This study presents as complete a record as possible of the kidnappings and murders in Thessaloniki and environs from 1852, with the first legitimate information about a murder as recorded in newspapers, until March 1913, with the most significant murder, that of King George of Greece. The events are presented in five time periods in order to emphasize the special features of each period and to reveal the climate in the city from the late Ottoman rule until the end of the First World War. Kidnappings and murders involve residents or visitors to the city, irrespective of ethnicity, social class or religion.

Giannis Megas is an engineer, writer and collector.