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The Poisonous Solicitor

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The Poisonous Solicitor

By: Stephen Bates
Narrated by: Toby Longworth
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About this listen

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

In 1922, Major Herbert Armstrong, a Hay-on-Wye solicitor, was found guilty of, and executed for, poisoning his wife, Katharine, with arsenic.

Armstrong's case has all the ingredients of a classic murder mystery, from a plot by Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers (indeed some aspects of his story appear in Sayers' Unnatural Death). It is a near-perfect whodunnit.

One hundred years later, Agatha Award-shortlisted Stephen Bates examines and retells the story of the case, evoking the period and atmosphere of the early 1920s, a time of newspaper sensationalism, hypocrisy and sanctimonious morality.

©2022 Stephen Bates (P)2022 W F Howes Murder True Crime Crime Inspiring
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In 1922, solicitor Major Herbert Rowse Armstrong was tried and found guilty of killing his wife by poisoning her with arsenic. Hanged for her murder, the case caused a scandal not only in Hay-on-Wye where he lived but across the whole country.

My first introduction to this story was via London Weekend Television’s drama, Dandelion Dead, starring Michael Kitchen as the hapless solicitor. Though it’s a cracking good bit of telly (having watched it again recently) it assumes Armstrong to be guilty and makes no attempt to portray a balanced view. This new book by Stephen Bates, therefore, filled in a lot of gaps, giving a much clearer and unbiased picture of what happened. Recreating the atmosphere of the quiet town, and the morals and attitudes of the times, the author brings the story to life without allowing his own opinions to colour the narrative. What is most interesting are the various theories surrounding another incident – that of the attempted poisoning of rival solicitor Oswald Martin – which prompted the investigation into the death of Major Armstrong’s wife.

An entertaining and fascinating account of this infamous murder case.

An entertaining and fascinating account

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This book kept me fascinated from beginning to end . As a solicitor myself who worked very temporarily a couple of years ago at Major Armstrong’s former practice in Haye I feel a particular connection . I had no idea at the time of what happened all those years ago in 1922 and on one there mentioned it, though I was told of Martin Beale’s book. I am still not decided whether Armstrong was guilty or if there was a miscarriage of justice . This book is a thorough and compelling analysis. I have now ordered Martin Beale’s book as I’d like to read his take on it

Brilliant

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An interesting case boringly told. The facts are repeated again and again. I tried to listen until the end, but could not. Not recommend.

So repetitive

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Very interesting book about a famous murder trial in the early 1900’s. I think Armstrong is the only solicitor/lawyer to be hung for murder. Anyway the book contains a lot of narrative surrounding the life, virtues, class system and other everyday life for those who lived in that time.

It’s well written and well read.

Arsenic for dandelions

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I initially wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book but I was pleasantly surprised. It's very well researched and presented, a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Interesting stuff.

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