Ben Hubbard is a non-fiction author who has written extensively on history and science, including the recently published Bloody History of Paris, Flashpoints in 20th Century History and Plantagenets. Sophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling writer of psychological crime fiction, published in 49 languages. Since 2014, with the blessing of Agatha Christie's family and estate, Hannah has published three new Poirot novels, all Sunday Times bestsellers. In 2013, her novel The Carrier won the Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards.

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• Introduction: Poison - a Recurring Story - Poisons of the Ancient World - Medieval and Renaissance Poisons - 17th and 18th Century Poisons - 19th Century Poisons - 20th Century Poisons - 21st Century Poisons.