Review | THE POISON GARDEN by A.J. Banner

The Poison Garden by A. J. Banner
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Published by Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
ASIN: B07MV8HLZ2
Pages: 203
Review Copy From: Lake Union via NetGalley
Edition: eBook
My Rating: 5

Synopsis (via GR)

A woman’s idyllic life becomes a deceptive hall of mirrors in a thriller of exquisitely constructed psychological suspense by A. J. Banner, bestselling author of The Good Neighbor.

Elise Watters seems to have it all—a blissful marriage, a gorgeous Victorian home surrounded by lush gardens, and a dream job running her late mother’s herbal boutique.

But on the eve of her first wedding anniversary, Elise makes a shocking discovery that turns her life upside down and casts doubt on everything she thought she knew—about her marriage, her friends, and even herself. As she treads into dangerous territory, Elise is forced to wonder: Is her whole future at stake? Or is paranoia getting the best of her?

If she is to believe what she sees, Elise has every reason to fear for her life…

My Thoughts

After reading After Nightfall, IMO a 5 star read, this author went on my radar. I was ecstatic to be approved via NetGalley and have the opportunity to read this title. However, as I have said on many occasions, I am always skeptical to read a follow-up book because will the latest book be as good as the first.

Elise Watters, returns home a day earlier, after meeting with her financial advisor, to surprise her husband, Kiernan, since the next day is their 1st wedding anniversary. Elise and Kiernan met when he was treating her mother for a brain tumor.

But what she finds is her husband in bed with another woman. Not only is it shocking but what she overhears is terrifying. It appears the two may be plotting for her demise.

Over the next few days, she finds her mother’s journals that she kept in her herbal shop. Recipes of different herbs for different ailments. But also in those journals, is a warning to Elise that Kiernan can’t be trusted and if she dies it isn’t from the tumor but she has been murdered. Another warning was about an herb, the Juliet.

She confides this to her best friend, Chantal, and even her ex-husband, Brandon, who has been doing construction on Chantal’s house and who is now helping Elise change the locks on her own house. Elise has a history of sleepwalking and one morning finds herself outside standing over her husband’s body. What has she done?

Each character has major flaws and one of them has a plot for revenge. I tried tenaciously to figure out which one it was but at every turn, my suspicions changed. Did I eventually figure it out? And then came a stone wall. At 80% read, it appeared that the mystery was solved, but how could that be, I still had 20% to read?

WOW…let me tell you, the last 20% was shocking! And no, I didn’t solve it, I didn’t even come close!!!

Kudos Ms. Banner!!!! Another 5 star review!!!!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

REVIEW DISCLAIMER

  • This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
  • I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
  • I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.