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The Suicide Bride

A mystery of tragedy and family secrets in Edwardian Sydney
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( 137 ratings, 30 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Suicide Bride by Tanya Bretherton delves into the haunting true story of a murder case in 1904 Sydney. It examines the life of an innocent young bride, a mysterious suitor, and the societal circumstances that led to her tragic end. Through meticulous research and atmospheric storytelling, Bretherton unravels a chilling mystery set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Australia.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by true crime stories that delve into real historical events, examining the darker sides of human nature. The narrative weaves a suspenseful tale set in the early 20th century, offering insights into a gripping and tragic case that uncovers secrets, societal pressures, and a chilling investigation.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

From the author of the acclaimed THE SUITCASE BABY - shortlisted for the Ned Kelly and Nib awards - comes the chilling story of a charlatan, a murder-suicide, and a family tree so twisted that it sprouts monsters.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Whenever society produces a depraved criminal, we wonder: is it nature or is it nurture?

When the charlatan Alicks Sly murdered his wife, Ellie, and killed himself with a cut-throat razor in a house in Sydney's Newtown in early 1904, he set off a chain of events that could answer that question. He also left behind mysteries that might never be solved. Sociologist Dr Tanya Bretherton traces the brutal story of Ellie, one of many suicide brides in turn-of-the-century Sydney; of her husband, Alicks, and his family; and their three orphaned sons, adrift in the world.

From the author of the acclaimed The Suitcase Babyβ€”shortlisted for the 2018 Ned Kelly Award, Danger Prize, and Waverley Library 'Nib' Awardβ€”comes another riveting true-crime case from Australia's dark past. The Suicide Bride is a masterful exploration of criminality, insanity, violence, and bloody family ties in bleak, post-Victorian Sydney.

Series: The Australian Crime Vault

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  • The Suicide Bride
    Whenever society produces a depraved criminal, we wonder: is it nature or is it nurture? When the charlatan Alicks Sly murdered his wife, Ellie, and killed himself with a cut-throat razor in a house in Sydney's Newtown in early 1904, he set off a chain of events that could answer that question. He also left behind mysteries that might never...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Suitcase Baby
    SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 NED KELLY AWARD, DANGER PRIZE AND WAVERLEY LIBRARY NIB True history that is both shocking and too real, this unforgettable tale moves at the pace of a great crime novel. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 17 November 1923, a suitcase was found washed up on the shore of a small beach in the Sydney...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Suitcase Baby
    SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 NED KELLY AWARD, DANGER PRIZE AND WAVERLEY LIBRARY NIB True history that is both shocking and too real, this unforgettable tale moves at the pace of a great crime novel. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 17 November 1923, a suitcase was found washed up on the shore of a small beach in the Sydney...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780733640988

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 April 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 400g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Tanya Bretherton has a PhD in sociology with special interests in narrative life history and social history. She has published in the academic and public sphere for twenty years, and worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney for fifteen years. Dr Bretherton's specialty is converting detailed research into thought-provoking works which are accessible to a general readership. Currently she works as a freelance researcher and writer.

Her first book, The Suitcase Baby, was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award, the Danger Prize and the Waverley Library 'Nib' Award. Her second book The Suicide Bride, was shortlisted for the Danger Prize and in 2020 she won the Danger Prize for The Killing Streets.

Also by Tanya Bretherton

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  • The Husband Poisoner
    Shortlisted for the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for True Crime Shocking real-life stories of murderous women who used rat poison to rid themselves of husbands and other inconvenient family members. For readers of compelling history and true crime, from critically acclaimed, award-winning author Tanya Bretherton. After World War II, Sydney experienced a crime wave that was chillingly calculated. Discontent mixed...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Suitcase Baby
    SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 NED KELLY AWARD, DANGER PRIZE AND WAVERLEY LIBRARY NIB True history that is both shocking and too real, this unforgettable tale moves at the pace of a great crime novel. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 17 November 1923, a suitcase was found washed up on the shore of a small beach in the Sydney...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Suitcase Baby
    SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 NED KELLY AWARD, DANGER PRIZE AND WAVERLEY LIBRARY NIB True history that is both shocking and too real, this unforgettable tale moves at the pace of a great crime novel. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 17 November 1923, a suitcase was found washed up on the shore of a small beach in the Sydney...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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