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A Passion for Poison: A true crime story like no other, the extraordinary tale of the schoolboy teacup poisoner
The whole story is so terrible. You will be disgusted and amazed.'
Graham Young, confessing his crimes to detectives
There are few criminal cases more astonishing yet less well known than that of Graham Young. A quintessentially British crime story set in the post-war London suburbs, it involves two sensational trials, murders both certain and probable, a clutch of forgiving relatives, and scores of surviving victims.
Fourteen in the summer of 1962, Graham stood in the Old Bailey dock charged with poisoning a schoolfriend and family members by adding antimony to their packed lunches, Sunday roast and morning cups of tea. Diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, Graham's trial resulted in his detainment at Broadmoor, where he was the youngest patient.
But it was on his release from Broadmoor that Graham caused the greatest harm. Finding employment in Hadlands, a photographic supplies firm, his role as junior storeman meant he was expected to make tea and coffee for his colleagues. And very soon, numerous members of staff began experiencing crippling stomach pains...
A psychologically astute insight into the mind of a complex and intriguing individual, A Passion for Poison is true crime at its best.
Praise for Carol Ann Lee
Somebody's Mother, Somebody's Daughter: Victims and Survivors of the Yorkshire Ripper
'My book of the year... the first time the stories of the women who came into the sights of notorious serial killer Peter Sutcliffe have been told, and it gives voice to their families... deeply poignant' - Lynda La Plante
One of Your Own: The Life & Death of Myra Hindley
'Scrupulously unsensational and as good a biography of Hindley as we'll get' - Sunday Times
Graham Young, confessing his crimes to detectives
There are few criminal cases more astonishing yet less well known than that of Graham Young. A quintessentially British crime story set in the post-war London suburbs, it involves two sensational trials, murders both certain and probable, a clutch of forgiving relatives, and scores of surviving victims.
Fourteen in the summer of 1962, Graham stood in the Old Bailey dock charged with poisoning a schoolfriend and family members by adding antimony to their packed lunches, Sunday roast and morning cups of tea. Diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, Graham's trial resulted in his detainment at Broadmoor, where he was the youngest patient.
But it was on his release from Broadmoor that Graham caused the greatest harm. Finding employment in Hadlands, a photographic supplies firm, his role as junior storeman meant he was expected to make tea and coffee for his colleagues. And very soon, numerous members of staff began experiencing crippling stomach pains...
A psychologically astute insight into the mind of a complex and intriguing individual, A Passion for Poison is true crime at its best.
Praise for Carol Ann Lee
Somebody's Mother, Somebody's Daughter: Victims and Survivors of the Yorkshire Ripper
'My book of the year... the first time the stories of the women who came into the sights of notorious serial killer Peter Sutcliffe have been told, and it gives voice to their families... deeply poignant' - Lynda La Plante
One of Your Own: The Life & Death of Myra Hindley
'Scrupulously unsensational and as good a biography of Hindley as we'll get' - Sunday Times
432 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 14, 2021
Rounded down from roughly 4.5 Stars ⭐️
A passion for poison is a true crime book based on serial poisoner Graham Young. His crimes started as a young teen, where he was admitted to a maximum security hospital. However, upon his release his crime spree continued with devastating consequences.
I am an avid true crime fan, yet I had never previously heard of Graham Young (I suspect this could potentially be because of my age). Carol Ann Lee’s writing is so intensely detailed and meticulously research, I feel like I now have a pretty good understanding of the case. This is one of the most haunting yet fascinating true crime stories I’ve ever heard.
Obviously, with any book of this nature, it is not an easy read. It is dark, foreboding and chilling, yet I simply could not put the book down. I found myself devouring this read and really hope that Carol writes more books similar to this one as this is my favourite true crime book, to date. There’s a haunting aspect to true crime that can be extremely tough to recreate in fiction. However, this almost felt like reading a well written thriller, carol is able to narrate in a detached yet informative manner.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any true crime fans! I want to thank readers first, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal opinions.
A passion for poison is a true crime book based on serial poisoner Graham Young. His crimes started as a young teen, where he was admitted to a maximum security hospital. However, upon his release his crime spree continued with devastating consequences.
I am an avid true crime fan, yet I had never previously heard of Graham Young (I suspect this could potentially be because of my age). Carol Ann Lee’s writing is so intensely detailed and meticulously research, I feel like I now have a pretty good understanding of the case. This is one of the most haunting yet fascinating true crime stories I’ve ever heard.
Obviously, with any book of this nature, it is not an easy read. It is dark, foreboding and chilling, yet I simply could not put the book down. I found myself devouring this read and really hope that Carol writes more books similar to this one as this is my favourite true crime book, to date. There’s a haunting aspect to true crime that can be extremely tough to recreate in fiction. However, this almost felt like reading a well written thriller, carol is able to narrate in a detached yet informative manner.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any true crime fans! I want to thank readers first, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal opinions.
May 27, 2024
Interesting look at the case of Graham Young sentenced at age 14 to Broadmoor released later and re offences but also looks at his mental health and changes to the law due to his case
August 4, 2021
A Passion for Poison is an utterly fascinating account of the life and crimes of Graham Young, the so called schoolboy poisoner, whom in 1962 and at the age of fourteen stood trial in the Old Bailey charged with poisoning a school friend and family members. Found guilty and diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, he was sent to Broadmoor from where he would eventually be released in 1970 and go on to obtain notoriety for a workplace poisoning epidemic that culminated in four life sentences. Yet surprisingly, Graham Young and his sensational story are not the common knowledge that many notable crimes are, and the revelatory aspect of this book, along with the enduring fascination of poisoning, make this a treat for readers with even a passing interest in true crime. Clearly extensively researched, Carol Ann Lee gives the reader the details they need without becoming overwhelming and she has the flair of a fiction author, thus bringing the subject and circumstances to life and giving both a sense of the man and the ordeals of his victims. The book is also impressively even-handed and Lee gives as much weight to the experiences of the victims and family of Graham Young as the man himself, placing his crimes in the context of the UK legal history and explaining how they went on to influence the system.
