Lloyd Shepherd
Atria Books
January 2014
The Poisoned Island opens in 1769 on the South Pacific Island of Otaheite (Tahiti) with a young Joseph Banks chasing and ravishing an island princess. This encounter sets off a series of events which come to horrific fruition in 1812 England. Now Sir Joseph, eminent botanist and friend to royalty, Banks has financed a second expedition aboard the Solander to Tahiti. The ship has brought back many specimens; one of which has the potential to destroy the growing Empire. The island has long captivated the imagination of the English, but interaction has brought only death and destruction to the islanders through disease, alcohol, firearms, and civil conflict. Thames River Police Constable Charles Horton is called in when six of the Solander crew are found brutally murdered, all with fixed smiles on their faces. Meanwhile at Kew Gardens, frightening changes are taking place in one of the specimens, both alarming and elating Banks.
Though entirely fictional, The Poisoned Island features many historical figures and events, even references to the Bounty mutiny. One of the things I enjoy most about historical fiction is that it often challenges me to refresh my memory of half-remembered facts such as the career of Banks and my college courses in Botany. There is a wealth of information on life in Georgian England, especially maritime life, empire building and policing. My only difficulty with The Poisoned Island lies in the fact that I have not read The English Monster, which introduces Charles Horton. He is a compelling character whose motivations and tensions I would like to understand better so a reading of the previous book is a must, at least for me. The Poisoned Island can certainly be savored as a stand-alone, however.
I highly recommend The Poisoned Island to lovers of historical fiction with mystery and a dash of the unexplained. Thanks to Atria and netgalley.com for a digital advance copy.
RATING- 4.5 Stars
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