Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons

Howdunit Series

by Serita Stevens, Anne Klarner

Never before has such specialized information been so thoroughly compiled and easily accessible to writers Each book is written by a professional in their respective field, providing the inside details that writers need to weave a credible -- and salable -- story.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Research, Science, Mystery, Crime

298 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1990

About the author

Sometimes also published as Megan MacDonnell, Shira Stevens, Serita Mendelson Stevens, or Serita Deborah Stevens.

Reviews

[Zengfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME...

I've taken out LOTS of people on my hit list using this book. This is one of the few books that I can say is accurate about killing people with poisons...

[Simon Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've carted this reference book to each of the dozen or so places I've lived since college, and I've only used it a few times, but it's one of those books that is so well done that I can't let it go. You can look up poisons by reaction time, symptoms, foods that disguise them, and many other characteristics that make it simple to augment the scheming in your next mystery novel or revenge killing. Worth tracking down, even for people who don't write. Buy two copies and send one to your local penitentiary.

[Mariella Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those informational books that's just so fun to read. I found a signed copy years ago in a thrift store and have read (in its entirety) and consulted it for writing projects so very many times. Even have characters named from this book. It's a good time. <3

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful informative book!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If anyone I know dies mysteriously of unexplained circumstances, I did it. This book is awesome! And creepy. And making it difficult for me to eat out at restaurants where anyone could have have access to my food. Then again, something could also be slipped into my shampoo...

Time to wrap myself in foil and start living in the woods of North Dakota.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023 Edit: Remember when I said I wouldn't read it straight through? I think I forgot my resolution because I needed this book for my reading challenge. So I read it again. It's still tedious to read straight through. But it's good for learning how to murder a fictional character. And also how to know the effects and dangers of real-life poisoning.

Original 2022 Review:
Let me preface my review by saying, I was bored.
It's a good reference for writers needing to murder their darlings. I wouldn't read it straight through again, and I don't recommend anyone do that simply because it can be tedious. (Once again, I was bored.) But still, a good book for mystery/thriller/crime writers to have on their shelves.

[T.G. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference guide for anyone writing mysteries. It's particularly easy-to-use because it lists poisons by their toxicity, how they are ingested, how long they take effect, and even where to find them etc. Whenever I decide to use a poison in one of my plots this is the book I always reach for on my bookshelf. It's also quite the conversation starter when I have guests around!

[Emily Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I have ever wanted to know about poisons and how they work. I couldn't put this book down.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive book about all kinds of various different poisons from normal household chemicals to plants and industrial. I've read through this books tons of times and often reference it for story ideas and directions to take stories. I also often will refer to the last few pages that break down all the information into easy to reference sections of reaction times, symptoms/effects of poisons, type of poisons and so on.

Very good for coming up with inventive and new ways to drive your stories. It also makes it entirely possible to create your own poison for your protagonist. I actually used it for several of my stories. One of the best writing references I've found. This books has also increased my interest in plants that can heal or poison, plants that are edible and the like. I also like the fact that there is even a section at the ends of some that give interesting little facts and tidbits about some of the poisons, their historical uses and the like...also references quite a few books and authors who have used certain poisons for their own stories. I'd recommend this to any writer who wants to add a twist to your stories or even anyone who just wants to learn a bit more. Very interesting and engaging.

[P.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When writing a story that involves poisoning in the plot, what every writer must remember is plausibility is important. How do you achieve that if you are not a pharmacist or some other medico, you must research. Short of interviewing a chemist, botanist, or even an emergency room doctor, you look it up either in a book or online. Doing it online always gives me the shivers as friends warned to clear my browser history. The same with checking out books from the library. All that has all be solved by the authors of this book.

It was written by authors, for authors and presented the way authors think. Yes, there is a listing of poisons, how to administer, what to expect as far as affects, and if there is a remedy/cure. So many to chose from! But these two women packaged is sub-listings from deathly to bothersome; from length of torture to death; they even ranked in a class (using a standardized medical system) how deadly a poison can be.

If you are a writer of mysteries, crime, fantasy, westerns, or frankly any genre that requires exposure or administration of a poison, this definitely a book to keep in your reference library to use and recommend often.

[Robert Bagnall · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do I know? I mean, genuinely, how do I know? What do I have to assess against? There’s a wealth of information in here, often presented in a slightly dry fashion (but it’s a work of reference, so what do you expect?) but I have no idea if there are any howlers or even jokes dropped in at the expense of us non-biochemists. What I do know, however, is that if I’m ever in Australia I’m not, repeat, NOT going in the water.

[Bill Mathis · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful!!! a little dated, but worth having if you're a writer.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A treasure trove of info for anyone writing a mystery/crime novel.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

Yes, yes I did read this reference book from cover to cover. Why do you ask?

Here's hoping it's not too out of date. Pretty sure the older information isn't at least.

[Jeanie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for a mystery writer. This book is filled with tons of good information!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book. Good resource for writers.

[C.R. Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect book if you need to know anything about poison! definitely going to be picking up a copy of my own

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about how to use poisons of different kinds in my writing. The chapter on how to make your own poison will be, I think, especially helpful.

I was a little disappointed that the chapter on snake, spiders and other living things only had a small paragraph on the effects of poisonous amphibians, since I really wanted to know more about poison dart frogs.

All in all, I found it easy and entertaining to read, without lacking the information I'd need to use these poisons in a story.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in a very useful library of books for writers published by the Writers Digest - this one would be most useful for someone writing a murder mystery, but the information could be worked into other kinds of plots as well. Another one to be sure to have on your shelf if you aspire to write fiction.

[Michael Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reference book for writers of mysteries and thrillers, it helps you determine the right method of death for your victim if poisoning is how they died. It also gives the symptoms of such poisoning so, if you show the victim dying, or want to have the detective puzzle it out from the visible effects of how they died.

[Sho Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this book was pretty amazing. For a writer it seems to be a very good reference. The information goes from names to symptoms to cases in the past. The most interesting part was that the author included where you could get it. I think the author assumed that no people who would use it for murder would read the book.

[Femmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An invaluable reference for writers, if you write stories with poisons in it. From this book, you can pick and choose what symptoms you want to appear in your story (long-acting poison, instant death, what have you), and find what poison would suit your needs.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book on anything and everything that could kill you, dosages, and case studies of individuals who have died from any and all forms of anything you can and can't imagine. Great read and morbidly informative.

[Philana Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't prepared for all the information I found in this book, especially in the Poisonous Plant section- ornamental plants in my yard that can cause serious illness or death! This has helped enormously with my writing and is an indispensable reference guide.

[Clickety · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, informative, fascinating. Gives not only information about the poisons and how they interact with the human body, but also historical and literal cases.

[Doree Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite How to Murder Someone book so far. Um...wait, am I the only one who has a favorite in this category?

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A marvelous reference for the writer who feels the need to poison one of their characters. Don't try this at home, kids.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A writer can never have too many reference books! This is a good one.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A resource guides for writers that features various poisons and their effects. It enables the writer to have actual medical facts available.

[Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little out-dated now, but good information for mystery writers.