A Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella Lowkis is a gothic mystery intoxicated with forbidden love, crimes of passion, and noxious mistakes.

In 1922, Vee Morgan accepts a job as a gardener at a crumbling estate in order to escape her murky past. But once she arrives at Harfold Manor, she discovers her employer is a reclusive woman living amongst dirt and decay, terrified of a supposed family curse. As Vee settles into her daily routine tidying up the gardens, she and her employer become drawn together by the secrets they struggle to leave behind., secrets that should have remained buried with the dead.

I was a big fan of Carmella Lowkis' book Spitting Gold, so I was eager to read her new book. The author did a great job at creating a foreboding atmosphere, suffocating with filth and clutter, to mimic the many lies and secrets attempting to burst out of the characters tightly sealed lips and minds. This was a true gothic in the sense of there being a hint of the supernatural without actually being seen, the psychologically tormented characters struggling with escaping their pasts, and an overall feeling of dread and doom.

While the story was suspenseful enough for me to read it in a couple of days, I thought the mystery itself was a bit of a let down. It didn't have the intricacy or inventiveness of Spitting Gold, but rather used a common trope of poisoning with an evasive ending that didn't justify the suspense or eeriness of the story. I think there were some red herrings sprinkled throughout, but too many things were left unresolved, making me question if my own theory was perhaps better than the reveal?

There is indeed a slow release of something sinister in its pages that will have readers question if evil is something that can be grown, if given the right conditions? Or if evil is all in the dosage?

"A Slow and Secret Poison" by Carmella Lowkis, much like her previous work "Spitting Gold," evokes the intricate, atmospheric storytelling reminiscent of a Sarah Waters novel. This gripping gothic thriller skillfully weaves a tale of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Set in the early 1900s in England, the narrative revolves around a mysterious gardener and her enigmatic matron, both of whom are cloaked in layers of secrecy. As the plot unfolds, themes of betrayal, hidden truths, avarice, and dark curses emerge, creating an intoxicating brew of intrigue. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.