In April 1876, Charles Bravo, a young London barrister, died in agony at his Balham home after ingesting a lethal dose of antimony. His death shocked Victorian society and set in motion one of the most baffling and sensational crime cases of the nineteenth century. Despite two inquests, the question of who poisoned Charles Bravo was never answered. Three suspects fell under the scrutiny of investigators – his wife Florence, her companion Mrs Jane Cox and her former lover Dr James Gully – yet the truth remained tantalisingly out of reach.

Join crime historian Angela Buckley for an illustrated exploration of this real-life murder mystery set within a household of secrets. Her talk will offer fresh insight into the history of the victim and the prime suspects, the investigation of Scotland Yard’s Detective George Clarke as he navigated this complex case and the competing theories as to who killed Charles Bravo, including Agatha Christie’s claim to have solved the murder.

Tickets £12.50 including a delightful Victorian punch and a 20% donation toward a host of restoration projects at Kensal Green Cemetery

ANGELA BUCKLEY
Dr Angela Buckley is a historian and writer specialising in Victorian crime and detective policing, and the history of forensic science. Her work is featured in national magazines and newspapers, and on radio, podcasts and TV. Angela has a PhD in history and her thesis is on the evolution of Victorian and Edwardian police detective practice. She is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Historical Writers’ Association. Her most recent book is The Mysterious Poisoning of Charles Bravo.