Ballad of Penygraig is available from Amazon and from my Ye Olde Shoppe here on lazaruscarpenterautor.com
The Ballad of Penygraig is a Victorian crime mystery set in Ystalyfera, a small industrial village in the Swansea Valley of 1850. This dark tale is based on actual events, a David and Goliath story. A scandal shocking an entire community racked and divided by lies, deceit, bullying, and ultimately, murder.
This novel is in the second edition and includes additions and a rewrite of parts of the story. First published in 2015 the story has grown in popularity and many readers told me they would like to hear more about Rachael and Dai, and here it is.
Preface
FATAL AFFRAY AT YSTALYFERA
(Cambrian Newspaper – 1st March 1850)
The neighborhood of Ystalyfera, Yniscedwyn and Graigarw, up the Swansea Vale, was this week thrown into a state of great excitement, in consequence of its having been the scene of an occurrence which took place under circumstances as lamentable and deplorable as they were fatal in their results.
The unfortunate victim was one MORGAN LEWIS, an under gamekeeper in the service of R.D. Gough Esq. He was 38 years of age and a powerfully made man; but was not considered on many accounts, a favorite in the place. His untimely death not only deprives a young wife of a protector, but children of a father. The spot where the affray took place was on the main road almost overlooking Ystalyfera Iron Works.
The person who caused LEWIS’S death is a young man and a neighbor, named DAVID DAVIES. He is 23 years of age, and was in the employ of the Ystalyfera Company as a fitter-up. Although looked upon as a notorious poacher, it is right to state, he was never convicted on such a charge. He was apprehended on the charge of murder by Superintendent VIGORS, on Monday at his house just whilst preparing to leave the locality. The particulars of the unhappy affray will be found fully detailed in the evidence adduced at the inquest held on Tuesday, at the New Swan Inn, Gurnos before Charles Collins Esq., and a respectable jury, of whom Mr. Ben Hill of Fountain Hall, was foreman.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 