The Poisoned House by Michael Ford
Paranormal YA
Paperback
August 2, 2010
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Our story begins with 14 year old orphan Abigail Tamper running for her life-trying to escape the cruel housekeeper and de facto ruler of Greave hall. Mr. Ford admirably transcribes the harsh winter landscape of London and the impersonal way in which Abigail (Abi) is returned to the hall. Abi’s mother is dead and she has no known relatives. She is a servant at Greaves Hall and the housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton, informs Abi gleefully that she will never allow her to leave. With the master of the house sequestered away, slowly sinking into madness and the son of the manor away at war, Abi is at Mrs. Cotton’s mercy.
As the anniversary of Abi’s mother’s death approaches, unusual happenings begin to occur at Greaves Hall. Things are moved and destroyed. Hand prints appear and disappear on areas around the Hall. When a medium comes to Greaves Hall at the bequest of Mrs. Cotton, he suffers a minor seizure in which he calls Abi by her secret nickname-little snowdrop. A nickname only her mother called her. When Samuel, the master’s son, is brought home with a war injury, Abi is called to help nurse him. Abi and Samuel were the best of friends as children, raised as brother and sister. Abi hopes Samuel’s presence will cull Mrs. Cotton’s rein of terror. Yet all Samuel’s presence does is increase the spiritual happenings. Abi is at her wits end as she tries to decipher what the ghost is trying to tell her. As Abi tries to hang on to her world, it begins to spin out of control when revelations come light about Abi’s mother’s death and the deception of everyone involved.
The Poisoned House is a Victorian ghost story set in the 1800’s. Gothic elements permeate our senses as we live Abigail Tamper’s life through her eyes. Smooth writing and descriptive world building creates an exciting stage for ghosts, betrayal, and revenge.
Fans of Jane Eyre and Withering Heights will enjoy the similar ambiance shared here. Geared towards a younger reader, the plot itself is rather straight forward with a more modern dialogue. A forbidding house with a secretive staff, a mad owner, and a sinister ghost all serve to tempt and tease us into complicity.
I enjoyed the characters Mr. Ford has created. Somewhat clichéd, they add to the overall feeling of oppression and despair that the story revolves around. Abi is wonderful as our reluctant heroine. Shackled to circumstances out of her control, she is resigned to her situation yet not altogether accepting of it. She shows remarkable courage and intelligence as she investigates the mysterious happenings at Greaves Hall and how they relate to her mother’s death. I forgot at times she was only 14 years old. The fact she automatically accepts there is a ghost made the story much easier to engage with. Often we have to fight with the heroine for belief and the wait can become tedious. Our secondary cast of characters all play an integral part in Abi’s life. I found their personalities to be in keeping with servants during this era. Most of them have guessed at the circumstances surrounding Abi’s birth and her mother’s death but fear keeps the secrets locked up tight. As we watch Abi interact with them you find yourself wondering if they are friend or foe? Will they help or hinder her? Only with Mrs. Cotton are we secure in her absolute hatred of Abi.
The mystery and suspense are addictive as Abi becomes more daring in her quest for answers. Though I did guess what had happened early on, I found myself quite willing to let Mr. Ford lead me there himself. The main conflict is settled in a plausible if not a glorified gothic manner. I did feel Mrs. Cotton got off way too easy. I would have felt more satisfied with the ending had there been a bit more storyline added. It wraps up quickly with almost too satisfactory of an ending. I wanted to spend more time with the characters getting to know them. There is a nice epilogue that lets us know what happens to Abi later in life which is presented in an interesting format.
If mysterious, suspense filled, historical ghost stories are your preferred reading, then The Poisoned House should be right at home on your bookshelf.
Rating: C+
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Haven’t read a YA book for quite some time, but was interested in your review for my teen granddaughter. She is getting into the Victorian gothic stuff–she just discovered some of the early novels with those themes and settings. Thanks for sharing . . .
Thank you. I hope your granddaughter enjoys.
Lovely review Tori – thank you. This does sound interesting :)
It’s a fast read.
“the overall feeling of oppression and despair that the story revolves around” sooo not a book for me!
LOL What I mean is that Mr. Ford captures the oppressive nature of the Victorian era perfectly.