A Dose of Murder


Book Description

After years of chasing around sniffly munchkins with a tongue depressor, nurse Pauline Sokol has had it. She's sick of being an "angel of mercy"—she'd like to raise some hell for once! But finding a new career won't be easy for someone who's had no experience beyond thermometers and bedpans. Luckily, the smarmy head of an agency that investigates medical fraud thinks she'd be perfect for the job, since, for him, a potential employee's most important qualification is a killer pair of legs. So now Pauline's a p.i., but since she knows as much about detective work as a potted geranium might, the hunky and mysterious Jagger steps in to teach her the ropes. Her first assignment—going undercover at a local clinic to investigate fake insurance claims—promises to be a hoot ... until the healers around her start inexplicably dropping dead. And before she can say, "streptococci," Pauline's stuck in a true health care crisis with her own continued wellness in very serious jeopardy.




Deadly Dose


Book Description

The crime was unforgivable. The suspected murderer—unbelievable. One man’s pursuit of justice—unstoppable. The death of promising young pediatric AIDS researcher Eric Miller stunned the Raleigh, North Carolina, community, largely because of the horrific way he was killed. For months, Eric was slowly tortured as arsenic consumed his body. No one thought that Eric Miller’s wife, Ann—an attractive, demure, educated scientist—could be capable of such a horrible crime. No one except for veteran homicide investigator Chris Morgan, a man in the twilight of his career. But from the moment Morgan saw the thirty-year-old widow in the interview room at the police department, he knew he was seeing pure evil. Now, journalist Amanda Lamb details Morgan’s dogged investigation—a quest for the truth that would last four years and see another life taken before Ann Miller’s tangled web of death and deceit finally came to light.




A Small Dose of Murder


Book Description

When two of Dr. Gates McClure's patients die in quick succession and she is blamed for their deaths, she must find out who is trying to ruin her reputation and run off her patients.




Murder by Poison


Book Description

Murder by poison is often thought of as a crime mainly committed by women, usually to despatch an unwanted spouse or children. While there are indeed many infamous female poisoners, such as Mary Ann Cotton, who is believed to have claimed at least twenty victims between 1860 and 1872, and Mary Wilson, who killed her husbands and lovers in the 1950s for the proceeds of their insurance policies, there are also many men who chose poison as their preferred means to a deadly end. Dr. Thomas Neil Cream poisoned five people between 1881 and 1892 and was connected with several earlier suspicious deaths, while Staffordshire doctor William Palmer murdered at least ten victims between 1842 and 1856. Readily obtainable and almost undetectable prior to advances in forensic science during the twentieth century, poison was considered the ideal method of murder and many of its exponents failed to stop at just one victim. Along with the most notorious cases of murder by poison in the country, this book also features many of the cases that did not make national headlines, examining not only the methods and motives but also the real stories of the perpetrators and their victims.




The Elements of Murder


Book Description

This book is about elements that kill. Mercury, arsenic, antimony, lead, and thallium can be lethal, as many a poisoner knew too well. Emsley explores the gruesome history of these elements and those who have succumbed to them in a fascinating narrative that weaves together stories of true crime, enduring historical mysteries, tragic accidents, and the science behind it all. The colourful cast includes ancient alchemists, kings, leaders, a pope, several great musicians, and amotley crew of murderers. Among the intriguing accounts is that of the 17th century poet Sir Thomas Overbury, who survived four attempts to poison him with mercury but died when given the poison in enema form - under whose direction remains uncertain. Here, too, is detailed the celebrated case of FlorenceMaybrick, convicted of poisoning her violent husband James with arsenic, but widely believed at the time to be innocent. The question of her guilt is still disputed.Threaded through the book alongside the history is the growing understanding of chemistry, and the effects of different chemical substances on the human body. Thousands suffered the ill effects of poisonous vapours from mercury, lead, and arsenic before the dangers were realized. Hatters went mad because of mercury poisoning, and hundreds of young girls working in factories manufacturing wallpaper in the 19th century were poisoned by the arsenic-based green pigments used for the leaves of thepopular floral designs. Even in the middle of the 20th century, accidental mercury poisoning caused many deaths in Minamata Bay, while leaded petrol poisoned the whole planet, and arsenic still continues to poison millions is Asia.Through vividly told stories of innocent blunders, industrial accidents, poisoners of various hues - cold, cunning, desperate - and deaths that remain a mystery, Emsley here uncovers the dark side of the Periodic Table.




WATER for MURDER


Book Description

Seeing ghosts is my secret shame - Until I need it to solve a murder and stop another. While working on a true crime story for my podcast, I am swept away into investigating a different murder. A young woman was abducted, murdered and put on display. My twin sister is the detective on the case and the Sheriff asks me to work with her. We can barely stand to be in the same room together, let alone work as a team. Our petty differences must be put aside when my daughter's friend disappears. She may be the next victim. What can I do to help save her before it's too late? Small town mystery readers like you say, "This book is a fast paced, paranormal riot. I loved every word." Enjoy this short excerpt: I circle around the car, not sure if I can touch it or not. The handles and other high touch areas of the car are covered with black fingerprint dust, so I imagine a cursory processing of the car is already done. Deputy Rose is at the end of the lane, still guarding the crime tape. He watches me warily, no doubt wishing he had not let me in. I wait until he loses interest in what I'm doing and turns back to the road and his job. Then I climb on the hood of her car. Laying on my back I stretch my arms wide, opening myself to the universe, opening myself to whatever I may learn that can be helpful to saving Tyra. I'd rather be inside the car, in her driver's seat, but this will have to do. "Lord, please show me something useful. Please let me help find this girl before it's too late." I lay still on the hood, hoping Rose doesn't see me. From this angle, I'm pretty sure I'm hidden from his view. When he doesn't immediately yell at me, I decide I'm safe and focus on what I came here to do. I've never tried to use my gifts on purpose, and so far my attempts tonight have been failures. But her abductor was here, she was here and scared, maybe it left some impression. I listen with more than my ears, but nothing comes to me. Praying again for help, I stretch my arms above my head, reaching towards the summer stars. I squint until my fingers fade and I see the stars behind them. Pushing all the energy I can muster out of my fingertips and into the sky, I listen. I don't hear her, but I see her. Not Tyra, but Jenny.




THE OBVIOUS CLUE - Ultimate Murder Mystery Collection


Book Description

THE OBVIOUS CLUE - Ultimate Murder Mystery Collection stands as a monumental anthology that spans the breadth and depth of the mystery genre. Featuring a blend of works by legendary authors such as Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie, to pioneering figures like Anna Katharine Green and Edgar Allan Poe, this collection heralds the diversity and richness of narrative styles and plot complexities that have come to define the genre. Amidst its pages, readers will encounter a wide range of literary styles, from the detective story's early formation to its crystallization into a genre of its own, highlighting standout pieces that have influenced countless adaptations and have continued to captivate audiences worldwide. The anthology not only celebrates the intricacies of the mystery narrative but also pays homage to the genre's evolution over time. The contributing authors, hailing from the 19th to early 20th centuries, represent a critical period in literature when the mystery genre was burgeoning and finding its footing amidst other literary movements. Collectively, their backgroundsspanning different geographies, cultures, and professionsenrich the collection, providing a panoramic view of the societal attitudes and literary trends of their times. These authors together underscore the universal appeal of the mystery genre, influenced by, and in turn influencing, major cultural and literary movements such as Romanticism, Realism, and the Golden Age of detective fiction. THE OBVIOUS CLUE - Ultimate Murder Mystery Collection offers an unparalleled journey through the evolution of the murder mystery narrative, inviting readers to delve into the cunning, the mysterious, and the ingeniously crafted plots that have stood the test of time. This anthology serves not only as a treasure trove for aficionados of the genre but also as a comprehensive study resource for those keen to explore the origins and developments of literary mystery. Its collective exploration of human psychology, societal dynamics, and the perennial quest for justice makes it an essential addition to any literary collection, promising insights and intrigue for scholars, students, and mystery enthusiasts alike.




More Molecules of Murder


Book Description

How can a plant as beautiful as the foxglove be so deadly and yet for more than a century be used to treat heart disease? The same is true of other naturally occurring molecules as will be revealed in this current book by award-winning author and chemist, John Emsley. More Molecules of Murder follows on from his highly-acclaimed earlier book Molecules of Murder, and again it deals with 14 potential poisons; seven of which are man-made and seven of which are natural. It investigates the crimes committed with them, not from the point of view of the murderers, their victims, or the detectives, but from the poison used. In so doing it throws new light on how these crimes were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. Each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its chemistry, its often-surprising use in medicine, its effects on the human body, and its toxicology. The rest of the chapter is devoted to murders and attempted murders in which it has been used. But, be reassured that murder by poison is not the threat it once was, thanks to laws which restrict access to such materials and to the skills of analytical chemists in detecting their presence in incredibly tiny amounts.




The Murder of Napoleon


Book Description

The history books say that Napoleon died of natural causes. Napoleon himself, expiring at 51 after a lifetime of robust health, suspected otherwise and ordered a thorough autopsy. His suspicions were well-founded. So clever was the crime, however, that until recent developments in forensic science, it was impossible to prove a case of murder, let alone name the killer. Now, the authors of this fascinating book assert, it has been done-by a brilliant man whose 20-year inquest, a feat of detection, has produced one of history’s greatest surprises. What the critics say: "History at its most electrifying" - Newsweek "A nonfiction whodunit based on modern scientific technique" - New York Times "A spellbinding whodunit about one of history's greatest crimes" - History Book Club "Sensational ... as gripping as a detective novel yet scrupulously observant of historical fact" - Publishers Weekly "Thoroughly convincing... A major Odyssey in historical research" - Harold C. Deutsch, professor of military history, U.S. Army War College




Murder by Numbers


Book Description

What is the connection between the number 13 and Jack the Ripper? Why was the number 18 crucial in catching Acid Bath murderer John George Haigh? And what is so puzzling about the number 340 in the chilling case of the Zodiac killer? The answers to all these questions and many more are revealed in a unique, number-crunching history of the ultimate crime. James Moore's Murder by Numbers tells the story of murder through the centuries in an entirely new way ... through the key digits involved. Each entry starts with a number and leads into a different aspect of murder, be it a fascinating angle to a case or revealing insights into murder methods, punishments and, of course, the chilling figures behind the most notorious killers from our past. From the grizzly death toll of the world's worst serial killer to your own odds of being murdered, this guide will appeal to the connoisseur of true crime and the casual reader alike.