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In 17th-century Rome, men are falling like flies and nobody knows why... Hidden within the alleys and shadows of the Eternal City lies a criminal magical underworld of witches, sorceresses and a mysterious circle of female poisoners working under the guise of a cosmetics shop. Since her childhood in Palermo, Giulia has dedicated her life to helping the broken and abused - the wives, daughters, and mistresses of Italy. She is known to be many things - healer, midwife, abortionist and poisoner. It only takes a few drops of an undetectable lethal poison to murder each of Giulia''s victims, which come to number a thousand men. Pope Alessandro VII is determined to rid the city of witches and heretics, including this circle of murderous poisoners. But what great lengths will he go to stop these cunning women? In this compelling feminist retelling, the legendary figure of Giulia is given back her voice. Through the women she helped, the men she killed and those who wanted her dead, this is a tale of secrets, intrigue, revenge, sin and ultimately, power.
About the author
Cathryn Kemp is a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and author, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles. Her personal memoir Coming Clean won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction.
A Poisoner’s Tale is her first foray into historical fiction. When not researching dark, dangerous and beguiling women from history, Cathryn can be found on the south coast with her son and her familiar, a ginger cat called Gingey.
Summary
Discover the dark and gothic historical novel inspired by the true story of Giulia Tofana, the first documented female serial killer in history. Perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Lost Apothecary.
‘A mesmerizing story of power and subjugation… gripping and poignant from beginning to end’ - LAURA CARLIN
'Gorgeous. . . brimming with rich detail and intrigue.’ C. J. COOKE
‘Utterly captivating … Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you’ve finished reading.' NAOMI KELSEY
‘Gripping. Devastating. A beautifully intense read.’ ISABELLE SCHULER
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Murderer or saviour? You decide. . .
Rome, 1656
In the shadowy backstreets of the Eternal City lies an apothecary’s shop – a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops.
Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands.
A path she’s determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo.
But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men of Rome begin to fall like flies.
With a newly elected Pope hell-bent on ridding the city of heretics and witches, and the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . .
How far will she go for the women who need her help?
Exploring the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society, A Poisoner’s Tale takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey. This is not just a retelling of the legend of Giulia Tofana but an ode to sisterhood and motherhood, to defiance and secret rebellion.
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Readers love A Poisoner's Tale:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A gut-wrenching, empowering and gripping feminist read'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'An incredible debut that I simply could not put down'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This book will stay with me for a very long time'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Historical fiction at its best'