The youngest patient to be sent to Broadmoor under the Mental Health Act, right from the start Young was a curiosity given the fact that there was very little malice behind his actions with his victims selected primarily by propinquity. Even his forgiving family recognised and accepted his peculiar obsession with pharmacology and the macabre despite Young readily admitting he knew his actions were wrong. His step-mother’s death was wrongly attributed to natural causes at the time and for Young it was an early indicator of the potential for getting away with his interference. The book sheds light on his upbringing and the family dynamic, with Graham closer to the aunt and uncle that he lived with after the death of his mother than his father and step-mother, Molly. A voracious reader from early on with a fervent interest in the occult and Nazi ideology, a chemistry set for passing his eleven plus exam encouraged Young to concentrate his efforts, with antimony (closely related to arsenic) his early toxin of choice. Already aware that the death penalty has been abolished for those who kill by poison and with chilling vision of going down in history, Young boasted to school friends about the power his powders gave him.
After convincing the psychiatrist’s at Broadmoor that he was no longer a danger to the public and ‘cured’, much to the scepticism of his family, he was released in 1970 and via a government training centre obtained the skills necessary to gain employment as an assistant storekeeper at the photograph instrument maker, Hadlands. It was at his workplace, with the tasteless, soluble and relatively easy to purchase chemical element of thallium, of which little was known at the time, that he went on to do the most damage with by spiking the drinks of his workmates and ultimately being sent to HMP Parkhurst. The second half of the book concentrates on the years after Broadmoor, the shocking lack of supervision and coordination in Young’s after-care and the complete absence of background his new employers were given on the years which he managed to ascribe to a breakdown following the loss of his mother. Lee gives a terrific overview of how Young interacted with colleagues, his life outside of work and the sustained campaign of poisoning that he undertook until his eventual discovery.
The youngest patient to be sent to Broadmoor under the Mental Health Act, right from the start Young was a curiosity given the fact that there was very little malice behind his actions with his victims selected primarily by propinquity. Even his forgiving family recognised and accepted his peculiar obsession with pharmacology and the macabre despite Young readily admitting he knew his actions were wrong. His step-mother’s death was wrongly attributed to natural causes at the time and for Young it was an early indicator of the potential for getting away with his interference. The book sheds light on his upbringing and the family dynamic, with Graham closer to the aunt and uncle that he lived with after the death of his mother than his father and step-mother, Molly. A voracious reader from early on with a fervent interest in the occult and Nazi ideology, a chemistry set for passing his eleven plus exam encouraged Young to concentrate his efforts, with antimony (closely related to arsenic) his early toxin of choice. Already aware that the death penalty has been abolished for those who kill by poison and with chilling vision of going down in history, Young boasted to school friends about the power his powders gave him.
After convincing the psychiatrist’s at Broadmoor that he was no longer a danger to the public and ‘cured’, much to the scepticism of his family, he was released in 1970 and via a government training centre obtained the skills necessary to gain employment as an assistant storekeeper at the photograph instrument maker, Hadlands. It was at his workplace, with the tasteless, soluble and relatively easy to purchase chemical element of thallium, of which little was known at the time, that he went on to do the most damage with by spiking the drinks of his workmates and ultimately being sent to HMP Parkhurst. The second half of the book concentrates on the years after Broadmoor, the shocking lack of supervision and coordination in Young’s after-care and the complete absence of background his new employers were given on the years which he managed to ascribe to a breakdown following the loss of his mother. Lee gives a terrific overview of how Young interacted with colleagues, his life outside of work and the sustained campaign of poisoning that he undertook until his eventual discovery.
June 4, 2025
Another well researched, fascinating and unbelievable recount from Carol Ann Lee.
Graham Young was the youngest person sent to Broadmoor under the Mental Health Act. Lee once again follows our real life characters story, from childhood - which she didn't have a choice this time as his crimes started in his childhood - all the way through to his time locked up and beyond.
This story is not just unbelievable in the way Young behaved and how he had no remorse, but in how easy it was for him to get access to the poisons and to get a job with access to certain things he could use to his benefit, all after a previous conviction!
Graham Young was the youngest person sent to Broadmoor under the Mental Health Act. Lee once again follows our real life characters story, from childhood - which she didn't have a choice this time as his crimes started in his childhood - all the way through to his time locked up and beyond.
This story is not just unbelievable in the way Young behaved and how he had no remorse, but in how easy it was for him to get access to the poisons and to get a job with access to certain things he could use to his benefit, all after a previous conviction!
September 15, 2021
Carol Ann Lee is the crime writer to read if you are seeking an accessible account. Meticulously researched with enough detail to satisfy the reader without so much that it becomes overwhelming.
Graham Young's crimes were committed neigh on 50 years ago but the lessons learned by the authorities have lasted longer than his lifespan.
Another satisfying read which enlightened me to a serial killer that I previously knew little about.
Graham Young's crimes were committed neigh on 50 years ago but the lessons learned by the authorities have lasted longer than his lifespan.
Another satisfying read which enlightened me to a serial killer that I previously knew little about.
June 13, 2023
I need to stop reading this type of books. I don’t know if it’s the genre, or the authors or what, but each one of them, I hate them.
1. There is no reason for this book to be this long. It could be easily one third shorter if not more. At times it repeats the information.
2. All the tangents in the world. ALL of them. I initially thought as “well, there’s a lot of research behind this,” but if the content is not relevant then the research is bad. Are we going to research every existent tangent for facts that are absolutely not relevant to the actual story, then what on earth? More than once I found myself having to go back pages and check “what was this about?”
3. The tone. It reads like it’s a young-adult novel.
4. Related to point 3: I find sooo tiresome when in books that there are so many hard facts available, authors feel the need to fill narrative “gaps” with bland generic descriptions of feelings and actions. Or when they assume things that might have happened because of the historical context.
I knew I was going to hate this when at the very beginning it was described in detail what men and women were wearing at court. I thought to myself, urg, this it’s going to be one of those books… and it was. I should have stopped myself right there.
A shame. I really love real crime. This is a great case. A lot of information is there.
1. There is no reason for this book to be this long. It could be easily one third shorter if not more. At times it repeats the information.
