Apricots and Wolfsbane

K.M. Pohlkamp

Oct 2017 · Filles Vertes Publishing

About this ebook

Lavinia Maud craves the moment the last wisps of life leave her victim’s bodies—to behold the effects of her own poison creations. Believing confession erases the sin of murder, her morbid desires are in unity with faith, though she could never justify her skill to the magistrate she loves.

At the start of the 16th century in Tudor England, Lavinia’s marks grow from tavern drunks to nobility, but rising prestige brings increased risk. When the magistrate suspects her ruse, he pressures the priest into breaking her confessional seal, pitting Lavinia’s instincts as an assassin against the tenets of love and faith. She balances revenge with her struggle to develop a tasteless poison and avoid the wrath of her ruthless patron.

With her ideals in conflict, Lavinia must decide which will satisfy her heart: love, faith, or murder—but the betrayals are just beginning.

Praise for Apricots and Wolfsbane:

“Delicious. Apricots and Wolfsbane is a unique thriller packed with impressive research into historical poisons. Fast-paced, grim, and darkly funny, Pohlkamp’s prose are intoxicating.”

—Jessica Cale, author of Tyburn

 

“This is not my usual genre, however, I enjoyed the novel immensely. The story kept me on my toes with the action and the plot twists.”

—Lisa Orchard author of The Super Spies and The Starlight Chronicles.

 

“Although rich in period detail, K.M. Pohlkamp’s Apricots and Wolfsbane reads like a modern-day psychological thriller. Fans of the Dexter series will love Lavinia, an anti-hero the reader simultaneously gravitates toward and cringes away from. In some scenes, Lavinia is so sympathetic, my palms sweat with anticipation, hoping Lavinia could escape every predicament she found herself in. In other scenes, my stomach turned in revulsion at the lengths the poisoner went through while stalking and attempting to murder her prey. This is a perfect book club novel—with enough interest and intrigue to keep everyone turning the pages and enough depth for a lively discussion afterwards. I can’t wait for the sequel!”

—Megan Cassidy, author of Always Jessie, The Misadventures of Marvin Miller, and Smothered

Ratings and reviews

K.M. Pohlkamp has created a unique plotline here; I've never read anything quite like it. Mystery, suspense, religious and philosophical tension, all packaged in a historical fiction story of a female poison assassin in Tudor England. The writing is unmistakably advanced for a debut novel. I expect great things from Pohlkamp's writing career! (She's working on a sequel!)

I have to admit that I was reluctant to read a story about a Tudor era assassin who takes pride in her work, yet, I read it anyway and was very glad I did. I really enjoyed this story. It was beautifully told, and thoroughly researched. I couldn’t help admiring the heroine’s strength and determination to live life in a man’s world on her own terms. Apricots and Wolfsbane is a great read. I highly recommend it to fans who love historical thrillers.

Very much enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. Lavinia's motives for her potions are subject to scrutiny by the Church where she looks for acceptance and forgiveness. Extensive research must have been involved in the search for the deadly plant concoctions that caused the demise of so many aristocrats of the time!

About the author

K.M. Pohlkamp is a blessed wife to the love of her life, a proud mother of two, and a Mission Control flight controller. Originally from Wisconsin, she now resides in Houston, Texas. She can be found at www.kmpohlkamp.com or on Twitter @KMPohlkamp.

http://KMPohlkamp.com