AN award-winning author has revealed how his part in writing a Wrexham history guidebook inspired him to write not one but two Victorian crime novels.

David Ebsworth, part of the team helping to organise the city's annual literary festival, Wrexham Carnival of Words, was encouraged to write the guidebook, Wrexham Revealed, during the pandemic.

David, who has lived in Wrexham since 1981, took up writing after he retired in 2009 and now writes every day without fail.

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He said: "We have great writers coming to Wrexham each year to take part in the festival, and they often ask to be shown around - to learn a bit more about our local history. And there's a lot to learn.

"So it gave us the idea of putting together a pocket-sized guidebook for visitors - to help them follow Wrexham's unique story for themselves. And yes, most of it was written during the pandemic."

Wrexham Revealed follows a walking route for visitors - and people from Wrexham itself - around the city centre with 20 stopping points and plenty of easy-to-read historical detail. It also has some bonus content - several circular walks from the city centre to nearby places of interest, like Erddig, Acton Park and others.

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David added: "All the proceeds from sales of the guidebook help to fund Wrexham Carnival of Words. And it was a great team effort, with original images by local photographers Sophia Evans and Nick Roe."

The guidebook also inspired him to write his 12th novel, Blood Among The Threads.

David said: "I just became a bit obsessed with one particular year, 1876 - Wrexham's year of wonder. It was the year that saw the Football Association of Wales formed here. Then the town's first National Eisteddfod.

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"Lots more besides but mainly the huge Art Treasures Exhibition, which ran for four months and attracted tens of thousands of visitors. One of its main exhibits was the patchwork generally known as the Wrexham Tailor's Quilt, and I knew I had to write a Victorian crime novel based around these fabulous events."

Blood Among The Threads has been a best-seller since it was published in November and David is now busy writing the sequel.

David adds: "I wanted to pick up the story but a few years later in 1884. There was a lot going on in Wrexham that year, as well - the mixed fortunes and early days of Wrexham Football Club and the Wrexham Lager Beer Company, plus a few surprises."

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The result, Death Along The Dee, will be published this autumn. It features Wrexham's real-life historian, Alfred Neobard Palmer and his wife Ettie as an unlikely pair of detectives investigating yet more deadly mysteries.

Meanwhile, guidebook Wrexham Revealed, is available from Waterstones, Wrexham Visitor Information Centre and other outlets.

Wrexham's Carnival of Words annual literary festival takes place from April 20-27, 2024. Full details are available at: wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com