This chilling collection brings together true-life historical murders that shocked not only the city but frequently made headline news throughout the country. Cases featured here include riots in 1791, a bank robbery in 1844 and an arson attack in 1912. Murder most foul also raises its ugly head, with John Thompson stabbing his common-law wife in a fit of drunken jealousy in 1861, and Mary Albion being murdered in her bed when a robbery went wrong in 1898. Vanessa Morgan's well-illustrated and enthralling text will appeal to everyone interested in true crime and the shadier side of Birmingham's past.