this was a terrifically bawdy romp, with a host of beautifully named characters that Dickens would be proud of. Thomson’s precise and graphic description of the disinterment of bodies from the graveyard attached to the hospital, the medical practices of this time, and the detail of the more natural cures available to apothecaries of the era, were rich and lively in a darkly delicious way, bringing a colour and vivacity to the whole affair. This worked perfectly in tandem with a well plotted and sporadically shocking plot, as Thomson so adroitly immerses us in a tale of murder, sex and jealousy peopled by blundering doctors, whores, sharp tongued servants, and the wonderfully empathetic Jem herself, disguised as a man with the necessary toughness of demeanour, but at the mercy of her finer feelings as a woman. I fair scuttled through this one, with its colourful characters, menacing atmosphere and brilliant period detail. Sordid, rumbustious and totally enjoyable. Highly recommended.
August 29, 2016
In brief - Jem is an outstanding character. Such accomplished and dark writing for a first book - remarkable. 4.5 happily rounded to 5
In full -
Sometimes you simply look at a book and it appeals. Beloved Poison, a first book by E S Thomson, was like that for me. It intrigued me and I don't often read historical books. Set in in the 1800s in a hospital in London I realised immediately that I was being painted a very vivid picture of life at that time. Beloved Poison concerns Mr Jem Flockhart (who is actually female) who works in the apothecary at the hospital with her father.
In a sense this is real melodrama. Brothels and dirty streets, resurrectionists and murder, madness and medical matters are all brought out vividly by highly evocative writing. The dark dank (& smelly!) atmosphere is almost palpable. However there is humour here too and that gritty feel of the real world. The various characters are mostly very well development - I can even see many of them in my mind's eye now. The standout character is without question Jem. She - her father has pointed out that she cannot be female and an apothecary - is, for me, wonderfully written. Jem manages to be is highly ambiguous and believable. She is the star even through her uncertainty about many aspects of the life she leads.
In the end I found this an extremely poignant & powerful story. The whole book feels somewhat bleak & dark and the ending maybe even more so. However it entirely in keeping with the story. I find it very hard to believe this is a first book - the writing is so vivid and accomplished. As someone who rarely reads historical fiction I'd love to find out what happens to Jem next!
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/historical-fict...
In full -
Sometimes you simply look at a book and it appeals. Beloved Poison, a first book by E S Thomson, was like that for me. It intrigued me and I don't often read historical books. Set in in the 1800s in a hospital in London I realised immediately that I was being painted a very vivid picture of life at that time. Beloved Poison concerns Mr Jem Flockhart (who is actually female) who works in the apothecary at the hospital with her father.
In a sense this is real melodrama. Brothels and dirty streets, resurrectionists and murder, madness and medical matters are all brought out vividly by highly evocative writing. The dark dank (& smelly!) atmosphere is almost palpable. However there is humour here too and that gritty feel of the real world. The various characters are mostly very well development - I can even see many of them in my mind's eye now. The standout character is without question Jem. She - her father has pointed out that she cannot be female and an apothecary - is, for me, wonderfully written. Jem manages to be is highly ambiguous and believable. She is the star even through her uncertainty about many aspects of the life she leads.
In the end I found this an extremely poignant & powerful story. The whole book feels somewhat bleak & dark and the ending maybe even more so. However it entirely in keeping with the story. I find it very hard to believe this is a first book - the writing is so vivid and accomplished. As someone who rarely reads historical fiction I'd love to find out what happens to Jem next!
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/historical-fict...
February 2, 2017
The premise of "Beloved Poison" is certainly engaging. Set in Victorian London, Jem Flockhart is a woman raised as a man by her father, who wants her to have learning and opportunity. She works as an apprentice apothecary in a hospital, engaging with doctors both cruel and kind, progressive and hidebound. Then she discovers a mystery: six disturbingly crude effigies of small babies, hidden in an altar. And that discovery leads to secrets and murders and the revelation of past sins.
Unfortunately Thompson's skill at writing and plotting doesn't match her engaging idea. Characters are one-dimensional, developments are illogical, and the sequence of events lurches about in a disorienting fashion. Still, it must be said that I finished "Beloved Poison" anyway, the need to know what would happen driving me forward. But now that I'm done, it probably won't take long for the book to slip out of my memory.
Unfortunately Thompson's skill at writing and plotting doesn't match her engaging idea. Characters are one-dimensional, developments are illogical, and the sequence of events lurches about in a disorienting fashion. Still, it must be said that I finished "Beloved Poison" anyway, the need to know what would happen driving me forward. But now that I'm done, it probably won't take long for the book to slip out of my memory.