2. All the tangents in the world. ALL of them. I initially thought as “well, there’s a lot of research behind this,” but if the content is not relevant then the research is bad. Are we going to research every existent tangent for facts that are absolutely not relevant to the actual story, then what on earth? More than once I found myself having to go back pages and check “what was this about?”
3. The tone. It reads like it’s a young-adult novel.
4. Related to point 3: I find sooo tiresome when in books that there are so many hard facts available, authors feel the need to fill narrative “gaps” with bland generic descriptions of feelings and actions. Or when they assume things that might have happened because of the historical context.
I knew I was going to hate this when at the very beginning it was described in detail what men and women were wearing at court. I thought to myself, urg, this it’s going to be one of those books… and it was. I should have stopped myself right there.
A shame. I really love real crime. This is a great case. A lot of information is there.
October 6, 2021
This was a brilliantly written retelling of the crimes of Graham Young ‘The Teacup Poisoner’.
Starting with his fairly conventional childhood the book goes on to recount his terrifying crimes in his early teens, his 9 year stay at Broadmoor Hospital, the dubious decision to release him and his subsequent horrific crimes. Lee pulls
No punches when describing events and the anguish endured by his victims and their families.
Lee’s writing style is eloquent and easy. I found myself swiftly turning the pages, and at times it felt almost as though I was reading a well written thriller instead of a chilling true crime book. I think the story is all the more powerful for it, as the tale and the people involved came vividly to life in a way not all true crime writers can manage.
I would highly recommend this book both to fiction crime lovers as well as true crime buffs (or anyone whose just looking for a really cracking read!).
Starting with his fairly conventional childhood the book goes on to recount his terrifying crimes in his early teens, his 9 year stay at Broadmoor Hospital, the dubious decision to release him and his subsequent horrific crimes. Lee pulls
No punches when describing events and the anguish endured by his victims and their families.
Lee’s writing style is eloquent and easy. I found myself swiftly turning the pages, and at times it felt almost as though I was reading a well written thriller instead of a chilling true crime book. I think the story is all the more powerful for it, as the tale and the people involved came vividly to life in a way not all true crime writers can manage.
I would highly recommend this book both to fiction crime lovers as well as true crime buffs (or anyone whose just looking for a really cracking read!).
July 29, 2022
I first found out about Graham Young from the film 'The Young Poisoners Handbook' and while it was well done I have learnt so much more from this book. I decided to pick this up on a whim and found it to be a fascinating read, extremely well researched (with plenty of notes) story of a very intelligent but dangerous individual.
The book is not just focused on Young though, there is also a brief history of poison and poisoners throughout the ancient and near modern world as well as why poisoners are so dangerous and reviled.
The book is not just focused on Young though, there is also a brief history of poison and poisoners throughout the ancient and near modern world as well as why poisoners are so dangerous and reviled.
September 14, 2023
Found it slow, not a book you can't wait to read. Have given up!!
August 22, 2021
In post-war Britain, teenager Graham Young developed an interest in poisons. Reading and researching everything he could about his soon-to-be obsession, the fourteen-year-old landed himself in court after trying out his experiments on people. Charged with poisoning a schoolfriend and members of his own family, he was diagnosed with a multiple personality disorder and whisked off to Broadmoor hospital. On his release from Broadmoor several years later, Graham was deemed ‘cured’ and found employment with Hadlands, a photographic supplies company. As a junior storeman, Graham had the opportunity to make tea and coffee for his colleagues and very soon several staff members became ill…
Though barely a teenager myself at the time, I remember reading about Graham Young after his second trial. However, I recall only a few of the details surrounding the committed poisoner, so on discovering the brilliant Carol Ann Lee had penned a book about him, I couldn’t resist. Previous books I’ve read by the same author (Fine Day for a Hanging and The Murders at Whitehouse Farm) have always been meticulously researched and related with a high degree of skill, and this book is no different. What is truly frightening about Graham Young’s story are the series of mistakes and misjudgements made by people in authority who should have known better, allowing Young to leave Broadmoor and go on to murder two of his colleagues and poison several others.
Though the level of detail is at times mind-boggling, this is nevertheless a fascinating and scary book.
Though barely a teenager myself at the time, I remember reading about Graham Young after his second trial. However, I recall only a few of the details surrounding the committed poisoner, so on discovering the brilliant Carol Ann Lee had penned a book about him, I couldn’t resist. Previous books I’ve read by the same author (Fine Day for a Hanging and The Murders at Whitehouse Farm) have always been meticulously researched and related with a high degree of skill, and this book is no different. What is truly frightening about Graham Young’s story are the series of mistakes and misjudgements made by people in authority who should have known better, allowing Young to leave Broadmoor and go on to murder two of his colleagues and poison several others.
Though the level of detail is at times mind-boggling, this is nevertheless a fascinating and scary book.
July 20, 2021
I had very high hopes for this book, as I always have a predisposition to enjoying a non fiction, true crime novel. However, I found this book hard to digest. While I appreciate that is was extremely well researched and hats off to the author for that, I found it hard to follow along with parts of the narrative. The story was seemingly swallowed up by the detailed and I found it hard to focus at times. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about something that I had no prior knowledge of and the story itself had a thrilling premise, I just couldn’t submerged myself in the story. Finally, I felt some vocabulary was used for the sake of. What could have been written more succinctly and plainly was over elaborated and again, had a tendency to distract rather than add to the reading experience. Overall, this unfortunately wasn’t a book for me. It would probably strike a chord with others who are more a fan of detail and description heavy narratives, but did not serve me well.
August 21, 2021
I think this has become one of my favourite true crime books. The level of attention to detail that went into this book is huge, with the bibliography and notes section showing just how much research went into writing it.
So many emotions were provoked, and my brain worked hard to try to understand Graham's mindset and rationale. Ultimately he was a boy that let his interests with poison overshadow any morals or thoughts for human life he may have ever had.
*Its like a drug habit, only I was not the one taking the drugs*
This book also gives a lot of insight into the developments of understanding mental health over the last 60 years, and how we treat mental health patients/ mentally ill criminals. From the overcrowding and poor conditions in high secure units such as broadmoor, to the issues with assessing the suitability for discharge.
