Dr Kathryn Harkup

Vile Bodies: Investigating the Golden Age of Crime

6pm Thursday 31 st October 2024 – Thackray Museum of Medicine

This Hallow’s Eve, the Bright Young Things invite you to a rip-roaring, jazz infused party to end all parties!

But wait. Is there more to this group of beautiful beings than meets the eye? Rumour has it there have been shrieks in the night and rum deals being played out. A detective has been called. Could this thrilling celebration turn out to be just a little bit toxic?

Join us as we turn the golden age of crime on its head, exploring the favoured method of murder for crime writers through the ages – poison. We’ll need you to bring your little grey cells to grill the finest experts in the land on the medicinal roots and lethal charm behind that little green bottle, all whilst celebrating the real science behind your most loved whodunnits.

For this sparkling new addition to our Thackray Lates series, expect our usual evening blend of expert talks and hands-on demonstrations, served with a side of gorgeous glamour and some distinctly deadly goings on.

We invite you to embrace the mood of the evening by donning your finest 1920s themed glad rags for the occasion (though modern day dress is very much acceptable too!).

Tickets available here

Science communicator, chemist & vampirologist.

Kathryn is a former chemist and author. She completed a doctorate on her favourite chemicals, phosphines, and went on to further postdoctoral research before realising that talking, writing and demonstrating science appealed a bit more than hours slaving over a hot fume-hood. She writes and gives regular public talks on the disgusting and dangerous side of science.

Kathryn’s first book was the international best-seller A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, which was shortlisted for a Mystery Readers International Macavity Award and a BMA Book Award. She has also explored more of the macabre side of literature in Making the Monster: The Science of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts and Vampirology: The Science of Horror’s Most Famous Fiend. She has also delved into the deadly world of 007 in Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond. Kathryn has also written about her first love, chemistry, in The Secret Lives of the Elements. Her most recent book is a follow up to her exploration of the elements, The Secret Lives of Molecules.

If you would like to book me for a talk or just want to say Hi please fill in the form below.