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 investigations of the nineteenth century. Despite two lengthy 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.

Even Agatha Christie, the queen of crime fiction, was captivated by the case and offered her own theory. Yet the mystery defeated even her. This is the story of a complex investigation, a household of secrets, and three people who each had reason to want Charles Bravo dead. Over a century later, the case is still officially unsolved and the question remains: Who poisoned Charles Bravo?


In 1876, London barrister Charles Bravo died after ingesting lethal antimony. Despite two inquests and three suspects — his wife, her companion, and her former lover — the case was never solved. Even Agatha Christie offered a theory, but the mystery defeated her. Over a century later, the question remains: who poisoned Charles Bravo?