What do readers think of Before the Poison by Peter Robinson? Write your own review.

The setting for the story is in North Yorkshire, UK near Richmond on the Swale river. Christopher Lowndes, now 60, had lived his childhood in the 'rough' side of Leeds, UK. But after having buried his wife Laura, 3 years before due to her death from cancer he is returning to England. Chris had a successful career as composer of film music that "no one ever listens to." He received one Oscar Award but had been nominated for others. The story starts with Grace Elizabeth Fox dressing for her hanging, having been convicted of murdering her husband Dr. Ernest Fox. Chris arrives at the home he has not seen in person prior to purchase called Kilnsgate. The real estate agent person Heather had neglected to tell him that the mansion he has purchased was the home of Dr. Fox and his murderess Grace Elizabeth Fox. Chris becomes interested in the story of Grace Elizabeth and is convinced that she may have been innocent. This leads him to many interesting characters, not only in the Richmond area but trips to Paris and South Africa. It is a convincing and great story. The outcome is unexpected. Part of Grace's story is told in an old book of reports of famous trials. Part of the story is from Grace's experience in WWII as a Red Cross Nurse. I have read most of Peter Robinson's books, enjoying the Alan Banks novels. This book is Robinson's best effort. At times I would have to stop reading in order to think about what was written. Also because I didn't want the book to end. I recommend it highly.

Chris Lowndes, in my opinion, is as charming a protagonist you will meet in literature. In Before the Poison he is a grieving widower who retires to his native Yorkshire from California. The opening scenes are shades of Rebecca, with a foreboding mansion and the ghost of a sensational murder that took place sixty years prior. Told in first person narrative, his voice is sensitive and captivating as his expertise in several areas is woven beautifully throughout the story. A former writer of musical scores for Hollywood, specific composers’ works are constantly playing in the background and by the end of the book I had a year’s worth of classical movies to add to my Netflix list. It is a sensuous book in many respects—with food, wine, descriptive English scenery...and love. Chris, although still grieving, falls in love again both with living Heather and with dead Grace, who was hung for the poisoning of her physician husband in the very room he unknowing chose as his bedroom. Grace, however, becomes very alive to the reader as her journals of a WWII nurse are engrossing with descriptions of war horrors from a female viewpoint. As Chris becomes consumed with the crime and tries to prove Grace’s innocence, this becomes a true page-turner, unable to put down book I devoured in a bittersweet fashion—couldn’t stop reading, yet I didn’t want my time with Chris to end. Story-telling at its best.

To read Peter Robinson’s Before the Poison is to enjoy a comfortable extended visit with protagonist Chris Lowndes in the English countryside. His voice is as smooth and relaxing as his favorite Armagnac. The details of the house and surrounding town are drawn with such a painterly eye that now, a couple weeks after finishing the book, I still have a sharp mental image of them.

Because both the character and the setting seemed so real and down--to-earth, I found myself accepting somewhat improbable circumstances as Lowndes begins to feel the presence of the ghost of a former inhabitant of the house and to investigate the past murder of her husband and Nazi experiments in biological warfare at the house. The plot of the mystery moves at a good pace, but nothing feels forced.

The only aspect of the book that is not covered with total grace is Lowndes’ slowly developing romantic life after the death of his beloved wife. His odd attraction to the ghost of Grace Fox is more satisfying than his relationship with Heather, which remains undefined at the end of the story.

That complaint, however, is minor, and I highly recommend spending time in the company of Chris Lowndes.

Robinson successfully draws the reader into this mystery from the past. The use of trial reports , Grace's diary along with Chris's own past combine with the narrative effectively. The contemporary story provides a vehicle for the very interesting look at the war time story.

After a somewhat slow beginning, the reader is drawn into the main character's obsession/investigation of a possible miscarriage of justice resulting in the hanging of a woman in 1953 Yorkshire. Robinson's use of trial reports and journal entries effectively transport the reader back to World War II and the 1950s. Recommended for book clubs and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Peter Robinson is a wonderful writer! This stand alone British mystery begins with the 1953 hanging of Grace Fox then twists and turns to a surprising conclusion. Grace's tragic story is juxtaposed with that of Chris Lowndes, who buys the Fox mansion (sight unseen) where the crime took place decades earlier. Grace Fox is especially intriguing, brought to life through her harrowing WWII journal. Recommended for lovers of disturbing, moody, dark atmospheric tales. Good to the very last page!

This book was enjoyable with a murder mystery from years back and current emotional and relationship turmoil. I would look for other books by this author. Book clubs would enjoy the discussion about possible motives for murder as well as the movie music portion.

I haven't read this author's Inspector Banks novels but they are not necessary to enjoy this book. The first couple of chapters were slow going because they dealt with the geography of the story. It wasn't a "couldn't put it down", but more like an "I can't wait to get back to it" and the further I read the harder it became to wait to get back to it. I found the plot original and the characters endearing. I would recommend this book to a friend, it really should be rated 4.5!