I love books that are based on true events! This one already hooked me just with that!

Constance is on trial for murdering her husband. A man who routinely swallows arsenic but he has now died from it and all signs point to Constance.

She loses her home, custody of her kids and now her liberty. She spends her time stewing in jai trying to work out who put here there.

I did not like Constance. She is the worst kind of morally grey character and you spend your time being able to see how she could have done it and not just because everyone in her home was pointing their fingers.

The pace was a bit of a mess, one minute it was racing then it literally felt like the book wasn't moving forward. It was well written and had some beautiful prose flowing through it and I massively enjoyed the audio.

If you like historical fictions based on real events... try this one

4 stars

3.5 Stars Rounded

This one is hard for me to rate. While I enjoyed the writing and the prose, I did not enjoy the characters at all and I have a hard time enjoying books where ALL of the characters are terrible. I know this is a me thing, but I just want to relate to someone. Sadly, that did not happen in this book. Everyone from the narrator to the husband to the lover to the “friends” to the household staff were narcissistic, delusional, and terrible. Out of all the characters (which there were many), only two stand out as being decent people.

I really wasn't fond the first 60-70% of the book (I almost dnfed), but the last part while she works through her revenge made up for it.

The audiobook was great. The narrator did a great job with the voice and the feeling of dread and gloom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check TW. Graphic self harm and suicidal thoughts.

Set in 1889, Liverpool, this is a historical fiction based on a real-life trial in which a woman, Constance Sullivan, is accused of murdering her husband by poisoning him with arsenic. Even though her husband was known for self-medicating with arsenic (hence the title), Constance is put on trial for murder. The book follows this trial and its aftermath, providing flashbacks to the events that lead up to it.

Constance is a perfect example that you do not have to like a character to root for them. She is morally gray; her actions don’t always make sense and I just wanted to shake her sometimes because she is so caught up in herself that she does not see what is in front of her. But Constance is not a stagnant character, she does change over the years. Through the discrepancies between the flashbacks and the present day, we see Constance mature and lose some of her naivety. I was impressed with this character arc and really think that it speaks for the author that she is able to make us sympathize with this morally gray character as well.

I recently read a book that was set in the same period, where a wife was also accused of murder and suffering from the systematic oppression of women. Although you can clearly see the systemic and cultural misogyny in this tale as well, I found the injustice described in this book to somehow be more palatable. I did not have to take a break, because the injustice enraged me, nearly as often, as with the other book. I think this might be because it was written in the third person rather than the first person, and it made me view this less personally.
The story is very moving and thought-provoking, although not always enjoyable due to the topic. It is definitely not a feel good read, and think you have to be in the right frame of mind, to give this book a proper chance.

There is less investigating and mystery going on than I thought, judging from the blurb. If I had to categorize this book, it would put in the drama or crime section rather than the mystery section. I had actually predicted the ending of the book with all the twists pretty early onwards. On the one hand that makes me feel pretty smart and proud of myself, on the other hand I this meant that the book was not much of a mystery to me… But maybe me and the author just think alike?!
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the production. The narrator has a pleasant and fitting voice.

I did read that this was based on a true case after listening to the audiobook, but I would have appreciated an author’s note with some more details about the case and some insights where fact meets fiction in this story. It might be that this was provided with the text copy of this book. If that was the case, it would have been good to include it in the audiobook as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

The Arsenic Eater's Wife by Tonya Mitchell and narrated by Penelope Rawlins was a glorious imagining of the treatment of women in the victorian era, especially in respect of a young police force and judicial system. Rumours and spite are rife, the court of public opinion bitter and bilious. Judgement of opinion and not of fact. The research is on point, the narration compelling and all in all a belter of a tale. Highly recommended

Full review to follow

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, the author Tonya Mitchell and narrator Penelope Rawlins for this incredible ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The intriguing title, striking cover, and historical fiction genre drew me to The Arsenic Eater’s Wife by Tonya Mitchell. I wish I had enjoyed it more.

Overview:
- inspired by true events
- 1889 Liverpool, England setting
- unlikable characters
- influential people behaving badly
- Gothic home is a ‘character’
- courtroom drama

Socialite Constance was accused of killing her husband William. Is she guilty?

