Ronald Joseph Pearsall (20 October 1927 – 27 September 2005) was an English writer whose scope included children's stories, pornography and fishing. His most famous book The Worm in the Bud (1969) was about Victorian sexuality, including orgies, prostitution and fetishism. A prolific writer, his other books included three on popular music between 1837 and 1929, several on the history of sexuality and many on antiques. He held other jobs as a shoe shop assistant, cinema manager and store detective. His book The Table Rappers (1972) was an exposure of fraud mediums, tricksters and charlatans in Spiritualism. Bibliography 1966: Is That My Hook in Your Ear? a light-hearted look at angling. London: Stanley Paul 1969: The Worm in the Bud: the world of Victorian sexuality. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1972: The Exorcism. London: Sphere Books (a novel) 1972: The Possessed. London: Sphere Books (a novel) 1972: The Table-rappers. London: Michael Joseph 1972: Victorian Sheet Music Covers. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1973: Collecting Mechanical Antiques. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1973: Edwardian Life and Leisure. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1973: Victorian Popular Music. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1974: Collecting and Restoring Scientific Instruments. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1974: Inside the Antique Trade/ Shaldon: Keith Reid (with Graham Webb) 1975: Collapse of Stout Party: Victorian wit and humour. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1975: Edwardian Popular Music. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1975: Night's Black Angels: the forms and faces of Victorian cruelty. London : Hodder and Stoughton 1976: The Alchemists. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1976: The Belvedere. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (a novel) 1976: Popular Music of the Twenties. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1976: Public Purity, Private Shame: Victorian sexual hypocrisy exposed. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1977: Conan Doyle: a biographical solution. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1978: Tides of War. London: Michael Joseph (a novel) 1979: The Iron Sleep. London: Michael Joseph (a novel about the first World War) 1981: Tell me, Pretty Maiden: the Victorian and Edwardian nude. Exeter: Webb & Bower 1986: Making and Managing an Antique Shop.Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1988: The Joy of Antiques. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1989: Sherlock Holmes Investigates the Murder in Euston Square. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1990: Antique Furniture for Pleasure and Profit. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1991: The David & Charles Encyclopedia of Everyday Antiques. Newton Abbot: David & Charles 1991: Lifesaving: the