Books 31-34
31. The Poisoner's Handbook, by Deborah Blum. I really, really enjoyed this one. Forensics history, true crime, weird and true tales- what's not to love? Blum's book covers a span of history from right before Prohibition to before World War II, for the most part. It centers on Charles Norris, New York City's first scientifically trained medical examiner, and Alexander Gettler, the city's chief toxicologist. These two men would turn the coroner's occupation and forensics in general from a bad joke to an esteemed and formidable science. Before Norris, the coroner position in NYC (and most areas) was a patronage position- you didn't even need a medical degree to get the position, and Norris' predecessor was notorious for being a roaring drunk, even on the job. Reading a book like this, I have to wonder how humanity survived the Industrial Revolution. One, a lot of chemicals, such as radium, arsenic, mercury, and thallium were regularly used in household products and even in medicines. In addition, it was difficult to prove murders by poison. Before the work of Norris and Gettler, poisoners often walked away from prison sentences and the electric chair because of scant knowledge and shoddy forensics practices. There were three people who confessed to murder by poison who ultimately walked away due to lack of proof. Norris and Gettler changed that, and many poisoners faced justice because of their work (some innocents also were acquitted because of their work as well). If you are interested in history, true crime, and chemistry, I cannot recommend this enough. I want to check out some of Blum's other books now.
32. Mr. Humphreys and His Inheritance, by M.R. James. This is a "spooky light" story. I can see this being turned into a family-friendly creepy story to enjoy on Halloween. It's a lot of fun. The story centers on Mr. Humphreys, who has found himself the beneficiary of a large estate from an uncle he never met. It seems like a fantastic inheritance. The house is lovely, the people kind and hard-working, and the grounds spectacular. But of particular interest is a strange maze, which doesn't behave like mazes should.
33. The Ash-tree, by M.R. James. I really enjoyed this tale, which includes dark history, possible witches and creepy-crawlies. It starts out when a respected man accuses a neighbor of witchcraft. Problems start through the generations, until things finally come to a head.
34. The Fall of the House of Usher, by Edgar Allan Poe. I've actually read this story before. It's one of my favorite short stories, and I read this one out loud as a part of my Spooky Stories readings. Here, a school friend visits a friend who has been ill. The friend, Usher, lives in a historic family manse that, like the family, has seen better days. The feeling of gloom eventually settles on the friend as well.
Currently reading: Matrix, by Lauren Groff.