June 30, 2018
There is a thread of a good mystery story in here, but it is so clunkily told, it’s a pain to get through. Really liked the characters of Jem and Will but the pacing is jerky and uneven - the author tries to pack in every fact she knows about medicine at the time, the formulaic foreshadowing sentences sprinkled throughout “After that night, nothing would ever be the same again.” “What a price I would pay for my arrogance.” Mention of the smell and grime of the time is repeated, over and over and over... and over. Maybe a good story in there, but the execution is poor.
December 8, 2016
Beloved Poison follows Jem Flockhart - an apothecary working in St Saviours hospital in the 1800s, with a secret. Jen is actually Jemima but has pretended to be a man her entire life in order to inherit and continue her father’s apothecary business. When Jem finds six tiny coffins in the abandoned church in the hospital, and people begin showing up dead, she knows she has a mystery on her hand and with the help of her architect friend Will, sets out to solve it.
This was a really, really interesting book and I highly enjoyed my reading experience of it. First off, the main plot of the coffins and murders is expertly crafted and the horror of it is weaved magically throughout the books. The tone of the book is set very early on with the discovery of the coffins, which contains small dolls soaked in blood. I really enjoyed figuring out the mystery with Jem and while normally I feel like I have a strong idea on who the mysterious killer is, this time I really had no clue. I was jumping between all the characters.
This book mixes horror and delight in equal measure. It has a strong gothic horror feel to it, and there were times it had me squirming in my boots. From the doctor’s body being gleefully used for ‘medical science’ by his nemesis, cracked open, bones boiled, the lot to Jem touching tongues with a corpse to taste the last thing they had eaten. SHUDDER!
And now I want to talk about Jem because I found her fascinating. I’m going to be using female pronouns for her as when she was talking about herself it’s what she used and she did describe herself as a woman typically, though once she did use the term a “man trapped in a woman’s body.” I would definitely class Jem as being on the queer spectrum but I wouldn’t necessarily call her transgender as she was forced into the role by her father when she was young - she is very tall and broad with large hands and feet and so doesn’t seem to have a problem passing as a man. I also should mention her birthmark which covers the top half of her face - the writing about this was also really great and the little tics Jem has to ‘hide herself’ away from the world and how people tend to view her when they see the birthmark (though again, they probably would view a man with this birthmark better than if she was a woman). I found Thomson’s writing of Jem absolutely fascinating and fantastic. Most of the time, I almost forgot myself that Jem was a woman! It was really excellent writing.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is because of all the foreshadowing. There was just too much of it and it spoiled the story a little bit for me. There were so many times Jem was describing a scene and then would say something along the lines of “if only I knew then what I know now…” and it was just too much really.
I really, really loved this one though and would 100% recommend. I can’t wait for more books in this series!
This was a really, really interesting book and I highly enjoyed my reading experience of it. First off, the main plot of the coffins and murders is expertly crafted and the horror of it is weaved magically throughout the books. The tone of the book is set very early on with the discovery of the coffins, which contains small dolls soaked in blood. I really enjoyed figuring out the mystery with Jem and while normally I feel like I have a strong idea on who the mysterious killer is, this time I really had no clue. I was jumping between all the characters.
This book mixes horror and delight in equal measure. It has a strong gothic horror feel to it, and there were times it had me squirming in my boots. From the doctor’s body being gleefully used for ‘medical science’ by his nemesis, cracked open, bones boiled, the lot to Jem touching tongues with a corpse to taste the last thing they had eaten. SHUDDER!
And now I want to talk about Jem because I found her fascinating. I’m going to be using female pronouns for her as when she was talking about herself it’s what she used and she did describe herself as a woman typically, though once she did use the term a “man trapped in a woman’s body.” I would definitely class Jem as being on the queer spectrum but I wouldn’t necessarily call her transgender as she was forced into the role by her father when she was young - she is very tall and broad with large hands and feet and so doesn’t seem to have a problem passing as a man. I also should mention her birthmark which covers the top half of her face - the writing about this was also really great and the little tics Jem has to ‘hide herself’ away from the world and how people tend to view her when they see the birthmark (though again, they probably would view a man with this birthmark better than if she was a woman). I found Thomson’s writing of Jem absolutely fascinating and fantastic. Most of the time, I almost forgot myself that Jem was a woman! It was really excellent writing.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is because of all the foreshadowing. There was just too much of it and it spoiled the story a little bit for me. There were so many times Jem was describing a scene and then would say something along the lines of “if only I knew then what I know now…” and it was just too much really.
I really, really loved this one though and would 100% recommend. I can’t wait for more books in this series!
July 8, 2018
Medicine and poison, life and death, the point at which one becomes the other isn’t always easy to command.
The pages of Beloved Poison are slathered with the limb-rotting foulness of the slums, the suffocating atmosphere of hospital wards, and secrets long abandoned to asylums.
It’s a grim reminder of the progression of medicine and how headway was made by celebrated individuals and their mercenary activities, all in the name of science. But hot on its heels is the truth, and sometimes that can be as condemning as it is curative.
