It’s another submission in Kathryn Harkup’s collection of the science behind Agatha Christie. Many of Christie’s devotees are aware that she worked in a chemist’s shop during WWI. They might not realize she was a quick study and learned a great deal about the chemistry and compounding of different medicines. She also grasped the truth of many extracts acting as curatives in small doses, but becoming deadly in larger ones.
from the publisher: Fourteen stories. Fourteen more poisons. Just because it’s fiction doesn’t mean it’s all made-up … Agatha Christie is renowned for her captivating plots and creative ways of killing off ill-fated victims. And what better way to add intrigue to a story than poison? The surreptitious ways they can be administered and the characteristic symptoms they produce make these killer chemicals the ideal method of murder in a ‘whodunit’. Christie perfected the use of poisons in her plots; her deft and varied use of toxic substances is one of her great strengths as a writer. Combining Christie’s murder mysteries, chemical science and true crime, V is for Venom is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.
Christie’s penchant for poisons would also appear to be ideal for theatre. There is not need to risk accidents with daggers or embarrassment with guns misfiring. … All the action in Black Coffee takes place in the library of the celebrated inventor Sir Claud Amory’s country house. His family and a few visitors have gathered there for their after-dinner coffee. When one character complains of a headache, a box is brought down from the top of one of the bookcases. The box belonged to Edna, a former resident and hospital dispenser (like Christie). ~Pg. 236
Harkup tackles each poisonous substance one by one by choosing a story and explaining its function in the plot. She then gives detailed, scientific explanations of how each chemical works within the body. Harkup also includes examples of real crimes that used the poison that either inspired Christie, or in one known case, saved a patient because the doctor had read Christie’s latest book and recognized the symptoms.
Each chapter is a new chemical, meaning it’s easy to leave and come back to the book. Small doses, remember? Either way, it’s a handy reference for Christie history and stories-as well as poisonous medicine.
My thanks for Bloomsbury for the review copy.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Sigma (June 24, 2025)
Language: English
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1399413074