Phil Simpkin

Working the beat amidst the remaining Victorian and pre-Victorian locations of Leicester, back in the 1970s, I developed the urge to write a book or books about what it would have been like as a Policeman in the early Victorian period, with cobbled or ash strewn streets, gas lamps, and - what research suggested - a rather sinister atmosphere.

I have now done that, and my first novel 'Jack Ketch's Puppets', the first in a series I have called 'The Borough Boys', was published in 2013. This reflects the differences between rich and poor, and the abuse that was inherent in such an emerging society.

The series consists of a vibrant mix of fictitious characters who I have created, and real Leicester folk of the period, both good and bad, and the locations reflect the Leicester of the time, dark and oppressive. My main character is rookie Samson Shepherd, and his experienced mentor John Beddows.

The second book in the series 'Death Lurks in Cock Muck Hill', a novella, was published shortly thereafter (June 2013). This tells the tale of strife and conflict in the old Irish quarter, 'The Rookeries' surrounding Abbey Street.

Book three 'Without fear or favour' was released on 4th October 2016. This is a tale of murder and deception, and secretive organisations that threaded Queen Victoria's realm, and has elements in both Leicester and London.

Book four 'A few silver threads' was released in the summer of 2021, and follows the consequences of Shepherd investigating whether a death is connected to a throwaway comment by a colleague. Death, as always, follows The Borough Boys, and the outcome might suggest the law can be an ass.

A video introduction to Victorian Leicester, and to the series, is available on Youtube at

http://youtu.be/3xjSr0fIGu8, and can be accessed through my Facebook page for the series.

They say for a first novel, an author may expect to distribute 500 copies in his or her lifetime.

Apart from those I sold through Amazon and Kindle, over 3000 copies were downloaded in promotional giveaways, including 1500 for Summer 2016 holiday reading alone.

I HOPE I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!!!

I am also a keen Genealogist and more recently, have taken a greater interest in Local History, and legend.

The culmination of this has been the publication of a non-fiction release, 'Leicestershire Myth & legend - in verse', which is a collection of Leicestershire Folk tales in verse, that I wrote a few years ago for folk night entertainment. This, in August 2016 reached #6 in Folklore on Amazon. My American friends have asked for an expanded second edition, which I am considering.

You may wish to visit my blog ... http://1455bookcompany.blogspot.co.uk

*** A new website for 2021****

- Please see my work at https://philsimpkinauthor.wixsite.com/publishingwebsite

Thanks for taking the time to read about my work.