The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie by Carla Valentine Narrator: Helen Langford
Published by Tantor Audio on May 31, 2022
Source: Purchased
Genres: Science, True Crime
Length: 10 hrs 25 mins
Pages: 432
Format: Audiobook
Purchase at Bookshop.org or Audible
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Discover the science of forensics through Agatha Christie's novels
Agatha Christie is the bestselling novelist of all time, and nearly every story she ever wrote involves one―or, more commonly, several―dead bodies. And the cause of death, the motives behind violent crimes, the clues that inevitably are left behind, and the people who put the pieces together to solve the mystery invite the reader to analyze the evidence and race to find the answer before the detective does. Nearly every step of the way, Christie outlines the nuts and bolts of early 20th-century crime detection, relying on physical evidence to tell the real story behind the facades humans erect to escape detection.
Christie wouldn't have talked of "forensics" as it is understood today―most of her work predates the modern developments of forensics science―but in each tale she harnesses the power of human observation, ingenuity, and scientific developments of the era. A fascinating, science-based deep dive, The Science of Murder examines the use of fingerprints, firearms, handwriting, blood spatter analysis, toxicology, and more in Christie's beloved works.
I am a huge Agatha Christie and read a ton of mysteries, so I couldn’t pass up The Science of Murder. The author, Carla Valentine, is a forensic pathology technician and the curator of Barts Pathology Museum in London. She also clearly loves Agatha Christie’s work. The book is a fascinating look at the forensics behind Christie’s mysteries and examples from real crimes of the past.
The Science of Murder moves through eight chapters that focus on various areas of forensic study like fingerprints, trace evidence, ballistics, handwriting, impressions, blood splatter, and toxicology. While discussing the technical side of gathering and studying these types of evidence, we also get details from Christie’s books and her real life. The author talks about some of Christie’s most famous plots, without giving too much away. We also learn about Christie’s wartime occupations, memberships in murder mystery writer clubs, and work on her second husband’s archeological digs. We also get details about modern forensics and how the science has evolved over time.
I listened to the audio which fit the chatty writing style well. Yes, we get a lot of details and in-depth descriptions, but it’s easy to follow and understand. I guess the print version has some illustrations and charts that I missed out on. I may have to pick up the paperback when it comes out.
About Carla Valentine
Carla Valentine is a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist (Mortuary Technician or ‘Mortician’) holding both the Certificate and Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology. She is also curator of Barts Pathology Museum and author of ‘Past Mortems’ and ‘Murder Isn’t Easy’. Professionally she’s passionate about the history of forensic science, Agatha Christie, and vintage murders.
Through the course of her eight-year career in the post-mortem room she carried out autopsies on Coronial, hospital, and forensic cases, including pediatric and adult. This work also involved CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) and other high-risk cases such as SARS, Swine Flu and CJD. In her spare time, she studied Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology which led her to excavate plague graves in Venice and WWI graves in Belgium, as well as medieval burials in Chester. She also assists in dissection of donated cadavers for medical students and was consultant for the Bodyworlds plastinate exhibit in London. She’s therefore dealt with the dead in all their forms.