So many emotions were provoked, and my brain worked hard to try to understand Graham's mindset and rationale. Ultimately he was a boy that let his interests with poison overshadow any morals or thoughts for human life he may have ever had.
*Its like a drug habit, only I was not the one taking the drugs*
This book also gives a lot of insight into the developments of understanding mental health over the last 60 years, and how we treat mental health patients/ mentally ill criminals. From the overcrowding and poor conditions in high secure units such as broadmoor, to the issues with assessing the suitability for discharge.
March 7, 2022
Another superb offering from the best true crime writer out there.
August 23, 2021
Carol Ann Lee's research is extensive and the detail of her biography is almost overwhelming. Somehow I'd never heard of Graham Young before. Now I know so much about his life but no inkling at all of why he came to have such an obsession with poisons, such in-depth knowledge, but no empathy at all with the sufferings of the family, friends and colleagues he so viciously attacked with poisons.
This is an unusual choice of book for me as I've read only the classics of true crime; In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer. Those both resulted in the execution of the criminals but Graham Young was sent to Broadmoor for secure treatment. Not only did his first murder escape detection but this poisoner was still a minor and capital punishment had been abolished in the UK.
The inredible story continues as Young convinced the psychiatrists that he was a 'cured' (rather than 'reformed') person and achieved a lightly supervised release into the community. This was a recipe for disaster resulting in a horrific progress through more undetected poisonings until his eventual inevitable capture.
The author keeps up an almost unbearable tension with only the occasional diversion into more factual, less personal, areas. So we find out about the history of the use of poisons and of the treatment of the criminally insane, particularly at Broadmoor. There's no possibility of sugar-coating the crimes or the suffering Young's victims suffered; this is not a pleasant topic so it cannot help but be an unpleasant read.
This is an unusual choice of book for me as I've read only the classics of true crime; In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer. Those both resulted in the execution of the criminals but Graham Young was sent to Broadmoor for secure treatment. Not only did his first murder escape detection but this poisoner was still a minor and capital punishment had been abolished in the UK.
The inredible story continues as Young convinced the psychiatrists that he was a 'cured' (rather than 'reformed') person and achieved a lightly supervised release into the community. This was a recipe for disaster resulting in a horrific progress through more undetected poisonings until his eventual inevitable capture.
The author keeps up an almost unbearable tension with only the occasional diversion into more factual, less personal, areas. So we find out about the history of the use of poisons and of the treatment of the criminally insane, particularly at Broadmoor. There's no possibility of sugar-coating the crimes or the suffering Young's victims suffered; this is not a pleasant topic so it cannot help but be an unpleasant read.
July 18, 2021
Carol Ann Lee takes her readers on a deep dive into the life and crimes of Graham Young. Her writing style dances between factual and descriptive, but always maintains a strong commitment to the truth. All of her sources are meticulously documented, and it is clear, reading this book, that she has done her research.
Unlike some true crime writers, Lee maintains her distance as a narrator, which means that it is always clear that what she is describing is as close to the truth as it is possible to get, with no embellishments or flights of fancy. Personally, I think that a true crime writer should be impartial, and I am a big fan of the way Lee handles the task of reporting on such a prolific criminal. It would have been easy for her own sentiments and prejudices to come out in this book, but she holds herself back and hence allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about the case and Young.
Another aspect of the book which I appreciated was the amount of background and additional research which she included - Lee places Young in the context of the country at the time in a way which greatly enhances her retelling of his crimes. This is the first of Lee's books which I have read, but I will certainly be adding her to the list of authors whose works I greatly enjoy.
Unlike some true crime writers, Lee maintains her distance as a narrator, which means that it is always clear that what she is describing is as close to the truth as it is possible to get, with no embellishments or flights of fancy. Personally, I think that a true crime writer should be impartial, and I am a big fan of the way Lee handles the task of reporting on such a prolific criminal. It would have been easy for her own sentiments and prejudices to come out in this book, but she holds herself back and hence allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about the case and Young.
Another aspect of the book which I appreciated was the amount of background and additional research which she included - Lee places Young in the context of the country at the time in a way which greatly enhances her retelling of his crimes. This is the first of Lee's books which I have read, but I will certainly be adding her to the list of authors whose works I greatly enjoy.
April 25, 2022
This is an extremely well written and well researched book. The author manages to portray the disturbing character of Graham Young in an interesting way. Reading about the multitude of scenarios which unfolded throughout this troubled young mans life was captivating in a disturbing way. At times my heart was racing as I read about the way the poisons were introduced to the victims and the subsequent study of their symptoms and reactions. As a reader I questioned why the family were not immediatley on alert as Graham discussed what was happening at his workplace with them but the epilogue goes someway to explaining this and how his family felt about him.
The entire book was absolutely chilling and terrifying. If you like real life stories then this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommended. I am keen to read more books from this author.
The entire book was absolutely chilling and terrifying. If you like real life stories then this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommended. I am keen to read more books from this author.
April 11, 2024
У Грэма не было «злости по отношению к убитым им людям. У него просто отсутствовала мораль. Причина, по которой он отравил близких ему людей, заключалась в простом любопытстве — ему нужно было понаблюдать за симптомами. По сути, он был сумасшедшим ученым».
Как-то мимо меня прошла история Грэма Янга и это удивительно, ведь я очень трепетно отношусь к ядам. Это очень любопытная тема и она продолжает волновать меня уже несколько лет. Чисто в исследовательском смысле, никаких своеобразных отклонений. А тут случайно наткнулась на аудиокнигу и не смогла отложить её «на потом» и не зря. Меня не смутили те нелестные отзывы, на которые наткнулась и заверения, что книга невероятно скучная. И это в очередной раз доказало, что нет ничего лучшего, чем чьё-то отрицательное мнение — всегда просыпается желание узнать, а что же там такое.
Герой сей истории увлекался токсикологией и когда ему перестало хватать научных фактов, он перешёл к детальному изучению, использовав свою семью и друга, как подопытных. Немного яда в напиток, полное отсутствие эмоций к чужим страданиям и вот он уже молодой четырнадцатилетний убийца, отправленный в психиатрическую лечебницу. Он не был злым или жестоким, его влёк живой интерес к тому, как именно действует тот или иной яд на человеческий организм и сочувствие ему было чуждо. Так он давал советы людям, которых травил и с восторгом интересовался, что именно они ощущают. Откровенное безумие, но при этом особых негативных эмоций я не испытала ни при его юных экспериментах, ни после, когда он стал взрослым и при этом ни капли не изменился.
