The Poison Thread

“The Poison Thread” is a Victorian gothic horror novel by Laura Purcell. The story portrays Dorothea Truelove, a young, wealthy, and beautiful woman, and Ruth Butterham, a young, poor seamstress awaiting trial for murder. As Dorothea engages in charitable work at Oakgate Prison, she meets Ruth and is interested in her claim that her needle and thread have the power to kill.