Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Ealing takes the reader on a sinister journey through centuries of local crime and conspiracy, meeting villains of all sorts along the way - cut-throats and poisoners, murderous lovers, political assassins, murderers and suicides. Jonathan Oates's fascinating book recalls many grisly events and sad or unsavoury characters whose conduct throws a revealing light on their lives and the society of their day.
The book records crime and punishment in the past in all its shocking variety. Among the many instances of violence, wickedness and deceit the author recalls are local merchants executed for treason, a highwayman's last robbery, the cruel fate of a forger, the unsolved murder of a servant girl, the husband who accidentally strangled his wife, the killing of local policeman and the assassination of a prime minister. The result will be compelling reading for anyone who is interested in the dark side of human nature.