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A Taste for Poison

Eleven deadly substances and the killers who used them

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'Indecently entertaining' A Daily Mail Book of the Week

As any reader of murder mysteries can tell you, poison is one of the most enduring — and popular — weapons of choice for a scheming murderer. It can be slipped into a drink, smeared onto the tip of an arrow or the handle of a door, even filtered through the air we breathe. But how exactly do these poisons work to break our bodies down, and what can we learn from the damage they inflict?

In a fascinating blend of popular science, medical history, and narrative crime nonfiction, Dr Neil Bradbury explores this most morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. Alongside real-life accounts of murderers and their crimes —some notorious, some forgotten, some still unsolved — are the equally compelling stories of the poisons involved: eleven molecules of death that work their way through the human body and, paradoxically, illuminate the way in which our bodies function.

Drawn from historical records and current news headlines, A Taste for Poison weaves together the fascinating tales of spurned lovers, shady scientists, medical professionals and political assassins, showing how the precise systems of the body can be impaired to lethal effect through the use of poison. From the deadly origins of the gin & tonic cocktail to the arsenic-laced wallpaper in Napoleon’s bedroom, A Taste for Poison leads readers on a fascinating tour of the intricate, complex systems that keep us alive — or don’t.

©2022 Neil Bradbury
Crime History History & Philosophy Murder Science Social Sciences True Crime

Critic reviews

‘This very splendid book is essentially a detailed primer on how to dispose of your enemies. … A winning mixture of hard science and true crime stories, is almost indecently entertaining.’ Daily Mail

‘Lively … Bradbury is an engaging, cheerful tour guide.’ New York Times Book Review

‘Captivating in its storytelling and just enough science for the geeks. A tremendously entertaining dip into the dark and compelling world of death.’ Professor Dame Sue Black, author of All That Remains: A Life in Death

‘We’ve all seen Colonel Mustard dead in the library from poisoning. Instead of telling us why, in this original and invigorating book, Neil Bradbury focuses on how, exploring the workings of crime from a scientific basis. Fascinating.’ Judith Flanders, author of The Invention of Murder

'Neil Bradbury writes with wit, flair, and authority.' Lindsey Fitzharris, bestselling author of The Butchering Art

‘An engrossing history of poisons, poisonings and poisoners. Alongside the very human stories of the people who fall victim to these deadly substances, it’s packed with quirky detail and easily digestible (pun intended) science.’ Kate Morgan, author of Murder: The Biography

'Weaves jaw-dropping true stories and spellbinding histories behind the most infamous poisons.' Lydia Kang, bestselling author of Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything

'An unselfconsciously jaunty work of horror. Its stories may leave you eyeing your housemates and sniffing your coffee.' Judy Melinek, M.D. and T.J. Mitchell, bestselling authors of Working Stiff

‘An accessible and fascinating study.’ Publishers Weekly starred review

‘Appealing to any true crime fan … genre-bending.’ Booklist

‘A frightening romp … fascinating, edifying, and terrifying.’ Library Journal

All stars
Most relevant
I wish Audible had more books like this as is so much fun! All the common poisons are included plus the criminals who used them usually to murder someone. Where the poison comes from mostly plant based, its effect on the human body, snippets of history where applicable and the antidote if there is one. I listen to this over two days then immediately started again, something I rarely do!

Well narrated and well worth a credit.

A brilliant wee gem of a book

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Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Loved finding out about different poisons and how they are used. How they individually affect the body, also examples of murderers, why they chose certain methods to kill people over the years. Great overall coverage, read with great clear tone.

So interesting

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I got this on a whim, it’s a strange subject that I have no previous interest in.
The reading was engaging throughout, the subject was interesting and i, enjoyed, is probably the wrong word found it fascinating in a completely healthy and non-murderous way.

Interesting and well read.

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This book happily occupies the intersection between the genres of true crime and popular medical science.

Crime and physiology

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Book was both fascinating and informative, covering not just how the various substances were used to commit murder, but also explaining the basic science & physiology behind why each poison causes the symptoms that it does.

Excellent

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