SKU: 77112005294

Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City

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Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a CityA real life thriller in the vein of The Devil in the White City, Kate Winkler Dawson's debut Death in the Air is a gripping, historical narrative of a serial killer, an environmental disaster, and an iconic city struggling to regain its footing. London was still recovering from the devastation of World War II when another disaster hit: for five long days in December 1952, a killer smog held the city firmly in its grip and refused to let go. Day became

A real-life thriller in the vein of The Devil in the White City, Kate Winkler Dawson's debut Death in the Air is a gripping, historical narrative of a serial killer, an environmental disaster, and an iconic city struggling to regain its footing.

London was still recovering from the devastation of World War II when another disaster hit: for five long days in December 1952, a killer smog held the city firmly in its grip and refused to let go. Day became night, mass transit ground to a halt, criminals roamed the streets, and some 12,000 people died from the poisonous air. But in the chaotic aftermath, another killer was stalking the streets, using the fog as a cloak for his crimes.

All across London, women were going missing--poor women, forgotten women. Their disappearances caused little alarm, but each of them had one thing in common: they had the misfortune of meeting a quiet, unassuming man, John Reginald Christie, who invited them back to his decrepit Notting Hill flat during that dark winter. They never left.

The eventual arrest of the "Beast of Rillington Place" caused a media frenzy: were there more bodies buried in the walls, under the floorboards, in the back garden of this house of horrors? Was it the fog that had caused Christie to suddenly snap? And what role had he played in the notorious double murder that had happened in that same apartment building not three years before--a murder for which another, possibly innocent, man was sent to the gallows?

The Great Smog of 1952 remains the deadliest air pollution disaster in world history, and John Reginald Christie is still one of the most unfathomable serial killers of modern times. Journalist Kate Winkler Dawson braids these strands together into a taut, compulsively readable true crime thriller about a man who changed the fate of the death penalty in the UK, and an environmental catastrophe with implications that still echo today.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Hachette Books
Published: 11/13/2018
ISBN: 9780316506830
Pages: 368
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.30w x 0.90d
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SKU: 77112005294

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4.5 ★★★★★
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Mahlon Everhart
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Wonderful
Format: Kindle
The amount of detail in this book is so interesting and the specifics of so much theoretical ideas revolving around true ideas makes it so fun to read. The writer does a great job and describing every situation enough where you get the point but not too much to try to bore you . The book is very easy to follow, keeps you on your toes, was pretty funny to me, and truthfully just a great book for anyone!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
J
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John Haldane
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 4
Read it in 2 days
Format: Paperback
This is science based science fiction. How refreshing to read science without turning the story into horror. Without a plethora of characters, it is easy to remember who is who. The story moves along well enough that I wanted to keep going. It us a p age turner in many respects. All this said, there were too many crises suddenly resolved like some Star Trek episode from 1966. It reached the point where I said to myself, "OK, this doesn't matter. Move along, nothing to see here." There was good humor, some surprising twists, and enough involvement with characters that I didn't want to put it down. As science fiction goes, it was good like pulp stories go. It wasn't like Ursula LeGuin or Robert Heinlein but I would probably pick up the next book he writes.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
K
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Kindle Customer
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent story
Format: Kindle
This book is worth your time. It is a great introduction to a variety of scientific disciplines without insulting the reader. It also respects and understands humanity, engineering, history and political science. Then it lays that foundation to tell the story of a unique friendship of two beings with mutual goals who have to communicate and problem solve together. Along the way, you can really contrast how Grace and Rocky do it, vice the Hail Mary team did it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
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Hanay21
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
A book worth rereading
Format: Hardcover
This was a book club pick. Honestly, I wouldn't have chosen to read this myself, but I'm glad that I did. I would have missed out on an incredible story. I've been reading a lot of thriller and fantasy books lately, that I forgot how much I enjoy sci-fi. This brought it back for me. There's a lot of science-heavy discussions in the book and I loved it! When I got to a subject or term I didn't know, I would go online and learn more about it. I feel that Grace is a dork like me because he wouldn't curse. He had little anecdotes he uses in place of swearing. Something I definitely do myself! A lot of the book is the MMC talking to himself. Surprisingly, it worked. There's so much humor that it kept the story going. There was not a lull. Usually I dislike info-dumping as an introduction to get all the background story told, but I didn't mind it at all. Maybe I'm being biased because I love science talk. **SPOILERS AHEAD** What makes the whole plot engaging is the fact that the plot doesn't seem too fantastical. It's something that could happen. There's a lot of ethics and morals involved in determining what should be done. I would hate to be in a position where I have to chose what's best for everyone. That's why Stratt is a necessary character. I hated some of her decisions and how she operated, but you need someone who's focused on the general welfare of humanity. I would be too focused on myself, my family, etc. As much as it hurts to admit, I'm selfish (and a coward) like Grace. I wouldn't want to die. But was it right for Stratt to force him on the mission? This could also be taken religiously. If God has a plan and things happen for a reason, is it our right to deter what's going to happen? God wiped out the world many times because of humanity's sins, what if this was God's doing? So many questions and debates on right vs wrong, ethics vs morals, and religion vs humanity made for a incredible book club discussion. I love how this book ended. I wish I could continue reading about Rocky and Grace's adventures, it's that fascinating. However, I think Grace staying on Erid was the best outcome. If the roles were reversed, I don't think Rocky would have the same welcome. I feel that those in charge would have dissected and kept Rocky hostage, all in the name of science. Just as the Astrophage were first introduced, the first things the scientists did was poke and probe. Essentially torturing the Astrophage to see what makes them tick. I think Rocky would have the same fate. Oh, and my favorite part is the relationship between Rocky and Grace. I cried so many times when I was reading. Scared that something bad was going to happen to either of them. Especially in the scene where Rocky busted out of his tunnel to save Grace. I got upset and told the book that 'if Rocky dies, I swear, this is the worst book ever!' And the scene where Rocky learns about radiation poisoning. How he slowly becomes aware of what happened to his crew, his friends. I was a mess. This book is definitely one that I could go back and reread. I did watch the movie afterwards. There's a lot of differences to adapt the story to screen, but it was okay. They got the humor down pat, but I didn't get the direness of the whole situation nor the special bond that both MCs had.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
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Gilligan
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
A Brilliant, Emotional, and Unforgettable Sci-Fi Adventure
Format: Paperback
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is one of those rare novels that delivers everything you could want from science fiction: gripping suspense, fascinating science, humor, heart, and a genuinely moving story about survival and friendship. The novel follows Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. As his memories slowly return, the stakes become clear: humanity is facing extinction, and he may be the only person who can stop it. The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace, blending high tension with moments of discovery that keep you turning the pages. What makes this book stand out is how seamlessly it combines hard science with accessibility. Like the author’s earlier work, the scientific details feel authentic and well researched, but they never overwhelm the story. Instead, the problem-solving becomes the engine of the plot. Each obstacle feels real, and the solutions are both clever and satisfying. The biggest surprise—and the emotional core of the novel—is the relationship that develops during the mission. Without giving anything away, it adds warmth, humor, and depth that elevate the story far beyond a typical survival thriller. By the end, the novel becomes less about science and more about courage, trust, and the willingness to sacrifice for others. The pacing is excellent throughout, with a balance of suspense, humor, and heartfelt moments. If there’s a small drawback, it’s that some plot developments feel a bit convenient. But the strong characters and emotional payoff more than make up for it. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of science fiction, space exploration, and anyone who enjoys smart, character-driven storytelling. It’s thrilling, funny, deeply human, and surprisingly emotional. I finished it feeling both entertained and uplifted. Highly recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026

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