Colchester historian Patrick Denney takes the reader on a sinister journey from the religious persecutions of Queen Mary's time to the twentieth century, meeting villains, cut-throats, arsonists and lunatics along the way. The book is based on original research and recalls many grisly events and sad or unsavoury individuals whose fate has hitherto been forgotten. This fascinating chronicle will prove to be a valuable—if gruesome—addition to the historical record of the town. It will be of great interest to the casual reader and committed historian alike.
