Fascinating and darkly delightful. A recommended first purchase for collections where true-crime and forensic titles are popular.

It’s rare to find a book that gets it a 100% right in all accounts but let me tell you this one is just that.

It covers all basis. True crime. Murder mystery. Scientific sourced information. An author that can keep you enthralled and entertained.

I can’t sing this books praises loud enough.

This book makes my morbid little heart full with glee (or arsenic).

Such a fascinating and captivating book. It is well written and easy to follow. Very informative and one I will be purchasing in hardcover once available.

The author is very detailed and it shows in the excellent descriptions. I truly enjoyed reading A Taste for Poison.

Great work!

I received this book for an honest review from that galley #netgalley

This is a great non-fiction book I've always been fascinated by poisons and the people that use them as a history major especially. you can tell that this book went into great detail and I really appreciate that.

Overall I really enjoyed my time reading this book! I, like I'm sure many people, have a fascination with poisons and their history and this was a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read.

In TASTE OF POISON, we get a deep dive into a different poison each chapter. We learn about the history, the naming, one or two cases of poisoning linked to the chapter's specific poison, and how, scientifically, the poison interacts with the body, making it so deadly.

I found the balance between historical context, murder/trial, and chemistry to be really well done, and it kept the book moving at fun pace. I don't necessarily process scientific information super well, but it was done in such a way that was really digestible and accessible.

I would say the strength really lies in the connection of historical context. I had a lot of lightbulb moments reading the book and was constantly highlighting fun-facts to recall later on. From how things were named, and learning of the prevalence of poisons in building history and meaning into what we still know and do today- the dilating of eyes from belladonna still being used today in low lighting in restaurants was a particularly fun fun-fact.

My main critique of this book is that I think it needs a sensitivity read. There are some outdated words, ideas, and ingrained beliefs from the author that pop up throughout the book, and I think it detracts from overall spirit of the book.

Thank you to Neil Bradbury and St Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
of this book.

First, I will say if my science teachers back in high school spoke and explained things the way this author does I would be so much more interested in science than I was and who knows where that might have taken me!

This author does a wonderful job of explaining each poison, its history, what its medical benefits are (when used properly) and how it effects the body in both a positive and negative way. He also provides stories of misuse of the poison. I found myself Googling each case after I read that section to find out even more.

The book is well paced and you will not get overload from too much science. A great read for any True Crime Lover as well as those interested in history!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a different spin on “true crime.” It was super interesting to read about different poisons and how they have been used throughout history.

Neil Bradbury writes in 'crime noir' fashion a book at the intersection of medical science, criminal history and classic literature. With his dark humor, he keeps the story of 11 ways to poison someone connected to the 11 ways poisons work and criminal investigators likely catch you if you would be so foolish to put to use his teachings.

It is a fun and interesting ride, each chapter loosely connected to the previous, but still independent enough to read in sections or in one go on a plane ride across the nation.

This book is filled with some fascinating stories about past poisoners and the various substances they used. It also goes deep into detail about how the substances work and affect the body which, while interesting, became a little tedious at times. I was amazed by how one such substance was able to be used to try and kill someone in one instance, and to try to hide the use of poison in another. And then it was used as an antidote to a poison in the 3rd situation! You can’t get more versatile than that. It always amazes me how people come up with so many ways to try and kill one another, and poison is one of the most sneaky and sinister. It’s a good thing that science has gotten so much better at detecting it in recent years, but it still takes someone who thinks to look for it first, in most cases. A satisfying read, overall. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Neil Bradbury, and the publisher.

A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury is a well written and meticulously researched history of the favored poisons used throughout the centuries. Beginning with arsenic, that old favorite, to polonium, the history.

Arsenic has long been a favorite, but was made more popular as a favored weapon of the Borgias. Although the recipe has been lost, cantarella was frequently used, as was Aqua Tofana. Believed to be a mixture of arsenic, lead, and belladonna, cantarella was so precise that it could be considered time release.

Then there's polonium, arguably the most expensive poison in the world. After all, doesn't everyone have a bit of refined uranium lying around.

