This has got to be one of the most fascinating books there is...not only does the author vividly describe poisons and toxins but also the symptoms experienced, what happens in the body molecularly, true crime stories to illustrate each and medical history. The amount of research involved must be staggering! Dr. Bradbury's writing is also very engaging. When reading the scientific details I was again reminded how miraculous the human body is.

Poison enters the body by ingestion, respiration, absorption or injection. This book includes information such as the difference between toxins and poison and how they disrupt the workings of the body, antidotes, how some poisons literally create a hair's width gap in the firing of synapses (and how that gap completely alters cells and function) and how the dose itself can determine the outcome (beneficial or deadly).

From "pinpoint pupils" to nerve agents from which very few recover to the most bitter substance known to man which can kill to the "sardonic grin" to the "queen of poison" to unusual antidotes to analogies to serial killers, it's here, in spades. And it could not possibly be more enthralling. I read about the fatal umbrella poke, the interesting quality of cobalt with cyanide, the first casualty of polonium, Matt Ridley's incredible information on genomes, radioactive polonium inside a man's body which was the equivalent of 175,000 x-rays, the most ancient poison. Scheele green and arsenic eaters.

Highly informative and endlessly fascinating, this mind blowing book is a must for anyone remotely interested in poisons and how they work inside the body, including Agatha Christie fans! I was glued to it.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wondrous book!

Quick Thoughts

This book is extremely informative and very interesting. I don't delve into science-y non-fiction or the true crime genre that often but I'm glad I did with this one, as the author blends the genres together brilliantly and I was engrossed the whole way through. I think it's a great novel for those who are just looking to start dipping there toes into non-fiction/true crime, just as I am.

This book was very insightful and intriguing. I am a big true crime fan and couldn’t wait to dive into this story. A lot of information, yet easy to read and follow. I enjoyed every minute and would recommend to others.

This was a thoroughly interesting book.
Loaded with information and cases are discussed that expand on it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

"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.***

A comprehensive, easy-to-follow overview of poisons: how they work, the history associated with them, and their uses. There is a good combination of scientific explanations and history. The book is well-organized and written in an accessible way.

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 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.

Interesting read on poisons and true crime stories where poisoning was involved. If you area true crime junkie like me, this is a must read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Little Gem — Interesting Read, Macabre At Times

The author has selected eleven poisons, both ancient and modern, and written an informative chapter for each one. Each chapter has some of the poisonous history of the substance. How was the poison first discovered and used is interesting because many of these poisons originally were used for medicinal purposes to treat various afflictions. The author also includes one or more legal cases or incidents showing the darker side of the poison. The trials provide an insight as to why the poisoner chose that particular poison, how the poison was determined to be in the body, and how dosage was determined to be lethal. Details on the last two were quite interesting as the tests do not meet the modern ethical standards for testing on animals. If you are very disturbed by the killing of animals for science, this book may not be for you. The author includes a section on exactly how the poison works to bring on death. This section of the chapters can become a little heavy in the biochemical nature of the poison’s action. I have a masters degree in chemistry so this section was very interesting for me and not a problem in understanding. I believe that the author did bring the level down so that most readers could understand or, at least, provide some insight into how the poison works. Lastly, for the poisons that do have a medical use, the author provides more information on that use of the substance.

The author’s style of writing made the reading of this book enjoyable for me. Of particular note was the author’s use of a cutting humor inserted in the storyline as an aside where in a theater production has the speakers thought known only to the audience. These always caused me to smile or chuckle.

Overall, it is an interesting and light read that allows some insight into eleven poisons that generally are not known. The information is doled out in eleven easy to read chapters. Even if you skip the biochemical portions in each chapter, I believe that this novel still will be a good read. I rate it with four stars because this book is not a must read, If the subject interests you, this book can be a very good read for you.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from St. Martin’s Press. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Neil Bradbury pens a new kind of true crime novel with A Taste for Poison, one that is equally informative as it is entertaining. Exploring lesser-known poisons used in crimes, like the lifesaving insulin and hardly heard of polonium-210, this book was incredibly researched and Dr. Bradbury’s experience in Physiology truly shows. This book is wonderfully scientific, but spoken at the level of the everyday person, which makes it accessible to a wider audience. It explores a wide assortment of criminal cases, from long ago to much more recently. Any true crime buff should take a look at this one when it releases.

"A Taste for Poison" explored how eleven different poisons work on the body. The author covered poisonings using insulin, belladonna, morphine, strychnine, ricin, aconite, cyanide, potassium, polonium-210, arsenic, and chlorine. He told about one or more cases that used the poison, then described the symptoms, how it could be treated if caught in time, and the biological details about how the poison disrupts the normal functioning of the body to create the symptoms and death. Most of the murders were from the mid-1800s to modern day, with a focus on relatively recent cases in England and America. The cases were told briefly but in an interesting way. The biochemistry details were easy to follow, with enough detail to follow what goes wrong without getting too bogged down in the science. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting book.

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.

Genre: true crime, popular science
Pub date: 2/1/22
In one sentence: A look at 11 deadly poisons and the crimes and science behind them.

This book is exactly what I look for in popular science - it does a great job explaining he biological mechanisms of the poisons without going into too much detail or boring the reader. I liked the set of crimes Bradbury selected - there was a good mix, including some I was familiar with and some I wasn't. There's also a "pick your own poison" appendix if you're interested in seeing the poisons compared head-to-head. I often read nonfiction slowly, but I tore through this book - it's very readable!

It's kind of ironic that this book is being released two weeks before Valentine's Day given that so many of the crimes were committed against partners. BUT if you have a partner who loves science or true crime, I think this would be a fun gift for them.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley 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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

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!

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.