Opium and Absinthe: A Novel
From the bestselling author of A Beautiful Poison comes another spellbinding historical novel full of intrigue, occult mystery, and unexpected twists.
New York City, 1899. Tillie Pembroke's sister lies dead, her body drained of blood and with two puncture wounds on her neck. Bram Stoker's new novel, Dracula, has just been published, and Tillie's imagination leaps to the impossible: the murderer is a vampire. But it can't be--can it?
A ravenous reader and researcher, Tillie has something of an addiction to truth, and she won't rest until she unravels the mystery of her sister's death. Unfortunately, Tillie's addicted to more than just truth; to ease the pain from a recent injury, she's taking more and more laudanum...and some in her immediate circle are happy to keep her well supplied.
Tillie can't bring herself to believe vampires exist. But with the hysteria surrounding her sister's death, the continued vampiric slayings, and the opium swirling through her body, it's becoming increasingly difficult for a girl who relies on facts and figures to know what's real--or whether she can trust those closest to her.
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Community Reviews
Tilly as an interesting character as she struggles in the upper class society she is raised in and to just exist as herself when her individuality is crushed by the societal expectations. Tilly wants to be a reporter like Nellie Blye but she is expected to marry and be a well behaved and well mannered young lady even though she is struggling with the death of her sister and wants to have answers. The romance was sweet and I enjoyed.
I found the representation of addiction and substance use to be well done and humanizing as well as relatable. One part of the story that I appreciated was how Tilly's use of opium is tied to her family try to control her and her behavior which they do not approve of.
The plot twist was unexpected and well done at the end. I also appreciate that Nellie Blye made an appearance in the story.
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