It is the 1850's, and a young boy, Thomas, leaves his family to be apprenticed to a pharmacist, at the behest of his dead grandmother. He also inherits a magical box from her, which provides him entry into a mysterious garden. But while visiting it, he sees a ghostly vision of his grandmother, who tells him she was poisoned, and warns him that he must find the person responsible, and save her precious garden. For she was one of five members of an arcane guild, each of whom cultivated an individual garden, mastering the art of poison, perfume and medicine. The guild members jostle for power as, one by one, they are murdered...can Thomas solve the mystery, before he in turn is threatened?
The Poison Garden
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Singleton does an excellent job making the gardens places worthy of investigation. They are both attractive and repulsive, protective and dangerous, creative and destructive. The Poison Garden is lovely, delicate, and thrilling-much like the garden found within its pages.
--Unabridged Opinions Blog, August 2009
"If you are tired of modern adult fantasy, pick up a juvenile title instead and discover what you have been missing. One of this year's top ten novels." --Myshelf.com, Aug 09
"Critically acclaimed children's author Sarah Singleton triumphs again- a deliciously magical gothic tale."
--Aldershot Mail, July 09
--Unabridged Opinions Blog, August 2009
"If you are tired of modern adult fantasy, pick up a juvenile title instead and discover what you have been missing. One of this year's top ten novels." --Myshelf.com, Aug 09
"Critically acclaimed children's author Sarah Singleton triumphs again- a deliciously magical gothic tale."
--Aldershot Mail, July 09
About the Author
Sarah Singleton was born in Northamptonshire, studied in Nottingham and has travelled widely. She lives in Chippenham with her family and worked until recently as senior reporter for the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald. She is the author of Century, Heretic, Sacrifice and The Amethyst Child for Simon and Schuster.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
On the day that Thomas attends his grandmother's funeral, he discovers that he's inherited a strange box and meets a strange man who takes him to his grandmother's secret garden, where she grew weird and exotic plants. When someone tries to steal the box that same night, Thomas becomes entangled with the Guild of Magical Herbalists, a group of seven men and women, each with their own box through which they access gardens where they grow poisons, medicines, perfumes and other, weirder things. Thomas's grandmother was a member of the Guild and as Thomas becomes more embroiled with their activities, he discovers that his grandmother was murdered. And she is not the only victim - other members of the Guild begin to die. Thomas, together with Maud, the ward of Mrs Lawrence (another Guild member) must unravel who is committing the murders and why before they themselves become victims.
Singleton evokes a fine sense of the late Victorian period in this well-written historical fantasy. The story twists and turns as Thomas unravels the mystery but he remains a believable character, by turns frightened and fascinated by this new world he has uncovered. Maud, the girl who shares his adventures is mysterious and interesting, although I would have liked her to play a greater role in the events. The same can be said for each of the Guild Members - each is well drawn for the limited time they spend on the page, but I couldn't help but wish that the book was longer in order to give them more to do - particularly Hegel, the young German who owns the perfume garden, and Mrs Lawrence who owns the poison garden of the title.
My biggest criticism was with the unveiling of some critical items of backstory towards the end of the novel. Although again well-written, the structure for the revelations is such that it offers details that the narrator, Miss Hudson, could not possibly know. This is unlikely to be spotted by younger readers but may well be grating to older readers.
All in all, I would have preferred it had this novel been twice the size given the scope of the story. However, Singleton leaves open the possibility of a sequel and I would definitely be interested in reading more of Thomas's adventures.
Singleton evokes a fine sense of the late Victorian period in this well-written historical fantasy. The story twists and turns as Thomas unravels the mystery but he remains a believable character, by turns frightened and fascinated by this new world he has uncovered. Maud, the girl who shares his adventures is mysterious and interesting, although I would have liked her to play a greater role in the events. The same can be said for each of the Guild Members - each is well drawn for the limited time they spend on the page, but I couldn't help but wish that the book was longer in order to give them more to do - particularly Hegel, the young German who owns the perfume garden, and Mrs Lawrence who owns the poison garden of the title.
