Description
Book SynopsisMolecules of Murder is about infamous murderers and famous victims; about people like Harold Shipman, Alexander Litvinenko, Adelaide Bartlett, and Georgi Markov. Few books on poisons analyse these crimes from the viewpoint of the poison itself, doing so throws a new light on how the murders or attempted murders were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. Part I includes molecules which occur naturally and were originally used by doctors before becoming notorious as murder weapons. Part II deals with unnatural molecules, mainly man-made, and they too have been dangerously misused in famous crimes. The book ends with the most famous poisoning case in recent years, that of Alexander Litvinenko and his death from polonium chloride. The first half of each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its history, its chemistry, its use in medicine, its toxicology, and its effects on the human body. The second half then investigates a famous murder case and reveals the modus operandi of the poisoner and how some were caught, some are still at large, and some literally got away with murder. Molecules of Murder will explain how forensic chemists have developed cunning ways to detect minute traces of dangerous substances, and explain why some of these poisons, which appear so life-threatening, are now being researched as possible life-savers. Award winning science writer John Emsley has assembled another group of true crime and chemistry stories to rival those of his highly acclaimed Elements of Murder.
Trade Review"Molecules of murder is a paean to forensic chemistry. It is also an eminently readable discussion of classic poisoning cases and the science behind them." * Molecular Interventions, P146. *
"This very well written book should find its way into most school libraries, as it will appeal to those - young and old - who are fascinated either by the chemistry involved, or by the history of several murder cases." * Science in School, issue 13, Tim Harrison, University of Bristol. *
"...each chapter is full of interesting nuggets of information that you just don't find in the standard toxicology textbooks.""...an excellent read for the chemist, toxicologist or occupational hygienist who is interested in the world of "true crime.""...the writing is a model of clarity, the stories logically laid out.""Highly recommended, too, for anybody who enjoys a good thriller!" * Safety and Health Practitioner *
"This book is clearly written and much easier to digest than the compounds it describes.""Emsley has written a book that satisfies the true-crime reader as well as the science-orientated specialist.""I'm sure Gil Grisson, former head of the forensic investigation team in the TV Show "CSI" would have a copy on his shelf" * Chemical and Engineering News, Feb 2 2009, Volume 87, Number 05, Charles Tumosa *
"In this highly engaging, detailed and morbidly fascinating slim volume, chemist John Emsley narrates the stories of those who made use of science for killing their fellow beings through deadly means""The cases are fascinating for science buffs because of the scientific background about the poisons, and for others for the ingenious thinking that went both into murders and the detective work involved in solving them." * Ashutosh Joglekar Blog, December 04, 2008 *
"The accounts are superbly written, with appropriate ammounts of chemistry expertly blended with gripping accounts of criminal acts.""...I found this book fascinating and a brilliant mixture of chemistry and crime. The writing is excellent, the research thorough and the resulting book outstanding." * Education in chemistry, John Nicholson. *
"This book is a must read for students of forensic science.""...is the right balance between a book on toxicology and an analysis of the use of poisons in crime""The case study analysis makes the book useful in other disciplines apart from a pure science and this would be a very good text for use in criminolgy or other social science based courses""The book has a very good glossary making it a useful reference source" * Physical Science Centre, Volume 9, Issue 2 *
Table of ContentsPart I: From medicine to murder; Chapter 1: Ricin and the assassination of Georgi Markov; Chapter 2: Hyoscine and the murder of Belle Elmore; Chapter 3: Atropine and Mrs Agutter's gin and tonic; Chapter 4: Diamorphine and the Dr Jekyll of Hyde; Chapter 5: Adrenaline and the near-perfect murders of Kirsten Gilbert; Part II: So simple, so useful, so deadly; Chapter 6: Chloroform and the murder of Edwin Bartlett; Chapter 7: Life & Death & CO; Carbon monoxide and the homemade gas chamber; Chapter 8: Cyanide and the death on the Nile; Chapter 9: Paraquat and the poisoned gravy; Chapter 10: Polonium and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko;
