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Before the Poison: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,435 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From New York Times bestselling author Peter Robinson comes this mesmerizing story-within-a-story about a man pulled into a murder from the past—and his quest to uncover the truth.
Quietly reeling from the death of his beloved wife, Chris Lowndes decides to return to the Yorkshire Dales after twenty-five successful years spent in Hollywood composing film scores. He purchases Kilnsgate House, a charming old mansion deep in the country, but something about the place disturbs him. His unease intensifies when he learns Kilnsgate was once the scene of a sensational murder. More than fifty years earlier, prominent doctor Ernest Arthur Fox was poisoned there, allegedly by his beautiful and much younger wife, Grace, who was subsequently tried, condemned, and hanged for the crime.
His curiosity piqued, Chris decides to investigate, and the more he discovers, the more convinced he becomes of Grace's innocence. Despite warnings to leave it be, his quest for the truth is soon leading him through dark shadows of the past . . . and into a strange web of secrets that lie perilously close to the present.
A complex, multi-layered thriller, Before the Poison is one of Peter Robinson’s most brilliant novels—and one readers won’t soon forget.
“A gripping tale that brings to mind not only old-time Hollywood but also British ‘golden age’ storytelling in the Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier tradition.”—Wall Street Journal
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"This is a wonderful novel with a very interesting mystery. Chris Lowndes left England decades ago and has a successful American career writing music for films. Following his wife's recent death, he has decided to return to his home country and has bought a large house in rural Yorkshire. As he settles in, he learns that a previous owner of the house, Grace Fox, was tried and hanged for murdering her husband. The story intrigues him and he wants to know more. As he locates and reads a write-up of the trial, and follows leads to local people and those who have moved elsewhere, he is drawn to Grace as a person and believes she could not have committed such a crime. Along the way he is also making himself a new home in Yorkshire, finding new friends, meeting his neighbours and coming to terms with moving on in his own life. The story will take him back to his own childhood and beyond to World War II. It will take him beyond his new home in Yorkshire to France and South Africa. It will take him beyond his grief to a new way of living.The references to music, movies, and books are classic Peter Robinson and fit neatly into the story here. The emotional and nostalgic feelings of his characters are well drawn and make sense both in the story and with the characters. This is a story of past and present, motives and morals, that gripped me strongly."
— Shonna (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Robinson outdoes Daphne du Maurier in creating the proper atmosphere for the imaginative fancies of a grief-stricken man.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“An exciting quest culminating in a shocking climax, underpinned with big issues of evil, punishment, retribution, and self-sacrifice.”
— Oxford Times -
“[A] haunting stand-alone…Robinson manages a melancholy tone without veering into the maudlin.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Compelling…Toby Moore and Susan Lyons are both vital to this presentation, which moves back and forth in time and point of view…Moore splendidly renders the modern Chris and…Lyons movingly captures Grace through her heartbreaking WWII diaries.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the 2012 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel
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Winner of the 2013 Dilys Award
Before the Poison Listener Reviews
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" Interesting story, weak ending. "
— Jo, 2/20/2014 -
" Enjoyable but more sporadically than I would have liked. A sideline that worked but wasn't outstanding by the author. "
— John, 2/11/2014 -
" Totally different from the Inspector Banks books, but very good. I enjoyed this one a lot. "
— Cindy, 1/21/2014 -
" Chris Lowndes, after years of living in Hollywood, returns to Yorkshire to live. He buys a huge old house unseen and moves in. He becomes almost obsessed with the history Elizabeth Fox who was hanged in 1950's for the murder of her husband and who had lived in the house. Each chapter starts with excerpts from records of the trial and from Elizabeth's diary during the war. Chris pieces together a story of remarkable woman. A good read as a mystery and historically. "
