In this episode, we’re delving deep into the science of one of the best-selling fiction writers of all times: Agatha Christie. We look for evidence of her pioneering forensic writing with Murder Isn’t Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, the second book by pathology technician and medical historian Carla Valentine.
At a time when there was no internet and the word ‘forensics’ didn’t even exist yet, Christie managed to stay up to date with the latest scientific advances as well as real-life cases — all of which inspired her clever plots and twisting tales.
Together with special guests Raychelle Burks and Kathryn Harkup (both huge Christie fans) we consider Christie’s knack for science communication as well as her problematic selection of stereotyped characters.
If you’d like your own copy of Murder isn’t Easy, you can find it on Amazon.co.uk or Bookshop.org.
Next time, my colleague and Chemistry World’s US correspondent Rebecca Trager will be back with Her Hidden Genius, a novel by Marie Benedict. It’s the fascinating, unsettling and tragic story of the woman behind the pivotal discovery of DNA’s helical structure almost 70 years ago that resulted in a Nobel prize for three men.
If you, dear listener, have any thoughts on Murder isn’t Easy or know of a book you would like us to discuss in an upcoming book club, let us know in the comments below or tweet at us @ChemistryWorld.
No comments yet