THE dark side of life in Northwich and Winsford during the 19th and 20th centuries has been uncovered in a couple’s new book, Cheshire Murders and Misdemeanours.

Paul and Rose Hurley have united to create the title, covering murders and other crimes in Cheshire, plus the stories surrounding them, from the mid-1800s to the 1940s.

Paul has been working as a full-time writer since 2002, scribing about local history, including for this very paper in his weekly 'Looking Back' features.

He began his career in the navy before a near 30-year stint in the police, working in several roles, including as an undercover officer on drugs operations.

Pauk has now got 35 published titles to his name.

In compiling some of the books and stories, his wife Rose stepped in as a first-rate researcher.

She declined to be mentioned, but finally, they have written a book together as joint authors.

Cheshire Murders and Misdemeanour is published by Amberley.

A few examples of the contents are: Deep Dark Doings in Old Northwich Town, The Winsford Culvert Murder, The Hankelow Murder, Sheer Evilness Can Run in the Family, A Heinous Murder in Hyde, plus more.

Amerberley describes: “In this book, authors Paul and Rose Hurley have delved into the historical records to reveal the dark side of life of everyday people of Cheshire at this time, which could turn to murder and death by execution.

“This collection of true-life crime stories gives a vivid insight into life in Cheshire in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

“This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in the history of crime as well as those who want to know more about the history of this area of the North West of England.”

The book can be obtained from Amazon, the publisher Amberley and many bookshops.

Paul and Rose have now been commissioned to write a follow-up book they are working on entitled Tragic Tales of Cheshire.