Mike Holgate Livres

Drawing upon contemporary court records and newspaper accounts of the day, the author recounts compelling stories of murder, death and mystery surrounding those who built, worked and travelled on the Great Western Railway.

Fact proves far stranger than fiction in this collection of real-life crimes, scandals, tragedies and murders which either influenced the works of the world's most popular mystery writer or affected the lives of many famous personalities involved in her long and brilliant career.

This collection delves into the notorious true crimes of Devon, showcasing infamous figures such as highwayman Tom Faggus, smuggler Jack Rattenbury, murderer John Lee, and fraudster Charles De Ville Wells. Each character represents a unique aspect of the county's dark past, with stories drawn from various historical sources, including many previously unpublished cases. Ideal for true crime enthusiasts, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of Devon's most infamous rogues and the region's intriguing history.

Napoleon Bonaparte¿s long reign of terror in Europe was finally brought to an end at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. Attempting to flee to America, the fallen emperor surrendered when his ship was intercepted by the British navy. While the Prince Regent considered Napoleon¿s optimistic request to reside in England, the prisoner was held off the Devon coast on the warship HMS Bellerophon. Before the decision was made to send `Boney¿ into exile on St Helena, the celebrity became an instant tourist attraction as thousands of people flocked to the area and took boat trips hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous `Disturber of the World¿. Newspapers were filled with lurid accounts of the great dictator as he paced the deck of the massive British warship in full view of the boatloads of sightseers. Artists recorded the scene and poets wrote epic verse. Prefaced with a summary of the key campaigns during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, author Mike Holgate takes up the story during the aftermath of the Duke of Wellington¿s momentous victory at Waterloo, recounting public reaction, newsworthy incidents, eye witness accounts and anecdotes recorded during Napoleon¿s fateful two-week mid-summer sojourn in England.