The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness...
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May 06, 2011
Wendy Darling
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A haunted house, a forbidding lady, a master who has gone mad, and a servant girl caught up in the middle of the whole mess. If this premise appeals to you, there's no doubt you'll delight in this book. I'm a big fan of Victorian fiction, and the author does a superb job of making the era come alive and keeping the language and decorum pretty true to the period.
Abigail Tamper is a 14-year-old servant at Greave Hall, where she's lived all of her life. Her mother died under mysterious More...
Abigail Tamper is a 14-year-old servant at Greave Hall, where she's lived all of her life. Her mother died under mysterious More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Rex Robot Reviews
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Reviewed by Shannon at RexRobotReviews.com
The Poisoned House is set in 1856 in Victorian London at a large manor called Greave Hall. Abigail "Abi" Tamper, a 14 year old housemaid, was raised in Greave Hall by her mother who served as a nursemaid to master of the house's son. But her mother died a year ago and now Abi is at the mercy of the abusive housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton. To make matters worse, the widowed master of the house, Lord Greaves, is descending into madness and More...
The Poisoned House is set in 1856 in Victorian London at a large manor called Greave Hall. Abigail "Abi" Tamper, a 14 year old housemaid, was raised in Greave Hall by her mother who served as a nursemaid to master of the house's son. But her mother died a year ago and now Abi is at the mercy of the abusive housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton. To make matters worse, the widowed master of the house, Lord Greaves, is descending into madness and More...
Nov 24, 2011
Hylary
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Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
Fourteen-year-old Abigail “Abi” Tamper wants nothing more than to escape the hardship she lives through every day as a scullery maid in 1850s London. Orphaned after her mother’s death a year earlier, Abi suffers constant abuse from Mrs. Cotton, Greave Hall’s housekeeper and sister-in-law to Lord Greaves. Some of the small consolations in Abi’s life include Lizzy, her best friend and fe More...
Fourteen-year-old Abigail “Abi” Tamper wants nothing more than to escape the hardship she lives through every day as a scullery maid in 1850s London. Orphaned after her mother’s death a year earlier, Abi suffers constant abuse from Mrs. Cotton, Greave Hall’s housekeeper and sister-in-law to Lord Greaves. Some of the small consolations in Abi’s life include Lizzy, her best friend and fe More...
Nov 06, 2011
Jane
rated it: 
This was a really good historical fiction book with a mystery and a touch of the supernatural. I enjoyed this one very much. Fans of The Manor House from PBS will relate to the setting. The story begins as a scullery maid is running away from her place of work. She was raised up in this house when her mother, one year deceased, took a job herself as a nurse maid in the house. If you like stories when things go bump in the night and if you like to read about lineages, not to mention what lif
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Oct 19, 2011
Majanka
rated it:
Read the review on my website.
The Poisoned House is your typical gothic horror story with the haunted house, the archetypical gothic villains, the Lord of the house on the verge of madness and our own tagic heroine. Combine all these elements with Michael Ford’s excellent writing, and the result is an enjoyable, entertaining and sometimes even downright scary read, excellent for during a thunder storm or late at night bedtime-reading.
Abigail Tamper, or Abi as we get to call More...
The Poisoned House is your typical gothic horror story with the haunted house, the archetypical gothic villains, the Lord of the house on the verge of madness and our own tagic heroine. Combine all these elements with Michael Ford’s excellent writing, and the result is an enjoyable, entertaining and sometimes even downright scary read, excellent for during a thunder storm or late at night bedtime-reading.
Abigail Tamper, or Abi as we get to call More...
Sep 13, 2011
Tammy
rated it:
London in the mid 1850s. A manor house governed by a stern housekeeper while the Lord of the house slowly goes mad. A soldier who loses a leg upon his return from the Crimean War. Secrets and strange bumps in the night. Clothes and furniture that move when no when watches. And at the center of it all, a 15-year-old scullery maid, unaware of the secrets that surround her.
Michael Ford’s The Poisoned House trots out nearly every trope found in a Gothic novel. The target young adult reader More...
Michael Ford’s The Poisoned House trots out nearly every trope found in a Gothic novel. The target young adult reader More...
