This week on The Detective's Notebook is the tragic case of Adeline Quinn who was shot during a fracas at her home in Liverpool in 1877. Before she died, she managed to give an account of what happened. I came across her dying declaration in the archives:

The Detective's Notebook has reached 700 subscribers! Huge thanks to all my fabulous supporters. There are more sleuthing adventures ahead so, if you enjoy crime history, join the Victorian and Edwardian detectives as they investigate historical homicides:

If you'd like to find out about the sleuthing adventures of a Victorian police detective, I've republished a collection of cases (now with notes) from the first volume of Detective Jerome Caminada's fascinating memoirs, which is available as an ebook:

This week I've been busy writing a presentation on crime and policing in Victorian London, for the Society of Genealogists' conference, Victorian London Week, from 8-12 September. The programme looks really interesting with lots of talks, visits and walks

The inspiration for my doctoral research into Victorian and Edwardian detectives was Detective Jerome Caminada, who was a member of my Italian ancestors' community in Manchester in the late 1800s. The biography I wrote about him is on offer for 99p!

The first post on my 'new' newsletter is an introduction to my fairly recent doctoral research into regional police detective investigative practice, which includes my top ten takeaways:

Exciting news! I've refreshed by newsletter with a new name and design, as well as focusing the content more on Victorian and Edwardian detectives, the true crime cases they investigated and the forensic methods they used to solve them. More details here:

This month, my Sleuthing Adventures newsletter will feature posts on the fated lover, Mary Blandy, the secrets of Scotland Yard's infamous crime museum, blood analysis in a homicide case, and the crime history of the French Revolution. 'Unlock' them here:

Out on my Sleuthing Adventures Substack newsletter today is an investigation into the truth of the legendary Italian poisoner, Lucrezia Borgia, which was inspired by my coming across an antique fan with a poison ring in a museum in Seville!

This is Arthur, who was 12 years old when he was sentenced to six weeks' hard labour and five years in a reformatory school for stealing biscuits. His poignant story reveals the harsh punitive measures experienced by child offenders in the 19th century:

There are lots of smugglers' pubs here on the Isle of Wight and I'll be exploring a few in my (repeat) talk on Smugglers and Wreckers, at Brading Roman Villa, on Saturday 17 May at 2 pm. There are still some tickets available:

I often visit Lancaster (my son is at uni there) and I always pass by this unprepossessing house in the centre, which was the scene of the tragic murder of Isabella Ruxton and her maid in 1935. It's featured in this week's Sleuthing Adventures newsletter:

Coming up this week on my Sleuthing Adventures newsletter (for all subscribers) is an introduction to the fascinating life and work of the French criminal-turned-police detective, Eugène Vidocq. If you'd like to find out more, you can subscribe here:

My next talk is Smugglers and Wreckers: The Isle of Wight's Shady Past, at Brading Roman Villa, IOW on Saturday 17 May at 2pm. Tickets are available here:

This week's post on my crime history blog (for all subscribers) is the tragic double murder of two police officers in Berkshire in 1876. The culprits were caught using local information and footprint evidence:

Happy April! This month on my Sleuthing Adventures blog will be posts about the tragic murder of two police officers, a firsthand account of the Lizzie Borden trial, a law-enforcing Wild West ancestor, and an early London police detective. Find out more:

Back by popular demand (apparently!) – my talk on the history of smuggling and wrecking at Brading Roman Villa, IOW, last month was oversubscribed so we are running it again, on Saturday 17 May. If you'd like to come along, there is more info here:

RT @IRotherhithe: Saturday 8 March 1.30pm.#BlueAnchor library #Se16 3UQ. 'The Bermondsey Murder' an illustrated talk about the shocking 'Ma….

Out on my Sleuthing Adventures blog today is an investigation into the controversial historic practice of using quick lime to hasten decomposition when trying to dispose of a body. Find out the truth here:

I'm really looking forward to taking part in the first ever Bermondsey and Beyond Literary Festival tomorrow. I'll be talking about my book, The Bermondsey Murder, at the Blue Anchor Library at 2pm. It's a free event!