The three short sentences on this book's striking cover set the tone for this shocking true crime read. A Passion for Poison tells the story of notorious mass poisoner Graham Young, who began administering poison to his friends and family from 14 years of age.
The author obviously spent a great deal of time and effort on research, as proven by the factual background she provides for the history of poisonings, the procedures followed by institutions like Broadmoor, and the cases that shaped the future of sentencing and release for criminals who are deemed insane. The writing style drew me in with its cleverness. It captured all the sinister absurdity of a schoolboy on trial for premeditated murder.
My only critique is that at times the descriptions of matters outside of Young's case felt lengthy and distracted from the central narrative. A lot was going on at the time, and I agree that a lot of it could have influenced both Young and those who were dealing with his case. However, at times I was trying so hard to keep up with the names and the medical jargon that I found myself having to re-read whole sections.
Other than that, though, this book satisfied my morbid curiosity, shed a light on aspects of psychology and law I was not previously aware of, and thoroughly creeped me out, giving it all the best ingredients of a memorable true crime read.
The author obviously spent a great deal of time and effort on research, as proven by the factual background she provides for the history of poisonings, the procedures followed by institutions like Broadmoor, and the cases that shaped the future of sentencing and release for criminals who are deemed insane. The writing style drew me in with its cleverness. It captured all the sinister absurdity of a schoolboy on trial for premeditated murder.
My only critique is that at times the descriptions of matters outside of Young's case felt lengthy and distracted from the central narrative. A lot was going on at the time, and I agree that a lot of it could have influenced both Young and those who were dealing with his case. However, at times I was trying so hard to keep up with the names and the medical jargon that I found myself having to re-read whole sections.
Other than that, though, this book satisfied my morbid curiosity, shed a light on aspects of psychology and law I was not previously aware of, and thoroughly creeped me out, giving it all the best ingredients of a memorable true crime read.