October 1^st saw the USA launch of RSC Publishing's title Molecules of Murder! Springer Publishers is the official distributer for RSC Books in North America and has been promoting the title. Pre-publication promotion in the USA proved to be a great success following the high-impact launch in the UK in August.   

Molecules of Murder received 53 pre-publication reviews on Amazon.com in the run up to the official release date. The average review gave a 4 star rating!   

Molecules of Murder was described as:

"..an interesting book. The author knows the product and writes with great fluidity" (Barrie W Bracken - Researcher)

".an excellent review of the chemistry of poisons and some thriller examples of the use of poisons to kill." (P. M. Ayers - Midwest, USA). 

The reviews also commented on the accessibility of John's writing style:

"Emsley has a warm, chatty style of writing and an approach that makes even chemistry, which can often be very dull, fascinating" (Amy Goebel Padgett - Clarton, USA).   

Dr and Mrs Crippen joined John Emsley and friends on Wednesday 30th July, at the launch of his latest book Molecules of Murder. The launch was held at the Waterstone's bookstore Gower Street, London. Guests were entertained by two actors, posing in Victorian costume, as the murderer and victim from Chapter 2 of the book: Hyoscine and the Murder of Belle Elmore (Mrs Crippen).     

The book itself looks at 10 toxic molecules and discusses their chemistry and effects in humans, followed by a re-examination of their deliberate misuse in high profile murder cases.     

John Emsley signed copies of the book, described his reasons for embarking on the project and then read a piece of the work. The launch was attended by everyone with a fascination for murder and an interest in discovering how toxic molecules can have deadly effects when placed in the wrong hands!     

The RSC were delighted to hold this event, in conjunction with Waterstone's, and the book is now on general release for all to enjoy!     

Dr John Emsley is best known for his series of highly readable popular science books about everyday chemistry, some of which have run into multiple editions and printings in the UK, and all of which have been translated into several other languages. With spells at the University of London, Westfield College and Kings College as lecturer and reader, he became science writer at Imperial College and then the University of Cambridge where his prolific writing career took off. He has also had more than 500 popular science articles and features published in: New Scientist, The Independent (for which he did a regular column 'Molecule of the Month' for six years), The Guardian, Chemistry in Britain, Chem Matters, Focus, Science Watch and many more.