Book excerpt: Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around the Tees, contains over sixty terrible and gruesome tales, that are set in the locality including; Barnard Castle, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and many of the surrounding villages. In the nineteenth-century, Victorian industrialists built their empires in the beautiful scenery and charming villages of the Tees area, using the river for transport of the commodities that were produced. Small, cramped houses were built to accommodate the rising population and often three or more families would live in one small dwelling. Many of the workers were illiterate and heavy drinkers. Domestic violence and drunken brawls were common amongst the poorer classes. Women and children were often a burden to the breadwinner and were held in low esteem. In a period spanning 100 years from 1799-1899 these well-researched events give an insight into the darker side of our region's history and heritage. Take a journey into the darker side of your area and let your spine tingle, as you read Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around the Tees. Key Selling Points * This new series by Wharncliffe Books, has been very successful in other local towns. * Readers always have a thirst for grisly tales of past misdemeanours in their local town. * Well illustrated using local sources and articles. Author Maureen Anderson was born in Scotland, as a child she was taken to Australia, and finally returned back to Britain in the early 1970's. Maureen now lives in the village of Seaton, where she carries out her research on ancient history. Maureen's parents were keen members of the National Trust, which gave Maureen her love of historical buildings and all things Victorian. Maureen also edited 'Aspects of Teesside', earlier this year for Wharncliffe Books.