-- Newspaper and Website Reviews
Delve into the dark underbelly of True Crimes; a great book, full of interesting facts.
www.snakebitehorror.co.uk
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NOTORIOUS SOUTH EAST LONDON CRIMES LAID BARE
South east London’s murky past features in a new true crime book.
Mike Gray’s 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crime features notorious goings on in Deptford and Blackheath.
In 1905, the Stratton Brother from Deptford murdered a shopkeeper and his wife during an attempted robbery at 34 Deptford High Street. Their trial was unique for being the first to feature fingerprint evidence to secure a conviction. They were hanged together.
On-the-run armed robber John McVicar was arrested in a flat in Stratheden Parade in November 1970 after 700 days on the run from high security HMP Durham.
He was also hidden a couple of away from The Royal Standard when police came for him.
From the Black Widow to Britain’s wealthiest criminal and the Bridgewater Four, Mike Gray lifts the lid on more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines.
101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes is out now.
Oxford Mail
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NOTORIOUS SOUTH EAST LONDON CRIMES LAID BARE
South east London’s murky past features in a new true crime book.
Mike Gray’s 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crime features notorious goings on in Deptford and Blackheath.
In 1905, the Stratton Brother from Deptford murdered a shopkeeper and his wife during an attempted robbery at 34 Deptford High Street. Their trial was unique for being the first to feature fingerprint evidence to secure a conviction. They were hanged together.
On-the-run armed robber John McVicar was arrested in a flat in Stratheden Parade in November 1970 after 700 days on the run from high security HMP Durham.
He was also hidden a couple of away from The Royal Standard when police came for him.
From the Black Widow to Britain’s wealthiest criminal and the Bridgewater Four, Mike Gray lifts the lid on more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines.
101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes is out now.
News Shopper
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NOTORIOUS SOUTH EAST LONDON CRIMES LAID BARE
South east London’s murky past features in a new true crime book.
Mike Gray’s 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crime features notorious goings on in Deptford and Blackheath.
In 1905, the Stratton Brother from Deptford murdered a shopkeeper and his wife during an attempted robbery at 34 Deptford High Street. Their trial was unique for being the first to feature fingerprint evidence to secure a conviction. They were hanged together.
On-the-run armed robber John McVicar was arrested in a flat in Stratheden Parade in November 1970 after 700 days on the run from high security HMP Durham.
He was also hidden a couple of away from The Royal Standard when police came for him.
From the Black Widow to Britain’s wealthiest criminal and the Bridgewater Four, Mike Gray lifts the lid on more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines.
101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes is out now.
This is London
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'101 INTERESTING FACTS ON BRITAIN'S TRUE LIFE CRIMES' BY MIKE GRAY Driffield Author Mike Gray has just published his fifth book ‘101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes’ and it features a notorious Hull arsonist and Hull prison. Mike, who lived in Driffield for many years, describes Peter Dinsdale’s horrific crimes of arson in Selby Street, Hull, which caused the deaths of many adults and small children. He was jailed for life in 1981 and became Hull’s biggest serial killer. Also featured in the book is the 1976 HMP Hull prison riot, which lasted three days, with over 100 prisoners involved in the rioting, it ended on 3rd September 1976, with over two thirds of the prison buildings destroyed. The prison closed for one year while an estimated £4 million repair was carried out. Brief Description: Are you interested in True life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes? What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge ‘Spaghetti House’ seige last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book. Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans. Available from.Amazon.co.uk or http://www.Apexpublishing.co.uk ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-910295-34-2
Beverley Guardian
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STREATHAM FEATURED IN NEW CRIME BOOK
Streatham is featured in a new Crime book '101 Interesting Facts on Britain's True Life Crimes'
32, Ambleside Avenue in Streatham is one of the most infamous houses in Streatham, and is the home of Britain's most famous Madame, Cynthia Payne (aka Madame Sin), who was born on Christmas Eve in 1932, Her fame started in 1978 when the Metropolitan police raided the house in 1978, and a Sex-Party was in full swing, many guests included Judges, Senior Police Officers and Magistrates. She was sent to prison in 1980 for 18 Months, only to be raided again in 1986 by the police.
