Book 50 of My 2012 Goal

TYMURS: The 1982 Tylenol Murders by Scott Bartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

TYMURS: The 1982 Tylenol Murders by Scot Bartz is an extensive investigation into the 1982 Tylenol Murders. In 1982 people were dying after taking Extra Strength Tylenol Capsules. Naturally the product was recalled but it was too late for some. The stories spread by the media were everything from a madman was running around poisoning random bottles on store shelves possibly to blackmail the company Johnson & Johnson to one of the victims family member did it and poisoned others so it looked like she was a random victim of some nut who gets his kicks out of killing people. It was only by chance that a doctor in the emergency room put two and two together when he treated a 'victim' who died although he didn't know what was wrong with him at the time.Then he learned that two family members of this victim were on their way in with similar symptoms. The doctor made a phone call to the Poison Center and learned the symptoms he explained seemed to fit cyanide poisoning which later blood tests confirmed.

The author brings to light how the situation was mishandled starting with when the Tylenol boxes that were found opened up with capsules taken apart and a 'white powder' found on the floor through how the investigation was handled. Johnson & Johnson was highly praised for their handling of the situation and a relationship developed between them and the agencies who were involved in the investigation of the incident. So in other words, Johnson & Johnson takes over heading the investigation and therefore able to release to the media what information it saw fit.

The author revealed a lot of information I never heard before and the amount of research done before writing this book is staggering. His research went from news reports to court documents and even talking to the people involved. Keep in mind though that is just what this book is, a research and report of the findings. If you are looking for a story where you get close to the main characters and have an adventure, this is not the book for you. There is no bonding with anyone in this book, the main character is a pill called Extra Strength Tylenol, and the plot or purpose is where and who done it. The author seems to slant toward some conclusions with the documentation of why he comes to this conclusion.

I recommend this book to everyone who interested in the Tylenol Murders.


View all my reviews