A Passion for Poison by Carol Ann Lee is the true story of Graham Young, a poisoner and serial killer. I was unfamiliar with this case before I read the book, and was shocked to discover that Graham was only fourteen years old when he was admitted to Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital in 1962. He was their youngest patient.
As a young boy, Graham had an unusual interest in chemistry and toxicology, which resulted in him experimenting with antimony : poisoning a schoolfriend and members of his own family, which resulted in his hospital admission. He probably killed his step-mother too.
He was released from Broadmoor in 1971, his consultant certifying that he was no longer a danger. However, only a few weeks after his release he began poisoning again, this time resulting in the deaths of two of his co-workers and causing serious reactions in many more.
This book covers Graham's story from childhood until his death. We learn about his family life, as well as his time in hospital, at work and, finally, his prison sentence for murder. It's very well researched (as evidenced by the endnotes) and a good example of true crime at its best.
As a young boy, Graham had an unusual interest in chemistry and toxicology, which resulted in him experimenting with antimony : poisoning a schoolfriend and members of his own family, which resulted in his hospital admission. He probably killed his step-mother too.
He was released from Broadmoor in 1971, his consultant certifying that he was no longer a danger. However, only a few weeks after his release he began poisoning again, this time resulting in the deaths of two of his co-workers and causing serious reactions in many more.
This book covers Graham's story from childhood until his death. We learn about his family life, as well as his time in hospital, at work and, finally, his prison sentence for murder. It's very well researched (as evidenced by the endnotes) and a good example of true crime at its best.