The Poisoner's Handbook

Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

By: Deborah Blum

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Deborah Blum, writing with the high style and skill for suspense that is characteristic of the very best mystery fiction, shares the untold story of how poison rocked Jazz Age New York City.

In The Poisoner's Handbook, Blum draws from highly original research to track the fascinating, perilous days when a pair of forensic scientists began their trailblazing chemical detective work, fighting to end an era when untraceable poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime.

Drama unfolds case by case as the heroes of The Poisoner's Handbook---chief medical examiner Charles Norris and toxicologist Alexander Gettler---investigate a family mysteriously stricken bald, Barnum and Bailey's Famous Blue Man, factory workers with crumbling bones, a diner serving poisoned pies, and many others. Each case presents a deadly new puzzle, and Norris and Gettler work with a creativity that rivals that of the most imaginative murderer, creating revolutionary experiments to tease out even the wiliest compounds from human tissue. Yet in the tricky game of toxins, even science can't always be trusted, as proven when one of Gettler's experiments erroneously sets free a suburban housewife later nicknamed "America's Lucretia Borgia" to continue her nefarious work.

From the vantage of Norris and Gettler's laboratory in the infamous Bellevue Hospital it becomes clear that killers aren't the only toxic threat to New Yorkers. Modern life has created a kind of poison playground, and danger lurks around every corner. Automobiles choke the city streets with carbon monoxide, while potent compounds such as morphine can be found on store shelves in products ranging from pesticides to cosmetics. Prohibition incites a chemist's war between bootleggers and government chemists, while in Gotham's crowded speakeasies each round of cocktails becomes a game of Russian roulette. Norris and Gettler triumph over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry and the gatekeepers of justice.

©2010 Deborah Blum (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Nominee - Best Nonfiction Audiobook, 2011

"Blum effectively balances the fast-moving detective story with a clear view of the scientific advances that her protagonists brought to the field. Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike." (<>Kirkus)
"With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate suspense novelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating." (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)
"Blum interlaces true-crime stories with the history of forensic medicine and the chemistry of various poisons…. [A] readable and enjoyable book.... Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

fantastic!

I'm going to listen to this again! very informative & educational. learned much keeps your interest. you really want more!

Hard to explain but easy to listen

I enjoyed this and learned a lot of interesting and unusual facts. It's not fiction but kind of written more like a novel then nonfiction so it keeps your interest. If you like murder mysteries this has a lot of that in it, but they're real stories. There were long periods of detailed information, then how that information was discovered, used in a murder, used in the trial of that murder, or used in everyday life. It told the basic story of 2 men, the history of forensic medicine and coroners offices, and a lot about prohibition (18th Amendment) that I never knew. The reader did a good job; maybe not so good with different voices but that didn't bother me at all since most of the book is narration and characters don't actually speak that often.

THE BIRTH OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

If you have ever doubted the notion that one person can change the world, this is a book you must read.

I found the details of life during Prohibition totally fascinating and I was surprised to learn that FDR initially resisted food and drug safety standards.

Even for someone like me who has no scientific background this was a compelling read and Deborah Blum has made the details of forensic science completely understandable and accessible.

One of the most fascinating books I know

If you could sum up The Poisoner's Handbook in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating History Exploration
The social history in this book is richly detailed against the backdrop of the science.

What did you like best about this story?

The social history is interesting how it is intertwined with how forensics was changing crime.

What about Coleen Marlo’s performance did you like?

He has a lovely voice. He's never rushed but does give good inflection and variety of tone without every over selling it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I mostly listen to Audible books when I am in bed and found myself wanting to stay awake to listen. I introduced the book to my sweetie as we were driving on a short trip and it was hard to turn off when we arrived at our destinations.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to the chapters multiple times and still enjoy the nuance of the history.

fantastic and fast flowing

This book kept me listening. The narrator was as great as the story.

Be warned, those with weak stomachs should not listen close to meal times.

Interesting!

What made the experience of listening to The Poisoner's Handbook the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the storytelling style once I got into it. At first it seems like it takes tangents but after the initial chapter, it works very well to link in the history of the Prohibition era with the individual cases and scientific discoveries. A very informative and intriguing book.

What about Coleen Marlo’s performance did you like?

The narrator's voice was commendable and more animated than other nonfiction books I've listened to previously.

Forensics History

Years ago, I watched an American Experience episode on PBS called The Poisoner’s Handbook.” I really enjoyed the show. This book was the impetus for that program and I enjoyed it as well.

Really really interesting -

Learn a little history of prohibition. Learn a lot of poisons through the ages: MeOH vs. EtOH; arsenic in beauty potion, CO, and other various and sundry means with which to do one's self in! Touches on the mustard gas chemical warfare used in "the great war". I'm a pharmacist and I guess I'm fascinated with the myriad chemicals to be discovered, used and abused through the ages so I was fascinated by this book. Great read.

Mindboggling good

This is one of the best written nonfiction books I ever read! And the story of how forensic science started up in the US is something worthy of an HBO series!

Fascinating History and Details of Poison

This book is fascinating in the in depth description of poisons, how they were discovered, used, and then discovered again in the (human) body.