The Poison Thread Ending

The Poison Thread is a mystery novel about two women, Ruth Butterham (and Dorothea Truelove). Ruth, an aspirant heiress, is on trial for murder. However she also confesses other crimes using a needle or thread. Meanwhile, Dorothea is a rich woman who practices phrenology and spends much of her time at Oakgate Prison observing prisoners to determine if they can be reformed.

The story reveals that Ruth’s mother was an seamstress. However, Ruth becomes a debtor of Mrs. Metyard, a dressmaker. Metyard hires Ruth as an apprentice and is very abusive. Ruth is subject to a series traumatizing events that lead her to lose her job, but this only makes her feel more in love with Alma. Ruth realizes Alma’s value and asks Alma to marry her after the novel ends.