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Non-Fiction - Australian True Crime - Christchurch City Libraries

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ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

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So you want to get that red dirt under your fingers? Get the real deal on Australia’s hardened criminals from poisonings and murder to mysteries, injustice and child abuse. Read of vice, corruption, drugs, and family secrets and uncover Australia’s criminal underworld and folk legends. A Christchurch City Libraries list.

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ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

16 items

16 items

Shark Arm

Shark Arm

A Shark, A Tattooed Arm and Two Unsolved Murders

by Roope, Phillip

Book - 2020

A shark in an Aussie aquarium spits out the tattooed arm of an ex-boxer and police informer who also turns out to be a murder victim. Phillip Roope and Ke...Show more A shark in an Aussie aquarium spits out the tattooed arm of an ex-boxer and police informer who also turns out to be a murder victim. Phillip Roope and Kevin Meagher dive into a shark pool of smuggling and police corruption in Sydney and discover a second murder. Show less

A shark in an Aussie aquarium spits out the tattooed arm of an ex-boxer and police informer who also turns out to be a murder victim. Phillip Roope and Ke...Show more A shark in an Aussie aquarium spits out the tattooed arm of an ex-boxer and police informer who also turns out to be a murder victim. Phillip Roope and Kevin Meagher dive into a shark pool of smuggling and police corruption in Sydney and discover a second murder. Show less

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Larrimah

Larrimah

A Missing Man, An Eyeless Croc, and An Outback Town of 11 People Who Mostly Hate Each Other

by Graham, Caroline (Lecturer in journalism)

Book - 2021

A one-horse town with more character than is perhaps good for it attracts the attention of the author after local hardcase Paddy Moriarty and his dog, Kel...Show more A one-horse town with more character than is perhaps good for it attracts the attention of the author after local hardcase Paddy Moriarty and his dog, Kellie, disappear. Prepare for a tale of multiple eccentricities, superstition, drug deals, malevolent feuding and possibly murder. Show less

A one-horse town with more character than is perhaps good for it attracts the attention of the author after local hardcase Paddy Moriarty and his dog, Kel...Show more A one-horse town with more character than is perhaps good for it attracts the attention of the author after local hardcase Paddy Moriarty and his dog, Kellie, disappear. Prepare for a tale of multiple eccentricities, superstition, drug deals, malevolent feuding and possibly murder. Show less

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Banquet

Banquet

The Untold Story of Adelaide's Family Murders

by Marshall, Debi

Book - 2021

An award-winning journalist battles long-term suppression orders to investigate the Adelaide Family murders and delivers an exposé of corruption, paedophi...Show more An award-winning journalist battles long-term suppression orders to investigate the Adelaide Family murders and delivers an exposé of corruption, paedophilia and murder in Adelaide, AKA the City of Corpses. Debi Marshall won the Ned Kelly True Crime Award in 2022 for this thorough, tenacious and compassionate feat of research. Show less

An award-winning journalist battles long-term suppression orders to investigate the Adelaide Family murders and delivers an exposé of corruption, paedophi...Show more An award-winning journalist battles long-term suppression orders to investigate the Adelaide Family murders and delivers an exposé of corruption, paedophilia and murder in Adelaide, AKA the City of Corpses. Debi Marshall won the Ned Kelly True Crime Award in 2022 for this thorough, tenacious and compassionate feat of research. Show less

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Bowraville

Bowraville

by Box, Dan

Book - 2019

Three people of Aboriginal descent are murdered between 1990 and 1991 but while the police hone in on a suspect the case is not solved. Twenty years later...Show more Three people of Aboriginal descent are murdered between 1990 and 1991 but while the police hone in on a suspect the case is not solved. Twenty years later a detective determined to see justice done begs the author to investigate. Dan Box's in-depth look at the case won the Ned Kelly true crime award in 2020. Show less

Three people of Aboriginal descent are murdered between 1990 and 1991 but while the police hone in on a suspect the case is not solved. Twenty years later...Show more Three people of Aboriginal descent are murdered between 1990 and 1991 but while the police hone in on a suspect the case is not solved. Twenty years later a detective determined to see justice done begs the author to investigate. Dan Box's in-depth look at the case won the Ned Kelly true crime award in 2020. Show less

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Stalking Claremont

Stalking Claremont

by Christian, Bret

Book - 2021

Three Western Australian women are murdered in the mid-1990s but it takes 20 years for the police and forensic investigators to track the killer down. Jou...Show more Three Western Australian women are murdered in the mid-1990s but it takes 20 years for the police and forensic investigators to track the killer down. Journalist Dan Christian won the non-fiction prize at the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards for this revealing look into the hunt for a serial killer. Show less

Three Western Australian women are murdered in the mid-1990s but it takes 20 years for the police and forensic investigators to track the killer down. Jou...Show more Three Western Australian women are murdered in the mid-1990s but it takes 20 years for the police and forensic investigators to track the killer down. Journalist Dan Christian won the non-fiction prize at the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards for this revealing look into the hunt for a serial killer. Show less