Aug 03, 2011
I mentioned in an earlier review that I really enjoy books set in England. When I was looking at titles on Netgalley and saw The Poisoned House by Michael Ford, it was not only set in London, but Victorian London AND it was a ghost story. Also, super creepy cover art. I had to request it.
The Poisoned House starts off very cleverly. Old diary-like pages were found in a locked drawer and donated to a library. They tell a fantastical tale, but the events were so long ago. Did they reall More...
The Poisoned House starts off very cleverly. Old diary-like pages were found in a locked drawer and donated to a library. They tell a fantastical tale, but the events were so long ago. Did they reall More...
Jun 23, 2011
Karen
rated it:
"The following papers were kindly donated to the Municipal Library by Anne Merchant, the current owner of 112 Park Avenue, the property formerly known as Greave Hall. [...] They appear to record several months in the year 1855 of the life of a teenage girl called Abigail Tamper, who lived and worked at that address. [...] Pages from the original can be viewed in situ at the discretion of the librarian" (7).
As an archivist I have to admit that I’m a sucker for this type of fra More...
As an archivist I have to admit that I’m a sucker for this type of fra More...
Jun 18, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I love books with footnotes and when The Poisoned House started with a ‘note’ from the curator telling how the following papers had been found in an attic, I was instantly intrigued. After an initial burst of action, the story slowed down a little to spend some time establishing the atmosphere not only of the eponymous House but also of the inhabitants. Abigail Tamper is dealing not only with the recent death of her mother but also the ill-tempered and vindictive housekeeper, insane Master of
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Nov 17, 2010
The Poisoned House is other book I didn't think I'd enjoy very much, but once again, the awesome people at Bloomsbury have proved me wrong and opened my eyes to something new.
The story begins with a note from the Assistant Curator of Victorian Manuscripts; it notifies the reader that the following papers were found in a (lock) drawer of a bureau in the attic of a house that was previously known as Greave Hall. The papers appear to tell the story of Abigail Tamper, a teenage girl who wa More...
The story begins with a note from the Assistant Curator of Victorian Manuscripts; it notifies the reader that the following papers were found in a (lock) drawer of a bureau in the attic of a house that was previously known as Greave Hall. The papers appear to tell the story of Abigail Tamper, a teenage girl who wa More...
Oct 24, 2011
Tif
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 03, 2011
Holly
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Reviewed for In-Interest
Abigale Tamper is surrounded be wealth, maids and luxury. However, none of that is for her. The year is 1855 and she is stuck in the unbearable role of scullery maid, under the control of Mrs. Cotton. Lord Greave, the master of the house, has fallen ill so he relies on Mrs. Cotton to resume the running of the house. Things are not right in Greave Hall and Abi believes that her recently deceased mother is tying to tell her something. Something that could free More...
Abigale Tamper is surrounded be wealth, maids and luxury. However, none of that is for her. The year is 1855 and she is stuck in the unbearable role of scullery maid, under the control of Mrs. Cotton. Lord Greave, the master of the house, has fallen ill so he relies on Mrs. Cotton to resume the running of the house. Things are not right in Greave Hall and Abi believes that her recently deceased mother is tying to tell her something. Something that could free More...
Jun 01, 2011
Kristen
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Abigail Tamper is a young lady who is a servant in a Lord's household and the year is 1855. She is terrorized by Mrs. Cotton, the housekeeper/sister-in-law to the master of the house. Lord Greave is somewhat of a recluse, waiting for his son Samuel to return from war. Just about the time the household hears Samuel will be returning, the activities of a ghost pick up. Abi soon learns that it's her mother's ghost haunting the house, trying to tell her something.
We have an interes More...
We have an interes More...
Nov 24, 2011
Leslie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 14, 2011
Danni
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Aimlessly searching the bookstore once again, My eyes caught a glance of the cover of this book, but I thought nothing of it. THE POISONED HOUSE? How silly of a title it sounded. It was like the title was chosen just to cover up the fact that behind chilling cover, it was a terrible book within the pages. Now, don't get me wrong, I love horror. Actually, no. I ADORE horror. It's my favorite genre but this book didn't seem at all interesting. I like books that get my blood pumping and the adrenal
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Aug 23, 2011
TheBookSmugglers
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Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/08/book...