— Jane, 1/19/2014 -
" Very atmospheric mystery about a grieving widower trying to solve the puzzle of a murder which took place in his new house over 60 years previously. "
— Joie, 1/18/2014 -
" I was expecting a detective book- but found a book instead of a historical mystery, with information which does need to be told......it was an excellent book, I felt well written with wonderful descriptions.....I don't often rate books at a 5 star rating, but felt this book was just such a book. "
— Ruth, 1/18/2014 -
" Often times this story seemed repetetive and way too rich in details to which I had no reference point. The author would name songs/composers, stores, liquor brands, and other specifics which just seemed to create a drag in the storyline for me. There were alao many characters introduced that had no bearing on the story itself (like his daughter and her husband who popped by for Christmas). Other characters such as the housemaid were mentioned but never developed into a good part of the action. The story really never took off for me. "
— Lori, 1/17/2014 -
" I really enjoyed the story line and found that the author wove the past and present seamlessly. First time I've read this author and I will definitely read him again. "
— Nancy, 1/11/2014 -
" Similar in tone, pacing, and style to "What is Left the Daughter." Excellent storytelling. "
— John, 1/10/2014 -
" I'm a big fan of Robinson's Inspector Banks series so I was a bit disappointed when this standalone started out like a Daphne DuMaurier gothic romance. Definitely worth sticking with, though. "
— Steve, 1/1/2014 -
" Somewhat to my surprise, I really enjoyed this novel. Robinson manages to make an intriguing mystery out of nothing very mysterious. In the end, this is more of a character study than a mystery but there are certainly elements of suspense - and, of course, I appreciated the historical details. "
— Melanie, 11/20/2013 -
" Good all around mystery. "
— Paula, 10/30/2013 -
" Another 3.5er. The ending was pitched perfectly and the last sentence brief, but haunting. "
— Pam, 10/21/2013 -
" Really enjoyed this one! Writing style was great and the plot was very believable, ending just the way it should if you followed the characters closely. Will go back and find some of his past novels. "
— Bill, 9/24/2013 -
" This was terrific. Surprising to the end and I learned a great deal about limekilns which are abundant in this area as well as in the UK. "
— Susan, 4/9/2013 -
" Good, kind of like a cozy historical mystery. Lots of details about food, music etc -- two books in a row with classical music references mostly going over my head. "
— Chuk, 1/6/2013 -
" An enjoyable stand alone. Reminded me of Robert goddard as the plot mixed past and present to great effect. "
— Jason, 9/13/2012 -
" Liked the characters but found the book a slow read. "
— Lea, 7/4/2012 -
" A moody, atmospheric mystery that's perfect for the chilly nights ahead! "
— Lauren, 6/26/2012 -
" I have put this book as one of my Top Picks. I really enjoyed the diversion of style that the author created with this novel. Several aspects set it apart from the "norm" and I have had pleasure in recommending it to friends. Well done, Mr Robinson.. "
— Chris, 5/18/2012 -
" I meant to grab a book by Robotham and got this one instead. Interesting twist at the end but not a book to keep me glued to my chair. Man buys house; sees ghost?; investigates her hanging; solves mystery to his satisfaction. Not enough ghost. Not enough mystery. "
— Ellen, 4/10/2012 -
" There were plot twists aplenty, but not much else to like about this non-series work. As much as I love Robinson's Inspector Banks series, I did not enjoy this one. I found it wordy, whiney, and a bit boring. Sorry, Mr. Robinson! "
— Marie, 4/1/2012 -
" Have read all Peter Robinsons books all very much the same and very readable. "
— Jan, 3/7/2012
About Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson (1950-2022), author of the award-winning Inspector Banks novels, won the Anthony, Barry, Macavity, Martin Beck, and Arthur Ellis awards, among others. The Inspector Banks novels have been named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a New York Times Notable Book, and a People magazine Page Turner of the Week. His novels have reached #1 on the London Sunday Times bestsellers list and hit the New York Times expanded list of bestsellers.
About Simon Prebble
Susan Lyons has appeared on numerous television shows, including A Country Practice, Police Rescue, Something in the Air, and All Saints. Among her film credits are Winds of Jarrah and In a Savage Land. She is married to Tony Award–winning actor Jefferson Mays.