In spite of its small size and rural character Hertfordshire has been the location for some of the most infamous and fiendish murders in the history of England. Spanning four centuries, Hertfordshire Murders contains accounts of many of these crimes. Famous cases are re-examined with the help of previously unused archive material and several other major cases are included in a book for the first time. Among the stories are the murder of a reputed witch by an angry village mod and the tale of John Thurtell who short the regency buck William Weare over gambling debts. His execution attracted a crowd of 15,000. Also featured are the accounts of the last man and woman to be executed in Hertfordshire. Supported by dozens of contemporary illustrations, Hertfordshire Murders reveals that behind the county's scenic countryside and rural charm lurks a murky criminal heritage.