Авторка детально разбирает его жизнь: чем жил, с кем, как вёл себя до и во время заключения в лечебнице, как протекала его взрослая жизнь и чем она по итогу закончилась. Она не пытается выставить его ненормальным или наоборот обелить, оставаясь простой рассказчицей и это так необычно для тру-крайма. Казалось бы, так должны писаться все книги подобного жанра, но на самом деле это большая редкость. Также она затрагивает время, в котором протекала его жизнь, ведь это непосредственно связано с реакцией людей на него и судебной системой. И позволю себе не согласиться с теми, кто посчитал эту тему скучной — это невероятно интересно.
Можно долго рассуждать, каким был Грэм Янг и что им двигало, но по-настоящему хочется затронуть только одну тему, которой посвящён эпилог. Судебная система и психиатрические лечебницы. Прошло достаточно времени, чтобы воскликнуть: «а вот сейчас с этим всё куда лучше и правильнее», вот только это не будет правдой. Герой не мог контролировать свой интерес и в открытую говорил об этом. Он не чувствовал за собой вины и попав в лечебницу, довольно быстро понял, что куда проще подстроиться под правила и притвориться нормальным. И его выпустили, ведь: «он не представляет ни для себя, ни для других опасности». Директор лечебницы не посчитал нужным рассказать, что сделал Грэм не только всему миру, но и людям, которые должны были проверять его временами. По сути, добровольно развязал руки герою и пустил того в свободное плаванье и это привело к трагичным событиям. И вот оно самое ужасное преступление, за которое никто не ответил.
Также в книге поднимается семейная реакция на преступления героя. Есть отец, который полностью отказывается от сына и есть сестра, приходящая в тюрьму и задающая вопрос: «зачем ты вновь это совершил». Невероятно сильная женщина и мне захотелось ознакомиться с её мемуарами. Она не оправдывала брата, но в отличие от отца, не перестала быть его семьёй. Жаль, что авторка не представила цитаты из её мемуаров и ограничилась только его письмом.
Что до аудиокниги, то я поначалу хотела её бросить из-за чтеца. С ним всё нормально, скорее сыграла моя своеобразная реакция на голоса. Не понравился голос, такие дела, но ближе к середине, я привыкла, либо просто настолько увлеклась написанным, что голос потерял всякое значение.
August 23, 2021
I'm always intrigued by a poisoner - not that I probably should admit to this! Indeed, crime fiction - especially Agatha Christie, queen of poisons - has always been my go-to genre, although I don't usually read much true crime.
With that in mind, I was very excited to win an advance copy of 'A Passion for Poison' from Readers First and relished the opportunity to read about a real life poisoner.
I wasn't aware of Graham Young, the 'teacup poisoner', before this book - the span of his crimes from 1962 to the early 1970s is (slightly) before my time! However, I was soon caught up in the account of this strange character and his shocking actions that saw him poison family, friends and work colleagues alike.
One of the really striking things about Young is the fact that his obsession with poison started very early on in his life and that he was a self-taught chemistry genius. He comes across as someone who is extremely focused and driven - although this manifests itself in the most sinister way. His lack of emotion is also chilling - especially when he starts to regard his friends and family as merely 'guinea pigs' for his experiments.
Carol Ann Lee's account of Young's life is engaging and thorough - there is evidence of extremely detailed research and his background is interesting. Indeed, the sections focusing on Young's life and actions were the bits that I found most immersive as we follow him from a poison-obsessed schoolboy to a Broadmoor inmate to a deadly colleague of many in a photographic company.
There were some really shocking elements of the story, especially the way that Young managed to get away with his crimes for so long. The focus on the failings in different areas of the system - psychiatric reports, the control of poisons, lack of scientific knowledge of thallium - was interesting, but perhaps could have been condensed a little more.
Overall, this is an engaging and compelling story - there were sections of it that I raced through with a rising sense of dread as Young tested poisons and dosages on the people around him. It gave me an insight into the working of a serial killer who managed to operate undetected for so long - and a disturbing view of his motivations. As well as being a snapshot of a past time, this clearly is a case that still has ongoing implications - giving the book continuing relevance to modern readers.
With that in mind, I was very excited to win an advance copy of 'A Passion for Poison' from Readers First and relished the opportunity to read about a real life poisoner.
I wasn't aware of Graham Young, the 'teacup poisoner', before this book - the span of his crimes from 1962 to the early 1970s is (slightly) before my time! However, I was soon caught up in the account of this strange character and his shocking actions that saw him poison family, friends and work colleagues alike.
One of the really striking things about Young is the fact that his obsession with poison started very early on in his life and that he was a self-taught chemistry genius. He comes across as someone who is extremely focused and driven - although this manifests itself in the most sinister way. His lack of emotion is also chilling - especially when he starts to regard his friends and family as merely 'guinea pigs' for his experiments.
Carol Ann Lee's account of Young's life is engaging and thorough - there is evidence of extremely detailed research and his background is interesting. Indeed, the sections focusing on Young's life and actions were the bits that I found most immersive as we follow him from a poison-obsessed schoolboy to a Broadmoor inmate to a deadly colleague of many in a photographic company.
There were some really shocking elements of the story, especially the way that Young managed to get away with his crimes for so long. The focus on the failings in different areas of the system - psychiatric reports, the control of poisons, lack of scientific knowledge of thallium - was interesting, but perhaps could have been condensed a little more.
Overall, this is an engaging and compelling story - there were sections of it that I raced through with a rising sense of dread as Young tested poisons and dosages on the people around him. It gave me an insight into the working of a serial killer who managed to operate undetected for so long - and a disturbing view of his motivations. As well as being a snapshot of a past time, this clearly is a case that still has ongoing implications - giving the book continuing relevance to modern readers.
July 26, 2021
A Passion For Poison - Carol Ann Lee
This book is just brilliant. Having read an extract on Readers First, I was immediately hooked and I had to use my points to devour the rest!
