BOOK REVIEW: A is for Arsenic - The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup
I have heard many illuminating reviews of Agatha Christie's murder mystery novels. Through my first AC novel, Hercule Poirot's Christmas, I was instantly hooked and I exactly knew why. The red herrings in her novels paired with interesting characters and murder methods can keep one hooked.
AC revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books: indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel.
Her choice of deadly substances was far from random - the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer.
Christie's extensive knowledge provides the backdrop for this book, in which the author investigates the poisons used by the murderer in 14 classic AC mysteries. It looks at why certain chemicals kill, how they interact with the body, the cases that may have inspired Christie and the feasibility of obtaining, administering and detecting these poisons, both at the time the novel was written and today.
Written by a chemist herself, this book will definitely make a good companion alongside AC's novels. Further information of the poisons leads to further enjoyment of the books but don't get the wrong ideas to be a poisoner.
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