kellyldriver's review
4.0
For anyone who loves Agatha Christie books and is fascinated by the forensic sciences this is the book for you. I loved it. While it was kind of technical the author writes it in a way that the average lay person can understand the science behind it by relating it to a Christie book.
sammy_'s review against another edition
5.0
A thoroughly absorbing book! It blends the history of forensics of various kinds - ballistics, toxicology, fingerprinting, etc - with an analysis of how Agatha Christie depicted these in her books, with the conclusion that Christie was a fastidious researcher and often bang up to date on her forensic science (a not insignificant task, given she wrote for 50 years!). It’s a fun trip through Christie’s back catalogue from a different angle, and (in case you were worried!) without any major plot spoilers.
callistap's review
2.0
DNF. I really love Agatha Christie, but not nearly as much as Carla Valentine. She loves Christie so much it was a turn off, and made me feel very much out-of-demographic for this book.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
3.0
⭐⭐⭐ -- Great cover!
I am a true crime addict and I love Agatha Christie, so I was excited to dive into this one. The author clearly did a lot of research and that shows throughout the book. However, I found the writing to be a little all over the place and hard to get through at times. I did enjoy the poisons section and how they were used throughout history and in Agatha Christie's books.
I am a true crime addict and I love Agatha Christie, so I was excited to dive into this one. The author clearly did a lot of research and that shows throughout the book. However, I found the writing to be a little all over the place and hard to get through at times. I did enjoy the poisons section and how they were used throughout history and in Agatha Christie's books.
myreadsgrf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
bronwynmb's review against another edition
4.0
This was really interesting! If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for anything Christie related and crime related, so - much like A is for Arsenic years ago - this was perfect for me. I really liked all the examples from Christie’s books that Valentine used, as well as all the real cases that Christie references in one way or another (Crippen, Thompson-Bywaters - which you know I love -, the brides in the bath, etc.). All of the forensic stuff is just fascinating. Highly recommend!
(Also, learned that Crippen was probably innocent, or at least that the body they thought was his wife, wasn’t!)
(Also, learned that Crippen was probably innocent, or at least that the body they thought was his wife, wasn’t!)
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A look into the forensic science of Agatha Christie's books.
I really enjoyed this book. I do wish that the book got into more detail on the science. I'm glad she kept it non-spoiler for the books discussed. And the book made me want to read more of Agatha Christie's books. It also talked about crimes that inspired some of her books. As well as discussing Agatha Christie's life.
I really enjoyed this book. I do wish that the book got into more detail on the science. I'm glad she kept it non-spoiler for the books discussed. And the book made me want to read more of Agatha Christie's books. It also talked about crimes that inspired some of her books. As well as discussing Agatha Christie's life.