The cover is eye catching and makes you want to find out more, it looks like a golden age murder mystery and of sorts it is.
It begins with a short history of poisoning, a whistle stop tour from Egypt to Rome to the Nazi’s to the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie and here was so much interesting information packed in that I just knew I wanted to read on. It paves the way for the introduction to Graham Young, the calm, chillingly frightening schoolboy poisoner and who at trial is committed to Broodmoor. He is obsessed with poisons and has been trialling them on his family and friends ostensibly to see what happens but it seems he may have committed the perfect murder and I needed to read on to know what, who, how and when.
Known as the ‘Teacup Poisoner’, after release from Broadmoor, he very quickly returned to his old ways. It is unsettling and frightening how he was able to obtain poison and pull the wool over the authorities eyes. There seems to have been a catalogue of disastrous errors that led to innocent people losing their lives. To us now it is horrifying that this could happen and in part his case is the reason why laws were changed.
Interestingly there was thought to be a link to The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie where thallium is used as the poison of choice. It is thought that it inspired Young although this was never admitted or proved but quotes from this novel head each section in a rather chilling fashion.
Riveting and utterly mesmerising, I almost couldn’t believe this was real life and not one of the Queen of Crimes novels. This is a brilliantly researched and executed look at one our country’s most notorious poisoners, loved it!
✩✩✩✩✩
This book is just brilliant. Having read an extract on Readers First, I was immediately hooked and I had to use my points to devour the rest!
The cover is eye catching and makes you want to find out more, it looks like a golden age murder mystery and of sorts it is.
It begins with a short history of poisoning, a whistle stop tour from Egypt to Rome to the Nazi’s to the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie and here was so much interesting information packed in that I just knew I wanted to read on. It paves the way for the introduction to Graham Young, the calm, chillingly frightening schoolboy poisoner and who at trial is committed to Broodmoor. He is obsessed with poisons and has been trialling them on his family and friends ostensibly to see what happens but it seems he may have committed the perfect murder and I needed to read on to know what, who, how and when.
Known as the ‘Teacup Poisoner’, after release from Broadmoor, he very quickly returned to his old ways. It is unsettling and frightening how he was able to obtain poison and pull the wool over the authorities eyes. There seems to have been a catalogue of disastrous errors that led to innocent people losing their lives. To us now it is horrifying that this could happen and in part his case is the reason why laws were changed.
Interestingly there was thought to be a link to The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie where thallium is used as the poison of choice. It is thought that it inspired Young although this was never admitted or proved but quotes from this novel head each section in a rather chilling fashion.
Riveting and utterly mesmerising, I almost couldn’t believe this was real life and not one of the Queen of Crimes novels. This is a brilliantly researched and executed look at one our country’s most notorious poisoners, loved it!
✩✩✩✩✩
March 25, 2023
Carol Ann Lee is simply the best true-crime author currently writing and this is a truly fascinating account of the life, and crimes, of Graham Young. Poison, Lee muses, is 'the ink that flows through many a crime writers pen,' before giving a potted history of what was referred to as 'inheritance powder' among European royalty. From Nero to the Borgias, through the use of mustard gas in WWI and Zyklon B in the holocaust, she sets the scene of the misuse of chemicals before leading us to Young's first trial at Court No. 1 at The Old Bailey.
This most famous London Courtroom had seen the trials of Crippin, Christie, Ruth Ellis and Edith Thompson and now was the setting for the trial of a schoolboy. It was 1962 and England was uncomfortable with capital punishment when Graham Frederick Young, aged only fourteen, was charged with administering poison to his father, sister, stepmother and schoolfriends. This saw him sent to Broadmoor where, due to his young age, and considered ready to rejoin society, he was released after fifteen years.
Sadly though, there were few safeguards - if any - put in place. Despite his family's concerns - his aunt, who obviously did care about him, would never eat or drink anything he had prepared for example and his sister was unwilling to have him living with her long-term, Young was believed to be rehabilitated. Within a year of his release, he would find himself back at the familiar environs of The Old Bailey, facing eight more charges of poisoning. The author does not sensationalise the story, but really that is hardly necessary, as she takes the reader through events at Young's new workplace and the constant sickness which began to occur to Young's unsuspecting colleagues. A very well written and detailed account, trying to explain how Young was able to reoffend.
This most famous London Courtroom had seen the trials of Crippin, Christie, Ruth Ellis and Edith Thompson and now was the setting for the trial of a schoolboy. It was 1962 and England was uncomfortable with capital punishment when Graham Frederick Young, aged only fourteen, was charged with administering poison to his father, sister, stepmother and schoolfriends. This saw him sent to Broadmoor where, due to his young age, and considered ready to rejoin society, he was released after fifteen years.
Sadly though, there were few safeguards - if any - put in place. Despite his family's concerns - his aunt, who obviously did care about him, would never eat or drink anything he had prepared for example and his sister was unwilling to have him living with her long-term, Young was believed to be rehabilitated. Within a year of his release, he would find himself back at the familiar environs of The Old Bailey, facing eight more charges of poisoning. The author does not sensationalise the story, but really that is hardly necessary, as she takes the reader through events at Young's new workplace and the constant sickness which began to occur to Young's unsuspecting colleagues. A very well written and detailed account, trying to explain how Young was able to reoffend.
July 21, 2021
The subject of this book is Graham Young - an obsessive and incredibly disturbed child who wrecked havoc in the lives of those who were unfortunate enough to be in regular contact with him, be it at school, at work or even in his own family.
This was my first time learning about Young and the crimes he committed in post-war Britain. He is a truly terrifying figure and it is astonishing to read about how quickly his morbid obsessions took hold in his young life.
The level of research the author has undertaken is impressive and the book is full of interesting details and incidents which truly give a sense of the world Young inhabited during the different stages of his life. The attitudes of the British mental health and prison services at the time make particularly fascinating reading.
The narrative of the book pulls you in immediately, and has you feverishly chasing from chapter to chapter as more is revealed about the terror that occurred and more questions are asked about who Graham Young was and why he did what he did.