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Eggshell Skull

Eggshell Skull

A Memoir About Standing Up, Speaking Out and Fighting Back

by Lee, Bri

Book - 2018

Bri Lee's powerful memoir is written from her point of view as a judge's associate, law student, victim of sexual assault and daughter of a policeman. Wri...Show more Bri Lee's powerful memoir is written from her point of view as a judge's associate, law student, victim of sexual assault and daughter of a policeman. Writer Helen Garner described the 2019 Ned Kelly award-winner as "scorching" and "self-scouring". Show less

Bri Lee's powerful memoir is written from her point of view as a judge's associate, law student, victim of sexual assault and daughter of a policeman. Wri...Show more Bri Lee's powerful memoir is written from her point of view as a judge's associate, law student, victim of sexual assault and daughter of a policeman. Writer Helen Garner described the 2019 Ned Kelly award-winner as "scorching" and "self-scouring". Show less

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Trace

Trace

Who Killed Maria James

by Brown, Rachel

Book - 2018

A journalist delves into the murder of a Melbourne bookshop owner and uncovers child abuse by Catholic clergy at the heart of this 38-year-old cold case. ...Show more A journalist delves into the murder of a Melbourne bookshop owner and uncovers child abuse by Catholic clergy at the heart of this 38-year-old cold case. This is an eye-opening rendition of the writer's ABC (Australia Broadcasting Corporation) podcast. Show less

A journalist delves into the murder of a Melbourne bookshop owner and uncovers child abuse by Catholic clergy at the heart of this 38-year-old cold case. ...Show more A journalist delves into the murder of a Melbourne bookshop owner and uncovers child abuse by Catholic clergy at the heart of this 38-year-old cold case. This is an eye-opening rendition of the writer's ABC (Australia Broadcasting Corporation) podcast. Show less

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The Altar Boys

The Altar Boys

by Smith, Suzanne (Journalist)

Book - 2020

Two young Aussie lads are proud to serve their church as altar boys. One becomes a journalist, the other a Catholic priest. By telling their stories Suzanne Smith delivers a thorough exposé of child abuse by Australia’s Catholic clergy. Two young Aussie lads are proud to serve their church as altar boys. One becomes a journalist, the other a Catholic priest. By telling their stories Suzanne Smith delivers a thorough exposé of child abuse by Australia’s Catholic clergy. Show less

Two young Aussie lads are proud to serve their church as altar boys. One becomes a journalist, the other a Catholic priest. By telling their stories Suzanne Smith delivers a thorough exposé of child abuse by Australia’s Catholic clergy. Two young Aussie lads are proud to serve their church as altar boys. One becomes a journalist, the other a Catholic priest. By telling their stories Suzanne Smith delivers a thorough exposé of child abuse by Australia’s Catholic clergy. Show less

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Inside the Law

Inside the Law

by Petraitis, Vikki, 1965-

Book - 2019

True crime veteran Vikki Petraitis selects her most intriguing cases from a 25-year writing career. There's murder and mayhem aplenty but Petraitis also o...Show more True crime veteran Vikki Petraitis selects her most intriguing cases from a 25-year writing career. There's murder and mayhem aplenty but Petraitis also offers insights into what drove her, a school teacher, to investigate some of Australia's most notorious crimes. Show less

True crime veteran Vikki Petraitis selects her most intriguing cases from a 25-year writing career. There's murder and mayhem aplenty but Petraitis also o...Show more True crime veteran Vikki Petraitis selects her most intriguing cases from a 25-year writing career. There's murder and mayhem aplenty but Petraitis also offers insights into what drove her, a school teacher, to investigate some of Australia's most notorious crimes. Show less

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The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre

The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre

Murder, Arson and the Crime of the Century

by Plunkett, Geoff

Book - 2018

Fifteen people lose their lives when a notorious nightclub is firebombed in Brisbane in 1973. Rumour swirls around the case until the writer gains privile...Show more Fifteen people lose their lives when a notorious nightclub is firebombed in Brisbane in 1973. Rumour swirls around the case until the writer gains privileged access to the case files created by the original lead detectives. Plunkett melds vivid description with new information and evidence of police corruption. Show less

Fifteen people lose their lives when a notorious nightclub is firebombed in Brisbane in 1973. Rumour swirls around the case until the writer gains privile...Show more Fifteen people lose their lives when a notorious nightclub is firebombed in Brisbane in 1973. Rumour swirls around the case until the writer gains privileged access to the case files created by the original lead detectives. Plunkett melds vivid description with new information and evidence of police corruption. Show less

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Episodes - Trace - ABC Radio

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/trace/episodes/

Web Resource

Lawyer X was the codename for a police informer who was also a defence lawyer for some of Melbourne's most notorious criminals. This award-winning podcast...Show more Lawyer X was the codename for a police informer who was also a defence lawyer for some of Melbourne's most notorious criminals. This award-winning podcast unveils the true identity of Lawyer X who sued Victoria's police force and caused a Royal Commission that investigated the case. A true crime podcast from ABC Radio. Show less

Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking

The Murky World of Michael McGurk and Ron Medich

by McClymont, Kate

Book - 2019

A frightened businessman rings an investigative journalist and says his life is in danger. The next day the man is shot in the head and the journalist dec...Show more A frightened businessman rings an investigative journalist and says his life is in danger. The next day the man is shot in the head and the journalist decides to probe his murder. Follow Kate McClymont and Vanda Carson as they negotiate their way through the sordid alleys and byways of dodgy property development and Sydney's underworld. They cop the odd death threat as well. Show less

A frightened businessman rings an investigative journalist and says his life is in danger. The next day the man is shot in the head and the journalist dec...Show more A frightened businessman rings an investigative journalist and says his life is in danger. The next day the man is shot in the head and the journalist decides to probe his murder. Follow Kate McClymont and Vanda Carson as they negotiate their way through the sordid alleys and byways of dodgy property development and Sydney's underworld. They cop the odd death threat as well. Show less

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Breaking Good

Breaking Good

by Fenech, Simon

Book - 2020

Echoing ‘Breaking Bad’, this is the story of how champion kick boxer and family man, Simon Fenech, overcame a deadly (in more ways than one) addiction to ...Show more Echoing ‘Breaking Bad’, this is the story of how champion kick boxer and family man, Simon Fenech, overcame a deadly (in more ways than one) addiction to crystal meth. Surviving attacks from hit men and the lurking presence of police search parties, Fenech managed to transform his life from harrowing to hopeful. Show less

Echoing ‘Breaking Bad’, this is the story of how champion kick boxer and family man, Simon Fenech, overcame a deadly (in more ways than one) addiction to ...Show more Echoing ‘Breaking Bad’, this is the story of how champion kick boxer and family man, Simon Fenech, overcame a deadly (in more ways than one) addiction to crystal meth. Surviving attacks from hit men and the lurking presence of police search parties, Fenech managed to transform his life from harrowing to hopeful. Show less

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The Expert Witness

The Expert Witness

Examinations of Crimes, Drugs and Poisons by A Forensic Toxicologist

by Allender, William J.

Book - 2019

Follow an expert witness as he unravels the truth behind 30 of Australia’s most fascinating cases, using his expertise in the science of poisons and drugs. Follow an expert witness as he unravels the truth behind 30 of Australia’s most fascinating cases, using his expertise in the science of poisons and drugs. Show less

Follow an expert witness as he unravels the truth behind 30 of Australia’s most fascinating cases, using his expertise in the science of poisons and drugs. Follow an expert witness as he unravels the truth behind 30 of Australia’s most fascinating cases, using his expertise in the science of poisons and drugs. Show less

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A Witness of Fact

A Witness of Fact

The Peculiar Case of Chief Forensic Pathologist Colin Manock

by Rooke, Drew

Book - 2022

A man passes himself off as a qualified pathologist and enjoys a career as a chief forensic pathologist. Years on it is discovered he lacked critical trai...Show more A man passes himself off as a qualified pathologist and enjoys a career as a chief forensic pathologist. Years on it is discovered he lacked critical training for the job and made serious errors in court resulting in several people being jailed. Drew Rooke reveals a legacy of unsafe verdicts in this deep-dive into the use of forensic evidence in South Australia. Show less

A man passes himself off as a qualified pathologist and enjoys a career as a chief forensic pathologist. Years on it is discovered he lacked critical trai...Show more A man passes himself off as a qualified pathologist and enjoys a career as a chief forensic pathologist. Years on it is discovered he lacked critical training for the job and made serious errors in court resulting in several people being jailed. Drew Rooke reveals a legacy of unsafe verdicts in this deep-dive into the use of forensic evidence in South Australia. Show less

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Thicker Than Water

Thicker Than Water

History, Secrets and Guilt : A Memoir

by Flyn, Cal

Book - 2016

While on holiday in her family home in Scotland, journalist Cal Flyn uncovered a terrible family secret: her celebrated ancestor Angus McMillan, an early ...Show more While on holiday in her family home in Scotland, journalist Cal Flyn uncovered a terrible family secret: her celebrated ancestor Angus McMillan, an early Australian pioneer and explorer, led a series of horrific massacres against indigenous people in 1843. Determined to uncover the truth, Cal sought to piece together his true history and confront her inherited guilt from her ancestor’s terrible crimes. Show less

While on holiday in her family home in Scotland, journalist Cal Flyn uncovered a terrible family secret: her celebrated ancestor Angus McMillan, an early ...Show more While on holiday in her family home in Scotland, journalist Cal Flyn uncovered a terrible family secret: her celebrated ancestor Angus McMillan, an early Australian pioneer and explorer, led a series of horrific massacres against indigenous people in 1843. Determined to uncover the truth, Cal sought to piece together his true history and confront her inherited guilt from her ancestor’s terrible crimes. Show less

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