19th Century Barnsley Murders

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Description

'19th Century Barnsley Murders' is a telling account of crimes in the Barnsley area that have remained unpublished for more than a century. The book reveals the dark heart of the town and reflects not only the poverty and squalor in which many people of the time lived, but also the deep-rooted prejudices and double standards of the period. Crimes include poaching in the local area, a serious poisoning of bread and butter pudding at an eating house and the tragic story of a man who was poisoned for a joke. More sinister happenings include a case of body snatching, which brought the whole town of Barnsley to a state of complete panic, the distressing murder of a child, and a woman who was shot down in the street by her former marine boyfriend. The book also charts cases of attempted murder, including the story of a woman who was saved from death by her stays and a brutal attack on an elderly lady, which might so easily have ended in murder. These macabre tales reveal a side of Barnsley that is not visible in the modern town of today. The intriguing narrative and in-depth coverage of Barnsley's criminal past make this essential reading for both local historians and those interested in true crime. AUTHOR: Local historian Margaret Drinkall retired in 2009 in order to concentrate on her passion for researching and writing. Background to Margaret's writings and interests can be seen on her website, margaretdrinkall.co.uk, which also offers publication advice to new writers. SELLING POINTS: . Many of the crimes in this book have never been written about before. . Includes two separate cases that brought Barnsley to national attention, when the crimes caused questions to be asked about capital punishment and Home Office's power to commute some death sentences and not others. . Illustrated with an array of archive and modern photographs. . Drawing on a wide source of newspapers and archive material, these cases will fascinate anyone interested in true crime and Barnsley's history. 50 illustrations

Reviews

"The book is a collection of murders in Barnsley and is similar to many that are published based on the murder or serious crime in towns across the country. Nowhere was free from serious and horrifying crime and the author captures a variety of interesting cases from her home town. There is no need to be a resident or associated with Barnsley to enjoy, if that is the right term, reading about murders. Much of the research if from local and national newspapers, which in the period carried detailed reports of murder with often excruciating detail of injuries and the cause of death and evidence given at inquests and assizes. This allows the author to provide surprising detail of the crimes, given that it is unlikely any of the crime files survived. A good read for anyone interested in 19th century policing."-- "Police History Society Newsletter"

Author Bio

Margaret Drinkall came late into learning, completing a Master's degree in history in 2006, aged 60. Studying for the degree gave her the confidence to write a book on local history, and soon after she began to write Rotherham Workhouse. Since then Margaret has been fortunate enough to retire to write full time. She has a keen interest in local history and true crime.