I would highly recommend this title to anyone interested in the history of poison.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#ATasteForPoison#NetGalley

A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury is a superb read with a well defined plot and characters. Well worth the read!

What a fascinating book this is! With an engaging mix of stories about the uses of the eponymous poisons as well as background into their origins and mechanisms of action, Bradbury has crafted a book that proves fact is often stranger than fiction. His writing style is conversational and easy to fall into, whether focusing on the poisonings or the poisons.

This book takes an in-depth look at a variety of poisons -- how they work, their therapeutic vs. criminal uses, how they react in the body, how they were discovered, etc. Every poison profiled is also connected to criminal cases, some historical and some more recent. A disturbing number of the crimes discussed were carried out by members of the medical profession. Until relatively recent times, most poisoners were able to go about their deadly work without fear of being detected, since the scientific community had no way to distinguish a death from poison from a death due to diseases which were common at the same time.

The author does a wonderful job of explaining how each individual poison causes death. Even so, the explanations at times were a bit difficult to follow. Still, it was very interesting to read about how the body reacts, both outwardly in terms of symptoms, as well as the cellular process that is occurring within the body. The criminal cases discussed were also fascinating. It was quite disturbing to read how an early way to detect poison was for investigators to "taste test" various bodily fluids and tissues to determine if poison was present. If that were still the case today, I'm sure more poisoners would be able to get away with murder! The book ends with a helpful section called "Pick Your Poison" where each poison is discussed in terms of how it is administered, what the poison does to the body, symptoms observed after ingestion, lethal amount needed, and antidote (if any). I highly enjoyed reading about all the various poisons, and especially all the historical information surrounding each one.

I can't get enough of books about poisons and weird medical "cures," and this was a solid entry in the subgenre. I liked the clear organization of it. I will suggest this for purchase for the library collection, and have already recommended it to people.

The skillful melding of medical and cultural history in Neil Bradbury’s engrossing A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them will appeal to lovers of history, mystery, and true crime. The author’s detailed accounts of how eleven historically significant poisons work appear along with accounts of how, when and why these deadly substances were used in cases both well- and little-known. Lovers of history, medical and scientific lore, mystery fiction and true crime among others will appreciate Bradbury's lively expert treatment poisons and what might be called the poisoner's art.

Simply delicious! As a retired medical transcriptionist, I found this book to be absolutely delightful. Even without a medical terminology background, one would find this book full of interesting tidbits and stories about poison I would find fascinating. Easy to read and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book! I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

This book was a fascinating insight into the science behind and effects of many different common (and not so common) poisons.

The interweaving of the science and stories about attempted and successful poisonings throughout history was very well done. I did, however, find myself bogged down in some of the science despite trying as I might to understand it as a layman. That being said, science was never my forte in school, so I was not surprised to get a little lost.

The author is clearly well versed in the subject and has done an astounding amount of research that is presented in the clearest way possible. The stories were engaging and I enjoyed my reading experience.


Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me access to this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

YES! Finally - I have been waiting for a book like this. I am a huge nerd when it comes to chemistry, true crime, and microbiology. This was a dream come true book. I am always on the hunt for new material to read regarding medical history.

This is not an intimidating book by any means- so don't be fooled by the words molecules and chemistry in the synopsis of the book.

The author did such a fine job balancing everything-from the science aspect to the crimes themselves. This is one heck of a fascinating book.

This was a very enjoyable read- and will be picking up a copy for myself to transfer over my notes and all the highlighting I've done in my kindle.

Thank you to Neil Bradbury and St Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this informative true crime book based on poison. Is divided into chapters based on the type of poisoning and a crime committed with it. There are also several references in the book to crimes created in fiction books.

Bradbury uses a breezy writing style to tell about poisons used to kill. Interspersed in each section is a narrative of someone who has killed or been killed with the poison being discussed as well as information on the poison, where it comes from, how it is made and what effect it has on the body. Many of these poisons have extremely gruesome effects on the body, so be prepared to be grossed out.
The stories Bradbury has chosen to tell caught my interest and in more than one case, i felt the need to look up more on the victim or the killer. What does it say about me that I loved this book?

