A woman is accused of killing her husband, but is she guilty?

Liverpool, England 1889: In the shadowy streets, the air is thick with secrets and the line between guilt and innocence blurs. Twenty-six-year-old Constance Sullivan is brought to trial charged with poisoning her husband, William. But William was no ordinary victim…

As Constance's barrister fights to prove her innocence, a sinister web of deception unravels, exposing the dark underbelly of their seemingly idyllic marriage.

One by one, witnesses emerge with incriminating testimony and facts about the dark side of Constance and William’s marriage are revealed. For many, the widow’s guilt seems clear. But is someone holding the key to the whole truth?

Inspired by a true case, The Arsenic Eater’s Wife will hold the reader spellbound until the final, heart-stopping revelation.

Praise for The Arsenic Eater's Wife

"A gorgeously Gothic and atmospheric whodunit filled with surprising twists and memorable characters that I tore through in a single sitting. Inspired by a true-life crime, The Arsenic Eater’s Wife offers proof that the darkest mystery remains the human heart."

—Kris Waldherr, author of Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women and The Lost History of Dreams

“This Victorian-era mystery had me in its grip from the first page to the last. The story is laced with suspense and shocking twists and depicts a time when a troubled marriage left women tragically few options. A first-rate page-turner.”

—Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Orchid Hour

“With more than a hint of the Gothic, Tonya Mitchell masterfully builds a palpable sense of dread throughout, but manages also to offer her characters grace even when their actions and feelings are deeply flawed. This is historical fiction at its best.”

—Molly Greeley, author of Marvelous

"A provocative, suspenseful Gothic treat of a novel, inspired by real events. Mitchell’s atmospheric prose carries readers into the past as a woman accused of murder desperately tries to reclaim her innocence and survive a harrowing betrayal. Rife with secrets, intrigue, and serpentine twists. You won’t be able to put it down!"

—Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of Parting the Veil

“Tonya Mitchell’s The Arsenic Eater’s Wife renders a dark and intricately brushed portrait of the
dichotomous business of human nature. Set against the scintillating murk of 19th century Liverpool England, Mitchell’s novel simmers good, and hot, and glorious with atmosphere, arsenic, intrigue, and lies.”

—Robert Gwaltney, award winning author of The Cicada Tree and Georgia Author of the Year.

“Inspired by an infamous real-life trial, The Arsenic Eater’s Wife is a masterclass in historical
suspense, brimming with intrigue, family secrets, betrayals—and a final quest for revenge.”

—Elizabeth Blackwell, author of On A Cold Dark Sea and Red Mistress

“A genuinely gripping story of a young woman trapped. Mitchell brings depth and authenticity to
her characters and setting, while expertly recreating Victorian trials of murder by poison. A compelling tale that will have you wondering who did it right to the end. A must read for fans of historical fiction.”

—Kerry Cathers, author of A Writer's Guide to Nineteenth-century Murder by Arsenic