David C. Hanrahan Boeken

Thomas Blood's life as a turncoat and spy reveals a complex character who became infamous for stealing Britain's crown jewels. This study delves into the impact of the English Civil War and the early challenges of Charles II's reign, highlighting the crown's use of an emerging intelligence network to maintain power. Blood's narrative raises questions about his motivations—whether he was merely a daredevil or a deeply driven rebel confronting authority, ultimately portraying him as a multifaceted figure in history.

On 2 August 1876, a young policeman named Constable Nicholas Cock was shot dead while walking `the beat' at Whalley Range, Manchester. Although no one suspected a link between them, these two sensational murder cases would, in the end, turn out to be tied together in a way that shocked Victorian society to its core.