Greave Hall is an imposing and wealthy estate, but as of late its master, Lord Greave, has become increasingly unstable. For a young scullery maid like Abigale Tamper, life at Greave Hall has become almost unbearable. After her mother passed away from cholera nearly a year earlier, Abi has become an orphan with few friends and even fewer options. With his son Samuel is fighting in the Crimea and his w More...
Greave Hall is an imposing and wealthy estate, but as of late its master, Lord Greave, has become increasingly unstable. For a young scullery maid like Abigale Tamper, life at Greave Hall has become almost unbearable. After her mother passed away from cholera nearly a year earlier, Abi has become an orphan with few friends and even fewer options. With his son Samuel is fighting in the Crimea and his w More...
Apr 15, 2011
Kara
rated it:
Summary from Goodreads:
The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeeper. The only solace for the beleaguered staff is to frighten Mrs Cotton by pretending the house is haunted.
So when a real ghost makes an appearance - that of her beloved mother More...
The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeeper. The only solace for the beleaguered staff is to frighten Mrs Cotton by pretending the house is haunted.
So when a real ghost makes an appearance - that of her beloved mother More...
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Jan 21, 2012
Emily
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This is a gothic fairy tale, and while I enjoy both types of books, I don't necessarily feel blown away by a combination of the two. The setting is dark, if underdeveloped, and there are some significantly spooky moments. Abi (what is up with the spelling?) is a parlor maid who has a terrible fear of Mrs. Cotton, who runs the house. I never quite grasp what it is that is so terrible about Mrs. Cotton, however. She does boss everyone around and she fires the other maid Lizzy because she gives
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Dec 12, 2011
Anna
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Abi Tamper has lived at Greave Hall her entire life, ever since her Father died and her Mother become the nanny for Lord Greaves' son Samuel. Her Mother died not that long ago, seemingly of cholera and Abi is an orphan at the mercy of Mrs. Cotton, Lord Greaves' cruel sister-in-law who is fast taking over the house as he descends into madness. The staff's only rebellion against her is to further her belief that the house is haunted with her dead sister, Lady Greaves', angry spirit. But then
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Sep 14, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This is a mystery book I really enjoyed. Abi is a strong character despite the horrors she has had to endure when her mother died and she had to be under the instruction of Mrs. Cotton, the horrible head of the housekeeping staff. Mrs. Cotton has decided that Abi will bear the brunt of her anger and abuse physically and emotionally. As Abi failed in her attempt at escape, she is almost immediately besieged by another horror, this time in the form of a angry spirit. This spirit has targeted Abi a
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Aug 19, 2011
Book Twirps
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Fifteen-year-old Abigail is a servant in Greaves Hall. Her mother died of cholera just one year ago, leaving her an orphan. With nowhere to go, she is left to serve in the house she and her mother have lived in since she was born. Abi's life is miserable and she dreams of running away to escape the wrath of Mrs. Cotton, the head housekeeper, who, for some reason, insists on making Abi's life a living hell. When Samuel, the son of the lord of the house returns home, gravely injured after serving
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Aug 08, 2011
The Poisoned House is an eery tale embellished on the real life documents of a girl in 1855 that were found in an attic. That was initially what caught my attention. I love stories set in this time period, and it proved to be a delightfully engrossing and entertaining read.
While the storyline isn't exactly what I'd call original, the execution was fantastic. Robert Ford built a world so vivid it was easy to picture each occurance, and understand each emotion of our leading girl, A More...
While the storyline isn't exactly what I'd call original, the execution was fantastic. Robert Ford built a world so vivid it was easy to picture each occurance, and understand each emotion of our leading girl, A More...
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Aug 15, 2011
Branwen
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I recieved this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review. Abigail is a young maid working in the Greave manor. Her life is pretty much maid miserable by the cruel housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton. Abi and the rest of the staff get back at her by exploiting her fear of ghosts, but soon there is a REAL ghost in the manor, and Abi believes it to be her mother, who passed away a year ago.
This book was enjoyable to read, lots of twists and turns, and the author was good at keeping me gu More...
This book was enjoyable to read, lots of twists and turns, and the author was good at keeping me gu More...
Aug 02, 2011
emmegail
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My Blog!
I was really looking forward to this ghost story. I’m really a sucker for books with this type of framing – it’s a true account, really!!, and we even found a diary! I love it! PS – the trailer is pretty awesome.
