Gruesome tales of Kenilworth's past are to be brought to life. They will be told in a guided history tour to mark the launch of a new book which details the unfortunate ends of former residents of the town.

Adam Wood, a local historian who specialises in Victorian true crime, has written Bloody Kenilworth, a pocket-sized walking guidebook that details various stories of how normal people in Kenilworth met their untimely deaths, and guides readers through the town step by step so they can visualise how these incidents happened.

A special guided tour of the route covered in part of the book is being staged. It will start at the Talisman Shopping Centre, which is the former home of the Kenilworth Tannery, where a worker fell through a glass skylight.

It will then take in Kenilworth railway station before finishing at St John’s Church. Following the walk, Adam will give a further talk at the church about his work and will be signing books.

"When it came to researching this book, there were so many areas of Kenilworth with fascinating pasts that I had to split the route in the book into two," he explained. "There were just too many interesting cases to choose from.

“Starting in Talisman Shopping Centre made perfect sense – the site was the former home of the Kenilworth Tannery, where an unfortunate worker fell through a glass skylight and lost his life. It is these kinds of incidents in recent history that shine a light on what working conditions were like back then for ordinary people, and how violent crime was easier to get away with.

“I hope people enjoy reading about the lives of these people in my book and enjoy immersing themselves in history either on the launch tour or by following the route of the book themselves."

The special guided tour is taking place on Thursday, September 7 and will start at Kenilworth Books in the shopping centre at 6.30pm. Judy Brook, owner of Kenilworth Books, added: “So many people in Kenilworth love their history, and we think the tour will be a brilliant way to learn about the lives of the people who lived here in Victorian times.

“It’s great to be in a location with so much interesting history – including Talisman itself with the story of the tannery – and Adam’s book really brings the history to life.”

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, the developers of Talisman Shopping Centre, added: “Talisman and Kenilworth itself is full of history, and Kenilworth Books has always been a big supporter of historical works about the town by local authors.

“We’re delighted this support is continuing with this upcoming tour and book launch.”

Tickets for the walking tour are £5 but attending the talk in the church is free. Places can be booked at Kenilworth Books online, by calling 01926 855 784 or popping into the bookshop.

Sign up for our daily newsletter here for all the latest news about Warwickshire.