I didn't initially enjoy this book as much as I expected to since I obviously did not read the description very carefully. I was expecting a mystery with poison as the killer's choice. This is not a fictional novel.

After reading more of the reviews from others and moving along with learning more about novel-writing, I realized what a wonderful "RESEARCH' opportunity this book provides. If you're a mystery writer and you need to choose your poison, this is your book.

Poison Choices were provided with brief descriptions of fictional stories which utilized this choice along with the chemical properties and details of death. At this point in my writing career, this is the perfect choice.

This was such a cool book! Every now and then I need a break from thrillers and horrors, and I’ll usually grab a non-fiction as a palate cleanser. I’ve had my eye on this one for awhile and I was lucky to get an Advanced Read Copy so I didn’t have to wait long…

I really liked this one. Informative and interesting are two great qualities, and this book was both. I learned a lot of fun facts, like insulin was once used to control schizophrenia (by putting patients into a coma), or that so many things were once used as both medicine and poison, with the doses between the two being way too close for comfort.

The eleven poisons examined are aconite, arsenic, atropine, chlorine, cyanide, digoxin, insulin, polonium, potassium, ricin and strychnine. You’ll get the chemical breakdown, history and other uses for each - and you’ll also get examples of times these substances were used to kill.

History, science and true-crime all in one; this book is a triple threat! I’m giving this 4.5 stars rounded down because it got a bit dry in spots, but it was still a great “infotainment” book. If you like any of the above-mentioned genres, I’d recommend this one to you!

(Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

This was an interesting book describing the most used poisons for homicide! well written and intriguing, I enjoyed it!

Entertaining book! The stories are fascinating to hear and are great mini true crime novels in themselves. My only gripe would be the sections of the chapters where they go into the history and chemical affects of the poisons. Those parts read just like a textbook, informative but a bit boring.

I received an advance copy of, A Taste for Poison, by Neil Bradbury, PH.D. This was a really good, informative story on poison. The many types of poison, and how they can kill you. Also, people who used poison to kill.

I really enjoyed this book. The author was able to relate complex scientific principles in a straightforward, easy to understand manner. He gave the history of a poison, how it was discovered, its action, treatment (when available), and real-life examples of when the poison was used to kill or attempt to kill someone. The book is very descriptive and detailed without going overboard or too far into the weeds.

Bite-sized chapters (bad pun) make make for easy reading. Thought-provoking, informative, but most of all a very interesting book written so laypeople can understand more about poisons.

A Taste for Poison is fascinating! The different uses of poison is clearly explained and the science behind them is easily understood. You don't have to be well versed in science/chemistry. Dr. Bradbury includes some chilling stories about the insidious use of poison by seemingly "nice" people. Loved every page of this must-read book.
Thank you to NetGalley.

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. It is crazy to not only know the history of poison but what people actually think that they can get away with and then how they get caught. Highly recommend if you are a fan. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As a nerd who has always loved true crime and especially the more "delicate" art of poison, this book was the absolute perfect read for me. I cannot wait until this book is out and I can add it to my shelves!

"A Taste for Poison" was a very interesting book. The author discusses eleven different chemicals or substances that can be used as poisons -- some very familiar, such as cyanide, arsenic, or chlorine, and some less familiar, such as atropine, aconite, or polonium. He discusses the legitimate uses of these various chemicals, some of which are critical for the human body or certain types of medical care (for example, insulin, digoxin, or potassium) in certain forms or certain concentrations. The author talks about specific cases where people have used the chemical or substance to poison others in order to harm them or kill them, often succeeding. He explains why the particular poison was chosen, which was often because it mimicked symptoms of natural illnesses or natural causes of death and because it was considered impossible or difficult to detect. However, even those poisons that were considered impossible to detect have not remained that way, with dedicated scientists finding ways to extract evidence of the chemicals from tissue or bodily fluids. While there are many ways to kill a person via poisoning, it has become nearly impossible for a poisoner to get away with it if his/her identity can be determined. The discussion of cases of poisoning and how the perpetrator was caught and guilt proven was interesting. However, the most fascinating aspect of the book for me was the detailed explanation of how the chemical affected the body -- which organs or tissues or bodily functions were affected, the biochemical process that was involved, and the changes that occurred in the body in response to the poisons. The end of the book contains an appendix that indicates the route of entry, lethal dose, targeted part(s) of the body, symptoms, and antidote (if it exists) for each poison.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

this was a interesting read, I found the poisons and how they were used in crimes was strange and bizarre. It was a fascinating read and well done.

Science - check, true crime - check, murder mystery - check. This book manages to keep the scientific parts interesting, even for those without a background or major interest in science. I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

With A Taste For Poison, my inner science geek got to hold hands with my inner true crime junkie, embarking on a dark and interesting journey.  This book is primarily science-based, with each chapter focusing on a different poison that has been used for both good and evil through the ages.  Bradbury explains the origins of each, as well as a pretty detailed account of the poison's  effects on the human body (let me tell you, it's not pretty!).  He breaks them down into two categories:  biomolecules (ricin, digoxin, insulin, atropine, strychnine, aconite, and cyanide) and molecules from the earth (chlorine, arsenic, polonium, and potassium round out this section).  There are historical notes as well, especially on the subject of creating accurate testing/detection methods which helped in the early prosecutions of those who thought they could get away with murder.

For those who enjoy the true crime aspect, Bradbury introduces us to various criminals who have used these poisons as their weapons of choice.  Many of the cases are much older (1800's to early 1900's) but there are a few from more recent times, including the man who laced several bottles of tonic water at a local grocery store with atropine just to get to his wife, and the former spy who died a terribly slow and painful death from polonium poisoning.  Compared to the scientific explanations, I found the true crime aspect to be a bit lacking at times.  Even though they were thoroughly researched and well presented, I thought some of them just didn't rise to the same level as the scientific narratives  (or perhaps it was the case studies themselves that lacked a certain shock factor, I'm not sure).

What I enjoyed most about this book is Bradbury's writing style.  While the information can be overwhelming at times, it is written to be easily accessed and understood by everyone.  Even with such a weighty topic, he keeps the narration on the lighter side, with some darker humor thrown in as well.  In short, if you're like me and have an inner science geek and/or inner true crime junkie, be sure to put this book on your 2022 reading list!

I was reading quietly at the dining room table while enjoying a bowl of scotch broth. Suddenly, the Long-Suffering Wife (LSW) entered, stage right, and plunked her open handbag on the table. A clear Zip-Lock® baggie, containing three vials, fell out of the handbag and onto the table in front of me. The vials, I noticed, contained liquids showing a tint and a viscosity which, in my sight, indicated that they were not water.

“O! Vision of Loveliness!” said I (for this is how I often address her). “I am even at this moment reading an enjoyable and informative book (which I received for free from the publisher for review) that is essentially a history of poisoning. You might think that this is a practice mostly done by dastardly men on their long-suffering (like you) wives or girlfriends, but (particularly in recent times) women give as good as they get in the poisoning business, seeing as comparatively inferior upper body strength is not a disadvantage when poisoning, and also because they can often accomplish the act without irreparable damage to their frocks. Therefore, seeing these three vials troubles me much more than it might otherwise, as each recently read chapter contains at least one alarmingly thorough description of the agonies which the poisoned endure, along with disturbing deep dives into the clinical details of the disrupted bodily functions which generate aforementioned agonies, as well as the methods used to bring the poisoners to justice, which are now much more effective and expeditious due to advances in medical and chemical science. So, what’s the deal with these unusual liquids?”

“They’re nothing,” replied LSW, grabbing the bag and exiting the room.

To be fair, unhappy and unprincipled wives, husbands, and other romantic entanglements don’t even seem to achieve the status of a majority of high-profile poisoning cases presented in this book, given the competition they receive from certain modern Slavic governments and (perhaps more disturbingly for those of us leading ordinary lives) murderous nurses. About the latter, allow me to say that the existence of these sadists (apparently exclusive to our own age) has perhaps not been sufficiently exploited by governments and other entities who wish to motivate us to be vaccinated against COVID and other modern horrors. In my case, reading about how these twisted anti-Florence Nightingales managed to remain at liberty to poison the already ill for astonishingly long periods of time, often aided by large dollops of bureaucratic sloth and indifference, has increased my desire to remain vaccinated up to the eyebrows, if it means decreasing the possibility that I will escape the horror of being intubated by a new modern iteration of like-minded maniac.