Continually hoodwinked throughout, the unorthodox Jem Flockhart, and companions with equally memorable monikers, opens blistering wounds that not even the most experienced apothecary could soothe. This chorus of characters attempt to harden their senses, but not their hearts, against the stench, grime and wickedness that runs as wild as any lice-ridden street urchin.
With all good yarns there are a few people who leave you with an intensely bitter feeling from the moment they skulk into your presence, and others whose selfless actions will take your breath away (and not due to their poor hygiene either).
This fiendish feast of a read with its magnificent descriptive voice has left me salivating for more. I relished every bite I took out of this one, so much so that I’m hoping to sink my teeth into the others in the series very soon.
January 25, 2022
Rep: sapphic mc, sapphic side character
CWs: gore, medical procedures, implied child sexual abuse
CWs: gore, medical procedures, implied child sexual abuse
June 7, 2017
Zeer sfeervol zeg, ik kon het Londen uit de jaren 1800 bijna ruiken :p
February 20, 2016
The object I drew out was dusty and mildewed, and blotched with dark rust-coloured stains. It smelt of time and decay, sour, like old books and parchments. The light from the chapel's stained glass window blushed red upon it, and upon my hands, as if the thing itself radiated a bloody glow.
Ramshackle and crumbling, trapped in the past and resisting the future, St Saviour's Infirmary awaits demolition. Within its stinking wards and cramped corridors the doctors bicker and fight. Ambition, jealousy and hatred seethe beneath the veneer of professional courtesy. Always an outsider, and with a secret of her own to hide, apothecary Jem Flockhart observes everything, but says nothing.
And then six tiny coffins are uncovered, inside each a handful of dried flowers and a bundle of mouldering rags. When Jem comes across these strange relics hidden inside the infirmary's old chapel, her quest to understand their meaning prises open a long-forgotten past - with fatal consequences.
In a trail that leads from the bloody world of the operating theatre and the dissecting table to the notorious squalor of Newgate and the gallows, Jem's adversary proves to be both powerful and ruthless. As St Saviour's destruction draws near, the dead are unearthed from their graves whilst the living are forced to make impossible choices. And murder is the price to be paid for the secrets to be kept.
I have been given an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book is so detailed and atmospheric. Praise must go to the author for the extensive research and knowledge of medicinal herbs.
We meet the protagonist, Jem Flockhart and right away discover that she is masquerading as a man in order to continue her father's work as an apothecary. The young architect, Will Quartermain arrives at the start of the story to facilitate the relocation of any bones buried in the site before the hospital is pulled down to make way for the construction of railway tracks.
Right from the start you are pulled in to the story by the author's delicious descriptions of the time period and the characters involved. You can almost smell what the characters smell and feel what they feel and you can sense the undercurrent of intrigue running throughout the whole story.
The discovery of six small makeshift coffins in the anatomy museum cause Jem and Will to feel a creeping sense of dread, even though they have no idea what the coffins actually represent.
As they begin to investigate, the author cleverly paints such a picture of Victorian suspense and intrigue that you can almost imagine you are standing there with the protagonists as they attempt to unwrap the the layers of the story.
The words used create such rich imagery that one can almost see the pictures that they paint. I have vivid pictures of each of the characters in my mind.
The author shows us that arrogance and carelessness, even when the person is well meaning can bring about great trauma.
Yet the author also shows us that with diligence and hard work, you can uncover the truth.
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish and give it five out of five stars.
My profound thanks to Netgalley and to the Little Brown Book Group for my ARC.
Ramshackle and crumbling, trapped in the past and resisting the future, St Saviour's Infirmary awaits demolition. Within its stinking wards and cramped corridors the doctors bicker and fight. Ambition, jealousy and hatred seethe beneath the veneer of professional courtesy. Always an outsider, and with a secret of her own to hide, apothecary Jem Flockhart observes everything, but says nothing.
And then six tiny coffins are uncovered, inside each a handful of dried flowers and a bundle of mouldering rags. When Jem comes across these strange relics hidden inside the infirmary's old chapel, her quest to understand their meaning prises open a long-forgotten past - with fatal consequences.
In a trail that leads from the bloody world of the operating theatre and the dissecting table to the notorious squalor of Newgate and the gallows, Jem's adversary proves to be both powerful and ruthless. As St Saviour's destruction draws near, the dead are unearthed from their graves whilst the living are forced to make impossible choices. And murder is the price to be paid for the secrets to be kept.
I have been given an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book is so detailed and atmospheric. Praise must go to the author for the extensive research and knowledge of medicinal herbs.
We meet the protagonist, Jem Flockhart and right away discover that she is masquerading as a man in order to continue her father's work as an apothecary. The young architect, Will Quartermain arrives at the start of the story to facilitate the relocation of any bones buried in the site before the hospital is pulled down to make way for the construction of railway tracks.
