A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury | Book Review

 


Genre : Non-Fiction

Description 

'A fascinating tale of poisons and poisonous deeds which both educates and entertains.' - Kathy Reichs 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.

My Review 

I received an advance copy from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. The edition of the book I received has a different cover (a much more attractive one I must add, more modern and eye catching) I believe the edition soon to be released in hardback is in a similar style but different colour. 

This is a non-fiction book, combining scientific fact with the telling of true stories linked to each chemical. A very clever way of presenting information whilst keeping the reader interested. 

I was very impressed with how it was put together, it was interesting and informative. Though I have very little scientific knowledge I felt able to read the book without getting confused. The use of true stories to illustrate the way in which poisons have been used over the years was brilliant. It used examples from years ago and more modern ones too bringing the book bang up to date. This gave me confidence that I was reading up to date information rather than old and possibly outdated facts. 

I highly recommend this title to any academics like myself who have a passion for knowledge but also to anyone who enjoys reading non-fiction. True crime fans may also find this title of interest. 

Thank you Indie Thinking & Harper Collins for sending me this proof copy. The new edition of this title is due out in hardback on 20th January 2022.

Rating 

5 out of 5 stars. 

As always you can pre-order this title from www.bettysbooks.co.uk