The Elements of Murder

Review from previous edition A readable anecdotal history of killing. This book will be enjoyed by those who like good detective stories, intriguing snippets of history, popular science and murder most foul.'Chemistry World…authoritative and meticulously researched… Emsley knows what he is talking about. This is a lovely book.‘Roger P Smith, Nature Vol 436A delightful potion of chemical erudition, forgotten science history and ghastly murder schemes Along the way, the bodies pile up as Emsley relates spectacular case histories of poisonings, accidental and criminal...Reading ''The Elements of Murder'' is like watching a hundred episodes of ''CSI,'' but without having to sit through the tedious personal relationships of the characters.'New York Times Book Review...fascinating, wide-ranging and, let's not mince words, macabre new history of poison...a truly guilty pleasureFascinating brew of academic research and titilating murder mysteries…vivid and anecdotal history of poison’Daily MailHe describes the chemistry with a light touch that makes the book accessible to non-chemists and, indeed, non-scientists. There is much here to fascinate a broad readership.'THESa fascinating ancedotal history of killing. With something of interest on almost every page, it combines the satisfaction of a detective story, intriguing snippets of history, popular science, unsolved mysteries and murder. A powerful brew.‘TelegraphMeticulously researched, this book reads like a novel and a reader could pick up enough colourful anecdotes on which to dine out some time. Just be careful what, or whom, you eat.'LancetMeticulously researched, this book reads like a novel and a reader could pick up enough colourful anecdotes on which to dine out for some time.‘The Lancet`Endlessly fascinating book…Every page reveals delights and horrors…It is the perfect book to take on a long-haul flight’TelegraphThe Elements of Murder is full of such intriguing nuggets…Emsley must have been an outstanding chemistry teacher.

John Emsley won the Science Book prize in 1995 for his Consumer’s Good Chemical Guide. He followed this with a series of popular science books, all of which have been translated worldwide:

• Molecules at an Exhibition
• Was it Something You Ate? (co-authored with Peter Fell)
• The Shocking History of Phosphorus
• Nature’s Building Blocks
• Vanity, Vitality, and Virility

John spent 20 years as a researcher and lecturer in chemistry at London University before becoming a freelance popular-science writer. He served as a Science Writer in Residence, first at Imperial College London and then in the Chemistry Department of the University of Cambridge. In 2003, he was awarded the German Chemical Society’s Writer’s Award.

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