J is for Jacob's Ladder

As a mystery writer, I need to create crimes and figure out how the suspect will carry out the dastardly deed. Throughout the rest of the month, I will showcase a few poisons from Book of Poisons: A Guide for Writers to demonstrate different ways to harm and/or murder a person. The book provides scientific information, so I won’t attempt to paraphrase, but give you direct quotes.

Disclaimer: Do not attempt the method discussed. The information provided is meant for fiction writing only. Please keep it on the page.

ddeventdesign.wordpress.com

Jacob’s Ladder or Lily of the Valley (p. 60-61):

Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis

Other: Lily of the Valley, May lily, Our Lady’s tears, convall-lily, lily constancy, ladder-to-heaven, male lily

Toxicity (scale of 1-6; 1=almost non-toxic, 6=super toxic): 6

Deadly Parts: All, especially the leaves.

Form: The small, white, bell-shaped flowers are well known. The plant bears orange-red fleshy berries. Even the water in which the cute flowers are kept is toxic.

Effects and Symptoms: Symptoms include hot flashes; tense irritability; headache; hallucinations; red skin patches; cold, clammy skin; dilated pupils; vomiting; stomach pains; nausea; excess salivation; and slow heartbeat, sometimes leading to coma and death from heart failure.

Reaction Time: Immediate

Antidotes and Treatments: Gastric lavage is recommended, as well as cardiac depressants like quinidine to control cardiac rhythm.

Notes: 
1. The poison is convallatoxin, which is similar to digitalis, a drug that strengthens the contractions of the heart.
2. Found in most of the United States and the Canadian provinces, this spring-flowering plant is also native to Britain, especially the eastern parts.
3. The plant has been mistaken for wild garlic and made into soup.

What methods of murder have you or would you use in your writing?

Comments

Author Joshua Hoyt said…
I will definitely keep it on the page. It is so important to bring realism into the story this is great information to do that.
April 12, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Alex Villasante said…
Just want to let you know I have lilly of the valley in my window boxes. Just so, like, you know ;)
April 12, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

L is for Location, Location, Location

Image
Source Readers look to novels to escape reality. An author’s words take them to distant lands. But a well-described location can do more than just take the reader on a trip away from home. It plays an important role in creating atmosphere and describing characters. The strength of location in a story transforms the setting into another character. Characters and setting rely heavily on one another not only to create images in the minds of readers, but also to describe each other.  A character reveals information about a setting. Their traits lead them to specific towns, cities, bars, schools, etc. A well-developed character personality can create the milieu. An uptight individual probably lives in a very neat and organized apartment. A character concerned with the environment might have a vegetable garden planted in the back with a recycling bin and compost heap. A young, single girl might feel stuck in family-oriented suburbia. Now, the...
Read more

Insecure Writer's Support Group:Overwhelmed

Image
Source My road trip to Boston at the end of August arrived just in time to relieve me from the constant head banging on the wall between me and my writing, blogging and freelance career. The permanent knot on my forehead, bald patches and a jaw that clicks every time I open my mouth has transformed me into a monster you might catch in the dark alleyways of Gotham City. I overdosed on advice in writing magazines, on writing-related websites and blogs. If you peek through the windows, you catch me wandering around the house strung out, too jittery to sit down at my laptop. As an information junkie, I hoarded writing techniques, strategies and prompts. I shoved them into every available space in my writing toolbox, reminding me of an overly prepared-style of packing. Overstuffed. I would sit on the lid to force it shut if it weren’t for the motivational quotes spilling over the sides keeping me from latching the damn thing. Then I come across an article contradicting th...
Read more

E is for Erasure Poetry

Image
rattle.com April is National Poetry Month . So, I thought I'd give  erasure poetry  a try. I chose an article about dating and race in The Philadelphia Inquirer .  Reading through the article, I underlined words that caught my eye. Then, I created a poem and title from my found words. Unfortunately, it was easier to type the words than scan the article. Enjoy! Talk About Dating First contact          Attitudes affect the messages Cut off from the real world          See the imbalance Healthy partners          Work together, no exclusions
Read more