Life can be cruel for a servant girl in 1850s London. Fifteen-year-old Abi is a scullery maid in Greave Hall, an elegant but troubled household. The widowed master of the house is slowly slipping into madness, and the tyrannical housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton, punishes Abi without mercy. But there’s something else going on in Greave Hall, too. An otherworldly presence is making itself known, and a deadly secret will reveal itself?a secret that will shatter everything Abi knows.
About the author:
MICHAEL FORD studied English and Classics at Oxford University before a stint teaching English in Greece. He worked in children’s nonfiction publishing for several years before becoming an editor of adult fiction. He lives in England.
In a former life I was a high school English teacher. I really enjoyed it- and the most exciting part of my job was when I could get a kid excited about a book. Because…these days- getting a teen to open a book is a little, well…difficult shall we say? I did discover that one of the genres that appealed the MOST to my 9th and 10th graders was horror. Almost every single student LOVED it when Halloween rolled around and I had a scary story to read to them. This book made me wish I was back in the classroom reading to them, watching the hair stand up on their arms.
“The Poisoned House is a good, old-fashioned ghost story complete with gothic atmosphere, an evil matron, an innocent serving girl, plot twists and turns, and an eerie presence.”
?Mary Ann Lewis, Librarian
Even though this book is classified as ‘young adult’- please don’t let that deter you. I did not find that I was insulted at the simplicity of the story. In fact, I wanted to keep reading night after night even though this mama of three busy ones wanted nothing more than to close her eyes. I love histoircal mysteries, and this is a delightful one set in Victorian London. Delicious.
I really don’t want to give much away- as it is a mystery- and reading it is part of the ride. Innocent house maid is tormented by more than what is bumping around in her night. A creepy house full of creepy inhabitants- but I will say that Abi is a wonderful heroine, she is strong yet vulnerable- and a good friend. The antagonist(s) are devilishly good and you truly love to hate Mrs. Cotton. My only critique of this novel is that I wish I would have seen MORE revenge inflicted upon her, as I feel she got off too easy. Perfect retribution, but I wanted to see that awful, awful woman suffer!!
I highly recommend this book for your mature high school reader- or yourself. It is entertaining, complicated, suspenseful and gripping. I downloaded this book right to my phone as it is available in hardcover and electronic format.
Buy it! You can purchase this book in a number of different formats from Amazon and Barnes and Noble for around $10.00 and up.
I received a sample for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.
