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Summary: the best book in the Howdunnit series
Review: I own every book in the Howdunnit series, and it weathered covers and dog-eared pages are any indication, "Deadly Doses" is the most useful of the bunch.Most of the books in the Howdunnit series are written as primers on the police procedures or criminal modus operandi of a given situation. "Deadly Doses" differs in that it is for the most part a true reference book. A writer may choose a specific drug or poison from the index and look up a precise description including scientific and slang names, reaction times, toxicity, symptoms, antidotes and case histories; or she may choose her poison from an appendix of effects or reaction times or even method of administration. If there is a flaw in this book, it is a certain lack of completeness. Though there is certainly a greater collection of illicit substances assembled in these pages than any writer could ever need, it is disturbing that the book will on occasion mention a poison or drug that the author did not bother to provide an entry for. That said, it was this volume that addicted me to the rest of the Howdunnit series (though I have yet to be as pleased with any of the other books as I am with this one). This book is highly recommended as a reference tool to any writer who feels they may have a need to mention a drug or poison in a story with any sense of accuracy at all. It is also recommended as a quick reference for anyone who is interested in poisons at all, though I suspect that there are more in depth texts that a true poison aficionado could refer to.
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Summary: Attention writers: This book could save your life
Review: If your tough guy in your hard-boiled detective story/police procedural/cozy thrillerdrops dead after one bit of the amanita pantherina, or the panther mushroom, and shows no symptoms, the uninformed may think your scene is shocking and dramatic, while fans in the know will probably feed you some wild grapes. If you read Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons, you probably won't know that the poisonous plant moonseed can be mistaken for wild grapes, you'd know that your tough guy, after eating amanita pantherina would first get an upset stomach, feel lightheaded, and get dehydrated from tears and sweat, before succumbing to death at least one and a half to three hours later. However, your tough guy would have had to eat a whole trunk full of mushrooms and been, well, too tough to go to a doctor.
R.N. and writer Serita Deborah Stevens and partner-in-crime Anne Klarner give a would-be Ed McBain or Sue Grafton all the lethal ammunition you need in this reference guide to poisons. Read Deadly Doses and avoid the wrath of a homicidal fan.
Rating: 
Summary: From a Pharmacist/Poison Specialist
Review: Okay, all this book is is a guide to common poisons that everyone knows about. It explains a little bit about how to obtain them and how to make some common ones. It also gives some info on how to identify different poisons. This is one of those things that makes you say "I-WILL-NOT-BUY-STUPID-STUFF-FOR-NO-REASON!"
Rating: 
Summary: Just stateing what you already know
Review: Okay, all this book is is a guide to common poisons that everyone knows about. It explains a little bit about how to obtain them and how to make some common ones. It also gives some info on how to identify different poisons. This is one of those things that makes you say "I-WILL-NOT-BUY-STUPID-STUFF-FOR-NO-REASON!"
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Summary: Info packed - must have!
Review: Once again, the Howdunit Series has provided a superior book! Loaded with information any writer can use to their benefit! I also found the medicinal section interesting, from a mom's point of view.
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Summary: So many ways to murder that no-good character
Review: Stevens and Klarner have compiled the results of what must have been an amazing amount of research into a very readable, easily referenced book intended for murder-mystery writers. It's not so much a medical reference as an idea book for how to do in your characters by poison -- you'll probably need to get more specific information once you've chosen your particular poison. (My writing partner and I used the book to help us invent a poison for our first mystery.) Despite the worst typesetting I've seen in a long time, the book is an indispensable part of my writer's reference library.
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: This book is a must have for any writer. Not just of mystery. The information inside is easy to understand, but very thorough. And the real life examples are interesting and a little creepy. I love the How dunit series.
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Summary: Fascinating
Review: This book is a must-have for any writer who intends to off a character using common (and some uncommon) poisons. I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: This book is a must-have for any writer who intends to off a character using common (and some uncommon) poisons. I couldn't put it down!
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Summary: a must for historical or mystery writers!!
Review: This book is a super reference book for writers. Gives you a short history of poisons,then moves in the classic aka Agatha Christie style poisons. Next we get into the what's on hand style of poisons i.e. household stuff. Plant poisons, the dead mushrooms etc. They cover movie poisons such as spiders and snakes, medical oops-es, what's in the garden pesticides. Even Street Drugs and a few hints on do-it-yourself-versions. They covered the methods, the forms, the symptoms, and even the time that is takes and just how successful (toxicity rating)....anything a writer needs to know....no no no don't touch that mushroom! Super reference work and highly recommended
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