Crime writer and scientist Brian Price will describe what makes something poisonous and briefly discuss how various poisons work, from natural substances such as digitalis and ricin to synthetic chemicals such as Novichok.
He will look at famous poisoners in history, such as Toffana, the Borgias and Dr Crippen and then discuss how poisons are used in fiction, from Chaucer, Shakespeare and the golden age mysteries of Agatha Christie, and her contemporaries, to modern writers such as M.W.Craven. He will describe how fiction writers get things right and where authors often make mistakes with poisons. He will explain why there is no truly undetectable poison and comment on some difficulties in determining whether someone has been poisoned.

20th January 7.00pm - until 8.30pm (90 mins)