43 pages 1 hour read

Deborah Blum

The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum chronicles how Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler pioneered forensic science in 1920s New York, developing methods to detect poisons and applying these techniques to high-profile murder investigations. Their work coincided with major events like Prohibition. The book explores different chemicals in each chapter, detailing their properties and uses as poisons. The narrative contains potentially triggering topics such as murder and poisoning.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Deborah Blum's The Poisoner’s Handbook is widely praised for its gripping recounting of early 20th-century forensic science advancements. Positively noted for its engaging narrative and meticulous research, it occasionally faces criticism for a dense scientific focus. Overall, it is celebrated for blending true crime with historical and scientific intrigue effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Poisoner’s Handbook?

A reader who enjoys The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum is likely fascinated by true crime, forensic science, and historical mysteries. They would also appreciate titles like Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City and Mary Roach's Stiff. This reader thrives on intricate, real-life detective work interwoven with rich historical context.

RecommendedReading Age

16+years

Lexile Level

1190L

Book Details

Topics

Crime / Legal

Science / Nature

History: World

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction