A Poisoner's Tale

'A gut-wrenching, empowering and gripping feminist read' -5-STAR Reader Review 
 
**WINNER OF THE HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD 2025** 
 
A dark and powerful feminist retelling of the best serial killer you've never heard of. Inspired by the true story of Giulia Tofana. 
 
'Gorgeous. . . brimming with rich detail and intrigue.’ C. J. COOKE 
 
'Not for the faint-hearted' SCOTSMAN 
 
'Fully satisfying . . . savoured every chapter' -5-STAR Reader Review-------------- 
 
Rome, 1656 
 
In Rome’s shadowy backstreets lies an apothecary’s shop – a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops. 
 
Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands. A path she’s determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo. 
 
But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men begin to fall like flies. 
 
With the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . How far will she go for the women who need her help? 
 
MURDERER OR SAVIOUR? YOU DECIDE. 
 
A POISONER'S TALE explores the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society and takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey. 
 
-------------- 
 
'An incredible debut that I simply could not put down' -5-STAR Reader Review 
 
‘Devastating. A beautifully intense read.’ ISABELLE SCHULER 
 
'This book will stay with me for a very long time' -5-STAR Reader Review 
 
'Moving and unforgettable.' STELA BRINZEANU 
 
'Superbly written . . . a real page turner that I didn't want to end' -5-STAR Reader Review 
 
‘Perfect example of quality historical fiction.’ LAURA CARLIN 
 
'Incredibly compelling.' GRIMDARK MAGAZINE 
 
'Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you’ve finished reading.' NAOMI KELSEY

Such a moving and unforgettable story. . . A thoughtful read that asks hard questions and bears us witness to the tragic lives of these strong women and the devastating sacrifices they make to help their sisters in need. A gripping tale of dedication, courage and sacrifice.

An utterly captivating tale of poisoners and papal intrigue, this novel is a taut, thrilling and wholly immersive journey through Rome’s underbelly. Kemp is an astonishingly talented storyteller, and her characters will linger long after you’ve finished reading.

A Poisoner's Tale prompts poignant questions of morality and justice. It's a story that is guaranteed to stay with you long after reading it.

A gorgeous historical novel about the legend of female poisoner Giulia Tofana, brimming with rich detail and intrigue.

C. J. COOKE, author of The Lighthouse Witches

A captivating historical novel that weaves intrigue, danger and politics into a richly-detailed narrative

A Poisoner's Tale is a compelling story of sisterhood, defiance and revenge. In Giulia, Cathryn Kemp has created a complex and courageous heroine who is not afraid to walk a dark and dangerous path for what she believes in, and I fell in love with her from the start.

A Poisoner's Tale is a mesmerizing story of power and subjugation; both temporally and emotionally absorbing; gripping and poignant from beginning to end. The two main characters are beautifully crafted, complex and subtle. . . A perfect example of quality historical fiction.

LAURA CARLIN, author of The Wicked Cometh and Requiem for a Knave

Gripping. Devastating. A beautifully intense read.

ISABELLE SCHULER, author of Lady MacBethad

A Poisoner’s Tale is incredibly compelling

Kemp has brought Giulia back to life through rich layers of detail. This gruesome story is not for the faint-hearted, but whatever the rights and wrongs of Giulia’s mission, this novel forces us to question how far society has come – and how far it has yet to go

Immersive and bold, this is a spellbinding ode to sisterhood, motherhood and secret defiance

Cathryn Kemp is a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and author, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles. Her personal memoir Coming Clean won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction. 
 
 
A Poisoner’s Tale is her first foray into historical fiction. When not researching dark, dangerous and beguiling women from history, Cathryn can be found on the south coast with her son and her familiar, a ginger cat called Gingey.

Murderer or saviour? You decide. . . 
 
Rome, 1656 
 
In the shadowy backstreets of the Eternal City lies an apothecary’s shop – a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops. 
 
Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands. 
 
A path she’s determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo. 
 
But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men of Rome begin to fall like flies. 
 
With a newly elected Pope hell-bent on ridding the city of heretics and witches, and the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . . 
 
How far will she go for the women who need her help? 
 
Exploring the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society, A Poisoner’s Tale takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey. This is not just a retelling of the legend of Giulia Tofana but an ode to sisterhood and motherhood, to defiance and secret rebellion.

