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The Poisoners
‘Miss Bowen’s work is of the exceptional class’ - The Scotsman Paris is gripped by a series of gruesome murders — young and fashionable ladies suddenly become rich, dry-eyed widows. Then a chance remark at a dinner party puts the police on the track of a strange and deadly poison. The trail leads to a ring of Satanists, many of them high-ranking members of the French aristocracy. Behind the brilliant façade of Louis XIV’s flamboyant court at Versailles, the poisoners perform their scandalous Black Masses in fetid cellars, macabre killings — even the sacrifice of new-born babies. The Sun King himself is in deadly danger, completely unaware that one of his mistresses may be furtively plotting his assassination… Praise for Marjorie Bowen ‘A book remarkable alike for its vividness and for its historical perspective’ - Daily Express ‘… one of the most novel features of Miss Bowen’s book is the care she takes to see the point of view of Mary’s lovers. She makes a plausible case for Bothwell and even joins the very select band of those who have something good to say for Darnley’ - Times Literary Supplement ‘Fresh, vivid, exciting and enthralling … This is a fine book’ - The Sphere ‘A book in every way worthwhile … as an individual contribution to the subject, Miss Bowen’s work is of the exceptional class’ - The Scotman Marjorie Bowen was born in 1885 and often wrote under the pseudonym Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell Long. She was one of Britain’s most prolific authors of the twentieth century. Writing was more than just a her works were the primary source of financial support for her family. Between 1906 and her death in 1952, Bowen wrote over 150 books, garnering much acclaim for her popular histories and historical and Gothic romances. Alongside masterful descriptions and concise, efficient prose, she deftly rendered larger-than-life subjects in the minds of her readers. To this day, aficionados of the genres covet Bowen’s work. Her other titles include The Sword Decided, Mary Queen of Scots, The Queen’s Caprice, The Governor of England, Mistress Nell Gwynn and Dickon. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1936
About the author
Marjorie Bowen
465 books86 followersMarjorie Bowen (pseudonym of Mrs Gabrielle Margaret V[ere] Long née Campbell), was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye, and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films. Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics.
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2016
I have read several novels by Marjorie Bowen this year and this is one of my favourites so far. First published in 1936, The Poisoners originally appeared under one of her other pseudonyms, George Preedy, and now that I’ve read it I can see why she chose to use a different name for this one. Although this book, like the others I’ve read, is set in the past, it is more of a mystery/thriller which should appeal to readers of vintage crime as well as to fans of historical fiction.
The story takes place in 17th century Paris during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and revolves around a famous murder scandal known as L’affaire des poisons (Affair of the poisons). Our hero is Charles Desgrez, newly arrived in Paris with his wife, Solange, to take up a position as Lieutenant of Police and keen to make a name for himself. At the beginning of the novel, the couple are attending a party for Solange’s birthday, when one of the guests – the Widow Bosse, a supplier of perfumes – drunkenly boasts of becoming rich by helping wives to become widows. “I’ve only got three more poisonings to do and I shall be a very wealthy woman,” she says.
To satisfy his curiosity, Desgrez asks Solange to visit the Widow in disguise, posing as a wife unhappy with her husband – and he is shocked by what he learns. Reporting his findings to the Chief of Police, M. de la Reynie, the two begin to investigate and gradually discover that the network of poisoners operating in Paris is much larger and more sophisticated than they could ever have imagined. To complicate things further, some of the people involved are closely connected to the Sun King himself – so Desgrez and de la Reynie must find a way to bring the criminals to justice while avoiding the publicity the King would prefer to avoid.
The Affair of the Poisons is a dark and fascinating episode in Parisian history. I’ve read about it before, in The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley, and it was good to revisit the same subject from a different angle. As far as I can tell, Bowen’s novel sticks to the basic historical facts of The Affair, with the addition of a few fictional characters and plot developments. The result is an atmospheric and suspenseful crime novel featuring fortune tellers and spies, counterfeiters and apothecaries, an empty house which hides sinister secrets, mysterious letters marked with the sign of a pink carnation, and a society thought to be involved in black magic.
The plot is excellent – fast-paced and exciting – but there’s not a lot to say about the characters in The Poisoners. Many of them are based on real historical figures, such as the king’s mistress, Madame de Montespan, and the notorious poisoner, La Voisin. Although they are all interesting to read about, none of them are developed in any great depth. I enjoyed reading about the work of the police officers in the novel (I hadn’t realised the French police were so well organised in the 17th century, which is something Bowen talks about in her author’s note) and I did like Charles and Solange Desgrez, but they are not the sort of characters who stay in your thoughts after finishing the book. This is a novel you would read for the plot rather than the characters, and maybe this is one of the differences between the books which were originally published under the Marjorie Bowen and George Preedy names.
If you’ve read anything by Marjorie Bowen (or any of Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell’s other pseudonyms) I’d love to hear what you thought!
The story takes place in 17th century Paris during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and revolves around a famous murder scandal known as L’affaire des poisons (Affair of the poisons). Our hero is Charles Desgrez, newly arrived in Paris with his wife, Solange, to take up a position as Lieutenant of Police and keen to make a name for himself. At the beginning of the novel, the couple are attending a party for Solange’s birthday, when one of the guests – the Widow Bosse, a supplier of perfumes – drunkenly boasts of becoming rich by helping wives to become widows. “I’ve only got three more poisonings to do and I shall be a very wealthy woman,” she says.
