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  • A Taste for Poison

  • Eleven Deadly Substances and the Killers Who Used Them
  • By: Neil Bradbury
  • Narrated by: Derek Perkins
  • Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)
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A Taste for Poison

By: Neil Bradbury
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Summary

An Amazon US Best Book of 2022

As any listener of murder mysteries can tell you, poison is one of the most enduring—and popular—weapons of choice for a scheming murderer. It can be slipped into a drink, smeared onto the tip of an arrow or the handle of a door, even filtered through the air we breathe. But how exactly do these poisons work to break our bodies down, and what can we learn from the damage they inflict?

In a fascinating blend of popular science, medical history and narrative crime nonfiction, Dr Neil Bradbury explores this most morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. Alongside real-life accounts of murderers and their crimes—some notorious, some forgotten, some still unsolved—are the equally compelling stories of the poisons involved: 11 molecules of death that work their way through the human body and, paradoxically, illuminate the way in which our bodies function.

Drawn from historical records and current news headlines, A Taste for Poison weaves together the fascinating tales of spurned lovers, shady scientists, medical professionals and political assassins, showing how the precise systems of the body can be impaired to lethal effect through the use of poison. From the deadly origins of the gin-and-tonic cocktail to the arsenic-laced wallpaper in Napoleon’s bedroom, A Taste for Poison leads listeners on a fascinating tour of the intricate, complex systems that keep us alive—or don’t.

©2021 Neil Bradbury (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"An engrossing history of poisons, poisonings and poisoners. Alongside the very human stories of the people who fall victim to these deadly substances, it’s packed with quirky detail and easily digestible (pun intended) science." (Kate Morgan, author of Murder: The Biography)

"Indecently entertaining." (A Daily Mail Book of the Week)

"A fascinating tale of poisons and poisonous deeds which both educates and entertains." (Kathy Reichs) 

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What listeners say about A Taste for Poison

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A brilliant wee gem of a book

I wish Audible had more books like this as is so much fun! All the common poisons are included plus the criminals who used them usually to murder someone. Where the poison comes from mostly plant based, its effect on the human body, snippets of history where applicable and the antidote if there is one. I listen to this over two days then immediately started again, something I rarely do!

Well narrated and well worth a credit.

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5 people found this helpful

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a fascinating study of toxins

This is a really fascinating study of the properties of poisons and the people who used them. it’s also interesting to learn all the medical stuff included because that’s what the book is about. I didn’t really like the lecturing style of the book though. I felt it was overdone, nearly pullled outa notebook and looked up to see where the professor’s lectern might be. I’m sure I heard the scraping and tapping of a pointer. seriously though, apart from the way it was written, it is a really informative book.

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3 people found this helpful

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Fascinating Subject

I absolutely loved this book, the explanation of each of poisons mentioned was fascinating, some of the stories of actual poisoning I was familiar with. Extremely informative and very interesting.

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3 people found this helpful

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Enlightening and a warning!

This book is like listening to an 11 part podcast. The reader’ voice is soothing (I fell asleep to it twice!) and takes an even pace - useful when we’re confronted with the science bits. A mix of true crime, biochemistry and history, the whole thing is unputdownable! I will definitely listen again and try jotting down some notes, although not for the use of poisons, as the author makes it clear, they are not as undetectable as people think they are! ;o)

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1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant

So well presented. A great balance of historical fact, scientific information and a view of humanity and human weaknesses.
Worth listening to more than once.

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Loved this!

If you’re interested in medicine/plants this is a fantastic audiobook. Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook

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Fascinating book. Amazing .

This is such an interesting, educational book. I loved it. It was amazingly easy to listen to and full of fascinating facts about how the body functions and how humans use drugs, often, plant based products to murder. Recommended.

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Science, Most Potent

A wonderful weaving of chemistry and biology together with history and biography to inform the general listener on the workings of this wondrous machine called the human body. I'm glad I paid attention during public school science classes just enough to not be lost amidst the facts. The serious but affable narrator keeps one's attention sustained, allowing the author's occasional dry quips to come across

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Great book

It was well-written, informative, and kept me interested the whole time and I have learned new things. Great book!

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So interesting

Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Loved finding out about different poisons and how they are used. How they individually affect the body, also examples of murderers, why they chose certain methods to kill people over the years. Great overall coverage, read with great clear tone.

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