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. Her latest book is V is for Venom: Agatha Christie’s Chemicals of Death.
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
V is for Venom: Agatha Christie’s Chemicals of Death
Shortlisted for The Mystery Writers of America’s 2026 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Critical/Biography
See all the nominations here
Pippbrook House – Superspy Science
7pm Thursday 5th March 2026 – Pippbrook House, Dorking
The adventures of James Bond have thrilled and delighted readers since Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale was published in 1953, and when the movie of Dr No was released in 1962, Bond quickly became the world’s favourite secret agent. Science and technology have always been central to the plots that make up the world of Bond. 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. This talk will give you the answers to all your Bond villain questions.
Tickets available here
Windermere Science Festival – Death by Shakespeare
7.30pm Friday 6th March 2026 – The New Victoria Wood Theatre
A special event presented by Windermere Science Festival for the start of British Science Week 2026
Shakespeare found dozens of different ways to kill off his characters, but how realistic are these deaths, and did Shakespeare have the knowledge to back them up?
This talk turns a scientific eye towards the Bard and the varied and creative ways his characters die. Was death by snakebite as serene as Shakespeare makes out? Can you really murder someone by pouring poison in their ear? Find out all this and more in a rollercoaster of Elizabethan carnage, poison, swordplay and bloodshed.
Tickets available here
Smithsonian Associates – Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond
12pm ET/5pm UK time, Thursday 12th March 2026 – online
The adventures of James Bond have thrilled readers since Ian Fleming’s first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953. By the time the movie Dr. No was released nine years later, Bond was almost certainly the world’s favorite secret agent. The wildly successful franchise is known for serving up science and technology in ways that are central to the world of Bond, and 007 always manages to escape peril intact. From the outrageous plots to the gadgets to the ludicrous ways that his life is threatened, fans are left to wonder if any of it is actually possible.
Author Kathryn Harkup, a former chemist, investigates 007’s exploits and the weapons, technologies, tactics, and downfalls of his various foes. She assesses the practicalities of building a volcano-based lair; whether being covered in gold paint really would kill you; and if your plan is to take over the world, whether it is better to use bacteria, bombs, or poison. One thing is for certain: When you are masterfully combining science and a larger-than-life charismatic hero who fights villains, nobody does it better than Bond—James Bond.
Tickets available here