To satisfy his curiosity, Desgrez asks Solange to visit the Widow in disguise, posing as a wife unhappy with her husband – and he is shocked by what he learns. Reporting his findings to the Chief of Police, M. de la Reynie, the two begin to investigate and gradually discover that the network of poisoners operating in Paris is much larger and more sophisticated than they could ever have imagined. To complicate things further, some of the people involved are closely connected to the Sun King himself – so Desgrez and de la Reynie must find a way to bring the criminals to justice while avoiding the publicity the King would prefer to avoid.
The Affair of the Poisons is a dark and fascinating episode in Parisian history. I’ve read about it before, in The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley, and it was good to revisit the same subject from a different angle. As far as I can tell, Bowen’s novel sticks to the basic historical facts of The Affair, with the addition of a few fictional characters and plot developments. The result is an atmospheric and suspenseful crime novel featuring fortune tellers and spies, counterfeiters and apothecaries, an empty house which hides sinister secrets, mysterious letters marked with the sign of a pink carnation, and a society thought to be involved in black magic.
The plot is excellent – fast-paced and exciting – but there’s not a lot to say about the characters in The Poisoners. Many of them are based on real historical figures, such as the king’s mistress, Madame de Montespan, and the notorious poisoner, La Voisin. Although they are all interesting to read about, none of them are developed in any great depth. I enjoyed reading about the work of the police officers in the novel (I hadn’t realised the French police were so well organised in the 17th century, which is something Bowen talks about in her author’s note) and I did like Charles and Solange Desgrez, but they are not the sort of characters who stay in your thoughts after finishing the book. This is a novel you would read for the plot rather than the characters, and maybe this is one of the differences between the books which were originally published under the Marjorie Bowen and George Preedy names.
If you’ve read anything by Marjorie Bowen (or any of Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell’s other pseudonyms) I’d love to hear what you thought!
June 5, 2017
The events in this novel are set shortly after the Marquise de Brinvilliers’s execution for poisoning numerous people. The Marquise’s death was, so the police thought, an end to such horror, yet if anything it was just a vicious prelude to something much worse.
Ms Bowen does a good job here, keeping the reader – or this one at least – engaged from the offset. It helped that the previous book I read was Alexandre Dumas’s biography of the Marquise de Brinvilliers, so it was like reading a sequel.
The author keeps suspense and intrigue high throughout the narrative. Policeman Charles Desgrez makes for a strong main character.
I especially like the occasions when Desgrez’s wife, Solange, partakes in some detective work. She’s not employed by the authorities or anything of that nature. She does this as a favour, or out of love, and the few scenarios that she gets involved with are among the most compelling in the book.
A very good read.
Ms Bowen does a good job here, keeping the reader – or this one at least – engaged from the offset. It helped that the previous book I read was Alexandre Dumas’s biography of the Marquise de Brinvilliers, so it was like reading a sequel.
The author keeps suspense and intrigue high throughout the narrative. Policeman Charles Desgrez makes for a strong main character.
I especially like the occasions when Desgrez’s wife, Solange, partakes in some detective work. She’s not employed by the authorities or anything of that nature. She does this as a favour, or out of love, and the few scenarios that she gets involved with are among the most compelling in the book.
A very good read.
April 15, 2021
A historical mystery set during the Affair of the Poisons in the reign of Louis XIV.
More here: https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpr...
More here: https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpr...
September 6, 2022
Originally published in 1936 it’s VERY much of its time. Zippy and engaging enough - but very law and order, a little misogynistic, a little racist, very moralistic. The mystery aspect is okay, but it’s not super surprising who the master satanist/criminal is because of a dearth of characters. I’m making it sound less fun than it is tbh, but this is a spectacularly uptight version of this story that glosses over things like torture and executions in order to keep the proceedings mild and the heroes (i.e. the Sun King’s police force) uncomplicatedly in the right. It’s an an entertaining curiosity.
Did Not Finish
March 24, 2016DNF at 25%
The Poisoners is based on real events, Affaire des Poisons, back in 17thc France, in which Louis XIV mistresses had involvement. Scandalous for this time and the gossip girl in me naturally got curious, I expected The Poisoners to be something like Snapped or some true crime episode.
Eh. Not so much. Although I love the plot and to be fair, the case is shaping up well around my quitting time, the tone and pace of the narrative didn't engage me. There's no tension, no sense of foreboding, I wasn't gripped in suspense or anticipation, I find the narration dry and textbookish. I guess the style is not for me :(
The Poisoners is based on real events, Affaire des Poisons, back in 17thc France, in which Louis XIV mistresses had involvement. Scandalous for this time and the gossip girl in me naturally got curious, I expected The Poisoners to be something like Snapped or some true crime episode.
Eh. Not so much. Although I love the plot and to be fair, the case is shaping up well around my quitting time, the tone and pace of the narrative didn't engage me. There's no tension, no sense of foreboding, I wasn't gripped in suspense or anticipation, I find the narration dry and textbookish. I guess the style is not for me :(
December 14, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an interesting read that I read most of it in one sitting. The writing style at times seemed to wander a bit but overall it was beautifully written.
This was such an interesting read that I read most of it in one sitting. The writing style at times seemed to wander a bit but overall it was beautifully written.
December 30, 2015
Marjorie Bowen writes a powerful exciting story of life and death in Paris in the time of Louis XIV.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
January 6, 2014
most of the books are set in french revolution, with an occult theme !!
Such a great writer , its a shame they havent been printed many times !
Such a great writer , its a shame they havent been printed many times !
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews