shesjamesevans's review
3.0
As a Medical Detectives fan, I loved the historical context of this book. I liked the structure and see the development of forensics in America and learn about chemistry, politics and history.
That said… the prose is not good at all. It particularly bothers me in books where hard facts exists, that authors feel the need to add colourful notes everywhere, things that they cannot know that had happened.
It also goes on every tangent. The Radium chapter for example, most of the chapter is not about Radium at all.
We don’t need to read the 26 (I counted) types of cigarettes they had back then, and examples like that it’s most like to say “look at what I’ve researched!” than adding anything valuable.
The tone is weird. It goes to romanticised scenes and people to give you a chemical description of a poison.
As I said, the book has great information and I’ve learned tons. I wish the narration hasn’t been so distracting. It really took away from all the good hard data.
That said… the prose is not good at all. It particularly bothers me in books where hard facts exists, that authors feel the need to add colourful notes everywhere, things that they cannot know that had happened.
It also goes on every tangent. The Radium chapter for example, most of the chapter is not about Radium at all.
We don’t need to read the 26 (I counted) types of cigarettes they had back then, and examples like that it’s most like to say “look at what I’ve researched!” than adding anything valuable.
The tone is weird. It goes to romanticised scenes and people to give you a chemical description of a poison.
As I said, the book has great information and I’ve learned tons. I wish the narration hasn’t been so distracting. It really took away from all the good hard data.
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a little underwhelmed right now. This book is about poisons and crime... It's cool!
It's also about Charles Norris who was working towards better coronary office management abd better forensic stuff.
It's also sorta about the prohibition era.
It's not as entertaining as it should be. I had such high hopes for this. It isn't bad, though, it's just that there are better fish in the non-fiction sea.
It's also about Charles Norris who was working towards better coronary office management abd better forensic stuff.
It's also sorta about the prohibition era.
It's not as entertaining as it should be. I had such high hopes for this. It isn't bad, though, it's just that there are better fish in the non-fiction sea.
jamiezaccaria's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful mix of history, true crime, and chemistry. Fascinating read from cover to cover.