The Poison Thread A Novel
The Poison Thread by Laura Purcell is a thrilling Victorian gothic horror story published by Penguin on June 18, 2019. This 368-page novel unfolds the tale of Dorothea Truelove, a young and wealthy woman drawn to the world of phrenology, who encounters Ruth Butterham, a poor seamstress awaiting trial for murder. As Dorothea explores her fascination with the human mind, she becomes entangled in Ruth’s unsettling claim that her needle and thread possess the power to kill.
Readers will find a narrative rich in historical and gothic elements, as the story delves into themes of betrayal, madness, and the supernatural. Ruth’s chilling account of her creations challenges Dorothea’s beliefs about rationality and redemption, leading to a gripping exploration of trust and innocence. The Poison Thread presents a unique blend of fiction and psychological intrigue, making it a captivating read for those interested in ghostly tales and the darker aspects of human nature.
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“[An] uncanny Gothic mystery… Satisfying.”—New York Times Book Review
“A romping read with a deliciously dark conceit at its center… Reminded me of Alias Grace.”—Kiran Millwood Hargrave
From the author of The Silent Companions, a thrilling Victorian gothic horror story about a young seamstress who claims her needle and thread have the power to kill
Dorothea Truelove is young, wealthy, and beautiful. Ruth Butterham is young, poor, and awaiting trial for murder.
When Dorothea’s charitable work brings her to Oakgate Prison, she is delighted by the chance to explore her fascination with phrenology and test her hypothesis that the shape of a person’s skull can cast a light on their darkest crimes. But when she meets one of the prisoners, the teenaged seamstress Ruth, she is faced with another strange idea: that it is possible to kill with a needle and thread–because Ruth attributes her crimes to a supernatural power inherent in her stitches.
The story Ruth has to tell of her deadly creations—of bitterness and betrayal, of death and dresses—will shake Dorothea’s belief in rationality, and the power of redemption. Can Ruth be trusted? Is she mad, or a murderer? For fans of Shirley Jackson, The Poison Thread is a spine-tingling, sinister read about the evil that lurks behind the facade of innocence.
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