I found that making tables often helps me organize and retain information that I read. In this case, I used Google Sheets to keep track of the poisoners and their tonic of choice, plus other relevant details. Some chapters feature the story of more than one horrific poisoner, but to keep the organization relatively simple I have decided to only list the first, most prominently featured, poisoning in each chapter, you can also see it here

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xqWzhpys0vuGHLz9b2TMXIZoFz2LKq-wIX_KOYmsVNo/edit#gid=0

In the meanwhile, I have taken advantage of our quiet evenings at home after dinner, while LSW is contemplatively sticking pins into the eyes of dolls bearing the image of political figures with whom she disagrees, to remind her that now, as a method of disposing of one’s enemies, poisoning is now hopeless old-fashioned, at least if one wishes to remain undetected and therefore at continued liberty to hatch diabolical plans which will trouble the sleep of global oligarchy. I believe my remonstrances have had the desired effect, but now she is asking more questions about the number and size of the hammers we have around the house.

Not only did I receive a free advance electronic review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley, I also got a very pleasant invitation by email to download and review this book, so of course I did. It is perhaps a flaw in my nature that, if you indicate that you value my opinion, I will do nearly anything you ask.

This was a fascinating book that talked about many notorious poisons, how each effects the body to catastrophic effect, and one or two stories of cases where they were determined to have been used. It also talks about what we've been able to learn from various poisons, some even to treat disease or counteract other poisons. It was a times a bit gruesome, since it does describe the effects of the poison on the body, but it was a fascinating read.

This book was a really interesting blend of popular science, medical history and narrative crime nonfiction. Dr. Neil Bradbury explores the most morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. The biomolecules of death covered were insulin, atropine, strychnine, aconite, ricin, digoxin, cyanide, and naturally occurring minerals potassium, polonium, arsenic and chlorine. I thought this book read like a true crime podcast with an episode for each poison. Each chapter illustrated in detail a case that was attributed to that poison, explaining in detail all of the characters, the background and the extenuating circumstances. The author went to an amazing level of research with this book and the result is fascinating. He did not shy away from delving into the details of the science behind each substance- the reaction at the molecular level and the biological impact. Super interesting. It was excellent – the history, the crime and the science. I experienced this book as a dual read, flipping back and forth between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio for providing me with a temporary ARC.

This book covers poisons from those used in ancient Greece/Egypt/Rome through those used in more modern times. Poisons used prolifically and one that had a single use in 2007.
This book is written in an easy to follow and entertaining style. It definitely made me feel smarter while reading it, though I likely won't remember all the interesting scientific details for very long. The author does a great job contrasting how most of these chemicals have a fine margin between being used as tonic or being toxic. Most of these chemicals have medicinal uses, not just to cause harm. That was the most interesting part for me. I especially found the chapter on Potassium helpful. There is a good reason it is a staple ingredient in sports drinks.
I enjoyed the individual case histories given for each chemical as well. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to enjoy this informative e-ARC. I look forward to adding it to my library once published.

A Taste For Poison by Neil Bradbury is a deep dive and unexpectedly fascinating look into a particular method of murder. I requested this book after loving a recent bestseller, The Lost Apothecary, which featured the use of poisons, both in the past and present timelines. And A Taste For Poison took me on a tour, using both science, history, and true crime stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey!

This was an absolute fascinating book. I love to watch True Crime TV shows and to read murder mysteries. A TASTE FOR POISON brought the two together in an interesting manner. Eleven poisons are introduced (although we know most of them already), the composition, effects, and a historical case of murder via the poison, comprise each chapter.

Highly recommended for others who enjoy my same kind of affection for the science of murder.

This book was a fascinating read. It covers much more than what the title indicates. It does present individuals who used the various forms of the poisons listed and their success or failure in accomplishing their goal. The book also covers how the poison impacts the body and causes death. In addition, the author details how each poison is used for medical treatments to ease pain or as antidote. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the subject.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.