My biggest criticism was with the unveiling of some critical items of backstory towards the end of the novel. Although again well-written, the structure for the revelations is such that it offers details that the narrator, Miss Hudson, could not possibly know. This is unlikely to be spotted by younger readers but may well be grating to older readers.
All in all, I would have preferred it had this novel been twice the size given the scope of the story. However, Singleton leaves open the possibility of a sequel and I would definitely be interested in reading more of Thomas's adventures.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sarah Singleton's novels have often had a heroine or heroines, sometimes sisters, but this one has a young boy at the centre of the action. Well established now as an excellent writer of fantasy for younger readers (and us not so young readers!) she has an assured style which is accessible without being patronising, challenging without being above the heads of her readers. She has that rare ability to write about a non-specific past while using fresh and vivid imagery which is bang up to date.
Thomas is thrust into a world of magic when he inherits a garden from his grandmother - a garden contained within a magic box - and becomes a member of the Guild of Medical Herbalists by default when he takes over her role. He is apprenticed to another member, pharmacist Albert Constantine, who is teaching him the art of medical herbalism. During his apprenticeship he meets Maud, another young heir to the Guild and they try to solve the mystery of the untimely deaths of several of the other members. As usual in Singleton's work the youngsters guide the adults in solving the mystery and the outcome is very satisfying without being cloying, never shirking the heavy responsibilities of the gifts they possess.
The author's own extensive knowledge of plants and botany is used very effectively in the book, as is fascinating research into the Guild of Funerary Violinists. Young people will gain a great deal from this book and will have plenty to think about and discuss. One of those books that stays with you long after you have finished it.
Thomas is thrust into a world of magic when he inherits a garden from his grandmother - a garden contained within a magic box - and becomes a member of the Guild of Medical Herbalists by default when he takes over her role. He is apprenticed to another member, pharmacist Albert Constantine, who is teaching him the art of medical herbalism. During his apprenticeship he meets Maud, another young heir to the Guild and they try to solve the mystery of the untimely deaths of several of the other members. As usual in Singleton's work the youngsters guide the adults in solving the mystery and the outcome is very satisfying without being cloying, never shirking the heavy responsibilities of the gifts they possess.
The author's own extensive knowledge of plants and botany is used very effectively in the book, as is fascinating research into the Guild of Funerary Violinists. Young people will gain a great deal from this book and will have plenty to think about and discuss. One of those books that stays with you long after you have finished it.
By The Reviewer
Format:Kindle Edition
This book is intriguing , well thought out and has a brilliant plot line. I only wish there was a sequel (Hint)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let your imagination play...
I really enjoyed this book. The cover caught my eye and after reading the first 4 pages I was hooked. Read more
Published on 2 May 2011 by JulieGirl
3.0 out of 5 stars
Left a bitter taste...
Before reading THE POISON GARDEN, I have read two other books by Singleton; HERETIC and CENTURY. Having enjoyed both of those offerings immensely, I thought I could not go wrong... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Brida
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I had a secret magical garden like these ones...
I really enjoyed this book - its aimed at teenagers, but anyone with an inner child can still enjoy it. The gardens are beautifully depicted and Thomas and Maud come accross well. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Miss Hartley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful read - I wish I had more of it....
Singleton set her story probably some time in the late Victorian era - a feel not too unlike that of Sherlock Holmes. Read more
Published on 19 July 2009 by Jet
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cracker but one major problem
This was a very quirky and strange offering from Sarah Singleton and whilst I was immediately gripped by the tale from the first couple of pages I did get a little upset with the... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2009 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
5.0 out of 5 stars
not just for kids !
Even before I opened this book, I thought it was cleverly designed to appeal to both boys and girls - the creepy skull on the front cover (and is that blood running down the... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2009 by cheryl pasquier
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