I was interested enough to keep listening (at 1.75 speed) while doing household tasks, but the pacing was very uneven. Multiple chapters were devoted to a single day at the beginning, and then many years described in a single sentence near the end. And there was so much retching and descriptions of other unpleasant bodily functions, I could’ve played a drinking game with their frequency.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for advance access to the audiobook narrated by Penelope Rawlins.

I was excited about this historic thriller. The description was very intriguing and the beginning had caught my attention. However this was a DNF for me as I found it hard to get into and was an extremely slow start.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Penelope Rawlins who did a lovely job. The book was a slow start for me, but it did finally hook my interest.
The story jumps back and forth in time, which was a little confusing at first since I was listening to it, but once I got into the story it was all good.
I was surprised by how long this went - it covered many more years than I anticipated and took a bit of an odd turn, I felt, towards the end.
I think this is one I would have enjoyed more and found it easier to navigate if I'd read it physically. The premise really interested me and the mystery did finally pull me in but at times it was a bit of a slow burn and did not move very quicky. Overall, it was really an interesting historical fiction tale and provided interesting insight.

Thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

Rating 3.5

"The Arsenic Eater's Wife" by Tonya Mitchell is historical fiction set in England in 1889. Apparently, the author's note explains that this story is based on an actual case from 1889. The audiobook doesn't include that part. I learned that from other reviews.

So, in this book, there is a crime (or is there?) and a mystery, and a long rather boring trial.

I didn't like this book much at all. I found it depressing, far too slow, and some of it quite upsetting. Also, there there was far too much description of disgusting odors. Who needs that? I forced myself to finish listening to it. Had it been just a pleasure read, I would have DNF'd it at 25%. I didn't like any of the characters.

Characters - 4/5
Writing - 2/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 2/5
Unputdownability - 2/5
Enjoyment - 0/5
Narration - 4/5 by Penelope Rollins
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 21/8 = 2 5/8
Rounded up to 3

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

If you like period type reads and are looking for a really good murder mystery this is the one for you. It had everything you could want and even psychological thrills though you are kept on your toes all through trying to fully figure this one out.

Series Info/Source: This is stand alone book. I got this on audiobook for review through NetGalley.

Thoughts: This was okay. There were some things I liked, but I also had a lot of issues with this book. I almost stopped reading this a couple of times because it was just too predictable, and I just did not care.

The story starts with Constance being arrested for the poisoning and murder of her husband William. As the trial commences, more and more secrets come to light about both Constance and her husband William. The story jumps back and forth between the trial and the events in the past that are being discussed in the trial.

The main issue I had with this book was that all of the characters were jerks to each other and I never enjoy characters like that. Seriously, there are no "good" characters in this book. They all lie, bend the truth, and try to hurt each other. There is so much sneaking, conniving, and cheating that it made my head hurt.

The second issue I had was I thought it should have ended way before it did. For the last third of the book, Constance spends a whole bunch of time confronting people attached to her husband's household and trying to get them to admit to their actions. Most of the book was fairly predictable, and to have a couple hours (I listened to on audiobook) devoted to the protagonist explaining what happened (like the reader is an idiot) felt really prolonged. This could have been easily summed up in a short epilogue with better effect.

The last third of the book also seemed very out of character. Constance is desperate to see her children, but she delays this to spend a whole bunch of time hunting these other people down in order to get them to talk. There really isn't a lot of purpose to this either. She kind of tries to blackmail them but doesn't really have leverage. She isn't going to get the case reopened either...so I just didn't really see the point to it all.

Additionally, this is stated as being based on a true story, but there is no afterward on what in here was true and what was fiction, which is a pet peeve of mine. I would have really liked to know some about the true events this is based off of. I did finish this but it was a near thing; I almost stopped reading it multiple times. This book also seems a bit confused on theme, there is a bit about woman's rights, a bit of romance, and bit of mystery...it's a bit of a jumble in all and not well balanced.

The audiobook was well done, and I have no complaints about the narration.

My Summary (3/5): Overall I found this somewhat disappointing. The question of whether or not Constance will be found guilty does drive the first 2/3rds of the story but then just when you think the book should end it keeps going...for hours longer. The characters are all horrible people who lie, cheat, and steal...I didn't really enjoy that at all. I did finish this, but I also had a lot of issues with it. I don't plan on checking out future books by this author.