Thus book was so interesting! Definitely a different take on true crime. Highlights the role of poisons in murder. There is also a wealth of knowledge about how different poisons affect the body. Well written, well researched. Intriguing read.

I loved this book! And if you liked The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream, or City of Poison City of Light, then you will love this book as well. Dr. Bradbury presents an expertly assembled overview of the most common historical poisoners, and the poisoners who love them. But more than that, he brings life to what would otherwise be a stunningly academic topic. He is able to look over the centuries with a timeless eye, objectively describing events and people without either editorializing or trivializing, somehow still empathizing enough that the subjects of his momentous study come across as real people to the reader. This is an excellent new addition to the true crime aficionado's shelf.

Great Non-Fiction for any mystery, espionage, or thriller fan!

Neil Bradbury dives into the histories of a number of different poisons and murder cases that have made them famous. The scientific context was easily digestible and gives a wonderful insight into how the poisons act in the human body. I quite enjoyed all of the quotes and references to classic mysteries and spy dramas, including Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Ian Fleming. However, Bradbury does not dive into much detail on how these poisons are used in pop culture, rather he focuses on true crime cases. I would have loved more domestic cases, or perhaps just more variety from the nurses and doctors gone rogue, but in the end I could have read about many more poisons and I hope there is a sequel in the works!

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.
Thanks Netgalley.

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.

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

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 :)

Bradbury masterfully laces together scholarly knowledge about the chemical compounds of poisons and the crimes they were used for.

One of my favorite sections was regarding insulin- the thing that keeps many diabetic people alive has been used as a poison since almost 12 years after it’s development as a medicine. Bradbury tells us the stories of many infamous poisonings, as well as little-known poisonings.

This was a very informative read and for the most part very engaging.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this medical and historical guide to murder.

Neil Bradbury Ph.D., has created a interesting new hybrid, a true crime/ how-to book that is as informative as the Physicians' Desk Reference, and as thrilling as an Agatha Christie mystery and as disturbing as a Harold Schechter serial killer profile compendium. The mix of medical science and ghoulish crime makes for a very fun and educational read.

Dr. Bradbury in A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them, writes of one of the most popular murder weapons in both fiction and historical events, poison. Mixing both real cases with laboratory studies explaining the chemical compositions and effects of said poisons, and how they were used, Dr. Bradbury tries to separate the fiction from the fact, and does a very good job. Poison while used a lot, is not the best nor the most effective or efficient. However sometimes a poisoner can get lucky and again that is covered in many of the cases that are written about. The book is not too technical, nor simplistic, but with a good balance that doesn't drag the narrative down or bog down the reader with unnecessary information. The uses of poison are covered well, and move well, without being glamorized or made Lifetime movie of the week.

This book should appeal to fans of both Ann Rule and Mary Roach. Not too heavy and not too hey isn't this cool. A very good balance of science with true crime history. A perfect Valentine's gift, accompanied by a nice box of chocolates and some roses, with the thorns removed, just in case.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 1, 2022
Neil Bradbury combines science and murder in his new non-fiction work, “A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them.”
Bradbury is a professor of physiology, so he definitely knows what he’s talking about, but he manages to make this novel easy to read, and the science aspects, when discussed, simply add to the entertaining nature of the novel, and provide further information for the reader.
Bradbury’s book takes eleven deadly poisons that either occur organically in our bodies or grow in nature (some examples being insulin, chlorine, cyanide, radiation, ricin, belladonna/nightshade) and gives them each a chapter, where their origin and uses are discussed. Further, Bradbury provides examples (from modern day, within the last twenty years, and from as long ago as ancient Rome and Greece) of people who have used these poisons to kill. However, Bradbury does not forget to mention how each compound can also be used to the benefit of humanity, and how they serve the body when used for good.
“Deadly Poisons” is scientific without being wordy, and surprisingly entertaining. I was unexpectedly impressed with Bradbury’s writing style, and found this novel provided me with information I didn’t realize I wanted to know. “Poisons” manages to tie science together with murder in a fascinating, page-turning way and I recommend this novel for anyone who wants to know more about the world around us, and what grows in it.