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PASSING BY: A WORCESTERSHIRE CHILDHOOD - AND BEYOND.
Kerry Tombs, author of the popular Ravenscroft series of crime novels, mainly set in Victorian Worcestershire, was born in the Black Country town of Smethwick in 1945, just before the end of the 2nd World War.
In this highly personal, and often entertaining memoir, he describes what life was like growing up in north Worcestershire in the 1950's, a time when his parents renovated a number of old cottages in rural villages, centered around the old market town of Bromsgrove, before becoming antique dealers - and during which he encountered a number of interesting, and often eccentric characters along the way, each of whom had his, or her, own uniquely amusing or tragic story to tell.
After surviving five different primary schools and two unusual private secondary schools, Kerry found himself becoming a teacher in the world of progressive 1960's education, an occupation which was to take him across several continents including Australia and Siberia, countries which he describes in graphic detail.
The book also offers amusing insights into the worlds of The British Drama League and local Hospital Radio, and includes his difficult attempts at starting an English Music Festival in Cirencester in the 1970's.
Underlining this book however is the author's close relationship with his mother, and the gradual revealing over the years of the dark secret concerning his own birth.
The book ends in 1985, the year which was to see momentous changes in the author's life.
This book will appeal not only to those readers who have enjoyed Kerry's crime novels and would like to know more about the author, but also those readers who are interested in the social history of Bromsgrove and the rural villages of Worcestershire in the 1950's.
In this highly personal, and often entertaining memoir, he describes what life was like growing up in north Worcestershire in the 1950's, a time when his parents renovated a number of old cottages in rural villages, centered around the old market town of Bromsgrove, before becoming antique dealers - and during which he encountered a number of interesting, and often eccentric characters along the way, each of whom had his, or her, own uniquely amusing or tragic story to tell.
After surviving five different primary schools and two unusual private secondary schools, Kerry found himself becoming a teacher in the world of progressive 1960's education, an occupation which was to take him across several continents including Australia and Siberia, countries which he describes in graphic detail.
The book also offers amusing insights into the worlds of The British Drama League and local Hospital Radio, and includes his difficult attempts at starting an English Music Festival in Cirencester in the 1970's.
Underlining this book however is the author's close relationship with his mother, and the gradual revealing over the years of the dark secret concerning his own birth.
The book ends in 1985, the year which was to see momentous changes in the author's life.
This book will appeal not only to those readers who have enjoyed Kerry's crime novels and would like to know more about the author, but also those readers who are interested in the social history of Bromsgrove and the rural villages of Worcestershire in the 1950's.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2016
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About the author
Kerry Tombs
25 books67 followersKerry Tombs was born in Smethwick in 1945, and after a career in teaching in both England and Australia, moved to Malvern in 1982, where he became a genealogist, lecturer and bookseller. He has set THE MALVERN MURDERS in a variety of Malvern locations including St.Ann's Well, Malvern College, British Camp and Priory Church - and in the nearby villages of Colwall and Mathon and town of Ledbury. Kerry moved to Brittany in 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Passing By” is the kind of memoir that makes you slow down and really listen. Kerry Tombs writes with the honesty and clarity of someone who isn’t just telling a story but opening a window into a vanished Worcestershire. The details of post-war village life, the characters he meets, and the unexpected humor make this more than a personal recollection, it becomes social history.
The teaching chapters, especially his experiences in progressive 1960s education and traveling across continents, were surprisingly vivid and held my attention more than I expected. What stays with you most is the emotional thread woven through the book, the evolving revelations about his birth and the bond with his mother. It gives the memoir real depth and heart.
If you love regional English history, personal storytelling, or memoirs that mix warmth with honesty, this one is quietly powerful.
“Passing By” is the kind of memoir that makes you slow down and really listen. Kerry Tombs writes with the honesty and clarity of someone who isn’t just telling a story but opening a window into a vanished Worcestershire. The details of post-war village life, the characters he meets, and the unexpected humor make this more than a personal recollection, it becomes social history.
The teaching chapters, especially his experiences in progressive 1960s education and traveling across continents, were surprisingly vivid and held my attention more than I expected. What stays with you most is the emotional thread woven through the book, the evolving revelations about his birth and the bond with his mother. It gives the memoir real depth and heart.
If you love regional English history, personal storytelling, or memoirs that mix warmth with honesty, this one is quietly powerful.
August 14, 2016
A must-read book
Much better if you read at least one of murder mysteries. Having been born in Worcester a few days before the end of the war I knew most of of the places he writes about. But it would give it five stars. Well worth the read try the his other books also.
Much better if you read at least one of murder mysteries. Having been born in Worcester a few days before the end of the war I knew most of of the places he writes about. But it would give it five stars. Well worth the read try the his other books also.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews