A Dram of Poison [Paperback]

Charlotte Armstrong (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett Crest (1970)
• ASIN: B0022UWL2G
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect blend of suspense and comedy, May 6, 2008

By 

Jeffrey N. Hobbs - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dram of Poison (Hardcover)

I can't remember the last time I was so engaged by a book that I read it in a single day. I loved "A Dram of Poison" and highly recommend it. In the first half, it's Hitchcockian--a small group of ordinary people with complex emotional relationships beneath the surface and not fully understood, the situation building suspense inexorably. The reader knows an explosion is coming but cannot predict what form it will take. When the "break" comes, the tone of the book changes completely into a frenetic quest sequence that is increasingly hilarious. But the suspense starts to build again, and we remain on tenterhooks, as we wait to see whether the quest will be successful. In the meantime, the characters discuss life, and we are made acutely aware of how the reality of the relationships and situation we saw only dimly in the first half of the book are, in fact, very different from what we were lead to expect. The ultimate message (Yes, this little suspense thriller has a message!) is one of optimism and respect for individuality and how one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. A gem. Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly delightful book to read and re-read., May 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dram of Poison (Hardcover)

This book has plenty of intrigue and suspense when poison innocently labeled as olive oil goes astray. But it's also a life-affirming romp with an assortment of delightful characters whom you love enough to return to time and again. A celebration of life and of individuality.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book!, July 22, 2011

By 

K. Banik - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dram of Poison (Paperback)

I first read this book about 25 years ago, and it was so enjoyable that I've kept coming back to re-read it every year or so. It's like an old friend. The book starts at a very slow pace, and it's a little bit misleading. You expect doom and gloom, and it quicly turns to the most enjoyable adventure when the little bottle of poison is lost, and the chase is on. Each new character that joins the chase is delightful, and together they are incredibly fun. I love the bus driver and his way of speaking, "Lookit..." and "ruminate, ruminate." The story's ending is wonderful as well; it's exactly what you'd expect from this wonderful writer. It's my favorite book.