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Phosphate Rocks

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Phosphate Rocks

By: Fiona Erskine
Narrated by: Robin Laing
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As the old chemical works in Leith are demolished a long deceased body encrusted in phosphate rock is discovered. Seated at a card table he has ten objects laid out in front of him. Whose body is it? How did he die and what is the significance of the objects?

Phosphate Rocks: A Death in Ten Objects unravels the mystery using a mix of real life anecdote, scientific explanation, and a touch of fiction, woven together to create a vivid account of the life and decline of a factory over five decades. Crime Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime
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Ms Erskine once again delights with a unique blend of muscular prose, hilarious character observation and love of science.

Always the didact, this time Fiona treats us to a history of the fertiliser factory in Leith. The whodunnit murder mystery structure sits entertainingly over a narrative of the rise and fall of this mighty industry. We learn of the invention of the process in Germany, it’s central role in reducing global poverty, the folly of ICI management, the skill of the people who ran this plant and the human stories which make up a long established industrial complex.

The window offered on what it’s like to live and work on a major chemical site is not much covered elsewhere in literature, I guess because not that many engineers have the literary skill and dedication to bring it alive. This book triumphantly illustrates that the world of factory work is worthy of attention because of its significance to many people’s lives and the communities which it supports.

Think “History of the World in One Hundred Objects” meets Ian Rankin and enjoy.

Wry Fascinating and Funny

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Very well written book that griped from the first few pages.
This should be a read by anyone in the safety industry as it show how systems can be misused by users. Some safety textbooks can be very dry but this adds a story to the learning which helps to engage the reader and help reinforce the learning points.
Loved the story but gained so much more from the history.

Captivating book

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