V is for Venom: Agatha Christie's Chemicals of Death

Fourteen stories. Fourteen more poisons. Just because it's fiction doesn't mean it's all made-up ...

Agatha Christie is renowned for her captivating plots and creative ways of killing off ill-fated victims. And what better way to add intrigue to a story than poison? The surreptitious ways they can be administered and the characteristic symptoms they produce make these killer chemicals the ideal method of murder in a 'whodunit'. Christie perfected the use of poisons in her plots; her deft and varied use of toxic substances is one of her great strengths as a writer. But how is it that some compounds prove so fatal, and in such tiny amounts?

The follow up to Kathryn Harkup's best-selling A is for Arsenic, V is for Venom is a compelling exploration of fourteen more poisons from the works of Agatha Christie and her extensive chemical knowledge. This book investigates the science behind the deadly substances, the history of their use in real-life murder cases, and how feasible was it to obtain, administer and detect these poisons in Christie's time and today. Combining Christie's murder mysteries, chemical science and true crime, V is for Venom is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.

Review

A brilliantly fun way not only to learn some chemistry but also to better appreciate the genre's greatest writer. ― Big Think

Harkup balances the macabre with the scientifically intricate. ― New Scientist

Hugely entertaining and informative, V is for Venom is an expertly written exploration of a fascinating topic. It's also a brilliant reminder of Agatha Christie's incredible skills as the Duchess of Death. ― Mark Aldridge

Harkup's book overflows with clear science, intriguing crimes both fictional and real, many warnings to aspiring murderers of the "Don't try this at home!" variety, and lots of interesting details about Christie's life in crime. ― Air Mail

A is for Arsenic and V is for Venom are part history, part scientific explainer, and part literary criticism that aren't only fun, informative reads in their own right. They also heighten your admiration of Christie as a writer. ― Big Think

I'll be keeping a copy of V Is for Venom handy . I hope it doesn't make me a suspect every time somebody dies unexpectedly after leaving my house. ― Washington Independent Review of Books

A fascinating look at the world of poison in Agatha Christie's work that will engage any readers "little grey cells." Harkup blends her scientific expertise with deep knowledge of Christie's extensive body of work. ― Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Kathryn Harkup is a former chemist turned author. She writes and gives regular public talks on the disgusting and dangerous side of science. Her first book was the international best-seller A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, which was shortlisted for a Mystery Readers International Macavity Award and a BMA Book Award. Her subsequent books include its follow-up, V is for Venom, Making the Monster: The Science of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Death by Shakespeare.