Carol Ann Lee is a fantastic writer who skilfully weaves together all the strands and people in Graham’s life in a strong and coherent account.
My only gripe would be with a few too many repeated quotes in accounts of the police interviews and subsequent trial, which did tend to pull me out a little.
I think this is a great example of the True Crime genre and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author. The subject of this tale is twisted, terrifying and quite frankly astonishing.
This was my first time learning about Young and the crimes he committed in post-war Britain. He is a truly terrifying figure and it is astonishing to read about how quickly his morbid obsessions took hold in his young life.
The level of research the author has undertaken is impressive and the book is full of interesting details and incidents which truly give a sense of the world Young inhabited during the different stages of his life. The attitudes of the British mental health and prison services at the time make particularly fascinating reading.
The narrative of the book pulls you in immediately, and has you feverishly chasing from chapter to chapter as more is revealed about the terror that occurred and more questions are asked about who Graham Young was and why he did what he did.
Carol Ann Lee is a fantastic writer who skilfully weaves together all the strands and people in Graham’s life in a strong and coherent account.
My only gripe would be with a few too many repeated quotes in accounts of the police interviews and subsequent trial, which did tend to pull me out a little.
I think this is a great example of the True Crime genre and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author. The subject of this tale is twisted, terrifying and quite frankly astonishing.
July 21, 2021
This was a fascinating case, I had never heard of Graham Young, boy poisoner before.
The story is quite inexplicable, often with serial killers there has been some kind of trauma or very bad abuse but there just seemed to be the usual family issues in his background.
Nothing horrendous, yet he killed his stepmother and went on to kill frequently in the future into adulthood.
Incarcerated in Broadmoor he literally foxed the psychiatrists and medical people and they thought he had genuinely been rehabilitated yet though finding lodgings and a job when released his campaign of poisonings extended to the workplace.
His goal was to be a famous master poisoner like some of his serial killer heroes and have a wax effigy erected in Madame Tussaud's!
His reign of terror finally ended when he got found out at his workplace, culminating in a huge media frenzy and trial.
Ultimately he seemed to me a very sad, mixed up person, someone who couldn't relate to people so resorted to this kind of destructive, sick and insidious way of contact.
At times, cold, remorseful, boastful and proud of his poisoning accomplishments he just seemed to be a very complex person and someone who was obviously failed by both medical and the prison authorities.
A really interesting and well researched in depth read.
The story is quite inexplicable, often with serial killers there has been some kind of trauma or very bad abuse but there just seemed to be the usual family issues in his background.
Nothing horrendous, yet he killed his stepmother and went on to kill frequently in the future into adulthood.
Incarcerated in Broadmoor he literally foxed the psychiatrists and medical people and they thought he had genuinely been rehabilitated yet though finding lodgings and a job when released his campaign of poisonings extended to the workplace.
His goal was to be a famous master poisoner like some of his serial killer heroes and have a wax effigy erected in Madame Tussaud's!
His reign of terror finally ended when he got found out at his workplace, culminating in a huge media frenzy and trial.
Ultimately he seemed to me a very sad, mixed up person, someone who couldn't relate to people so resorted to this kind of destructive, sick and insidious way of contact.
At times, cold, remorseful, boastful and proud of his poisoning accomplishments he just seemed to be a very complex person and someone who was obviously failed by both medical and the prison authorities.
A really interesting and well researched in depth read.
August 14, 2021
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.
July 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this book it both amazed and disgusted me. Graham young was failed by a system that he was able to trick given his level of intelligence and fool the system. I do genuinly believe that he knew what he was doing was wrong despite what he said and like any habit it’s hard to break despite the fact he knew it was wrong he was appallingly fascinated by the process and was clearly knowledgeable and could have used his intelligence to help the world rather than use it for evil. Graham’s family were the ones that I felt the most sympathy as they were not only directly affected by his crimes but indirectly as well he bought very public shame which was not in keeping with how he was brought up and it seemed that he had a fairly standard childhood despite his mother dying early on. It was interesting that he didn’t always pick people that upset him to poison and his conflicting appearances and feigned concerns being directly at odds with what he was doing. It’s sad that he wanted to be infamous and used his trial as a stage for his life. Great read informative without opinion factual and would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
This book was certainly one of the most interesting books I have read to this day. A Passion for Poison tells the story of Graham Young, a school boy serial killer who likes to kill using poison. The story itself is quite intriguing as in usual circumstances regarding serial killers, there is mostly a history of trauma or the person being exposed to very bad abuse in the past which is essentially what triggers their killing instinct. However, with the story of Graham Young it appears that the only problem is issues within the family, which I think is quite unusual and did make me question how much the external environment can provoke these killings. As with most serial killers, Young wanted to go down in history as the best poisoner. (so much so, he even wanted his own figure at Madame Tussaud's wax museum). Young first started out poisoning and consequently killing his family and friends and then began to venture further into his role as a serial killer and began poisoning colleagues at his workplace. Overall, this was a great read and as a fan of true crime stories, that was defintiely one of the best I've come across.
July 28, 2021
A pretty good read, I’m not super into true crime but this book and story intrigued me as it seemed like the type of story that would be widely known of and yet this book is the first time I came across Graham Young.
The first part of the book gives an interesting look at the history of poison and then introduces us to Graham Young as a school boy of just 14 but who is already a sinister and quite scary person which in turns gets him sent to Broadmoor.
You get really hooked into the story and it’s clear to see that it was really well researched and the authors writing style is both informative and descriptive which I think really helps grab you and keep you interested.
Graham’s story continues after his release and he goes back to his old ways being deemed the ‘teacup poisoner’. It’s maddening how he seemed to evade the authorities and the mistakes made by them make you want to yell at the page, especially when it in part leads to the deaths of his victims.
Overall, this was a nice delve into true crime for me and if you’re a fan of the genre then this book should be right up your alley.
The first part of the book gives an interesting look at the history of poison and then introduces us to Graham Young as a school boy of just 14 but who is already a sinister and quite scary person which in turns gets him sent to Broadmoor.
You get really hooked into the story and it’s clear to see that it was really well researched and the authors writing style is both informative and descriptive which I think really helps grab you and keep you interested.