The story started out great with a lot of action with Abi trying to run away. We, the reader, didn’t know what or who she was running from or where she was going. I felt that after she is caught and brought back to Greave Hall, Abi’s sense of adventure More...
I was really looking forward to this ghost story. I’m really a sucker for books with this type of framing – it’s a true account, really!!, and we even found a diary! I love it! PS – the trailer is pretty awesome.
The story started out great with a lot of action with Abi trying to run away. We, the reader, didn’t know what or who she was running from or where she was going. I felt that after she is caught and brought back to Greave Hall, Abi’s sense of adventure More...
Jul 23, 2011
ABookVacation
rated it:
This is a great novel, full of suspense, mystery, and betrayal, and I was hooked from the very beginning! Abi, a poor scullery maid, obtained my sympathy within moments of meeting her. She is kind, quiet, and alone, her mother having died the previous year from cholera, and with no one to defend her, Mrs. Cotton, the overbearing house keeper, repeatedly abuses young Abi.
In order to get back at Mrs. Cotton for all she’s ever done to the servants of the house, Abi and her friends at More...
In order to get back at Mrs. Cotton for all she’s ever done to the servants of the house, Abi and her friends at More...
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May 26, 2011
Fictional
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The Poisoned House is a rare treat. The YA tale is based in the 1850s with a Victorian feel but it gets even better. It’s a paranormal filled with ghostly happenings and an evil monster that I won’t reveal because I don’t want to spoil the surprise ending.
Abi, the main character, guides us through a wonderful tale filled with sorrow, mystery and death. She overcomes and adapts to the horrible life she lived. Then an angry ghost saves her from the evil that plagues Greave Hall giving More...
Abi, the main character, guides us through a wonderful tale filled with sorrow, mystery and death. She overcomes and adapts to the horrible life she lived. Then an angry ghost saves her from the evil that plagues Greave Hall giving More...
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Oct 30, 2011
Kendra
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I have been fortunate to read several highly entertaining suspense novels for teens lately, which is always something I personally enjoy while also being a genre I am often asked for in the library. This story is set in 1855 London, and the main character, 14 year old Abi, is a servant at Greave Hall, an appropriately creepy mansion inhabited by seemingly evil housekeeper Mrs. Cotton and mysteriously sad and withdrawn Master. Abi is certain something otherworldly is inhabiting the mansion and sh
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Jun 06, 2011
Sir's kitten
rated it:
I received this copy for early review on netgalley.net.
I would just like to thank the author first off for this book. I have been noticing a running habit with most young adult/juvenile books. And that running habit is that they are all trying to emulate Twilight in some shape or form. The idea of forbidden love, and the intense love triangle, and ultimately someone is cheated out of a Happily Ever After. All in the hopes of giving teenagers an excuse to their angst, which this book More...
I would just like to thank the author first off for this book. I have been noticing a running habit with most young adult/juvenile books. And that running habit is that they are all trying to emulate Twilight in some shape or form. The idea of forbidden love, and the intense love triangle, and ultimately someone is cheated out of a Happily Ever After. All in the hopes of giving teenagers an excuse to their angst, which this book More...
Oct 27, 2011
Sara
rated it:
Ooooh, this book was exactly what I wanted in an R.I.P. read. I killed about half the book in one late night read and had to stay up an extra half an hour with a trashy romance to avoid the nightmares that would come from the ghosts of The Poisoned House.
Side Note about the scary-ness:
Oh, the ghost hand! eek, coming through the window…shut the book right there. I swear, couldn’t read any further even with the hubby sleeping next to me and the dog at the foot of the bed; becau More...
Side Note about the scary-ness:
Oh, the ghost hand! eek, coming through the window…shut the book right there. I swear, couldn’t read any further even with the hubby sleeping next to me and the dog at the foot of the bed; becau More...
Aug 15, 2011
Logan
rated it:
First impressions: I adore it when stories start with outside information. In this case, the book opens with a statement that the story that follows is based on letters found inside the estate many years later. I practically rubbed my hands together in anticipation. That kind of literary device makes it all seem more real to me as a reader, and I was super psyched to dive into this one as a result.
Lasting impressions: Similarly, the book ended with an obituary outlining events as the More...
Lasting impressions: Similarly, the book ended with an obituary outlining events as the More...