Right from the start you are pulled in to the story by the author's delicious descriptions of the time period and the characters involved. You can almost smell what the characters smell and feel what they feel and you can sense the undercurrent of intrigue running throughout the whole story.
The discovery of six small makeshift coffins in the anatomy museum cause Jem and Will to feel a creeping sense of dread, even though they have no idea what the coffins actually represent.
As they begin to investigate, the author cleverly paints such a picture of Victorian suspense and intrigue that you can almost imagine you are standing there with the protagonists as they attempt to unwrap the the layers of the story.
The words used create such rich imagery that one can almost see the pictures that they paint. I have vivid pictures of each of the characters in my mind.
The author shows us that arrogance and carelessness, even when the person is well meaning can bring about great trauma.
Yet the author also shows us that with diligence and hard work, you can uncover the truth.
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish and give it five out of five stars.
My profound thanks to Netgalley and to the Little Brown Book Group for my ARC.
March 6, 2016
I will be honest, I am not usually one for historical books but this is a very special book so I made the exception as it is full of atmosphere and a ickle bit of gore!
Beloved Poison is set during the Victoria era within the decrepit walls of the soon to be demolished St Saviour's Infirmary, the story follows young Jem Flockhart, an apothecary within the hospital.
Jem is hiding a rather delicate secret, she is a girl hiding in plain view in a man's world, the doctors and surgeons are a mixed bunch of old school covered in blood types to the new maybe we should think about dirt types!
Jem is tasked with showing the young Will Quatermain around the hospital, he is there to help clear the graveyard before the hospital is levelled, whilst exploring their decaying surroundings they come across a disturbing discovery in the chapel of the hospital, six small coffins hidden within a wall, each contains dried flowers and rags, what do they mean, what sinister secrets does this building hide and of course who put them there?
This is actually a beautiful book, I am not going to spoil the story but the whole atmosphere of the book is haunting, the hospital especially is dark and dank, it gives you the shivers. The perfect setting for a Victorian crime, you can almost hear the damp creeping down the walls and in one gruesome amputation scene well you can feel the patients pain.
For fans of a good mystery, this is worth checking out.
Thank you Constable and Robinson for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Beloved Poison is set during the Victoria era within the decrepit walls of the soon to be demolished St Saviour's Infirmary, the story follows young Jem Flockhart, an apothecary within the hospital.
Jem is hiding a rather delicate secret, she is a girl hiding in plain view in a man's world, the doctors and surgeons are a mixed bunch of old school covered in blood types to the new maybe we should think about dirt types!
Jem is tasked with showing the young Will Quatermain around the hospital, he is there to help clear the graveyard before the hospital is levelled, whilst exploring their decaying surroundings they come across a disturbing discovery in the chapel of the hospital, six small coffins hidden within a wall, each contains dried flowers and rags, what do they mean, what sinister secrets does this building hide and of course who put them there?
This is actually a beautiful book, I am not going to spoil the story but the whole atmosphere of the book is haunting, the hospital especially is dark and dank, it gives you the shivers. The perfect setting for a Victorian crime, you can almost hear the damp creeping down the walls and in one gruesome amputation scene well you can feel the patients pain.
For fans of a good mystery, this is worth checking out.
Thank you Constable and Robinson for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2016
This is my favourite book of the year. Loved the story, the setting, the characters and the descriptive words used to tell this story.
Warning if you have a sensitive stomach and go weak at the knees at the thought of graphic telling of medical procedures stay clear. This story is set in 1840 London at a training hospital, by a grave yard that they are digging up so they can shift the bodies to a new place. So there are all sorts of yucky smells described in this book. So read it in a clean fresh place and don't let your mind get carried away (as my husband would tell me).
This book will make you thankful for living in this age. Doctors are so much cleaner and they know so much more about germs. "He ask them to touch and feel, to smell and taste. 'Use every sense,'he cried.". But I guess without these early understandings we wouldn't be where we are today.
Jem is the main character in this mystery. 'he' helps his father in the apothecary and does the hospital rounds.. Will Quatermain is going to oversee the shifting of the graveyard and helps Jem when needed. When Jem and Will uncover six small coffins they open up a can of worms and the story turns into a murder mystery and it is not an easy crime to solve.
"This city is drowning in filth,' he said 'Its houses are crowded and decayed, its citizens sick, diseased and grubby. But whereas you accept it, and work within those constraints, I hope for better things.' He smiled. 'I hope for drains and sewers and culverts. I hope for clean, new buildings and wide, airy streets."
Love, love, Love this book
Warning if you have a sensitive stomach and go weak at the knees at the thought of graphic telling of medical procedures stay clear. This story is set in 1840 London at a training hospital, by a grave yard that they are digging up so they can shift the bodies to a new place. So there are all sorts of yucky smells described in this book. So read it in a clean fresh place and don't let your mind get carried away (as my husband would tell me).
