Book Review: "A Taste for Poison" by Neil Bradbury

I love my fair share of books about weird deaths that happened in the Victorian Era. But this book is even more interesting as it mixes the Victorian Era weird death complex with the idea that certain substances even by the start of the 20th century, were thought to be entirely safe - not even used for the poisonings that they are so very well known for. It was a turbulent time that fifty or so years that saw the downturn of the Victorian Era and the upstart of out modern times, but this is also where so many chemicals and toxins also changed their tune and no longer were things like Strychnine considered a 'pick-me-up', though I've got no doubt it could definitely make you smile.

Bradbury explores how each poison exerts its effects at the cellular and molecular level. He explains the processes by which poisons interrupt cellular functions, such as respiration or neurotransmission. For example, cyanide prevents cells from using oxygen by blocking a critical enzyme in the mitochondria, which causes cells to die from lack of energy.

Bradbury also discusses the speed and efficiency of different poisons in shutting down bodily functions, illustrating why some poisons cause immediate symptoms while others may take days or weeks to manifest. I found this fascinating and given the fact I hated science at school, that is really saying something. Bradbury teaches us this with incredible detail and it makes so much of a difference when we learn about individual cases.

The book delves into the long history of poisons, used for assassination, political maneuvering, and in wars. Bradbury describes infamous cases from ancient times—like Cleopatra’s use of snake venom for suicide—and later examples, such as Catherine de’ Medici, who reportedly experimented with different toxins to learn their effects. These accounts highlight how poison has been a tool for those in power or those who needed a discreet weapon, emphasising the strategic planning often involved in such acts. This makes the book a lot more interesting because now we know we're going to see the people who killed others using poison.

Each poison Bradbury discusses is linked to a real-life case, providing a narrative that connects science with true crime. He recounts cases like that of Graham Young, who poisoned his family and colleagues over years, using thallium. These case studies offer insight into the psychology of poisoners and their meticulous planning, as well as the forensic challenges investigators faced in the absence of advanced toxicology tools.

Bradbury also looks at famous poisonings, like the murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko using radioactive polonium, underscoring the adaptability of poisons for modern crimes. This is something that is really eye-opening because many of us only encounter these kinds of poisonings in British Crime Novels of the 1930s and before. Moving these not only to real life, but to the modern day shows us that these things are not just for the early 20th century novel.

The book reveals the surprising array of deadly poisons found in everyday products. For instance, ethylene glycol in antifreeze is deadly if ingested and has been used in homicides due to its sweet taste, making it hard to detect. Bradbury also describes how certain ornamental plants, such as oleander and foxglove, contain powerful toxins that can cause cardiac arrest if ingested.

This section of the book shows that familiarity with these household toxins can prevent accidental poisonings and highlights the role of chemistry in understanding everyday dangers. This is also true when we come to the end of the book and see the section on 'Garden of Death'. There is something actually quite frightening about living amongst so many deadly things in our everyday lives - things that seem almost unsuspecting.

All in all, Bradbury reflects on why poison has had a unique allure for killers throughout history—it is discreet, requires little physical strength, and often allows the poisoner to avoid direct confrontation. He explores how poison has been viewed as a “cowardly” weapon, but also notes its prevalence among educated criminals who understood its scientific properties.

He raises ethical questions about the use of poison in warfare and espionage, suggesting that it has been chosen as a means of control, evoking fear while often leaving no obvious signs of violence. It is something most captivating when you learn about how these people went about their crimes and tried to prevent themselves from being found out.