A few months back, I read M.J. Trow’s 2023 volume on the Bella in the Wych Elm mystery. The book was a disappointment. It suffered from a number of errors and inaccuracies. On top of that, the dearth of source citations meant that readers and researchers were left wondering what was fact and what was […]
Lavinia Stratford – A Candidate for Bella in the Wych Elm? Read More »
I am always interested in books about Bella in the Wych Elm and when I received an email from fellow author David Tremain about M.J. Trow’s book, I ordered a copy. I read it several months ago and have been trying to calm down since then. Suffice to say, it was not the most enjoyable
Book Review – The Hagley Wood Murder – M.J. Trow – 2023 Read More »
A few years ago, while browsing through eBay, I stumbled upon a leather cigarette case that caught my eye. It was made by a Dutch company called Zeka Wettig Geder and, despite the $40 CAD price tag (shipping and handling included), I couldn’t resist buying it. Why? Because it reminded me of my grandfather, Josef
The Leather Cigarette Case of German Spy Josef Jakobs Read More »
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ve likely heard of ChatGPT, the new AI bot that is taking the tech world (and the rest of the world) by storm. Ask it for a marketing plan for your Airbnb and it will spit something out within seconds… and something quite
Is the AI bot ChatGPT Useful for Historical Research? Read More »
Original Air Date – 19 October 2022Episode – The Trail Went Cold – Episode 299 – Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?Duration – 58:11 minutesHost – Robin Warder Whenever I hear a podcast host with a North American accent, about to tell the British story of Bella in the Wych Elm, I cross my
Podcast Review – The Trail Went Cold – Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? Read More »
I’m not much of a hat person. I find a ball cap or a toque will do me for the year. And ball caps seem to be the most popular hat style, at least here in Canada. We don’t see a lot of people wearing fedoras… although the prairies may see a fair number of
The Trilby Hat – A Chapeau for All Seasons Read More »
A few years ago, I told the story of my great aunt’s common-law husband, Gustav Goldemann. While my great aunt was not a Jew, Gustav was a Jew. For many months, he managed to avoid deportation, perhaps because he was in a common-law relationship with my great aunt, Tante Hanni Knöffler. But eventually, his luck
The 1942 Deportation of German Jew Gustav Goldemann from Berlin to Latvia Read More »
I am way behind in my book reading! And blogging… and research! But… I am happy to report that earlier this summer, I ordered and read Jan-Willem van den Braak’s book about Nazi spy Jan Willem ter Braak (no relation to the aforementioned author). Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill was first published in Dutch a few
Book Review – Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill – Jan-Willem van den Braak – 2022 Read More »
Hello faithful readers, Going to take a summer hiatus from blogging. Life has gotten a bit hectic with a very busy AirBnb and visiting family. I may get a blog or two out, but don’t count on it. Planning to be back September!
Summer 2022 Hiatus Read More »
Jan Willem van den Braak’s book on Second World War spy Engelbertus Fukken (a.k.a. Jan Willem ter Braak) has been published by Pen & Sword! I’ve ordered the book and am eagerly waiting its arrival. Originally published in Dutch, Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill examines the background of Fukken in some detail. I am very interested
New Book Published – Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill (2022) Read More »