This book will make you thankful for living in this age. Doctors are so much cleaner and they know so much more about germs. "He ask them to touch and feel, to smell and taste. 'Use every sense,'he cried.". But I guess without these early understandings we wouldn't be where we are today.
Jem is the main character in this mystery. 'he' helps his father in the apothecary and does the hospital rounds.. Will Quatermain is going to oversee the shifting of the graveyard and helps Jem when needed. When Jem and Will uncover six small coffins they open up a can of worms and the story turns into a murder mystery and it is not an easy crime to solve.
"This city is drowning in filth,' he said 'Its houses are crowded and decayed, its citizens sick, diseased and grubby. But whereas you accept it, and work within those constraints, I hope for better things.' He smiled. 'I hope for drains and sewers and culverts. I hope for clean, new buildings and wide, airy streets."
Love, love, Love this book
November 20, 2021
Beloved Poison is a true Victorian gothic novel that is steeped in wonder and coated in grime. Everything in this book springs to life, from the dirt caked streets, to the seedy brothels and the betrayals committed by characters with less than perfect intentions. This is, for sure, a dark story. Not only does it have a suffocating, cloying atmosphere that becomes impossible to ignore, but there's also madness and murder waiting at every turn.
Without a doubt, this is a great way to kick-start a new series, one that will hopefully continue the trend of being packed full of enjoyable characters that are a delight to read about. E.S. Thomson uses disgustingly vivid detail to describe the medical procedures that take place, making them a gruesome, but enjoyable addition to the story.
If you're a historical mystery than that likes your books on the bleaker side of things, this is the novel for you.
Without a doubt, this is a great way to kick-start a new series, one that will hopefully continue the trend of being packed full of enjoyable characters that are a delight to read about. E.S. Thomson uses disgustingly vivid detail to describe the medical procedures that take place, making them a gruesome, but enjoyable addition to the story.
If you're a historical mystery than that likes your books on the bleaker side of things, this is the novel for you.
February 25, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author and I now cannot wait to continue the series.
For a series to work for me I have to feel a connection with the main character and I loved Jem Flochart, the female apothecary who has to live as a male to be able to work in her profession. There is an inter weaved mystery right from the first few chapters which keeps you interested throughout. I love the developing friendship between Jem and Will, a surveyor who has been tasked with exhuming bodies from the hospital cemetary.I
It is very gorey in places, not for the feign hearted.
I absolutely loved it. Historical fiction at its best with the added bonus for me, historical Medicine and healthcare. Glad I didn't work in this hospital!!!
For a series to work for me I have to feel a connection with the main character and I loved Jem Flochart, the female apothecary who has to live as a male to be able to work in her profession. There is an inter weaved mystery right from the first few chapters which keeps you interested throughout. I love the developing friendship between Jem and Will, a surveyor who has been tasked with exhuming bodies from the hospital cemetary.I
It is very gorey in places, not for the feign hearted.
I absolutely loved it. Historical fiction at its best with the added bonus for me, historical Medicine and healthcare. Glad I didn't work in this hospital!!!
May 1, 2021
Set in St Saviours Infirmary in London in the mid-19th century, this is a gripping mystery. St Saviours is decrepit and about to be demolished to make way for a railway station. Working in the apothecary is Jem, who is befriended by Will a young architect sent by his firm to oversee the clearance of the Infirmary’s graveyard. Jem and Will discover six crudely made miniature coffins, and the discovery causes consternation among some of the doctors. Murders follow.
The novel portrays well the state of medicine and surgery at that time, with all the attendant blood and lack of hygiene. Doctors are still using dead bodies to improve their understanding of human anatomy, some with the help of “resurrectionists”.
The denouement came as a surprise, and I look forward to reading more of these books.
The novel portrays well the state of medicine and surgery at that time, with all the attendant blood and lack of hygiene. Doctors are still using dead bodies to improve their understanding of human anatomy, some with the help of “resurrectionists”.
The denouement came as a surprise, and I look forward to reading more of these books.
April 8, 2017
**3.75 stars**
I loved the atmosphere featured in this story. I also had a lot of fun experiencing all the little twists and turns that were peppered throughout. The main character, Jem, was unique and likable. I'm looking forward to the second book in this series!
I loved the atmosphere featured in this story. I also had a lot of fun experiencing all the little twists and turns that were peppered throughout. The main character, Jem, was unique and likable. I'm looking forward to the second book in this series!
October 4, 2017
First in a Victorian mystery series introducing Jem Flockhart, a woman living as a man in order to ply her trade as an apothecary. But her hospital is about to be torn down, and when she finds six tiny coffins hidden in the chapel, Jem's life is in as much danger as her job.
July 23, 2019
Vivid descriptions,very atmospheric and a very interesting main character.The mystery is just ok. Worth reading the second one,see where it goes.
