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The Poison Tree
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The Poison Tree (2010) (edit title/settings)

by Erin Kelly (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

It is the sweltering summer of 1997, and Karen is a straight-laced, straight-A university student. When she meets the impossibly glamorous Biba, a bohemian orphan who lives in a crumbling old mansion in Highgate with her enigmatic brother Rex, she is soon drawn into their world -- but... read more

Summary edit see section history

This psychological thriller set in London begins with Karen Clarke accompanied by nine-year old Alice picking up her boyfriend from prison where he has been for the last ten years. The reader is taken back ten years when Karen , a precocious linguistic college student, has recently completed... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

This psychological thriller set in London begins with Karen Clarke accompanied by nine-year old Alice picking up her boyfriend from prison where he has been for the last ten years. The reader is taken back ten years when Karen , a precocious linguistic college student, has recently completed her college finals and is anticipating a promising future. Karen is an obedient daughter who has led a fairly boring life. While walking across campus, Karen meets Biba Capel, a drama student who lives a bohemian lifestyle. She lives in a dilapidated mansion, the former residence of her estranged father who divorced her mother, who committed suicide shortly after the separation. Rex, her older brother, feeling guilty for being "the last straw" that precipitated their mother's suicide, assumes responsibility for Biba, who has bouts of depression. Karen finds herself strangely drawn to these siblings and accepts an invitation to live with them. During this summer, Karen falls in love with Rex. When Biba begins to date a drug dealer events escalate which results in the death of two men and Rex pleading guilty to the murders is incarcerated in prison. Shortly before Rex's release from prison, Karen's car, which Biba borrowed, is found abandoned, near a cliff overlooking the ocean, an apparent suicide. Rex is paroled from prison and the family is reunited. The future seems brighter now until ghosts from Karen's past appear.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Alice: Nine-year old Daughter of Rex and Karen.
  • Rex Capel: Alice's father who has served a ten year sentence in prison.
  • Karen Clarke: The protagonist and narrator of the novel who possesses a doctorate in modern languages.
  • Biba Capel: Rex's sister whom Karen was attracted to while in graduate school.
  • Nina Vitor: A Portuguese woman who dated Rex for a time to obtain a basement apartment in Rex and Biba's home.
  • Guy Grainger: Drug dealer and Biba's boyfriend, although he is more in love with her than she with him.
  • Roger Capel: Photographer and Rex and Biba's father
  • Jules Capel: Roger's wife.
  • Dawn Saunders: Karen's friend while Rex was in prison.
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “It's the setting for most of my memories and all of my nightmares.”
    Karen Clarke

Setting & Locations edit see section history

The setting for this novel is contemporary London.

First Sentence edit see section history

I let the telephone fall from my hand.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Chapters 1 - 29

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Erin Kelly (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Country: UK
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1444701036
Page Count: 352

Classification edit see section history

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