It is based on the Coroner's Casebook of William Charles Waddell (1799-1878).
His wife was Maria Orr (died 1886).
The book takes us into the lives of the people of Monaghan at times of great sadness and distress.
It is also a treasure trove for a genealogist searching for family in that time frame.
There is an appendix at the back of the book which lists almost 70 doctors along with the areas in which they practised.
But the real treasure is the appendix which lists almost 900 names of the deceased, listed in alphabetical order, giving the name of the townlands in which they lived and died, and the Civil Parish.
There are also countless others who are named in the case excerpts as witnesses who have not been indexed.
My suggestion is that if you have a townland name, you go to the index of the deceased and read through the cases for 'your' townland.
The book is a pleasure to read being both well researched and well written... a must read for anyone researching in Monaghan circa 1860.
Please note I only recommend books which I have read and found useful. If you decide to purchase a copy via this link Amazon will give me a few cent for the referral.