I went on a coastal hike today and came across the grave of Sir John Betjeman.

I spotted this list of executions in Cornwall from 1785 to 1882, in Fowey Museum, featuring livestock thefts, burglaries, forgeries, setting fire to haystacks, and lots of murders.

I discovered these fabulous skulls in Fowey Church, as well as a wonderful 18th century poem listing bell ringer ‘crimes’, such as ‘marring a peal’, which would result in a sixpence fine.

I’m on holiday in Cornwall this week and I loved this sculpture celebrating Daphne du Maurier’s work, in Fowey where she lived. The bird is quite scary!

I loved this series - a French Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, set in Nice in 1936, with fabulous female leads. Highly recommended! www.netflix.com/gb/title/820...

Watch Summer ’36 | Netflix Official Site

Nice, 1936. As workers enjoy their first paid holidays, four very different women become entangled in the murder of a prosecutor at the Riviera hotel.

netflix.com

I'm delighted to announce that the next book in The Historical Murder Files is available to preorder on Kindle. Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders is an extended and updated edition of my first book, featuring new material including the histories of her victims. 🔗 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HFNMZZ81

I had a voicemail from my local garage this morning, about my car service, and my phone transcribed it as being the ‘Assassinate Service Department’ - that certainly piqued my interest 😆

This week in my crime history newsletter, I examine four historical homicide cases which the Metropolitan Police never solved, and which contributed to the formation of the detective department at Scotland Yard: drangelabuckley.substack.com/p/the-first-...

The first Metropolitan Police murders

Four unsolved historical homicides

drangelabuckley.substack.com

I'm really looking forward to returning to Torquay this year for the Agatha Christie Festival, where I'll be speaking about The Golden Age of Detection, on Friday 18 September at 10 am. Tickets here: www.iacf-uk.org/festival-202...

#Chartism #GreatDayOut #PeoplesHistory Chartism Day takes place in Warwick on Saturday 19 September. Get your ticket here👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chartism-d...

Chartism Day 2026

Join us to discover the latest research on Chartism and get the chance to meet fellow Chartist scholars and enthusiasts. All welcome.

eventbrite.co.uk

I’m ready for the eclipse…

150 years ago today, on 11 Aug 1876, the second inquest into the death of Charles Bravo, held at the Bedford Hotel, Balham ended after 23 days and some 40 witnesses. The jury concluded that Charles was wilfully murdered but there was insufficient evidence to say by whom. books2read.com/charlesbravo

I have a growing collection of police history books, and this is the latest addition - The Rise of Scotland Yard by Douglas G Browne, published in 1956.

I'm absolutely thrilled with this very thoughtful and positive review for my new book, The Mysterious Poisoning of Charles Bravo, on goodreads. It is so kind of readers to leave such lovely feedback – I am very grateful and it spurs me on to carry on writing! #truecrime #CharlesBravo #bookreviews

Last week I went to West Norwood Cemetery in London where I managed to locate Charles Bravo's grave. Visiting his final resting place was quite a moving experience! You can find out more about his mysterious death in my new book: www.amazon.co.uk/Mysterious-P...

This afternoon I've been creating boards on Pinterest on my crime history and detective work. If you are on there, it would be great if you could follow me, and I will follow you back. uk.pinterest.com/drangelabuck...

Dr Angela Buckley (drangelabuckley) - Profile | Pinterest

Dr Angela Buckley | Victorian true crime historian & author 🔎 | The Historical Murder Files series | Caminada Chronicles

uk.pinterest.com

150 years ago today, on 2 August 1876, PC Nicholas Cock was murdered while on his beat in Manchester. The perpetrator was brought to justice but, in an astonishing twist, the real killer was later revealed... #truecrime #Victorianmurder #policehistory #Manchester www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Killed-C...

I love detective fiction and Inspector Montalbano is one of my favourite fictional investigators. I’ve just finished reading the fifth book in the series, which I really enjoyed. Who is your favourite detective? #detectivefiction

I'm absolutely thrilled to be taking part in this year's London Month of the Dead – my favourite festival! I'll be speaking about Charles Bravo and the Balham Mystery on 10 Oct at 1.30 pm at Kensal Green Cemetery. Ticket includes a glass of Victorian punch! londonmonthofthedead.com/thebalhammys...

📣 It's the last week of the Smashwords summer sale and both volumes of The Detective Caminada Chronicles are half price! Here's the link to the first volume and the second is in the comments 🔗https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1881910 #Victoriandetectives #memoir #JeromeCaminada #crimehistory

On 27 July 1876 Florence Bravo testified at the inquest into her husband Charles' death. She admitted to having been intimate with Dr Gully, before her marriage, which shocked the court, and she was repeatedly questioned about her behaviour rather than his murder 👉https://books2read.com/charlesbravo

In The Clocks, Hercule Poirot ponders historical crime cases, including that of Charles Bravo: 'There is no doubt whatever in my own mind as to who murdered Charles Bravo. The companion may have been involved, but she was certainly not the moving spirit in the matter.’ books2read.com/charlesbravo

In Agatha Christie's 'Ordeal by Innocence' (1963), Dr Macmaster says, ‘It reminds me, you know, of the Bravo case – nearly a hundred years ago now, I suppose, but books are still being written about it.' 150 years after the case, I've written about it... www.amazon.co.uk/Mysterious-P...

Many of my ancestors spent time in the workhouse - I’m not sure how well I would have coped. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...

Gruel and graft: museum asks if you could survive a Victorian workhouse

Revamped Ripon attraction reopens as a more immersive experience telling ‘national story’ of poverty and welfare

theguardian.com

Today I've been delving into the mind of the infamous Victorian baby farmer, Amelia Dyer, for the new edition of my book, Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders. I've been reading the medical reports, which are fascinating, especially as the doctors couldn't agree as to whether she was insane or not.

🔎 Recently I visited the Crumlin Road Gaol experience in Belfast, which was excellent – it's a typical Victorian prison but with a dark past. In today's Substack article I reveal what's behind those infamous gates 🔗 drangelabuckley.substack.com/p/belfasts-i... #prisonhistory #penalhistory #Belfast

Belfast’s infamous prison

The Crumlin Road Gaol experience

drangelabuckley.substack.com

I’m going to attempt to read an Italian novel for the first time - un libro giallo, naturalmente #languages #Italian #detectivefiction

Sunday is beach day 🏖️

This is my weekend crime fiction read. It’s set in a heatwave on the Isle of Wight…

I’m so thrilled with this lovely feedback on my new book, The Mysterious Poisoning of Charles Bravo - it has made my week!

Mark Crail@markcrail.bsky.social · last mo.

I’ve just finished reading this and enjoyed it immensely. A fascinating and intriguing tale, and I genuinely could not put it down until I got to the end. Looking forward to others in the series.