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Welcome
Pamela Vass
Author, lover of real life mysteries and walking the West Country moors and coast. 
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Forthcoming Title
CORNWALL TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE For the past few years I’ve been immersed in the life of Mary Kelynack, a fisherwoman from Newlyn who, in 1851, did something astonishing: she walked from Cornwall to London to see the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. For a long time, this single epic walk was believed to be the whole story but I've recently discovered that Mary did not make just one great journey. She travelled again — not once, but possibly twice more. For more, see my latest blog post 
REASON OR REBELLION? Women's Fight for the Vote in Devon On August 4th, 1913, flames lit up the sky over a Devon mansion. The papers were filled with speculation that suffragettes were to blame. Truth or fiction? This fascinating story begins with the campaigning that swept the county in the 1870's. From quiet villages to bustling market towns and cities, Devon women stood up for justice, challenged tradition, and changed the course of history. ✨ Inside you’ll find: Stories of courage and determination. Local campaigns that shaped the national movement. Rare photographs, documents and voices from the past Inspiring. Moving. Unforgettable. I applaud your industry, research & your writing style. Although the final outcome was well known the book moved along at a ‘thriller’ pace. Amazon 5 star Review for Breaking The Mould - The Suffragette Story in North Devon, now absorbed into Reason or Rebellion? This exploration of the campaign for women's suffrage in North Devon is a well written and carefully researched account. Although the national picture has been explored before, by focusing down on a specific geographical area and one that was away from the main centers of population, a whole new perspective is given to this topic. The work of the activists in the south-west is clearly set against the wider national context. I thought that the case study, describing the unfolding involvement of Marie Newby, whose story is interspersed between the general narrative, was particularly effective. The fact that I read this in the same way as I would a novel is indicative of its readability. Pamela Vass' detailed investigation into the regional manifestation of a national phenomenon is a valuable and fascinating contribution to our understanding of the women's movement. 
It's all about the books ...
Fantastic book, one you can't put down once you've started. A very gripping story very well portrayed.
What a read! You certainly are a mistress of intrigue. The book is not only a brilliant statement about injustice, professional expectations, fostering, adoption and the impossibly difficult task social workers can have, it is full of skilfully crafted, insightful, 'pearls of wisdom' to do with how we all tick as human beings and in relationships. [Shadow Child] is fantastic. You have such a gift for touching people's emotions. Shadow Child ... is a fantastic read; emotional, gripping and intriguing to the last page. 
...I've just finished Seeds of Doubt; WONDERFUL. I loved it, it has all the right ingredients - drama, tension, intrigue, love, secrets, danger and truth. Thank you so much for a thought-provoking and thoroughly edge-of-the-seat read.
To build a conspiracy thriller on an event as well known as the Lynmouth flood disaster, and to make it both plausible and exciting, is no mean feat. The dialogue is well written and convincing and the plot is unpredictable with enough twists to keep any thriller reader happy. When I started reading this book, I was seduced by the magic of the prose. I was transported straight back to the early eighties and accompanied the heroine on the visits to Exmoor with enthusiasm. But then I got hooked into the story and the day trip became an all-nighter! Brilliantly written and researched. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a story based on seeds of truth. I met you about 9 yrs ago in Devon and bought your book Seeds of Doubt which I have read more than once. I am not a big reader but that book brought reading to life for me. Thank you. 
One of the original pioneers of the computer was born over 200 years ago in Great Torrington in the West of England. His name was Thomas Fowler.
This is a story of stunning resilience and ingenuity in the face of professional prejudice, betrayal and heart-breaking twists of fate. It is a story of an invention destined to re-write the history of computing. Winner of the Devon History Society W.G.Hoskins Prize 2016 Computers might have changed history and our world almost a century sooner had the ideas of Fowler been understood and adopted by Babbage. Dr Ralph Merkle, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing, California. The author Pamela Vass has done extensive research in many disciplines for this book, and she makes it all very readable and understandable. And the story she has to tell is a fascinating one indeed ... Over and over again I marvel at the amount of research that must have gone into just a few paragraphs. I highly recommend this book. Amazon 5 star review. 
A fascinating, candid and tremendously moving reflection of a life and times slowly receding into history.
In My Own Words evolved out of times shared in front of Johnny’s coal fire when his recollections were freely given and much enjoyed. Then one day he asked if I would write his story. It has been a pleasure and a privilege; one he would be happy to know is being shared by others. Pamela, I have just read a book purchased from you some years ago while on holiday about John Devereux (In My Own Words). I found the book difficult to put down although quite harrowing at times especially when Irene passed away after her own personal battle with cancer. Thank you for taking the time to put into words John's life story, one which I found truly fascinating. Gary Roden. 
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE
This inspirational book offers a simple-to-follow course enabling anyone suffering from a chronic illness to make a difference to their lives right now. I felt I must tell you how helpful I am finding your book on CFS/ME. I've been so grateful for it, it's like my "bible!" I’m planning on taking it on holiday with me … makes me feel secure having all the advice with me. One thing I especially like is that the book is very user-friendly, the way it's laid out, summaries etc. The bold letters are also extremely useful and the type of spine makes it easy to turn over, keep your place. Thank you very much, Pamela. |
Talks Programme
I am available for talks and presentations, either in person in the south west or by Zoom UK wide. For more information please see the 'About' page on this site. 2026 February 17th Newton & Noss W.I. Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West 24th Trinity Ladies Fellowship Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West March 17th Stoke Climsland Local History Group Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West 25th Shiphay Ladies Club Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West April 10th Plympton Civic Society Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack 13th The Wharf, Tavistck Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack 15th Book Launch - Morrab Library Penzance Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack 21st Plymstock U3A Local History Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journeys of Mary Kelynack 28th Looe Library and Community Hub, National Year of Reading Author Talk May 19th Fowey Ladies Lunch Club Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack June 9th Modbury History Society The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler 17th Buckland Brewer History Zoom Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack 23rd Ladies Chatterbox Club, Saltash Act of God or Act of Man: The Lynmouth Floods of 1952 July 7th West Hill Women's Group Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in Devon 13th Book Signing and Sales Stithians Show 21st Down Thomas W.I. Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in Devon 25th Book Signing and Sales Mid Devon Show 30th Tavistock Ladies Luncheon Club Act of God or Act of Man: The Lynmouth Floods of 1952 August 20th Book Signing and Sales Chagford Show September 2nd Tavy District U3A Act of God or Act of Man: The Lynmouth Floods of 1952 15th Okehampton U3A The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler 17th West Dartmoor U3A Act of God or Act of Man: The Lynmouth Floods of 1952 28th St Tudy History Society Cornwall to the Crystal Palace. The Extraordinary Journey of Mary Kelynack October 11th Devon Family History Society Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West November 24th Plympton U3A Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon December 12th-13th Book Signing and Sales Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fair 2027 May 27th Altarnun Local History Society Act of God or Act of Man: The Lynmouth Floods of 1952 July 21st Honiton U3A The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler |