Kathryn Harkup is a former chemist turned writer and science communicator. Her interests are in anything gothic, gory and geeky, and preferably all three. She has written several books on the crossover between science, literature and pop culture including The Secret Lives of the Elements, The Secret Lives of Molecules, A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, Making the Monster: The Science of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts, Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond and Vampirology: The Science of Horror’s Most Famous Fiend.
Kathryn also loves talking about the darker side of science. She is happy to help anyone devolop their plots to take over the world, or advise them on how to protect themselves from poisoners or the undead.
News & Events
3pm Wednesday 16th July 2025 – Guildford Institute
Science and technology have always been central to the plots that make up the world of James Bond.
In this talk Kathryn Harkup explores 007’s exploits from the practicalities of building a volcano-based lair, to whether being covered in gold paint really will kill you. And, if your plan is to take over the world, is it better to use bacteria, bombs, or poison?
This event will give you the answers to all your Bond villain questions. Kathryn is a former chemist turned author with a particular interest in the disgusting and dangerous side of science.
Tickets available here
2pm EST/7pm BST Wednesday 30th July 2025 – **Online Event**
Agatha Christie is renowned for her captivating plots and creative ways of killing off ill-fated victims. And what better way to add intrigue to a story than poison? The surreptitious ways they can be administered and the characteristic symptoms they produce make these killer chemicals the ideal method of murder in a ‘whodunit’. Christie perfected the use of poisons in her plots; her deft and varied use of toxic substances is one of her great strengths as a writer. But how is it that some compounds prove so fatal, and in such tiny amounts?
The follow up to Kathryn Harkup’s best-selling A is for Arsenic, V is for Venom is a compelling exploration of Christie’s use of poisons and her extensive chemical knowledge. Featuring fourteen more poisons from the works of Agatha Christie, this book investigates the science behind the deadly substances, the history of their use in real-life murder cases, and how feasible was it to obtain, administer and detect these poisons in Christie’s time and today. Combining Christie’s murder mysteries, chemical science and true crime, V is for Venom is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.
Register here
10.30am Sunday 27th September 2025 – Jersey Arts Centre
Fourteen novels … fourteen poisons … don’t be fooled into thinking that everything within the pages of Agatha Christie’s books is fiction… Former chemist Kathryn Harkup explores the scientific facts behind the chemicals put to such deadly use in Christie’s novels. How do these compounds affect the body? What is the history of their use in real-life murder cases, and how feasible would it be to obtain, administer and detect these poisons, both at the time the novels were written and today? Join Harkup for a riveting talk in which she delves into the enduring popularity of poisons and the macabre.
Kathryn Harkup gives regular public talks on the disgusting and dangerous side of science. Her first book was the international bestseller A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie which was shortlisted for the Mystery Readers International Macavity Award and a BMA Book Award.
This event will be BSL interpreted.
Tickets available here
Royston Pike Lectures – A is for Arsenic
7.30pm Wednesday 15 October 2025 – Riverhouse Barns Arts Centre, Walton on Thames
Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she used more poisons more accurately than any other crime writer. The poison itself often became a central part of the novel. This talk looks at how the writer used her extensive knowledge of drugs and medicines mixed with real life cases to create her brilliantly plotted crime novels. Her poisons were picked with care, often providing vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. We will look at howdunnit but whodunnit is for you to find out.
Book tickets here
Shedunnit Podcast - The Poison Book
If you would like to hear about where poisoners got their poisons in Golden Age detective fiction, there is a podcast here