June 29, 2018
Whilst this has clearly been written for a twenty-first century audience there are some definite echoes of Charles Dickens in this delightful historical crime novel. For instance, there is Mrs Roseplucker, the brothel keeper and Joe Silks, the handkerchief thief; all names worthy of the great man himself.
If you would like to read my full review then please visit my blog at: https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review then please visit my blog at: https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
April 28, 2019
This is a most peculiar place,’ he said. ‘And the people in it are driven by the most extraordinary motives to do the most deplorable things.’
Beloved Poison is an atmospheric historical mystery, the first in a series from debut author, E.S. Thomson.
Standing since 1135, the crowded, dilapidated buildings of St. Saviours Infirmary are slated to be demolished to make way for a railway bridge. St. Saviours is the only home apothecary Jem Flockhart has ever known, but even she is not privy to all its secrets.
While showing William Quartermain, the junior architect tasked with organising the emptying of St. Saviours graveyard, around, Jem and Will discover six tiny paper coffins hidden in the crumbling walls of the chapel. Puzzled by the symbolism of their contents, she is determined to learn their origins, unwittingly unleashing the base instincts of a murderer.
“Oh, yes, I was unique among women. There had been an apothecary named Flockhart at St Saviour’s Infirmary for over one hundred years and I was set to inherit my father’s kingdom amongst the potions. But it took a man to run that apothecary, and so a man I must be.”
Thomson’s portrayal of Jem is nuanced and fascinating. In order to sustain the Flockhart legacy, Jem has no choice but to live as a man, but being forced to keep her secret at all times means she is often terribly lonely. She is disarmed by the friendliness of William, who seems unfazed by the large port wine birthmark that stains her face, and he is equally unruffled when he guesses her secret, though it is her childhood friend, Elizabeth, that she yearns for. Jem’s interest in the coffins is both a product of her natural curiosity, and a distraction from her father’s illness, as well as the uncertainty of the Infirmary’s impending closure.
“In reality they were no more than a collection of poorly-executed boxes, foolish totems that may well have been made and hidden away by a child, their significance at best random, and most likely meaningless. And yet I knew, in my heart, that these were spurious arguments.”
The discovery of the coffins is an eventual catalyst for three murders, Jem’s wrongful incarceration, and a revelation of past atrocities. The mysteries are interesting and involved. There are, among the often arrogant, petty, and morally corrupt staff of St. Savours, several suspects.
Where the novel unfortunately fell down for me was in the uneven pacing, exacerbated by the heavy foreshadowing of events.
“Stiff with old gore, Dr Graves’s coat had a thick, inflexible appearance, and a sinister ruddy-coloured patina like waxed mahogany. Dr Magorian’s was worse, being as dark and lustreless as a black pudding.”
Perhaps the strongest element of the novel is Thomson’s horrifying yet compelling visceral descriptions of the medical practices and beliefs of 1850. The author walks us through the dank and stinking wards of the Infirmary crowded with festering patients, the blood spattered operating rooms with floors strewn with sawdust, and the damp and chilly dissecting room. Thomson’s characters also briefly venture out of St. Saviours into the equally squalid streets of London, and to Newgate Prison.
I enjoyed Beloved Poison, particularly for its Victorian atmosphere and though it has its flaws, as the first in a series, I can see the potential, and I hope to read more.
Beloved Poison is an atmospheric historical mystery, the first in a series from debut author, E.S. Thomson.
Standing since 1135, the crowded, dilapidated buildings of St. Saviours Infirmary are slated to be demolished to make way for a railway bridge. St. Saviours is the only home apothecary Jem Flockhart has ever known, but even she is not privy to all its secrets.
While showing William Quartermain, the junior architect tasked with organising the emptying of St. Saviours graveyard, around, Jem and Will discover six tiny paper coffins hidden in the crumbling walls of the chapel. Puzzled by the symbolism of their contents, she is determined to learn their origins, unwittingly unleashing the base instincts of a murderer.
“Oh, yes, I was unique among women. There had been an apothecary named Flockhart at St Saviour’s Infirmary for over one hundred years and I was set to inherit my father’s kingdom amongst the potions. But it took a man to run that apothecary, and so a man I must be.”
Thomson’s portrayal of Jem is nuanced and fascinating. In order to sustain the Flockhart legacy, Jem has no choice but to live as a man, but being forced to keep her secret at all times means she is often terribly lonely. She is disarmed by the friendliness of William, who seems unfazed by the large port wine birthmark that stains her face, and he is equally unruffled when he guesses her secret, though it is her childhood friend, Elizabeth, that she yearns for. Jem’s interest in the coffins is both a product of her natural curiosity, and a distraction from her father’s illness, as well as the uncertainty of the Infirmary’s impending closure.
“In reality they were no more than a collection of poorly-executed boxes, foolish totems that may well have been made and hidden away by a child, their significance at best random, and most likely meaningless. And yet I knew, in my heart, that these were spurious arguments.”