I had thia book as an audiobook, firstly the narrator was absolutely brilliant! The accent, the voices all different for every aingle character, what a talent! Made the story come alive!

I was drawn in to this book by the title and the fact it was based on a true story. Anything historic and im in.

I loved the way the story was laid out, jumping back and forth from past to present.

Dear The Arsenic Eater's Wife
You were such a unique and historical twist on the traditional murder mystery for me. I loved that you took the traditional "who dun it" and turned it on its head. You had me thinking everyone was the murdered and l really enjoyed the way that everything ended up resolving. I enjoyed all of the different timelines and how they eventually drew together and the way that the trial turned out. I was so frustrated at how limiting the social roles of women were in that time period and how little freedom they had in the world.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.

3.5 stars

This story follows Constance, an American who married a British man she meets while traveling to Europe. They fall in love but all is not as it seems.
The story is a dual timeline, going back and forth between what leads up to the death of Constance’s husband and what’s happening during the trial. Dual timeline isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I found this a great way to connect what’s happening with the trial from other witnesses’ point of view to Constance’s POV.

This is a story with mystery and revenge set in Victorian England with a few unexpected twists.

Audiobook review

It is 1889 in Liverpool, England and Constance Sullivan is on trial for the suspected murder by poisoning of her husband, William. As the testimonies unfold, it is clear there is deception in every direction. Will Constance be found guilty? Will the truth be revealed?
I chose this book based off of its categorization into "mystery/thriller" but was so pleasantly surprised by its co-genre of historical fiction. I can honestly say I will be digging deeper into this genre thanks to this book/author! The beginning was filled with courtroom drama and testimonies. I was drawn in so quickly, especially knowing the plot was based on a true historical case in Liverpool. Once I hit about 60% I absolutely could not stop listening. The fast-paced thriller ending had me on edge to find out the truth. I loved the author's notes at the end comparing the fictional retelling to the actual facts of the case.
The narration was very good as well. Her inflections and theatrics added a lot to this audiobook. I did find the "whispering" in some areas difficult to understand. But overall very pleased with the narrator's presentation.
Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Tonya Mitchell for an audiobook ARC and the chance to give my honest feedback.

At first I was very "meh" about the narrator. I didn't love the main character's voice but by the end it didn't bother me too much. Overall, I liked the story and the twist. It was definitely a unique book, I haven't previously read anything like this before.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Penelope Rawlins is a new narrator to me and she did and fab job with the accents, the emotions and kept me engaged throughout.

The story was pretty amazing too. I felt for the heroine, she was betrayed on so many fronts and had suffered so much. William and his "family" (his brother, his family friend, and secret one) were a hot mess. Each one with their own agenda using Constance as the pawn.

The historical aspect was a bonus, learning about the legal system, a woman's rights, Liverpool etc...

Would recommend this book for certain

3.5 Stars
This started a bit slow for me but I found the end reveal a bit predictable, though I did enjoy the gothic vibes in this book. This is based on the real story of Florence Maybrick and my heart really felt for both her and Constance.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC!

I just loved this book. I love a crime thriller, although a period crime thriller was new territory for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the setting - Tonya Mitchell did a great job painting 1889 Liverpool that I felt like I could imagine it all. The narrator of this book did a great job giving life to all of the different characters, nailing the different accents and voices so each person felt like an individual and even the background characters had personality. The story was exciting and even the “low” parts had me excited to see it pick up again. The plot had me guessing and second-guessing myself the whole way through, and the ending wrapped up every question I had perfectly - no part of the “case” was black and white and all the layers came together so well. I’m not familiar with the author, but I will definitely look forward to more books by her!

I listened to the audio version of this book through NetGalley. While the narration and production did a great job, I had a hard time feeling invested in the story and characters.

The Arsenic Eater's Wife is a mystery that will keep you on your toes. This historical mystery is based on true events, which makes the multiple betrayals even more gut-wrenching. The main character, Constance, is a young, naive woman, desperate for connection and love. Truthfully, she married the wrong man in William, an overbearing nobleman who clearly married her solely for her money. From there, the web becomes more tangled, the truth harder to find, as we dive deeper into the details of how and why William was killed/murdered. Nothing and no one are who they seem and the end will leave you shocked!