The Crooked Spire Killings: The chilling true story they don't want you to read

by Alan R. Hurndall

A student enjoying a cycle ride in the Peak District stumbles on the body of a man beside a country road. It is covered in ash and an artistic pattern of grass. Months later a lady of the manor out walking her dogs finds a bloodstained diary in a wood on her estate. There’s blood on the branches of a tree and signs that a body has been dragged through the undergrowth. Has the killer struck again?
It sounds like the plot of an Agatha Christie detective novel but The Crooked Spire Killings is the true story of one of the most notorious murder crimes in British legal history. It happened in The Sixties when homosexuality was illegal and vulnerable gay men were the target of blackmail, violence, and in the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield, murder. The British legal authorities, including Derbyshire Police, have sealed the files on the case until the year 2050. But investigative author Alan Hurndall exposes the dark truth in this five-star thriller.

The Crooked Spire Killings is another gripping read by Alan R Hurndall, author of Pottery Cottage, hailed by hundreds of reviewers on Amazon. One reader wrote, ‘Alan is the Truman Capote of our day.'

“The Crooked Spire Killings is another fantastic read from Alan R Hurndall, and a worthy follow-up to Pottery Cottage” – James Raven, crime author.

Genres: Crime

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2022

Reviews

[Charlie Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. What a brilliantly told horrifying story. Anyone who lives in (or is local to) Chesterfield and enjoys true-crime or crime fiction should absolutely read this.

[Sophie Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing read, I could not put this book down, constantly needing to know more. Hurndall tells the story so carefully and well. I read this entire book in one sitting. There is something so chilling about reading about the place I have grown up and lived my entire life, able to recognise streets and visually see them in my mind. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Yas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who adores to read true crime and a resident of Chesterfield, this book was incredibly fascinating. I have recommended this book to many people, as once i began this book i could not put it down.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't rate much to it. Seemed a long read for not much worthwhile info. That or I'm just not made for reading non fiction.

[Naomi Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent written book again, Alan is a great true crime writer. Incredibly sensitive to families.

[Elizabeth Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down.

This was a strange read for me as I knew all the areas spoken about in the book. I usually read fiction books so to read something true in the area you have lived all your life was unusual for me.
I don’t know the words to use as saying “I really enjoyed this book” seems wrong on the people involved. I would highly recommend people read it.

[Amy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, I'm local but wasn't aware this had happened al those years ago.