Cynthia Payne still lives in the property even today, and can always be seen walking around the Streatham area, on many occassions I (The Author) have seen her in a well known local supermarket, as she pushes her four-wheeler shopping trolley, to this day her fame is known as The Madame who ran the "biggest disordely Brothel in British history". In 1992 I visited 'The House of Cyn' with my two nephews who wanted to see the 'Famous SW16 House' and we had a family party at the local St Leonard's church hall, in Streatham, although Cynthia was not home, we peeked through the letterbox to see the Judge's head at the bottom of her bannisters.
Brief Description: Are you interested in True life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes?
What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge 'Spaghetti House' seige last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
Based on information supplied by Mike Gray.
Croydon Guardian
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LOCAL AUTHOR PENS TRUE CRIME BOOK
Are you interested in true life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes? What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge 'Spaghetti House' siege last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
Available from http://www.Amazon.co.uk or http://www.Apexpublishing.co.uk
ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-910295-34-2
The Coastrider (Spanish Newspaper)
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'101 INTERESTING FACTS ON BRITAIN'S TRUE LIFE CRIMES' BY MIKE GRAY
Driffield Author Mike Gray has just published his fifth book ‘101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes’ and it features a notorious Hull arsonist and Hull prison.
Mike, who lived in Driffield for many years, describes Peter Dinsdale’s horrific crimes of arson in Selby Street, Hull, which caused the deaths of many adults and small children. He was jailed for life in 1981 and became Hull’s biggest serial killer.
Also featured in the book is the 1976 HMP Hull prison riot, which lasted three days, with over 100 prisoners involved in the rioting, it ended on 3rd September 1976, with over two thirds of the prison buildings destroyed. The prison closed for one year while an estimated £4 million repair was carried out.
Brief Description: Are you interested in True life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes?
What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge ‘Spaghetti House’ seige last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
Available from.Amazon.co.uk or http://www.Apexpublishing.co.uk
ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-910295-34-2
Driffield Times & Post
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STREATHAM FEATURED IN NEW CRIME BOOK
Streatham is featured in a new Crime book '101 Interesting Facts on Britain's True Life Crimes'
32, Ambleside Avenue in Streatham is one of the most infamous houses in Streatham, and is the home of Britain's most famous Madame, Cynthia Payne (aka Madame Sin), who was born on Christmas Eve in 1932, Her fame started in 1978 when the Metropolitan police raided the house in 1978, and a Sex-Party was in full swing, many guests included Judges, Senior Police Officers and Magistrates. She was sent to prison in 1980 for 18 Months, only to be raided again in 1986 by the police.
Cynthia Payne still lives in the property even today, and can always be seen walking around the Streatham area, on many occassions I (The Author) have seen her in a well known local supermarket, as she pushes her four-wheeler shopping trolley, to this day her fame is known as The Madame who ran the "biggest disordely Brothel in British history". In 1992 I visited 'The House of Cyn' with my two nephews who wanted to see the 'Famous SW16 House' and we had a family party at the local St Leonard's church hall, in Streatham, although Cynthia was not home, we peeked through the letterbox to see the Judge's head at the bottom of her bannisters.
Brief Description: Are you interested in True life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes?
What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge 'Spaghetti House' seige last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
Based on information supplied by Mike Gray.
Surrey Comet
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ILFORD'S LONDON ELECTRICITY BOARD ROBBERY FEATURES IN NEW CRIME BOOK BY KENT AUTHOR
The incredible story of George Davis and the notorious 1974 armed robbery of Ilford’s London Electricity Board has been relived in a new crime book.
Part-time author Mike Gray, 56, of Rainham, Kent, vividly remembers the 1975 Ashes Test match being abandoned after Davis’ supporters dug up the pitch at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds.
