Few authors have woven the complexities of chemistry into storytelling as deftly as Agatha Christie. With a background enriched by her wartime work in a pharmacy, Christie infused her novels with poisons that were as scientifically accurate as they were chilling. She showcased a remarkable understanding of both the biological mechanisms and the subtle effects of toxins, often employing them as key plot devices that carried her mysteries. This synthesis of art and science not only elevated the suspense but also educated readers on the lethal properties of some of history’s most infamous venoms and alkaloids.

Christie’s poisons stand out for their precision and ingenuity,…