Ananova review of book launch
A journalist who campaigned tirelessly for the release of a man wrongly jailed for murder has released a fascinating new book about the case.
Press Association review of book launch
Town Without Pity reveals vital evidence that helped clear Stephen Downing after 27 years - and considers who was responsible for 30 year-od murder.
Product Description
In 1973, a woman was brutally murdered in a graveyard in a picturesque market town. Stephen Downing, aged 17 but with the mental age of 11, was working as a gardener in the graveyard. He was charged with the crime and served 27 years in prison. Six years ago, Don Hale, the editor of the local newspaper, began his own investigation into the murder. This is the story of one man trapped in a web of evil, and of another's courageous fight to free him.
From the Publisher
The journalist who has won more awards than any other journalist in the history of British journalism, Don Hale, OBE, author of "Town Without Pity" - the adaptation of which became the successful BBC film "In Denial of Murder" - releases another superb book entitled "Secrets of the Royal Detective", ISBN: 1904181473, published by WRITERSWORLD.
WRITERSWORLD Managing Director, Graham Cook, writes "Not only are we proud to publish Don's book but also of the fact that through the skills of our book designer, Den Robinson, we were able to load all 49 photographs in this book at twice the normal digital resolution. This is believed to be a first time anywhere for print on demand. From now on, all photographs/ illustrations in our books will will be loaded to this high resolution."
From the Author
The majority of the contents of this book remained locked away and forgotten for over 90 years until eventually opened during 2004. It is a rich harvest of nostalgia and memorabilia and relates to a time long forgotten.
To anyone interested in life and factual crime in Victorian England, or to fans of super sleuth Sherlock Holmes, then this book will provide a rich vein of information and fascinating detail.
And as a welcome bonus, the Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester City Archives and Libraries Department have allowed the reproduction of dozens of exclusive and unique black and white photographs and illustrations.
It is a remarkable book with something for everyone that remains undated and memorable, and should appeal to historians, crime fans and the public alike.
To anyone interested in life and factual crime in Victorian England, or to fans of super sleuth Sherlock Holmes, then this book will provide a rich vein of information and fascinating detail.
And as a welcome bonus, the Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester City Archives and Libraries Department have allowed the reproduction of dozens of exclusive and unique black and white photographs and illustrations.
It is a remarkable book with something for everyone that remains undated and memorable, and should appeal to historians, crime fans and the public alike.
From the Inside Flap
Don Hale is one of Britain’s most highly decorated crime writers’ and journalists. He has specialised in true life, true crime investigations and is rapidly being called the ‘Time Detective’ for his diligent research of interesting and exciting ancient mysteries, some of which are reflected in his current works.
Honoured with an OBE by the Prince of Wales in 2002, he has probably won more awards than any other journalist in British history and regularly writes for a host of national newspapers, magazines and the television industry.
His work on the Stephen Downing case – which released an innocent man after 27 years in jail for a murder he didn’t commit – was adapted into a BBC television drama starring Stephen Tompkinson as investigator Hale. It attracted a 9 million audience!
Honoured with an OBE by the Prince of Wales in 2002, he has probably won more awards than any other journalist in British history and regularly writes for a host of national newspapers, magazines and the television industry.
His work on the Stephen Downing case – which released an innocent man after 27 years in jail for a murder he didn’t commit – was adapted into a BBC television drama starring Stephen Tompkinson as investigator Hale. It attracted a 9 million audience!
From the Back Cover
In 1973 in the picturesque market town of Bakewell, Wendy Sewell was brutally and bloodily murdered.
Wendy had a secret love life, involving liaisons with men in the town. This secret life has never been fully investigated before now. It suited many people in Bakewell that a boy from the council estate should take the blame.
When local newspaper editor Don Hale began to follow the trail of clues, trying to get to the truth, a campaign of intimidation began, culminating in attempts to murder him.
Because of Don Hale's detective work and his courage, Stephen is now free, because the appeal court judges quashed his conviction. They did not however declare him innocent and the police are currently reviewing new information.
TOWN WITHOUT PITY reveals the evidence the authorities want to hide.
About the Author
Don Hale has gained an enviable reputation as one of the country's most controversial and high profile investigative journalists and human rights campaigners. He became a specialist in dealing with reports and inquiries involving true stories, true crime and potential miscarriages of justice, and has been uniquely involved in the quashing of many wrongful convictions.
The most newsworthy case was probably that of Stephen Downing, who spent twenty-seven years in jail for a murder he did not commit. The story became front-page news in nearly 30 countries worldwide at the time.
In 2002, Don was awarded an OBE for 'campaign journalism' and received the award from HRH Prince Charles at the behest of Prime Minster Tony Blair.
Don also wrote about the Downing campaign in his best selling book, 'Town Without Pity', which was short-listed for the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger Award for non-fiction. An adaption of the story later became a successful BBC TV drama called 'In Denial of Murder', and was broadcast during February and March 2004. It starred Stephen Tompkinson as newspaper editor Don Hale, and attracted a nine million audience.
He has also written numerous other books, on a variety of subjects ranging from rock star Joe Cocker's autobiography and ex-footballer Peter Swan's problematic career, to Sounds of the Sixties biographies and the dramatic history of the record-breaking steam engine, Mallard.
The national record books suggest that Don has won more awards for his writing than any other journalist in British history. Some of his most notable honours include 'Journalist of the Year', and the 'International Freedom prize'.
He began his career as a professional footballer, representing Bury, Blackburn Rovers, York City and Shrewsbury Town before retiring from the game due to injury and taking up sports commentating before eventually getting involved with specialist features and hard news.
Don also worked with the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and many national newspapers, before spending more than twenty years editing a number of award winning regional newspapers. He has appeared on countless mainstream television and radio programmes and is a regular speaker at Universities and Union meetings.
The most newsworthy case was probably that of Stephen Downing, who spent twenty-seven years in jail for a murder he did not commit. The story became front-page news in nearly 30 countries worldwide at the time.
In 2002, Don was awarded an OBE for 'campaign journalism' and received the award from HRH Prince Charles at the behest of Prime Minster Tony Blair.
Don also wrote about the Downing campaign in his best selling book, 'Town Without Pity', which was short-listed for the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger Award for non-fiction. An adaption of the story later became a successful BBC TV drama called 'In Denial of Murder', and was broadcast during February and March 2004. It starred Stephen Tompkinson as newspaper editor Don Hale, and attracted a nine million audience.
He has also written numerous other books, on a variety of subjects ranging from rock star Joe Cocker's autobiography and ex-footballer Peter Swan's problematic career, to Sounds of the Sixties biographies and the dramatic history of the record-breaking steam engine, Mallard.
The national record books suggest that Don has won more awards for his writing than any other journalist in British history. Some of his most notable honours include 'Journalist of the Year', and the 'International Freedom prize'.
He began his career as a professional footballer, representing Bury, Blackburn Rovers, York City and Shrewsbury Town before retiring from the game due to injury and taking up sports commentating before eventually getting involved with specialist features and hard news.
Don also worked with the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and many national newspapers, before spending more than twenty years editing a number of award winning regional newspapers. He has appeared on countless mainstream television and radio programmes and is a regular speaker at Universities and Union meetings.
