A thrilling account of the creation of the so-called lie detector,
exploring shocking murders and dramatic trials to uncover the true
nature of the polygraph. This tense true crime story is perfect for fans
of American Predator and The Invention of Murder.
Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the
doors of the emergency room covered in his wife's blood. But was he a
grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to
have her murdered?
To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new
machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a
visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman's touch.
John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector
would make the justice system fairer - but the flawed device soon grew
too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast
friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world,
it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still
being felt.
As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors
in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the
polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive
gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom drama.
Touching on psychology, technology and the science of the truth,
Tremors in the Blood is a vibrant, atmospheric thriller, and a warning
from history: beware what you believe.
