43 pages • 1 hour read
The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
336
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1920s
2010
Adult
16+ years
1190L
Super Short Summary
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum chronicles how Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler pioneered forensic science in 1920s New York, developing methods to detect poisons and applying these techniques to high-profile murder investigations. Their work coincided with major events like Prohibition. The book explores different chemicals in each chapter, detailing their properties and uses as poisons. The narrative contains potentially triggering topics such as murder and poisoning.
Informative
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
37,708 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Deborah Blum's The Poisoner’s Handbook is widely praised for its gripping recounting of early 20th-century forensic science advancements. Positively noted for its engaging narrative and meticulous research, it occasionally faces criticism for a dense scientific focus. Overall, it is celebrated for blending true crime with historical and scientific intrigue effectively.
Who Should Read The Poisoner’s Handbook?
A reader who enjoys The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum is likely fascinated by true crime, forensic science, and historical mysteries. They would also appreciate titles like Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City and Mary Roach's Stiff. This reader thrives on intricate, real-life detective work interwoven with rich historical context.
37,708 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Charles Norris
Charles Norris
New York's first chief medical examiner, a reformist aiming to revolutionize toxicology and establish its crucial role in homicide investigations during the early 20th century.
Alexander Gettler
Alexander Gettler
A pioneering forensic chemist tasked with establishing the field of forensic toxicology, who played a central role in investigating poisons and advancing the science of detecting them.
Harrison Stanford Martland
Harrison Stanford Martland
New Jersey's medical examiner who advocated for the medical examiner system and collaborated with Norris in cases involving toxic substances like radium.
336
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1920s
2010
Adult
16+ years
1190L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.