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The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Audiobook
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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 during a remarkably deadly time. A beguiling concoction that is equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller, The Poisoner's Handbook is a compelling account of a forgotten New York.
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"After reading "The Poisoner's handbook" by Deborah Blum I now have a greater understanding of early forensic science. In the late 1890s and early 1900s Forensic science was new to America and not very well understood. This was why many places such as New York had many people without medical backgrounds occupy the Coroner position. This led to many deaths going without certificates and mis-diagnosed. This led to increased crime rates and the victims families losing a lot of money. In the case of Mors he confessed to killing many nursery home patients before it was their time to die. Yet, without his confession they never would have known that most of the nursery home deaths were intentional. This all changed when the mayor of New York City was forced to hire a coroner with a medical background. He hired Charles Norris a very qualified doctor and he was able to set up an entire staff with experienced scientist Alex Gettler. In my opinion, this was when many more poison discoveries were made and crime rates decreased. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in medicine, poisons, or forensic science overall. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars."
— Robert (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Poisoner’s Handbook is an inventive history that, like arsenic, mixed into blackberry pie, goes down with ease.”
— New York Times Book Review -
With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate suspense novelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era with a dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves. Not only is The Poisoner’s Handbook as thrilling as any CSI episode, but it also offers something even better: an education in how forensics really works.”
— Washington Post -
“Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Poisoner’s Handbook breathes deadly life into the Roaring Twenties.”
— Financial Times -
“All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by wood alcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for a stomach-turning read…Ms. Blum’s combination of chemistry and crime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie.”
— New York Observer -
“In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion of forensic toxicology, history and true crime…The Poisoner’s Handbook will get into your head. You’ll find yourself questioning the chemicals in our everyday lives. What’s really in our food, cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children’s toys and pet dinners? This isn’t just a good read. It’s a summons to study labels, research, think and act.”
— Dallas Morning News -
“The Poisoner’s Handbook succeeds as science, as history, as entertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of popular science writing.”
— Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel -
“With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate suspense novelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review -
“Blum has cooked up a delicious, addictive brew: murder, forensic toxicology, New York City in the 20s, the biochemistry of poison. I loved this book. I knocked it back in one go and now I want more!”
— Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex -
“Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become fascinating crusaders in Blum’s fine depiction of their work in the law-flouting atmosphere of Prohibition-era New York.”
— Booklist
The Poisoner's Handbook Listener Reviews
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" Fascinating. This was a very interesting, crazy, and morbid read. I recommend. "
— Kelsey, 2/7/2014 -
" I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The history of the ME office in NYC is a quick and worthwhile read for all tastes. "
— Brian, 1/27/2014 -
" Book #22 for 2013 "
— Shelly, 1/17/2014 -
" outstanding read! A must-have for behavioral pharmacology folks. "
— Steve, 12/22/2013 -
" Very intersting book about the NY Medical Examiner from PA who help found forensic science based on murders by poison and industrial pollutants in NY "
— Karlin, 12/9/2013 -
" don't read a lot of nonfiction, but this read like a suspense novel but was also very interesting. a fascinating history. "
— Kelli, 11/28/2013 -
" Overall an excellent read. The descriptions of alpha particles and so forth as "bundles of protons and neutrons" can get a little old if you've had any chemistry at all, but the history is fascinating. Highly recommended. "
— Emerson, 11/25/2013 -
" Reminds me of 'Devil in the White City'. Set in NYC in the early 1900's. Historical fiction for CSI fans. Each chapter focuses on one poison, suspicious death investigations, and forensic advances. "
— Kristin, 11/18/2013 -
" I usually like science writing and history of science stuff, but I'd need a stronger stomach to get through this one--too much explicit talk of forensic technique. "
— Chris, 3/16/2013 -
" An amazingly well-written account of the birth of forensic medicine. Goes in-depth on the chemistry and toxicology of numerous common poisons without getting so technical as to put off non-chemistry folks. Very accessible, very entertaining. I'll be looking for more of her work. "
— Kyle, 10/25/2012 -
" If you are interested in learning about the beginning of the forensic science in the US then this is a great book. It is also full of interesting stories about poisonings which took place in the early 20th century as well as the science in how these poison's work. "
— Seth, 8/23/2012 -
" More like science lite, because it's loaded with errors, but I enjoyed the historical aspect. Well written, ignoring the scientific mistakes. "
— Kate, 1/20/2012 -
" I could hardly put it down! What an interesting slice of American history. "
— Caroline, 9/18/2011 -
" Poison! A sensational rendition of the birth of toxicology in old NYC. "
— Vanessa, 9/8/2011 -
" An interesting survey of forensic medicine, although a bit dark. I never knew so much about poisoning someone.. via wood alcohol, arsenic, ... "
— Brett, 6/20/2011 -
" Loved it! I really should go back and re-read it, as there is so much information presented. Now I have to watch Ken Burns's "Prohibition" on PBS this fall. "
— Diana, 6/4/2011 -
" Good read.. In this time of CSI shows where they find all the evidence they want from a crime scene, it's nice to read something that puts it back in perspective. We have come a long way.. "
— Chris, 6/3/2011 -
" Great mix of intrigue and science. Not for the weak of stomach, though. Chemistry was extra gross back then. "
— Joanna, 6/1/2011 -
" Ok yeah I do this for a living, but this book is great! And, not just for guys who do this for a living. It will change the way you think about a lot of things. "
— Kent, 5/31/2011 -
" Fascinating book about the first forensic toxicologists in the country and the murderers they tracked down in NYC during the years of prohibition. No need to have a PhD. Warning: Graphic descriptions of the effects of various poisons on their victims. "
— Jillian, 5/30/2011
About Deborah Blum
Deborah Blum is a journalist and the author of The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York. She worked as a newspaper science writer for twenty years, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for her writing about primate research, which she turned into the book The Monkey Wars.
About Coleen Marlo
Coleen Marlo is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator who has been nominated for an Audie Award twice, winning in 2011. She has been awarded three Listen-Up Awards from Publishers Weekly, an AudioFile Audiobook of the Year Award in 2011, and was named Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2010 by Publishers Weekly. She is a member of the prestigious Actors Studio and taught acting for ten years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Marlo is a proud founding member of Deyan Institute of Voice Artistry and Technology.