The discovery of the coffins is an eventual catalyst for three murders, Jem’s wrongful incarceration, and a revelation of past atrocities. The mysteries are interesting and involved. There are, among the often arrogant, petty, and morally corrupt staff of St. Savours, several suspects.
Where the novel unfortunately fell down for me was in the uneven pacing, exacerbated by the heavy foreshadowing of events.
“Stiff with old gore, Dr Graves’s coat had a thick, inflexible appearance, and a sinister ruddy-coloured patina like waxed mahogany. Dr Magorian’s was worse, being as dark and lustreless as a black pudding.”
Perhaps the strongest element of the novel is Thomson’s horrifying yet compelling visceral descriptions of the medical practices and beliefs of 1850. The author walks us through the dank and stinking wards of the Infirmary crowded with festering patients, the blood spattered operating rooms with floors strewn with sawdust, and the damp and chilly dissecting room. Thomson’s characters also briefly venture out of St. Saviours into the equally squalid streets of London, and to Newgate Prison.
I enjoyed Beloved Poison, particularly for its Victorian atmosphere and though it has its flaws, as the first in a series, I can see the potential, and I hope to read more.
June 14, 2016
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
E.S. Thomson keeps the reader on the edge of their seats in her debut novel, Beloved Poison. The narrator, Jem Flockhart, is the junior apothecary at the St Saviour’s Infirmary in Victorian-era London. Having grown up working in the hospital, Jem is not pleased to be lodging the junior architect, William Quartermain, who is part of the company tasked with knocking the building down in order to build a railway bridge. Whilst attempting to turn Will’s stomach by touring him around the more gruesome sections of the establishment, Jem uncovers six strange and disturbing relics.
The objects Jem and Will discover are six miniature hand made coffins containing crude and repulsive black-eyed dolls. Unsure of their purpose, they allow the young doctor, Dr. Bain, to have a closer look at them. However, when Dr. Bain is murdered that very night, Jem and Will realize there is something sinister about their findings. In an attempt to unearth the truth, Jem and Will develop a close friendship, however they do not realize how much danger they are putting themselves in.
Beloved Poison is full of seedy characters, providing multiple suspects for both the murder and the peculiar coffins. As Jem and Will investigate, they discover plenty of different motives for the demise of Dr. Bain, but the meaning of the buried dolls remains a puzzle. The novel contains several mysteries that the pair tries to unravel by learning people’s secrets; all the while Jem has a big secret of HER own.
For a debut novel, Beloved Poison is an exceptionally well-written, exciting novel. Its historical context provides a unique dimension, particularly using Victorian medical science as a base for detective work, rather than the technologies used in contemporary thrillers. E.S. Thomson gained a PhD in the history of medicine before turning towards novel writing, so it can be assumed that all the terminology and knowledge of poisons are correct. A bonus of reading a novel written by an author with a deep understanding of the area of focus is the educational nature the narrative emits.
Beloved Poison is a book that will fulfill the needs of readers of all ages. With a little bit of several genres: historical, thriller, mystery, crime; there is more than enough to capture the attention of people with a variety of different tastes in literature. The story is captivating and the protagonist an admirable character – a perfect combination for a fantastic read. You will be trying to guess the outcome right until the very end. You may even be surprised at the conclusion. I can almost guarantee that you will love Jem Flockhart, and the best thing is there is already a suggestion of a second novel!
E.S. Thomson keeps the reader on the edge of their seats in her debut novel, Beloved Poison. The narrator, Jem Flockhart, is the junior apothecary at the St Saviour’s Infirmary in Victorian-era London. Having grown up working in the hospital, Jem is not pleased to be lodging the junior architect, William Quartermain, who is part of the company tasked with knocking the building down in order to build a railway bridge. Whilst attempting to turn Will’s stomach by touring him around the more gruesome sections of the establishment, Jem uncovers six strange and disturbing relics.
The objects Jem and Will discover are six miniature hand made coffins containing crude and repulsive black-eyed dolls. Unsure of their purpose, they allow the young doctor, Dr. Bain, to have a closer look at them. However, when Dr. Bain is murdered that very night, Jem and Will realize there is something sinister about their findings. In an attempt to unearth the truth, Jem and Will develop a close friendship, however they do not realize how much danger they are putting themselves in.
Beloved Poison is full of seedy characters, providing multiple suspects for both the murder and the peculiar coffins. As Jem and Will investigate, they discover plenty of different motives for the demise of Dr. Bain, but the meaning of the buried dolls remains a puzzle. The novel contains several mysteries that the pair tries to unravel by learning people’s secrets; all the while Jem has a big secret of HER own.
For a debut novel, Beloved Poison is an exceptionally well-written, exciting novel. Its historical context provides a unique dimension, particularly using Victorian medical science as a base for detective work, rather than the technologies used in contemporary thrillers. E.S. Thomson gained a PhD in the history of medicine before turning towards novel writing, so it can be assumed that all the terminology and knowledge of poisons are correct. A bonus of reading a novel written by an author with a deep understanding of the area of focus is the educational nature the narrative emits.