After writing four previous crime books, the estate agent - a friend of Ronnie Biggs for more than 30 years - decided to chronicle the exploits of the most memorable crimes this nation has ever seen, including those of “The Wembley Mob”, led by Bertie Smalls, who robbed Barclays Bank in High Road, Ilford in 1970. The book is called 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes.
“With this book I just wanted to remember the crimes going on when I was growing up,” said cricket fan Mr Gray.
“With Davis I remember the pitch being dug up because of the George Davis campaign.
“Most of the facts I have had in my head over the years,” he added.
Each of Mr Gray’s books took him just a week to write, thanks to his knowledge of the crime.
Davis’ campaign became part of criminal folklore after he was jailed over a raid in April 1974 at the London Electricity Board.
In 2011, after a campaign lasting decades to try quash his conviction, Davis won an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
His case attracted attention from all levels of society and punk band Sham 69 even wrote a song about him.
However, he was arrested again in 1977 and pleaded guilty to involvement in an armed robbery at the Bank of Cyprus in London. He was sentenced to 15 years, reduced to 11 years on appeal.
“The Bank of Cyprus robbery made his wife, who had been campaigning too, and his loyal supporters look a bit stupid,” added Mr Gray.
Ilford Recorder
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101 INTERESTING FACTS ON BRITAIN'S TRUE LIFE CRIMES
Wimbledon Guardian
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101 INTERESTING FACTS ON BRITAIN'S TRUE LIFE CRIMES
Kent on Sunday
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101 INTERESTING FACTS ON BRITAIN'S TRUE LIFE CRIMES By Mike Gray
Mike is a former resident of San Pedro del Pinatar.
Are you interested in True life crime? Would you like to find out more about some of the most highly publicised crimes ever committed in Great Britain? Are you curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals? If so, you won’t want to be without 101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes?
What event marked the start of the ‘Supergrass’ era in the UK? Who were the Bridgewater Four and what crime were they convicted of? Can you name Britain’s supposed wealthiest criminal, also known as ‘Goldfinger’? Who was the ‘Black Widow’ and how did she come by her nickname? How long did the Knightsbridge 'Spaghetti House' siege last? The answers can all be found inside Mike Gray’s fascinating new true crime book.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
True crime Author Mike Gray's previous books were 'The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book' & '101 Interesting Facts on The Great Train Robbery And Ronnie Biggs' both published by Apex publishing, please contact publisher Chris Cowlin (mail@apexpublishing.co.uk) or Author Mike Gray (Mikegray1957@hotmail.co.uk) should you require further interview/PR information.
Publishing on 30th May, 2014
Available from http://www.Amazon.co.uk or http://www.Apexpublishing.co.uk
ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-910295-34-2.
The Leader (Spanish Newspaper)
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ISLAND PRISONS FEATURE IN NEW BOOK
The Isle of Wight’s famous three prisons are all featured in a new crime book by True crime Author, Mike Gray.
Mike’s previous best selling book ‘The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book’ also heavily featured HMP Parkhurst, Camp Hill and Albany and stories relating to the criminals they held.
If you are curious about the UK’s most notorious murderers, bank robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters and career criminals then this brand new book, titled ’101 Interesting Facts on Britain’s True Life Crimes’, has all the answers.
Discover the truth about more than 100 actual events that grabbed the headlines and shocked the UK including details of serial killers, gangsters, thieves, crimes of passion, those who were caught or got away and the falsely accused. It is all inside this compelling book, a must-have read for all true crime fans.
True crime Author Mike Gray’s previous books were ‘The Great Train Robbery Quiz Book’ & ’101 Interesting Facts on The Great Train Robbery And Ronnie Biggs’ both published by Apex publishing.
The book is available from 30th May at http://www.amazon.co.uk or http://www.apexpublishing.co.uk. ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-910295-34-2.
Island Echo
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