Death in the Air

The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City

By: Kate Winkler Dawson

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

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.

In winter 1952, London automobiles and thousands of coal-burning hearths belched particulate matter into the air. But the smog that descended on December fifth of 1952 was different; it was a type that held the city hostage for five long days. Mass transit ground to a halt, criminals roamed the streets, and 12,000 people died. That same month, there was another killer at large in London: John Reginald Christie, who murdered at least six women. In a braided narrative that draws on extensive interviews, never-before-published material, and archival research, Dawson captivatingly recounts the intersecting stories of the these two killers and their longstanding impact on modern history.

©2017 Kate Winkler Dawson (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"What's great about Death in the Air is not just its stunning premise, but also its deep reach into the life of London in the mid-twentieth century. It's a wonderful read. Welcome to the metaphysics of fog." (S. C. Gwynne, New York Times best-selling author of Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell)

"Journalist Dawson writes the parallel, shocking histories of the suffocating smog that menaced London, ultimately killing thousands, in December 1952, and a serial killer's salacious murders and trial the following year. Focusing on the powerful press' response to both killers and offering food for thought on what constitutes crime, responsibility, and progress, Dawson delves into heated parliamentary debates between Churchill's Conservative cabinet and Laborite agitators; first-person accounts from doctors, policemen, and other smog survivors; court records; and Christie's own, jaw-dropping account of his murders." ( Booklist)

New information for this well seasoned ex-pat!

I really thought that that I knew a good amount of my old country's history but 'Death In The Air' shared quite a few surprises I can tell you. I must admit that I have always been intrigued with the Timothy Evans/John Christie case ever since I was a young girl. I know that is pretty weird however I remember watching the Attenborough movie 10 Rillington Place (and the nightmares that followed) during my teen years. I always became so incensed with regards to Evan's execution as I felt that it was so unjust. He did not receive a fair trial. Poor guy had to take everything 'on faith' as he could neither read or write so from the start he was at a distinct disadvantage. Kate Winkler Dawson (KWD) has done so much research that I have learned so much more about the case that I was totally riveted to this book.

With regards to the horrendous fog. This crises was completely new to me. I lived in Birmingham right near a metal smelting plant so all I can say is 'join the club'! However seriously I had no idea that the good quality coal was being sold abroad and that the 'nutty slack' which I remember really well was being fobbed off on us, the British people who put those politicians in office. Those same politicians who were living in their lovely detached houses out in suburbia. Homes heated with electricity.

I remember how hard it was to get this stuff to burn. It always felt damp and once you did get it started someone had to stay close to it as it would spark like crazy. Would often set your rug on fire. Huge puffs of smoke would fill the room. You would put your bed sheets out on the washing line to dry. When you went to bring them in they would be spotty and grey. I remember my Nan saying that it was due to the Nutty slack.

I would have given this book five stars all the way but felt that it got pulled down in parts with stats and other minutia where I found myself 'drifting off' a little.

Graeme Malcolm gives a stellar performance. When he quotes Christie it was quite eerie at times.

Enjoyed this book very much. Highly recommend.

Another stellar book from Kate Winkler Dawson

This book is beautifully written and unendingly fascinating. The audio narration is perfect. If you enjoy true crime, history, and/or insight into political machinations around public health, you will enjoy this book. No surprise here; everything Winkler Dawson is behind is equally worth your time! I highly recommend all her books and podcasts. Her body of work is consistently excellent.

Intertwines two stories perfectly .

Play at 1.2 speed, the narrator is SLOOOW. Engrossing story of murder and a a toxic disaster.

fascinating story, narrator is meh

loved the storytelling, Dawson is very gifted. the inclusion of the young girls story had me on edge until the villain was arrested--i spent much of the book on tender hooks waiting for her to become one of the victims of the killer and not just the fog. highly recommend, despite the narrator being a bit dull/monotone-y sounding at times.

Neither truly disappointing nor what I had hoped for

I was definitely hoping for a more Erik Larson style story, but this historical account of serial murder and the conditions of the time fell a little flat. I feel the narration led to that in part as his very cadenced style got to be grating at times.

Great Story and History

Kate Winkler Dawson is a great writer. Love the history and mystery provided in this read. If you like history you’ll love this listen!

Great mix of history and true crime

Really enjoyed this book. It immerses you in 1950’s London and the everyday struggles of the people who live there. Adding in the morbid deeds of a serial killer made this book very enjoyable. I listen to the author’s podcasts but will definitely keep listening to her books as well.

Avoidance Leads to Death

Smog and a detective that did not ask enough questions, led to many deaths. I didn't learn about deadly smog in England or the United States. Very interesting to learn about this and the killer also.

Gripping historic true crime

Listened to the whole thing in a matter of days. I appreciated how vividly the author brought to life the time and place (post-war London). It reminded me structurally of Devil in the White City in the way it shifted between perspectives, as well as the monstrosity of the murders. I enjoy listening to the author's podcast Tenfold More Wicked and would have loved to hear her narrate, but Graeme Malcolm did a great job with his narration and helped situate it in Britain. I would have liked a little more discussion of the murderer's psychology, as I found him really difficult to understand and a bit atypical for a sociopath. Highly recommend overall.

Utterly mesmerising … couldn’t put it down

The only thing that would make this audio book any better would be to have Kate Winkler Dawson narrate it herself. It is so well written, the detail is just divine .. I was there in that fog, horrified at the deaths in and around it. I will listen to this again and again. It’s just magnificent.