Beneath Devon's rolling hills and coastal towns lies a rich tapestry of extraordinary stories - acts of bravery, adventure, betrayal, and cruelty that reveal the soul of this remarkable county. Who was the gun-slinging card sharp known as 'Poker Alice'? What drove Herbert Armstrong to become the notorious 'Dandelion Killer'? Why did explorers Richard Burton and John Speke fall out during their search for the source of the River Nile? How did Cora Pearl rise to become Paris' most celebrated courtesan? 'Devon Heroes & Villains Volume One - The Hidden Stories' shines a spotlight on these (and many more) less well-known figures that have helped to shape the history of our county. Whether you are a Devon native, a curious visitor, or a lover of historical biographies, this book invites you uncover Devon's secret history. The pages within lead you through five centuries of the county's past, and you will meet explorers, pirates, soldiers, pioneers, rebels, rogues and murderers, each with their own compelling story to tell. Some will inspire, others will disturb. But whether the characters are admired or despised, they are impossible to ignore. Devon's past is stranger than you might think.