This fascinating book details hundreds of crimes and accidents that happened in Dudley and its neighbourhood during the nineteenth century. It includes accounts of explosions, fires, floods and other accidents, in industrial and residential settings, as well as mishaps on the roads, canals and railways. Separate chapters deal with murders, suicides, robberies and issues of public health, with the words of the individuals concerned used where possible. Information about locations and the people involved have been cross-checked with various sources and comprehensive references are included to assist family historians and other researchers. While famous criminal cases and accidents in the Black Country have been retold many times, the vast majority of the events in this book have not appeared in print since they were first reported and therefore represent a fresh source of information for those with an interest in the history of the town.