The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
by Deborah Blum
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum holds a highly rated rating of 4.00 out of 5, based on 19K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 319 pages.
About The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
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; 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 page-turning account of a forgotten New York.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Deborah Blum |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 319 |
| Kindle Price | $13.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, History, Science, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 4.00 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 18,997 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York?
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is categorized as Non-Fiction, History, Science, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York worth reading?
Based on 19K reader ratings, The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York has an average score of 4.00 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York?
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York has 319 pages.
Who wrote The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York?
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York was written by Deborah Blum. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York?
The ISBN-13 for The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is 9781594202440.0.
How much does The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York cost on Kindle?
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is available on Kindle for $13.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
