Wow this book had me from the start because I never know anything about this part of our history, as well as making me feel like I wanted to cry, while it's heartbreaking, it's a tale that needs to be told, so we can never forget what happened.

NetGalley, Elizabeth Means

Review by Andrew Smith

The Devil’s Trap is well-researched, superbly written and offers a compelling story, reminding us of the true horror of Cawnpore. Highly recommended.

Journal of the Victorian Military Society

The resulting story still strikes today for its dramatic and bloody implications, with the Sepoys (Indian rebel soldiers) who committed crimes (which were later punished in an exemplary way by the British) incomprehensible and perhaps dictated by an almost mystical conviction that the 1857 was the year of the end of the Raj (100 years after Clive's victory at Plassey). The book "The Devil's Trap" is a great addition to any library that talks about the Raj, although obviously those who want a complete narration of the events that led the Sepoys to rebel should look elsewhere, given the specificity of the volume in question. At the same time it seems that today little remains of those events, certainly in India, where all the mausoleums have been moved or removed and where figures such as Tantia Tope who were instrumental in the massacre are even celebrated. This book tries to remember those who made a long journey, often for love, like the strong women of Cawnpore, to die horribly. Their sacrifice must be remembered.

Read the full Italian review here

On The Old Barbed Wire

James W. Bancroft's book adds more detail and understanding to the horrible events at Cawnpore in 1857. It is no wonder that Victorian Britain regarded those who were killed there, especially the women and children, as being nothing short of martyrs to Empire. I am a firm believer that every life is inherently fascinating and the lives of these victims and the few survivors are similarly interesting. I believe the author does them a service in turning them into identifiable human beings and setting out where they were born, where they grew up, who they married, who their parents were and how they ended up in Cawnpore at that fateful time. They may have lived and died over 160 years ago but their lives can still feel remarkably relatable; they loved their families, got sick, married, had jobs to do even if in an exotic and often inhospitable location. This book adds additional insight into the lives of those involved in what must surely be one of the saddest incidents in imperial history. It must be hard to add new information on an infamous event that took place over 160 years ago, but the author has managed to do precisely this. Therefore, this book is to be commended as a welcome addition to the Cawnpore corpus.

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The British Empire

llustrated by a section of images in color or black and white, this hardcover book is a gripping portrayal of personal stories underlying historic events.

Toy Soldier & Model Figure Magazine, issue 248

You could tell that the author did a lot of research and it shows in how well the book is done. It was great to learn about something that I had never heard of.

NetGalley, Kay McLeer

A vivid account of an insurrection that shook the British Empire. The photo-plate sections add to the text with some very interesting images, many in full colour. – Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

'History of War recommends...'

All About History

The horrific massacre of the British garrison at Gawnpore during the Indian mutiny is the subject of James Bancroft's new book, with amazing tales of survival in the face of the most dreadful treatment of the incarcerated men, women and children. A real life horror story, expertly researched and told by James.

Books Monthly

Bancroft has produced a meticulously researched and well-written account that brings to the reader the true heart-breaking human tragedy of the Cawnpore massacre in a way not previously achieved. The brutality of the subject matter sometimes makes it a difficult read but for anyone wishing to understand the true, dark nature of the Indian Mutiny it is a must-read.

History of War, issue 76

Author article: 'Teenager cornered then killed in The Devil’s Trap' as featured by

Lancashire Evening Post, 4th December 2019

It is, I think, a very well-researched account of the Cawnpore Massacre, and well worth reading if you are interested in it and/or the British Empire history of this area.

NetGalley, Janette Forman

Article: 'The Dorset woman who escaped being killed in a murderous frenzy - but succumbed to smallpox' as featured by

Dorset Echo, 19th November 2019 – words by Joanna Davis

Article: 'New book tells the story of Yorkshire heroine's role in tragic massacre in India' as featured by

The Yorkshire Post – words by Grace Newton

An interesting look at almost moment to moment of what happened in India. Listing of the names of victims and those involved. A good source of primary information and not overwhelming in boring text. Easy to read.

NetGalley, Alexandra Roth

The Devil’s Trap is exceedingly well written, researched, and is easy to follow for those previously unfamiliar with these ground breaking historic events. The Massacre was as shaking to the British Empire as 9/11 was to the USA. It was devastating in terms of the loss of human life, and changed forever the relationship previously enjoyed by the protagonists. Despite the loss of life, the British Raj continued beyond 1858 until 1947 pretty much without radical change.

NetGalley, Nemo Nemo