Watch the Wall is the first book from Susan Ashcroft, written after she found the story of Richard and Jenny Ashcroft while researching family history.

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Having stumbled upon the transcript of Richard's trial at the Old Bailey in 1747 Susan was completely baffled as to how the evidence presented against him led to such harsh punishment – punishment which seemed out of all proportion to his alleged crime.

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Since the crime related to smuggling Susan began researching eighteenth century smuggling in Sussex which she soon discovered to be rampant and extremely brutal.

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Many of the incidents she found are recounted in Watch the Wall where the fictitous (but based on fact) gang are led by George Crawford, Richard's lifelong friend.  George never existed but many like him did. Much of the strength of the book lies in the relationship between Richard and George, one a simple, honest man, the other much more complex, ambitious and unscrupulous.

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Though George Crawford never existed,  The Duke of Newcastle most certainly did. It became clear as the research continued that, utterly frustrated by the marauding gangs of smugglers constantly operating on his land, draconian laws passed at his behest were to be Richard's undoing.