25 reviews for:

A Passion for Poison: Serial killer. Poisoner. Schoolboy

Carol Ann Lee

4.08 AVERAGE

charlottedando's review against another edition

4.5

dark informative medium-paced

saucydoorhandles's review against another edition

4.0

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I have heard about this case mutiple times when I've been reading my non fiction. It seemed interesting to me, so when I found a book that just focused on this solely, I had to read it, especially as I had so many questions. And I'm still left with a lot of them. I mean, he really just seemed like he couldn't help himself? It almost seemed like a compulsion? A compulsion that made him stupid. Despite thinking he was a genius, he really wasn't close. The best poisoners are the ones we don't know exist after all. I don't get how he thought he'd get away with any of it. It was a lot of stupid decision, after stupid decision. I spent a lot of time in disbelief from his stupidness. Yet he thought he was so smart! How laughable!

This book is well written and obviously been deeply researched. It also talks about the history of poisons and a small number of poisoners in the past. You will learn a lot. I reccomend this book if the subject interests you.

emmarowlands's review against another edition

4.0

dark informative reflective fast-paced

theinkdrinker's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark informative medium-paced

bookwyrm082's review against another edition

4.0

dark informative relaxing medium-paced

rafaela_borges's review against another edition

4.25

dark informative medium-paced

finding_wonderland's review against another edition

2.5

dark informative tense slow-paced

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This book although good put me in a ready rut and made me loose motivation to read. 
Took me over a year to finish.

kait_lost_in_books's review against another edition

4.0

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This is the story of ‘The Boy Poisoner’. At just 14 Graham Young was sent to Broadmoor for poisoning several members of his family. 10 years later, whilst on conditional release and having convinced the powers that be he was rehabilitated, he began a long campaign of poisoning his coworkers.

Lee explores not only the circumstances which led to Young’s lust for poison but also they systemic failings and subsequent enquiry finding which shaped modern British criminal mental health care.

Fascinating but not a sensationalist piece this book does a really good job of explaining the intertwining and often competing nature of the justice and health services in keep us safe from the ‘Mad Bad Murderers’.

francat92's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark informative medium-paced

jinni's review against another edition

3.5

dark informative reflective sad medium-paced