Book Craft – A Poisoner’s Tale in Diamonds!

Submitted: 8th February 2026

A Book Crafted from Diamonds

Ever since I read a Poisoner’s Tale by Cathryn Kemp, I have wanted to do a craft that in some way matched the brilliance of this story. The cover is fantastic too so I wondered if there was something I could craft from that?

Well, a bit of a search later and I came across a very smart diamond painting set that looked VERY similar to the cover of the book and really encapsulated the story within so…..

A few weeks later…..and many a curse about the number of diamonds that seems to get everywhere but on the picture. ( Just as well the kit comes with plenty spare!) I finished it.

Now this book is particularly good and I urge you all to read it. It’s inspired by a true story about a woman in Italy, Giulia Tofana, who was accused of making poisons that she would then distribute via a secret network to women who wanted to kill their husbands. The book A Poisoner’s Tale then went on to win the Historical Fiction Award for Debut fiction in 2025 ( full disclosure I am one of the judges)

When I’m not reading, I love crafting, so this was the perfect mix of two hobbies. I relieved the story as I did this diamond painting and I feel I now have some book inspired art on my wall. A homage to a great novel and a story that has stayed with me ever since I read it.

Now, off to hoover for the next 25 years…..

Susan x

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