The book presents a comprehensive, day-by-day account of the sensational murder trial of William Palmer, a 31-year-old surgeon from Rugeley, Staffordshire, held at the Old Bailey in May 1856 before Lord Chief Justice Campbell, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Justice Cresswell. Palmer was indicted for the wilful murder of his friend and fellow-sportsman, John Parsons Cook, who died suddenly at the Talbot Arms Hotel in Rugeley on November 21, 1855, amidst symptoms of violent convulsions.
The prosecution, led by Attorney-General Alexander Cockburn, argued that Palmer, overwhelmed by immense financial liabilities, forged acceptances on his wealthy mother's bills, and faced imminent ruin when insurance payouts on his brother's life failed, murdered Cook to seize his racing winnings from the Shrewsbury Handicap and to evade debts. The Crown contended that Cook was systematically prepared with antimony, causing prolonged vomiting, and was finally killed by administered doses of strychnine. Numerous medical experts, including prominent toxicologists like Dr.
Alfred Swayne Taylor and Sir Benjamin Brodie, testified regarding the distinct physiological symptoms of strychnine poisoning and the anomalies of the post-mortem examinations. Although no strychnine was chemically detected in Cook's stomach or tissues during analysis, the prosecution presented testimonies indicating Palmer purchased strychnine from local chemists immediately prior to the death, alongside suspicious behavior such as attempts to bribe a postboy to wreck the carriage carrying the post-mortem organ jars, intercepting mail, and manipulating the coroner. The defense, eloquently conducted by Mr. Serjeant Shee, vigorously combated the Crown's narrative by calling rival toxicologists and medical authorities—including Dr.
Nunneley, Dr. Letheby, and Professor Herapath—who asserted that strychnine leaves detectable traces and that true strychnine poisoning causes rapid, constant symptoms inconsistent with Cook's reported intervals of calm. The defense argued that Cook died from natural convulsions, idiopathic or traumatic tetanus, or epileptic complications arising from a weak constitution, a dissipated lifestyle, and advanced syphilitic symptoms. Despite the extensive medical controversy and the absence of poison residue in the physical evidence, the jury found William Palmer guilty after a detailed summing-up by Lord Chief Justice Campbell, leading to his public execution.
