The book delves into Agatha Christie's formative connections to Ealing, a place that significantly influenced her life and writing. Highlighting her frequent visits to her Auntie-Grannie's home and the family's ties to the area, it reveals how Ealing inspired several of her stories and characters. Additionally, it marks the location of her first publication in 1901. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Ealing during the Edwardian era, when it was celebrated as the Queen of the Suburbs.
In the quaint seaside town of Bude, Cornwall, a seemingly innocent afternoon tea in 1930 unravels into a sinister tale of arsenic poisoning and mysterious disappearances. When one of the three tea companions succumbs to the deadly toxin, suspicions arose, and the plot thickens as Annie Hearn, one of the remaining survivors, vanished without a trace. As the press dug into Annie's enigmatic past, unsettling stories emerged. In the backdrop of this gripping mystery, doctors grow wary of a peculiar pattern--multiple deaths within the same house, all linked by the insidious presence of arsenic. This book delves into the heart of the investigation, unraveling the intricate web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. Who committed these heinous crimes, and why? The answers lie shrouded in the secrets of a Cornish village, in this case that was later adapted by the legendary Agatha Christie in her Hercule Poirot novel, "Sad Cypress." Prepare for a journey through the dark alleys of a bygone era, where every sip of tea holds the potential for deadly secrets.
Vivid reconstruction of the criminal career of the most famous highwayman Dick Turpin.
The book delves into the military challenges faced by the Hanoverian dynasty during the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745, highlighting the loyalty and strategies of those who supported George I and George II. It offers an in-depth analysis of the political and social dynamics of the time, exploring how the Hanoverians navigated these critical threats to their reign. Through this examination, the author sheds light on the broader implications of loyalty and resistance in early 18th-century Britain.
Gripping reconstructions of a selection of the most notorious serial murders in the history of London.
There were more sieges than there were battles during the Jacobite campaign in Scotland and England in 1745-1746, yet no one work has concentrated on these episodes. Siege warfare was more common than set piece battles in Europe at this time and the ‘45 was no exception. There were two sieges of both Ruthven Barracks and of Carlisle, whilst the castles at Edinburgh, Blair Atholl, and Stirling were also besieged, as were the more recently-built Forts Augustus, George, and William.The government, noting the threat passed by some of the Highland clans and their allies, built a number of new forts in the Highlands from 1690 and especially after 1716 in order to contain this danger. In theory the Jacobites, with their lack of heavy artillery (save at Stirling) should have been unable to take any of these old or new garrisoned fortresses. Yet in several cases they were able to do so and the results of these sieges was never guaranteed. Conversely the British Army was forced to undertake its last siege against a fortress on British soil.This book examines the eight places which were under siege in 1745-1746, examining the history and strength of the fortress or walled town, its garrison and the strength of the attackers, along with the artillery employed by both sides. It narrates each siege, using manuscript and published contemporary sources in order to do so.
Graphic account of the life and crimes of 1950s thief and double-murderer Donald Hume.
Focusing on a notorious post-war British murderer, this biography delves into the life and crimes of its subject, offering insights into their motivations and the societal impact of their actions. The author, known for previous works on similar figures, combines thorough research with compelling storytelling to explore the complexities of morality, justice, and the darker aspects of human nature. This third installment promises to engage readers with a blend of factual detail and narrative depth.
An account of the last Spanish Armada's descent on the British Isles in 1719 set in the context of the War of the Quadruple Alliance, 1718-1720.