Reviews

Murder Isn't Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie by Carla Valentine

tiffanysbookshelf96's review against another edition

3.0

So I went into this without ever reading Agatha novels. Which definitely left parts of the book less interesting. But really enjoyed the history of each section like fingerprints, bloodsplatter etc. Learned a lot.

wrensleyreads's review against another edition

dark informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

I don't think I like Agatha Christie and I don't need to know about forensics. I kept trying to stop reading this book but I just couldn't.  The author makes complicated topics interesting, relevant, and, dare I say, humorous at times.  I've even picked up an Agatha Christie book to give this another try.  Nicely done!

raila_h's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

fiona_claffey_kelly's review

dark informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

cindy10's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

5.0

bridge_to_narnia's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.25

A very interesting insight into forensic analysis as well as the dedication to such knowledge that Agatha Christie must have had to craft her works. A very good detailed overview, though there is definitely missing knowledge. The work itself is well written in a style of a conversation from a friend who is very interested in the topics. The author states forensic facts, the knowledge that Agatha Christie comparatively displayed in that field and then at points interjects her thoughts and experiences in the field as well.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

This book deals with murder and works backwards on how that happened. There are mentions of strange forensic techniques like

Spoiler

degloving the skin from the hand to preserve fingerprints and the old method of tasting various liquids (like stomach contents) to determine if there is poison in it

. These are never written in great detail, mentioned in a matter of fact type of way, rather than disturbing, but if you are sensitive to bodily wet work, I would have someone read the book and then give you the cliff notes.

djohan's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative lighthearted slow-paced

4.0

hallaxx's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

4.0

kellyldriver's review against another edition

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.