Beloved Poison is a book that will fulfill the needs of readers of all ages. With a little bit of several genres: historical, thriller, mystery, crime; there is more than enough to capture the attention of people with a variety of different tastes in literature. The story is captivating and the protagonist an admirable character – a perfect combination for a fantastic read. You will be trying to guess the outcome right until the very end. You may even be surprised at the conclusion. I can almost guarantee that you will love Jem Flockhart, and the best thing is there is already a suggestion of a second novel!
April 6, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Hachette Australia for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Jem Flockhart is worried about some personal secrets being discovered when Will Quartermain comes to crumbling St Saviour's hospital to oversee architectural work. What Jem and Will discover however, is that secrets are built into the very walls of the hospital and closely guarded by its residents.
If you love a good murder mystery format but are looking for something with a sinister twist and more secrets than you could poke a rag-covered stick at, then I definitely recommend picking up Beloved Poison. There is so much more going on here than in your typical murder mystery that it actually took me a while to figure out that this was actually going to involve hunting for a murderer. There’s cross-dressing, graveyard excavation, limb amputations, lady almoners, poisons and potions, degenerative diseases, executions, bizarre rituals, mental asylums, prostitutes, ghostly presences and surgery practiced without regard for cleanliness and hygiene.
If I had to boil this one down though, I’d say that it was about secrets and masks. We find out early on that Jem is playing a gender-swapping role for reasons that are fleshed out (although not, in my opinion, entirely believable) as the story unfolds, and is assisted in this by a large facial birthmark. Jem’s father has some secrets of his own, not least of which relating to the death of Jem’s mother in childbirth. The doctors of the hospital are all playing their own agendas, and each have habits, mannerisms and methods of working that are decidedly unpalatable, and their wives and lovers are just as bad.
The best thing about this book is the pervading atmosphere of bleakness and unrelenting gloom that Thomson has set up. The historical aspects are faithfully recreated and some of the medical details described in stomach-churning detail. While the atmosphere is thick with a pervasive miasma of sinister goings-on, the book itself isn’t a depressing read. Jem and Will, and even apprentice apothecary Gabriel and servant Mrs Speedicut, inject a certain sense of fervour and hope that provides a neat counterpoint to their unsavoury surroundings. Even if you don’t pick this one up for the murder mystery aspect there is plenty to uncover as you peel back the mud-encrusted layers of the lives of St Saviour’s residents.
I was also happy to see that this appears to be a standalone novel. After all the shocks and “blergh” moments in this one, I don’t think I could stomach a second foray into London’s stinky historical underbelly any time soon!
Ten Second Synopsis:
Jem Flockhart is worried about some personal secrets being discovered when Will Quartermain comes to crumbling St Saviour's hospital to oversee architectural work. What Jem and Will discover however, is that secrets are built into the very walls of the hospital and closely guarded by its residents.
If you love a good murder mystery format but are looking for something with a sinister twist and more secrets than you could poke a rag-covered stick at, then I definitely recommend picking up Beloved Poison. There is so much more going on here than in your typical murder mystery that it actually took me a while to figure out that this was actually going to involve hunting for a murderer. There’s cross-dressing, graveyard excavation, limb amputations, lady almoners, poisons and potions, degenerative diseases, executions, bizarre rituals, mental asylums, prostitutes, ghostly presences and surgery practiced without regard for cleanliness and hygiene.
If I had to boil this one down though, I’d say that it was about secrets and masks. We find out early on that Jem is playing a gender-swapping role for reasons that are fleshed out (although not, in my opinion, entirely believable) as the story unfolds, and is assisted in this by a large facial birthmark. Jem’s father has some secrets of his own, not least of which relating to the death of Jem’s mother in childbirth. The doctors of the hospital are all playing their own agendas, and each have habits, mannerisms and methods of working that are decidedly unpalatable, and their wives and lovers are just as bad.
The best thing about this book is the pervading atmosphere of bleakness and unrelenting gloom that Thomson has set up. The historical aspects are faithfully recreated and some of the medical details described in stomach-churning detail. While the atmosphere is thick with a pervasive miasma of sinister goings-on, the book itself isn’t a depressing read. Jem and Will, and even apprentice apothecary Gabriel and servant Mrs Speedicut, inject a certain sense of fervour and hope that provides a neat counterpoint to their unsavoury surroundings. Even if you don’t pick this one up for the murder mystery aspect there is plenty to uncover as you peel back the mud-encrusted layers of the lives of St Saviour’s residents.
I was also happy to see that this appears to be a standalone novel. After all the shocks and “blergh” moments in this one, I don’t think I could stomach a second foray into London’s stinky historical underbelly any time soon!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews