Having gotten my hands on a pre-publish copy of the audio version of the book I was surprised to learn about how much I didn’t know.
We all know the medication used in the wrong quantities or mixed with other substances can cause severe illness or even dead. But most of us don’t know the chemistry and reason it works on the human body.
You might think then the book would be a dry subject filled with facts but instead it an easy read that present a very clear picture of the facts with examples in history how and when the poison was used. In most cases the perfect murder did not turn out so perfect after all and ended up with a conviction of the murderer.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin Press for giving me a change to check out this book.

Neil Bradbury has written a great book. The science and the historical research are brilliantly woven together. The book makes for a tantalizing read.

3.5 stars

A well researched look at 11 poisonous substances that have been used to murder, outlining their biological mechanisms as well as their legal & social histories. A well written & enjoyable nonfiction read!

[What I liked:]

•The poisons included in this book include plant toxins like digitalis, insulin, & chemicals like chlorine. I thought it was a well rounded group with some variety.

•I really enjoyed the blend of science & social studies in this book. For each poison, we get to look at how it affects the human body, how it can be detected, & also ways it has been used in medicine to heal. In addition, we get a case history of how the poison has been used, covering true crime incidents, legal issues, & developments in the field of toxicology. I really enjoyed the inter-disciplinary approach.

•This book is well written & structured, & easy to read & digest. The story telling style when it comes to the historical background is also engaging.

CW: murder, sexual violence

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

I very much enjoyed the book, it was a deep dive into the chemicals themselves and not the act of poisoning. I loved how the author wrote about how the chemicals worked and acted in the body. It was a thoroughly fascinating book and I really liked it.

A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury, Ph. D - what a fascinating book! Kathy Reichs is quoted on the book's cover: "A fascinating tale of poisons and poisonous deeds which both educates and entertains." How true this was for me as I eagerly consumed the intriguing contents therein.

"Within the annals of crime, murder hold a particularly heinous position. And among means of killing, few methods generate such a peculiar morbid fascination as poison. Compared with hot, bloody, spur of the moment murders, the planning and cold calculations of murder by poison, perfectly fit the legal term, malice of forethought. Poisoning requires planning, knowledge of the victims habits, it requires consideration of how the poison will be administered." Some poisons kill within minutes, others accumulate slowly still leading to a person's death. Armed with the reader's foreknowledge of the poisons having been explained, the cases come brilliantly to life in very vivid ways.

The eleven poisons discussed with the effects on the body include: aconite, arsenic, atropine, chlorine, cyanide, digoxin, insulin, polonium, potassium, ricin and strychnine. Each poison is presented in a true crime case in which the victim(s) died.

The audio version of this book was very enjoyable to listen to. Bradbury does an excellent job throughout his delivery, keeping the listener totally engrossed in cause, effect and result - and additionally adding fascinating case details, and even tiny tidbits involving Agatha Christie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even Sean Connery.

5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Highly recommended

My profound thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Neil Bradbury, PH.D., for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.

"Poison has a certain appeal …. It has not the crudeness of the revolver bullet, or the blunt instrument." - Agatha Christie, They Do It With Mirrors, 1952

What It's About: A TASTE FOR POISON is an intriguing read blending science and true crime which explores the nature of eleven poisons, their effects on body at the molecular, cellular and physiology level and how they were used to commit murders.

My thoughts: Each chapter covers the different poisons in details - Insulin, atropine, strychnine, aconite, ricin, digoxin, potassium, polonium, chlorine, cyanide and arsenic - from their origins to how they were used in murders and eventually identified through forensic science. So there were some medical history as well.

I think this was a well-written book. The author explains complex biochemical processes and concepts in an easy to understand way. But I did find some parts were a bit too sciency for me and that is just me.

I went back and forth between the ebook and audiobook, and I ended up spending more time on the audiobook. The narration was really well done.

Overall, this was an intriguing and enjoyable read. It was both entertaining and informative! As a true crime aficionado, I enjoyed learning about the different cases - some new and some familiar to me!


Pub. Date: Feb 1st, 2022

***Thank you St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, author Neil Bradbury and NetGalley for this gifted review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***

I truly liked this book even with all the science in it, Neil Bradbury wrote it perfectly for the layman. It was actually the science that I really like about it. I knew some but Neil Bradbury explained it in a way that I could understand. You could tell that Neil Bradbury knew his stuff and dare I say enjoyed talking about poisons. I also liked that he wrote about how the poisons were used by the killers. I also have the ebook ARC from Netgalley, there was writing that wasn't in the audio but that didn't stop my enjoyment. I will be reading more from Neil Bradbury and recommend this to all my science and true crime friends. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Neil Bradbury, Ph.D. for letting me read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance audio copy of A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury, Ph.D. and narrated by Derek Perkins. My review consists of thoughts and opinions which are all my own.

I am not typically a fan of non-fiction, but this title intrigued me, so I gave it a go. Let me say, I was still very entertained!

The historical aspects of the different poisons was fascinating and a few of the cases were in the not too distant past and I recalled the stories. In addition, as a clinical laboratorian, the physical reactions by the body, once encountered with the poisons, by whatever mode of delivery, was easy for me to understand. However, even with the explanations, it may be a bit more for the average person. Even so, I still think the author did a great job explaining the different mechanisms of the body, how they work, how the poisons interrupted the normal processes, and how those interruptions affect the human body.

This book was very interesting and I highly recommend!

Nothing like a nonfiction audiobook about poison and the history of murders associated with it to get you in the holiday spirit when spending time with relatives! Lol! 😂

When I started listening to "A Taste For Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them" by Neil Bradbury, Ph.D, I honestly thought the book would be a juicy true crime book. While it is that, it also includes the history of eleven major posions, the scientific way to use them, and major crimes in which they we're used.

Additionally, Bradbury includes the positive ways the compounds are now used in modern settings to save lives. For example, administering too much glucose can result in death by poisoning, but used in the correct dose it helps millions of diabetics everyday.

This book is fascinating! Praise to the author for all the research that went into the writing of the book. The audiobook is narrated by Derek Perkins. It will be published February 8, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. My review is posted on NetGalley and Goodreads.

This caught my eye. Not sure what I was thinking, maybe a mystery? But I absolutely loved it. It is written by a doctor who is very knowledgeable and really knows how to put a book together. It would be explaining how someone killed by a certain poison and thought they got away, but at the same time, you get a bit about the poison and it’s effect on the body and how the system works to rid itself. So there are some biology and medicine moments like from med school I like it so well because I’m a lab tech and work with blood and urine. My hubby is a cop so it was interesting to him. I’m purchasing it for my daughter on Audible for my daughter and her boyfriend. She will be finished in law school in may and Josh is in med school. They will both love each aspect of this. I liked how the first killings were found out and how drs went on to cause harm at times. Mainly the nurses did this. I just can’t say enough about it and do it justice. It was wonderful! It was very educational as it explained in a nice way how the body reacts to each poison and what symptoms occur and what it does. It won’t bore you because it touches on it and doesn’t overwhelm. I don’t know how the author wrote this so structured and in a way anyone could understand. Putting the right stuff where it was needed without getting on a tangent about the medical and chemical parts like a dr would know. But it was perfect.

Couldn’t ask for a better narrator. This one is best I’ve heard. Especially for this. I would like to hear some cozy mysteries by him.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me this opportunity. This is my honest review.

I was super stoked to listen to A Taste for Poison. This book promises to teach you about 11 different poisons, and it takes you through true stories of killers that have used them against their victims. This book did not disappoint, it was so fascinating to listen to all the different stories. Books like this are why I encourage people to branch out and try non-fiction – because they’re so fascinating and you can learn so many cool things. The narrator for this book was also just simply perfect, it’s the type of vibe you get from watching a murder documentary. Highly recommend for anyone that loves true crime!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review

I really enjoyed this book, is that sick? We enjoyed listening to the book on the way home for Christmas, it really got me in the mood for family lol. The author does a great job describing nine poisons, their history of some famous cases, where the position comes from and how it’s best used. 🤨. I’m telling you this is the perfect family get together book 😂. In all seriousness, I like how he mixes the background on the poisons and then a example of poison being used.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity for us to review this fantastic book! Dr. Bradbury did a fantastic job with this book, thank you!!

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury.

First off, the narration was excellent, spot on, especially given the content.

Is there something wrong with me that I'm into stuff like this? I'm going to argue yes.

Bradbury has taken his knowledge and extensive education and brings up a history and account of poisons. Everything poison. How they originated, how they were used, some of the largest crimes using said poison, and the science behind how the poison works. It's as fascinating as it is terrifying. And fear not! If you think that you are going to be bogged down with a scientific textbook, Bradbury masterfully weaves science and anecdote, keeping you on your little true crime loving toes. You little freakshow you :)

I love this type of book, or for that matter, television reenactments. Of course, it’s not the crime I’m attracted to but rather the forensics and crime-solving.

As I listened to this story I found it was unique.

A Taste of Poison deals more with the history of poisons involved in early crimes. And then if you’re the curious type, you’ll love that the chemistry of why the poisons work is also covered. To phrase it more succinctly this felt somewhat like a true-crime chemistry textbook.

What Concerned Me
A good deal of each story is taken up with the chemistry and reasons that various chemicals could be used to poison individuals. With all of this information, which was interesting, each story began to feel a bit too long.

Final Thoughts
Okay, let’s be honest. I used to think that poison would be the easiest way to die. Gonna say that’s a big, fat, definite . . . wrong! After listening to this book I feel better educated.

The narrator definitely made this an enjoyable story to listen to. And it felt original and was handled in a way that highlighted the crime and the poison in an informative, easy-to-understand manner.

Personally, I am a bit more interested in the true-crime aspect and solving the crime rather than information about the poisons used. But I still found this an enjoyable book that both entertained and educated.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ability to listen to this and post my thoughts without any stipulations

A book about poisons and the killers who used them. This reminded me a bit of the The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum but with more emphasis on the chemical side of various poisons from the obvious (cyanide) and archaic (belladonna) to the surprising (insulin). We might not think of all of these as deadly compounds but after all the dose makes the poisons. A really intriguing and informative read.

A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury - 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copy of this audiobook. I am leaving this unbiased review freely.

Part chemistry text book, part true crime podcast. This book is a perfect mix of narrative and straight up educational on the effects the 11poisons covered in the book have on the body. It goes into detail not only on the murders depicted, but also the body chemistry effects of the poisons.

If I have 1 criticism of this book, it's the cases chosen. The author begins the book by stating most poisonings are committed by women, but then a minority of the cases discussed are committed by women. As women have, historically, been the more prolific utilizers of this particular murder method, I would have preferred to see more cases that make up this statistic.

Definitely a perfect book for anyone into true crime, especially those scientifically minded.

I found A Taste for Poison really informative. It was written in a way that flowed easily and allowed it to not feel mundane or stiff. The narrator came across as really engaging and clear. I enjoyed that you hear from the author at the end. As someone who enjoys learning about science and about true crime, the comments the author makes as he is thanking his family really helped me connect to him.

Don't expect to get a detailed or extended tale of a true crime from this book. Do expect a lot of interesting facts about the history of poisons and some quick but truly interesting examples of crimes and other situations in which we have gained better understanding of poisons, the warning signs of them, and the effects that they can have.

This was really cool! I am really into this sort of stuff so I had a good feeling I would enjoy this but I had no idea just how cool it would be. I love finding out things like this and this book made it so much fun. I felt like I was reading a thriller in places it was that interesting. I could have read more stories like this. I can not wait to add this one to my collection.

Wow! I really enjoyed this. It was educational and interesting. Because this is about poisons the author followed many of the crimes associated with it. So if you love true crime I think you’ll really enjoy this. The author takes a deep dive into this topic and explains the chemistry along with what it actually does to the person and how it’s detected.
Really well done and I’m glad I read it. Very interesting.
Macmillan Audio via Netgalley.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and thought Derek Perkins was perfect as the narrator.

Summary:
This is a nonfiction book about poisons. In depth information pertaining to some of the most common plant, heavy metal, and chemically produced poisons.

Positives:
+ Easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. I really liked the narrator chosen for this non-fiction. His voice was lovely to listen to (pretty sure this man could read a phonebook and it would be engaging). As an added bonus, the author himself narrated the epilogue and the acknowledgements at the end.
+ I really appreciated the information about the people that used these poisons and how, in many cases, the example provided was one that changed the way these poisons were tested for or later affected a law being made. Also it was interesting to find out how the poisons are tested for today, and the countermeasures to their effects, if there are any.
+ A++ for really detailed information on what is going on in your body when the poison affects it. I especially appreciated the background info of what is supposed to be happening when your body is working correctly first. I learned so much about the human body that I didn't know before.

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed listening to this book. I do not feel like the author went on random arbitrary tangents or used vocabulary that the average layman wouldn’t understand. All in all, it was a lovely foray into a subject I find fascinating (especially the poisons you find in nature - mother nature does not play around). Added bonus was awesome information about poisoners (and on occasion assassins) that used these poisons and how they were found out. I liked that there was a historical set-up for how some of the poisons came to be used in medicine and were then abused. Likewise, I enjoyed the information detailed about how each poison affects the human body on a cellular level. I would absolutely be interested in listening to more books written by this author and would recommend this to any friends looking for interesting facts about poisons.