In Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Staffordshire and the Potteries the chill is brought close to home as each chapter investigates the darker side of humanity in notorious cases of murder, deceit and pure malice that have marked the history of the area. For this journey into a bloody, neglected aspect of the past, Nicholas Corder has selected over 20 episodes that give a fascinating insight into criminal acts and the criminal mind. Recalled here are the Rugeley poisoner William Palmer, who disposed of his victims with strychnine, the vicious assaults on Issac Brooks and the miscarriage of justice that put George Edalji behind bars for three years and brought the creator of the world's greatest fictional detective to his rescue. The Canal boat killing of poor Christina Collins is described in graphic detail, as is the sad case of Thirza Tunstall's baby and the bizarre case of the headless corpse of Hednesford. The human dramas Nicholas Corder explores are often played out in the most commonplace of circumstances, but others are so odd as to be stranger than fiction. His grisly chronicle of the hidden history of staffordshire and the Potteries will be compelling reading for anyone who is interested in the darker side of human nature.

Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in and Around Wigan is a detailed guide to the town's darker side, exploring, often in gory detail, Wigan's more sinister heritage, by examining accounts of murder and suspicious deaths from the middle ages through to the twentieth century. Victorian Wigan was a town seemingly overflowing with criminals, and some of the most gruesome cases, recounted from the reports taken from the Wigan Observer and Wigan Examiner, occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century. Many of the cases are without motice or provocation. Domestic crime features highly, often involving Wigan's colliers savagely beating their wives to death, and some of the cases remains unsolved. Each of the cases are covered in detail, documenting the crime, the investigation and inquest, and culminates with the eventual court case and punishment.

True crime tales from this ancient British city and tourist spot—photos included. Take a journey through centuries of local crime and conspiracy, meeting villains of all sorts along the way—cut-throats and poisoners, murderous lovers, assassins, prostitutes and suicides. Among the many tales of wickedness and despair the author records in this fascinating book are: Robbery and revenge in Roman times The brutal uncertainties of Bath in the dark ages The highwaymen, gamblers, and duelists of the Georgian period The Victorian underworld and its notorious cases of prostitution, infanticide, and murder Outbreaks of mob violence Political corruption Kirsten Elliott’s chronicle of the history the town would prefer to forget is compelling reading for anyone who is interested in the dark side of human nature.

Twenty true tales of violence and villainy in this area of England’s East Midlands—includes illustrations. Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around Northampton investigates the darker side of humanity in cases of murder, deceit, and pure malice committed over the centuries in this picturesque part of England. For this journey into Northampton’s bloody past, Paul Harrison has selected over twenty notorious episodes that give a fascinating insight into criminal acts and the criminal mind. He reinvestigates some of the most intriguing cases, introduces new evidence, and questions verdicts that were reached many years ago. Among the cases are two old people who were bludgeoned to death for no apparent reason; the murder of a mistress and her child; a philandering salesman who faked his own death; a promiscuous woman who came to a cruel end; a shoemaker who brutally attacked his wife; and the disappearance of Lydia Atley, whose remains were never found. These human dramas are often played out in the most commonplace of circumstances—while others are so odd as to be stranger than fiction.

Criminal cases give us a fascinating, often harrowing insight into crime & the criminal mind, into policing methods & the justice system. They also tell us much about social conditions & attitudes in the past. David Cox's account of 16 notorious cases in Shrewsbury & around Shropshire is a particularly strong & revealing study of this kind.

The criminal cases vividly described by Paul Harrison in this gripping book take the reader on a journey into the dark secret side of Glasgow's long history. The city has been the setting for a series of horrific, bloody, sometimes bizarre incidents over the centuries. From crimes of brutal premeditation to those born of rage or despair, the whole range of human weakness and wickedness is represented here. There are tales of secret passion and betrayal, robbery, murder, gangland violence, executions, and instances of domestic cruelty and malice that ended in death. Among the fascinating and varied selection of cases Paul Harrison covers are an IRA ambush and gun battle, the policeman who murdered his lover, a Wild West-style shootout between police and a desperate robber, a sequence of horrendous serial murders including the case of Bible John, and the extraordinary acquittal of John Mitchell Henderson. The human dramas the author describes are often played out in the most commonplace of circumstances, but others are so odd as to be stranger than fiction. This grisly chronicle of the hidden history of Glasgow will be compelling reading for anyone who is interested in the dark side of human nature.

True tales of betrayal, robbery, and murder across Worcestershire, from Redditch to Upton-on-Severn—includes illustrations and photographs! Though the Battle of Worcester brought an end to the English Civil War in 1651, it was not the end of the bloodshed for the West Midland county of Worcestershire. Known for its rolling hills and abundant farmland, it has also been fertile ground for thieves, murderers, and scoundrals of all sorts. Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths Around Worcester takes readers on a journey through centuries of sinister crimes, from the infamous to the stuff of local legend. Worcester’s dark past goes back to the seventeenth century, when highwaymen haunted the surrounding forests. In this chilling volume, crime historian and Worcestershire resident Anne Bradford chronicles the county’s history of forgery and betrayal, highway robbery and murder, riots and public executions. She also uncovers instances of domestic cruelty that resulted in death. From premediated crimes to desperate acts of passion, a range of human drama is covered in stories such as “The Gentleman who Murdered his Mother,” “The Lovers’ Pact,” and “Death of a Hop-picker,” among others.