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Obsessive Poisoner: The Strange Story of Graham Young
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January 21, 2026
This is an excellent true crime book. A history of the poisoner Graham Young, written by his sister. She comes across as a very well-balanced, intelligent, objective observer of his life and crimes.
It was written in 1973 just after Young was imprisoned for the 2nd time after murdering two of his workmates and poisoning at least 6 others. It therefore predates some of the shallower true crime tell-alls that appear frequently now that true crime is such a big business.
There are many interesting aspects of the case revealed.When in Broadmoor for the first poisonings he committed, he essentially pulled the wool over the eyes of the very liberal psychiatrist treating him. The psychiatrist eventually managed his release, whereupon he started poisoning people again pretty much immediately.
The one most incredible story (incredible as in so hard to believe) was from his time in Broadmoor. The psychiatrist mentioned above decided at one point that Young was trusted enough to have a little more freedom. He therefore appointed him the staff tea-boy! A convicted poisoner! Shortly after, Young took a bottle of harpic from the lavatory and laced the staff tea with it!
Luckily the tea drinkers realised very quickly something was wrong.
Young was questioned and quickly confessed. His punishment - he was taken off tea duty!
And, as mentioned, a couple of years later released as "cured".
You really couldn't make this stuff up.
Well worth a read if you can get a copy (they're a bit scarce and pricey).
It was written in 1973 just after Young was imprisoned for the 2nd time after murdering two of his workmates and poisoning at least 6 others. It therefore predates some of the shallower true crime tell-alls that appear frequently now that true crime is such a big business.
There are many interesting aspects of the case revealed.When in Broadmoor for the first poisonings he committed, he essentially pulled the wool over the eyes of the very liberal psychiatrist treating him. The psychiatrist eventually managed his release, whereupon he started poisoning people again pretty much immediately.
The one most incredible story (incredible as in so hard to believe) was from his time in Broadmoor. The psychiatrist mentioned above decided at one point that Young was trusted enough to have a little more freedom. He therefore appointed him the staff tea-boy! A convicted poisoner! Shortly after, Young took a bottle of harpic from the lavatory and laced the staff tea with it!
Luckily the tea drinkers realised very quickly something was wrong.
Young was questioned and quickly confessed. His punishment - he was taken off tea duty!
And, as mentioned, a couple of years later released as "cured".
You really couldn't make this stuff up.
Well worth a read if you can get a copy (they're a bit scarce and pricey).
Displaying 1 of 1 review