The Sweetest Poison

’Memorable, haunting, and I’m so glad it’s part one of a series’ - Autonoe

When she was eight years old, Helen Clack was bullied so mercilessly that she was driven to a desperate act. Now she is being targeted once more, but this time her tormentor’s identity is shrouded in doubt.

When her life starts to disintegrate, she flees home to the wilds of north-east Scotland, and to the one man she knows can help her - Hector Forbes, the dubiously charismatic Laird of Pitfourie, with whom she has been hopelessly in love ever since those hellish days in the school playground, when he was her protector, her rescuer, her eleven-year-old hero.

But is Hector really someone she can trust?

And can anyone protect her from the terrible secret she’s keeping?

A note from Jane Renshaw: Perhaps you are here after reading one of my stand-alone psychological thrillers. If so, thank you for your enthusiasm for my writing, but please note that the Pitfourie Series is very different. These are long, sit-back-with-a-cup-of-tea women’s crime novels rather than tense, edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Although I wouldn’t describe the books as ’cosy’, they are as much about a place and the people who live there as they are about crimes. If you enjoy books such as Where The Crawdads Sing, I hope that you might enjoy this series.

’This novel is gorgeously written, with characters who jump off the page - especially Helen, the flawed but very relatable main character’ - Lucy Lawrie, author of The Child in My House

’An intriguing read from beginning to end... I’m really glad that this is the beginning of a series; it’s got that certain something that has you needing to read more.’ - Archaeolibrarian

’This is gripping stuff and I thoroughly enjoyed it!... I would definitely read this author’s work again; she knows how to keep you guessing and make you invested in her characters’ fate’ - Avid Reader

’I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters long after I’d finished the book. Highly recommended. I can’t wait for the next one!’ - Wilson

’I was gripped from the first page, had to read this in one hit. The plot was abs fantastic, loads of twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the book. Highly recommend anyone to read this book.’ - Terry

’Well written with great characters and a lovely description of the Scottish setting’ - Paul Richards

’An innocent childhood in rural NE Scotland turns unexpectedly sinister in this compelling thriller. We watch as the fallout of events tracks into Helen’s adult life. The psychological insights and the minutiae of her daily life are fascinating. The feel of rural Aberdeenshire is wonderfully portrayed and highly evocative... The characters of Pitfourie are set to carry on in the next novel, and those in The Sweetest Poison have certainly lived on in my imagination.’ - Roslyn