Cathryn Kemp

I absolutely LOVED They Can't Burn Us All. Immersive and heartrending, They Can't Burn Us All is a powerful and compelling retelling of 17th century witch trials . . . With breathtaking descriptions and meticulous historical authenticity, I was completely captivated by this vital work of witch literature

ANYA BERGMAN, author of international bestseller, The Witches of Vardø

Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving. The desperate isolation of 17th century Iceland is brought to vivid life with its strong women and their battle for survival amid the turbulence of small, superstitious societies and vendettas. Her main character may struggle to voice her own words, but she has a compelling narrative voice that will endure

KATE FOSTER, award-winning author of The Maiden

I utterly adored Cathryn Kemp’s debut, A Poisoner’s Tale, so I had high hopes for They Can’t Burn Us All, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a haunting, mesmerising tale of C17th Icelandic witch trials, with descriptions so evocative you can feel the snow’s chill and hear the ravens’ cries and smell the fires burning. A dark, urgent tale of female agency and the power of both speaking out and refusing to speak

They Can't Burn Us All is a thrilling, fiery fable, full of compassion, rage and magic. Kemp brings 17th century Iceland to vivid life; a place of deadly storms and even deadlier curses, of long-hidden secrets and lingering resentments. A timely and important reminder of the enduring power of women's voices

They Can’t Burn Us All is a stunning novel. An atmospheric and haunting tale of Iceland’s most famous witch trial, it shines light on an era when men were burned as witches, yet women still paid the price. The Icelandic landscape teems with life, brooding and magical, while Cathryn’s lyrical writing delivers an emotional gut-punch at every turn. A novel as gripping as it is relevant today, with an ending that will take your breath away

Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving. The desperate isolation of 17th century Iceland is brought to vivid life with its strong women and their battle for survival amid the turbulence of small, superstitious societies and vendettas. Her main character may struggle to voice her own words, but she has a compelling narrative voice that will endure.

KATE FOSTER, award-winning author of The Maiden, which was also longlisted for the Women's Prize

They Can’t Burn Us All is a stunning novel. An atmospheric and haunting tale of Iceland’s most famous witch trial, it shines light on an era when men were burned as witches, yet women still paid the price. The Icelandic landscape teems with life, brooding and magical, while Cathryn’s lyrical writing delivers an emotional gut-punch at every turn. A novel as gripping as it is relevant today, with an ending that will take your breath away.

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655 
 
 
Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother practise rune magic. 
 
But now, a witch-hunting craze is sweeping across the land of ice and fire, fuelled by the Protestant Reformation. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, those condemned as witches here are not women, but men of learning. And when Þuríður’s father and brother are accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake, she is helpless to save them. 
 
As Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnússon's accusing gaze turns to Þuríður herself, the first woman to be called ‘witch’, he will find that she is no ordinary woman. 
 
She is prepared to fight back. But at what cost? 
 
And in an age of fear and persecution, whose side will the community take? Who will fight for justice? 
 
Set against a backdrop of sweeping religious and social change, They Can’t Burn Us All is a feminist retelling of Iceland’s notorious Kirkjuból witch trials.

Cathryn Kemp

Praise for They Can't Burn Us All

I absolutely LOVED They Can't Burn Us All. Immersive and heartrending, They Can't Burn Us All is a powerful and compelling retelling of 17th century witch trials . . . With brea ...

Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving. The desperate isolation of 17th centu ...

I utterly adored Cathryn Kemp’s debut, A Poisoner’s Tale, so I had high hopes for They Can’t Burn Us All, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a haunting, mesmerising tale of C17th Icelandic witch ...

I absolutely LOVED They Can't Burn Us All. Immersive and heartrending, They Can't Burn Us All is a powerful and compelling retelling of 17th century witch trials . . . With brea ...

Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving. The desperate isolation of 17th centu ...

I utterly adored Cathryn Kemp’s debut, A Poisoner’s Tale, so I had high hopes for They Can’t Burn Us All, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a haunting, mesmerising tale of C17th Icelandic witch ...

I absolutely LOVED They Can't Burn Us All. Immersive and heartrending, They Can't Burn Us All is a powerful and compelling retelling of 17th century witch trials . . . With brea ...

Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving. The desperate isolation of 17th centu ...

I utterly adored Cathryn Kemp’s debut, A Poisoner’s Tale, so I had high hopes for They Can’t Burn Us All, and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a haunting, mesmerising tale of C17th Icelandic witch ...

Books by Cathryn Kemp

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter