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
A is for Arsenic
2.30pm Saturday 8th February 2025 – Conford Village Hall
Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being 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.
Followed by ‘arsenic-free’ tea and homemade cake.
Tickets are £5 (+ a donation for refreshments) and available by contacting pward573@btinternet.com
Northern Ireland Science Festival
7pm Friday 14th February 2025 – Late Late Love Lab
Discover the science of love at the Late Late Love Lab!
An unforgettable evening of romance, relationships, and revelations as we unravel the mysteries of love and attraction. Delve into the fascinating science of connection with:
- Jules Howard and Dr. Erica McAlister uncovering the scandalous sex lives of insects.
- Kathryn Harkup exploring the deadly allure of beauty in Dying to Be Beautiful.
- Dr. Mike Simms with Romancing the Stones. Gemstones: A symbol of true love, or a good crystal ruined?
Indulge your senses at the Scent of Affection workshop with Lush, learn to send messages coding workshops by Sentinus, plus more to be announced!
Come for the science, stay for the sparks!
MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
Tickets available here
7.30pm Saturday 15th February 2025 – Deadly Dinner
Join Chemist and Writer Kathyrn Harkup alongside Master Brewer James Huey for an evening inspired by the Golden Age of crime fiction.
It will be an exploration of poisonous plots and deadly detective work. How do you spot strychnine in the soup or cyanide in the champagne? Between delicious courses we will find out more about some possibly deadly ingredients, symptoms and signs to look out for as well as some fictional and real life cases.
The ticket includes complimentary drink on arrival and 3 Courses and drinks paired with each course.
Non alcoholic drinks can be matched to this dining experience. The price will remain the same.
Tickets available here
7pm Sunday 16th February 2025 – A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie
Fourteen novels. Fourteen poisons. Just because it’s fiction doesn’t mean it’s all made-up …
Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel. Her choice of deadly substances was far from random – the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. With gunshots or stabbings the cause of death is obvious, but this is not the case with poisons. How is it that some compounds prove so deadly, and in such tiny amounts?
Christie’s extensive chemical knowledge provides the backdrop for A is for Arsenic, in which Kathryn Harkup investigates the poisons used by the murderer in fourteen classic Agatha Christie mysteries. It looks at why certain chemicals kill, how they interact with the body, the cases that may have inspired Christie, and the feasibility of obtaining, administering and detecting these poisons, both at the time the novel was written and today. A is for Arsenic is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.
Tickets available here
Granite Noir
8pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 – Cocktails: Shaken not Stirred
James Bond’s adventures thwarting the plans of the world’s greatest villains have thrilled and delighted audiences since Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale was published in 1953.
Join Kathryn Harkup as she 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 – whether it is better to use bacteria, bombs or poison. This event will give you all the answers over a few glasses of James Bond’s favourite cocktails.
Limited tickets available here
New book coming soon ...
V is for Venom: Agatha Christie’s Chemicals of Death
Fourteen stories. Fourteen more poisons. Just because it’s fiction doesn’t mean it’s all made-up …
Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel. Her choice of deadly substances was far from random – the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. With gunshots or stabbings the cause of death is obvious, but this isn’t the case with poisons. How is it that some compounds prove so deadly, and in such tiny amounts?
This book, the follow-up to Kathryn Harkup’s best-selling A is for Arsenic, features fourteen more poisons from the books of Agatha Christie. V is for Venom explores the scientific facts behind the chemicals Christie put to such deadly use in her fiction. How do these compounds affect the body? What is their history of use in real-life murder cases, some of which may have inspired Christie, and how feasible was it to obtain, administer and detect these poisons, both at the time the novel was written and today?
V is for Venom is a celebration of the use of science by the undisputed Queen of Crime.