The Poisonous Solicitor: The True Story of a 1920s Murder Mystery cover image

The Poisonous Solicitor: The True Story of a 1920s Stephen Bates

£10.99
Skip to product information
The Poisonous Solicitor: The True Story of a 1920s Murder Mystery cover image

The Poisonous Solicitor: The True Story of a 1920s Stephen Bates

In stock

£10.99

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION

'METICULOUSLY RESEARCHED ... A GLORIOUSLY ENGAGING ROMP' JANICE HALLETT, THE SUNDAY TIMES

'IMMERSIVE AND COMPELLING' DAVID KYNASTON

'A PAGE-TURNER' ROBERT LACEY

A brilliant narrative investigation into the 1920s case that inspired Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham.

On a bleak Tuesday morning in February 1921, 48-year-old Katharine Armstrong died in her bedroom on the first floor of an imposing Edwardian villa overlooking the rolling hills of the isolated borderlands between Wales and England.

Within fifteen months of such a sad domestic tragedy, her husband, Herbert Rowse Armstrong, would be arrested, tried and hanged for poisoning her with arsenic, the only solicitor ever to be executed in England.

Armstrong's story was retold again and again, decade after decade, in a thousand newspaper articles across the world, and may have also inspired the new breed of popular detective writers seeking to create a cunning criminal at the centre of their thrillers.

With all the ingredients of a classic murder mystery, the case is a near-perfect whodunnit. But who, in fact, did it? Was Armstrong really a murderer?

One hundred years after the execution, Agatha-Award shortlisted Stephen Bates examines and retells the story of the case, evoking the period and atmosphere of the early 1920s, and questioning the fatal judgement.

'CAREFUL AND COMPELLING' KATE MORGAN

'YOU WILL READ IT IN ONE SITTING' MARC MULHOLLAND

'A REAL-LIFE GOLDEN-AGE CRIME NOVEL' SEAN O'CONNOR

ISBN: 9781785789601

Book Condition: New

Book Authors: Stephen Bates

Book Publisher: Icon Books

Book Language: en

Narrative Type:

Genre:

Book edition:

Signed:

Book Pages: 336

Book Publication Year: 2023

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Paperback

Illustrator:

Book Series:

Country/region of manufacture:

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.
Condition Description
New A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.

Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

You may also like

Join the Broadhurst Archive

Be the first to hear about rare new arrivals, signed editions, and literary events. A century of stories delivered straight to your inbox.