The Poisoner

The Poisoner Series, Book 1

De: I.V. Ophelia

Narrado por: Matt Sykes, Stephanie Willis

The Lost Apothecary meets Gothikana in this Victorian gothic romance of poison, passion, and dark secrets following a botanist who likes to poison unsavory men, but when her next target visits her apothecary, they discover their dark bond runs deeper than they imagined.

Have you ever wondered how long it would take for a lethal dose of arsenic to kill you?
Thirty-five hours, twenty-nine minutes, and fifteen seconds.
I should know. I counted myself.

Amidst the gaslit alleys and cobblestone streets of Victorian London, two killers find themselves entangled in a waltz they cannot escape.

Alina Lis, a botanist and hobbyist poisoner, has a pastime of killing unsavory men in her twisted sense of poetic justice. When she targets the conceited playboy, Silas Forbes, only to find him in her apothecary the following week, she discovers human men are the least of her problems.

The pair’s unlikely association sparks gossip among affluent society. As their mysterious bond deepens, a chilling truth emerges—concealed identities, lurking foes, and questions as plentiful as the hydra’s head brew within this haunting Gothic tale of violent passion.

Will Silas and Alina find themselves in each other’s arms, or will the shadows of their past keep them apart?

©2025 I.V. Ophelia (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Victorian Dark Gothic Romance

Fantastic narrators, beautiful writing style.
I read this book was self published by the author and while I enjoyed the story, there was a particular chapter that I found to be unnecessarily cruel and humiliating. After *a lot* of unfavorable feedback, the author has since changed the chapter and I agree with those changes. Alina goes through enough on this journey, that added bit of cruelty really soured the book overall to me.
I enjoy this updated version and I’m looking forward to the next book. Narrators are truly fantastic

obsessed

This book was a masterclass in storytelling. From the very first page, I was hooked—completely unprepared for the twists that followed. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the plot took another sharp turn, each more jaw-dropping than the last. The narrator was magnetic, guiding me through each moment with such intensity and depth that I found myself hanging onto every word. Every chapter felt like a cliffhanger, keeping me on edge and craving more. This wasn’t just a book—it was an experience.

Fantastic performances for a captivating story

This was my first vampire novel and omg have I been missing out. The narrators’ accents and tone really added to the gothic vibes of the book. Absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for book two!

Great storyline!

I want more! Narrators were perfect. Even though it had the trigger warning at the beginning, it wasn't that bad. can't wait for book 2!

The Creature Click

If atmospheric dread could be bottled and sold, The Poisner would be the premium vintage. IV Ophelia doesn’t just write a story — she constructs a creeping, pulsing experience that slithers into your brain and settles in with a sinister grin. And let me tell you, the audiobook? It's an immersive rabbit hole that I gleefully fell into.

Let’s start with the star of my nightmares: The Creature’s clicking sound. That sound deserves its own credit in the cast list. Every time it echoed through my headphones, I felt my spine do a little anxiety dance. It wasn’t just a sound effect; it was a warning, a mood, a perfectly timed shiver that elevated the tension in the most deliciously dreadful way. Honestly, chef's kiss to whoever came up with that brilliant touch.

Now, on to the narrators. Whoever cast this duo deserves a medal — or at least unlimited book credits. The synergy between them was seamless. Their voices danced, clashed, whispered, and roared exactly when they needed to. They didn’t just read the story; they performed it. You could feel the unease, the longing, the horror, and the hidden truths bubbling beneath every word.

IV Ophelia’s writing is lush, sharp, and laced with a quiet menace that grips you from page one (or minute one, if you’re listening). The pacing? Impeccable. The world-building? Suffocating in the best possible way. The character dynamics? Like watching a beautifully choreographed emotional knife fight.

🌟 In short: The Poisner is a masterpiece.
It’s haunting, it’s immersive, and it left me side-eyeing shadows in my hallway. If you’re a fan of rich horror with a gothic heartbeat, paired with an audio production that pulls no punches, this one’s for you.

But seriously… beware the click.

What a story!!

The Poisoner seeps under your skin. It’s slow, atmospheric, and quietly brutal—like being kissed by someone who might also kill you. The prose could be tighter, but the emotional tension and eerie, intimate love story? Flawless. Victor is an enigma I still haven’t forgiven. Or forgotten.

And that ending? Come on. You can’t just stop there—I need more. Answers. Aftercare. Therapy. A sequel wouldn’t hurt either.

Dark fantasy with teeth. This one drinks spinal fluid and still leaves you thirsty.

Captivating

Immediately drawn into the story. Enjoyed every bit of this audiobook! Can’t wait for the next one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

narration was amazing!

narration was amazing, but the story itself was a little lost on the plot... I finally started understanding what was going on at about 90% and then was quickly shocked by the last twist and then it was over. Overall it was interesting and I did love the take on vampirism. the writing was beautiful and if this is a series I would continue to find out more.

the amazing voices and sound effects were just gorgeous

i’ve never read a book like this before it was so beautiful and scary i couldn’t put it down

I would give it a 4.5⭐️

Definitely a "check your trigger warnings" kind of read. While I didn’t personally find the content to be overly graphic or aggressive, I can see how it could be situationally triggering for some, especially based on what others have shared in Goodreads reviews.

The story is set in a time when women were expected to be reserved and restrained, which contrasts with the FMC’s clear desire for the MMC’s attention and affection. Though she enjoyed herself, the societal expectations of the era create a tension that could be uncomfortable for some readers.

The MMC is a blend of reptile and vampire, which gives him a distinctly animalistic, primal edge. His demeanor may be off-putting or triggering for some, depending on personal comfort levels with darker or more dominant characters.

That said, I found the storyline unique and compelling. By the end of Book One, I felt satisfied—it doesn’t end on a heavy cliffhanger, but it still leaves you with enough intrigue to look forward to Book Two.

While it may not land in my personal top 10, it was still a memorable and engaging read. What truly brought it to life was the narration—the performance was excellent and added depth to the entire experience.