Meg Hafdahl

Real Rating: 3.25* of five

The Publisher Says: Uncover the theories behind Dame Agatha Christie's most thrilling mysteries: Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, The A.B.C. Murders, and so much more!

Gothic media moguls Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence, authors of The Science of Stephen King and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast called “the best horror film podcast out there” by Film Daddy, present a guide to the Agatha Christie stories and supersleuths we all know and love. Through interviews, literary and film analysis, and bone-chilling discoveries, The Science of Agatha Christie uncovers the science behind the sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections that have become an integral part of the modern murder mystery, answering such questions as:

What is the science behind the poisons used to commit murders in Agatha Christie’s stories?

When did crime investigation become more common as seen in Murder on the Orient Express?

Has science made it possible to uncover the truth behind the investigative powers of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple?

How did Agatha Christie use isolated settings to best explore the psychology of her characters?

Join Kelly and Meg as they discover why sometimes the impossible must be possible!

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Chatty, entertaining mishmash of gossip and opinion from oodles of carefully documented sources. Vanishingly light on hard science, at least as I interpret that promise; it has anecdotes about the generalities from interviewees. Does not make it less amusing to read, sort of like going to a Christie book-club discussion with the most well-prepared session runner of all time.

Agathites will likely find it an entertaining read. Go into it as a browsing book, not a devour-in-a-day binge. That will keep the tone fresh and involving.… (més)

Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence, co-hosts behind one of my favorite podcasts (Horror Rewind) and who have previously explored The Science of Monsters and The Science of Women in Horror turn their attention to Stephen King in their latest book. The Science of Stephen King essentially takes you through the highlights of Stephen King's muli-decade long career while exploring the science behind some of his most terrifying creations. The interviews Meg and kelly conduct with experts are always fun and informative. Whether you're new to King or a constant reader, there is much to learn and to chew in within the pages of this book. And many books I would have dismissed by King, I'm now very eager to read.

I look forward to Meg and Kelly's next book: The Science of Serial Killers!… (més)

If you're a fan of horror films, science, and true crime, then this is the book for you! Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence, the women behind one of my favorite podcasts Horror Rewind, revisit classic and recent horror films to unlock the mysteries behind their premises. They dive into medical mysteries, scientific marvels, and true crime stories to discover the real science and in some cases, the true stories behind some of our greatest fears depicted on the silver screen. As a horror fan, a curious person I found this book to be enthralling. I really appreciated that Meg and Kelly enlisted scholars, scientists in their respected fields to comment on the science and mysteries they were trying to learn more about. You'll learn about about your favorite horror movies while reading this book. Fun, fascinating, and easy to read, The Science of Monsters is for any fan of the dark and spooky.… (més)