This book by John Emsley explores the dangerous nature of the elements arsenic, antimony, mercury, lead, and thallium with graphic stories of murders and accidental deaths dating back centuries. Although the book contains a great deal of scientific detail, it includes fascinating information that would appeal to lovers of mystery novels and fans of television's CSI and Law and Order. The author's objective in writing the book is to provide information on the toxic nature of certain elements by chronicling stories of the effects of these elements on humans and on the environment over time. The book goes into detail about the fact that elements are everywhere in the environment, our food, and our bodies.