Talks and shows

Passion for poison: The real science of Agatha Christie

Chemist Kathryn Harkup delves in to the science of poisons used by Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. 

Arek Socha via Pixabay

Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books, using poisons more accurately than any other crime writer. But how is it that some chemicals in such small quantities can be so deadly? And how feasible was it to obtain these chemicals both in Christie’s day, and today?  

Join chemist-turned-writer Kathryn Harkup as she explores how Christie’s extensive knowledge of drugs and medicine mixed with real life cases, created her brilliantly plotted crime novels. Her poisons were picked with care to give clues, red-herrings and interesting new twists to her classic crime novels, whilst maintaining scientific accuracy. Kathryn will uncover howdunnit, but whodunnit is still up to you to find out... 

 

Copies of Kathryn's book "V is for Venom: Agatha Christie's Chemicals of Death" will be available to purchase after the talk.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Kathryn Harkup

Image of Kathryn Harkup

Kathryn Harkup is a former chemist who has turned writer and science communicator. Her interests are in anything gothic, gory and geeky, and preferably all three. She gives regular public talks on the disgusting and dangerous side of science. Her first book was the international best-seller A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie. She has also written Making the Monster: The Science of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Death by Shakespeare and Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond. Her latest book is V is for Venom: Agatha Christie's Chemicals of Death.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions