If At First You Don't Succeed

Trial, Trial Again

I met Claire Richardson when I went to see her talk about Victorian prostitutes and then sent her a terrifyingly detailed email about Peterborough in the 19th century. We have been great friends ever since, bonding over our love of this weird city and the murky corners of the past. We write and work together regularly and she is now working on a PhD covering the Norman Cross prison camp.

For my 40th birthday, Claire made me this embroidery of an 18th century map of the city, and I am blown away. Partly because of the detail and the beautiful, tactile elements, a completely different way of ‘seeing’ Peterborough.

But also because I never expected anyone to make me something so beautiful.

Thank you Claire, woman of many talents.

I am back after an almost restorative Easter, with a local murder. This is the story of a man from Stamford who left a trail of death and destruction in his wake between 1854 and 1856.

If you can’t afford to subscribe, get in touch. An abbreviated version of this story is available on my bluesky profile.