A Is for Acid

The events unfold across the late 1930s into the 1940s, including the Second World War and the VE Day period. The war provides the cover for Haigh’s scams as families lose focus on danger while he builds wealth. Postwar Britain also frames his rise and eventual downfall as social norms shift and the truth emerges.

The narrative moves from a rural Yorkshire village where Haigh is raised to wartime London and then to Kensington, where his criminal enterprise takes shape. Key locations include a workshop used for his murders and the upscale Onslow Court Hotel where he presents a respectable facade while plotting. The settings contrast provincial quiet with urban bustle, underscoring the gap between appearance and crime.

💰 Greed

Money and social climbing drive Haigh’s murderous spree. He methodically uses others’ wealth to fortify his own position, disguising killings as legitimate business ventures and fraud.

🧪 Deception

Haigh constructs elaborate alibis and personas, including experiments with acids, to portray himself as a harmless inventor. The story centers on how surface credibility masks deadly intent.

🕵️ Manipulation

Haigh exploits trust, friendship, and professional connections to lure victims. He maintains a charm that hides his ruthlessness and willingness to destroy those who stand in the way.