Graham’s story continues after his release and he goes back to his old ways being deemed the ‘teacup poisoner’. It’s maddening how he seemed to evade the authorities and the mistakes made by them make you want to yell at the page, especially when it in part leads to the deaths of his victims.
Overall, this was a nice delve into true crime for me and if you’re a fan of the genre then this book should be right up your alley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2021
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Before reading this book I had never heard of Graham Young the teacup killer. I am not usually a fan of this genre but once I started this book I couldn’t put it down.
The book is well researched giving details of Graham’s early life, his Mum died when he was a baby, his early years spent with his beloved Aunt and Uncle. When Graham’s Dad remarried things seemed to go well in their new family. However Graham developed an early interest in poisons, later developing an encyclopaedic knowledge of pharmacology. Graham started small, adding poison to family meals purely to monitor the effects. This in time led to Graham’s Stepmum dying from poisoning although this wasn’t found to be the cause of death.
From the first trial and incarceration in Broadmoor things developed including Graham fooling the parole board to release him with dire consequences. This book gave a detailed history with some background of other known poisoners. Once I Started it I couldn’t put it down, I was amazed that Graham managed to fool so many people in authority. I would absolutely recommend this book.
Before reading this book I had never heard of Graham Young the teacup killer. I am not usually a fan of this genre but once I started this book I couldn’t put it down.
The book is well researched giving details of Graham’s early life, his Mum died when he was a baby, his early years spent with his beloved Aunt and Uncle. When Graham’s Dad remarried things seemed to go well in their new family. However Graham developed an early interest in poisons, later developing an encyclopaedic knowledge of pharmacology. Graham started small, adding poison to family meals purely to monitor the effects. This in time led to Graham’s Stepmum dying from poisoning although this wasn’t found to be the cause of death.
From the first trial and incarceration in Broadmoor things developed including Graham fooling the parole board to release him with dire consequences. This book gave a detailed history with some background of other known poisoners. Once I Started it I couldn’t put it down, I was amazed that Graham managed to fool so many people in authority. I would absolutely recommend this book.
October 21, 2021
An engrossing read A Passion for Poison is an apt title for this true life crime book
It portrays the events of a serial killer who began his fascination with poisons and their effects on people at an early age. Graham Young was not like other children he didn’t read the same books as his contemporaries but books about Victorian poisoners and progressed onto books of advanced toxicology. Although he lost his mother at an early age and spent time with his aunt and uncle until his father remarried his did not seem to be a life of drama or tragedy for him or his sister.
This is a throughly researched and very well written account of the devastating acts by him not only as a boy but later as a man who caused his innocent victims the most excruciating pain often leading to death.
Carol Ann Lee has made an excellent job of providing at the beginning a compact history on poisons and their uses through the ages and throughout the book the way she has written with references from the times creates a comprehensive picture of an insight into the mind of a complex and dangerous serial killer.
Definitely one to read.
It portrays the events of a serial killer who began his fascination with poisons and their effects on people at an early age. Graham Young was not like other children he didn’t read the same books as his contemporaries but books about Victorian poisoners and progressed onto books of advanced toxicology. Although he lost his mother at an early age and spent time with his aunt and uncle until his father remarried his did not seem to be a life of drama or tragedy for him or his sister.
This is a throughly researched and very well written account of the devastating acts by him not only as a boy but later as a man who caused his innocent victims the most excruciating pain often leading to death.
Carol Ann Lee has made an excellent job of providing at the beginning a compact history on poisons and their uses through the ages and throughout the book the way she has written with references from the times creates a comprehensive picture of an insight into the mind of a complex and dangerous serial killer.
Definitely one to read.
July 27, 2021
A Passion For Poison is a forensic account of the life and crimes of 'Teacup Poisoner' Graham Young who, at the age of 14 in 1962, became the youngest patient to be detained at Broadmoor following a trial where he was charged with poisoning a school friend and family members. Upon his release from the psychiatric unit, Young found employment at the photographic supplies firm Hadlands but, as his colleagues would discover, his obsession with deadly potions remained...
Although this book is heavy going in places, and not necessarily for those of a nervous disposition as Young's diary entries and various witness reports are reproduced either partially or in full, this tome takes a dramatic turn worthy of any page-turner when the exchanges between Young and his arresting officers is shown and overall we get a comprehensive insight into the disturbed mind of the criminal, how he came to re-offend, the impact it had on Young's relatives and the surviving victims, as well as the wider socio-economic and political fallout from these crimes.
Although this book is heavy going in places, and not necessarily for those of a nervous disposition as Young's diary entries and various witness reports are reproduced either partially or in full, this tome takes a dramatic turn worthy of any page-turner when the exchanges between Young and his arresting officers is shown and overall we get a comprehensive insight into the disturbed mind of the criminal, how he came to re-offend, the impact it had on Young's relatives and the surviving victims, as well as the wider socio-economic and political fallout from these crimes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2021
I love a book about crimes and the people who commit them but normally prefer a non fiction variety but this was a fabulous book. It was so well written and the bibliography proves how much research went into writing the story of the tea cup poisoner.
I had never heard of Graham Young prior to this book and after reading I feel I know him so well, a testiment to the thoroughly researched and methodical way of writing about his life.
The story started off slow and I did wonder if i would find the book enjoyable but a few chapters in and I was hooked. There was a few areas where the book lost me a little, too many names of people and especially the medical terminology for the poisons involved but this didn't distract from the book at all.
This provided a great look into the life of a criminal and the effect on those around him. It was a thoroughly great read and whilst it would have been nice to have a more detailed look into his life after his second arrest the book covered everything you need in a good read, background, characters, motive and justice.
I had never heard of Graham Young prior to this book and after reading I feel I know him so well, a testiment to the thoroughly researched and methodical way of writing about his life.
The story started off slow and I did wonder if i would find the book enjoyable but a few chapters in and I was hooked. There was a few areas where the book lost me a little, too many names of people and especially the medical terminology for the poisons involved but this didn't distract from the book at all.
This provided a great look into the life of a criminal and the effect on those around him. It was a thoroughly great read and whilst it would have been nice to have a more detailed look into his life after his second arrest the book covered everything you need in a good read, background, characters, motive and justice.
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