⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5 stars)
With a mix of stories, true cases, facts and sometimes startling statistics, Stratmann takes us into the dark world of poison and the murderers who have utilized the various ones over the past decades. She takes the reader all the way back into the nineteenth century to look at the oldest of poisons used for murder: arsenic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If I am to nitpick on the minor flaws: some of the sentences were very run-on and it felt like the book ended abruptly, but I didn't feel like it wrecked my reading experience. It is insightful, informative and intriguing enough to forgive those.
Victorian era murders and the rise of differing areas of forensics in this time is fascinating. "The Secret Poisoner" walks the reader through the roots of forensic toxicology and the sometimes messy contradictions it faced early on, while doctors and scientists tried to vehemently defend their reputations. The science behind it all is dramatically intriguing. It's a great reference to have read since much of my research for my own books focuses on female serial killers. I did, however, enjoy the insight of men who used poison to murder, and the psychology and motives behind that. Definitely an excellent read for anyone interested in early forensic toxicology, Victorian-era murders and the various poisons used throughout history.
Comments