Science in literature: Use of chemistry in the detective fictions of agatha christie

Literature reflects life and science unravels the mysteries of life. Yet, literature and science always have been in the two different ends of mindset. Apart from science fiction few authors have used science as a character in their creation. This article takes a look at the works of the celebrated detective fiction writer Agatha Christie as an example where this stereotype of opposition of these two themes has been broken effectively. She has used science as an important element in her novels and short stories. Agatha Christie was trained as a pharmacist and worked as one in the World War I. She used her knowledge as a pharmacist and uses and effects of different drugs in many of her detective novels. This article reviews the extensive use of scientific knowledge and specially that of all branches of Chemistry: organic, inorganic and biochemistry in her work in a quantitative and objective way. It shows that the use of chemistry by the author is more extensive than previously analyzed. She has used chemicals not only as poisons but has used them in more innovative manner, respecting their unique properties. Interestingly, the use of science has elevated her creation, rather than weighing it down as is evident from her ongoing popularity.