Unsolved Australia: Lost Boys, Gone Girls
Justine Ford
Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781760556747
Description:
Can you catch a killer or find a missing person?
Australia is ‘the lucky country’. But not for everyone. Unsolved Australia: Lost Boys, Gone Girls tells thirteen stories of people whose luck ran out in the most mysterious of circumstances.
It’s a journalistic deep-dive into Australia’s dark heart by one of Australia’s premier true crime writers, Justine Ford, the acclaimed bestselling author of Unsolved Australia and The Good Cop.
Why are four people missing from a Western Australian doomsday cult? Who abducted and murdered beauty queen Bronwynne Richardson on pageant night? And why is a cooked chook important evidence in the outback disappearance of Paddy Moriarty?
Key players are interviewed, evidence laid out and suspects assessed. Never-before-published information is revealed. Can you help crack the case and solve these mysteries?
Hold tight as Unsolved Australia: Lost Boys, Gone Girls takes you on a chilling yet inspiring true crime rollercoaster ride where the final destination is hope.
My View:
I applaud the fact that Justine Ford has illuminated cases that have baffled both those left behind and the police tasked with solving these mysteries. Someone, somewhere must know something that will help solve these cases and every time someone reads about one of the mysteries here, speaks to their neighbour or work colleague or the person sitting on the train next to them about this book that they are reading, more opportunities are created to tug at peoples memories or to encourage someone to come forward with that piece of information that will make a difference to the lives of so many. Has anyone come forward with useful information? Have the rewards tempted anyone to speak out? I hope so.
I found the additional information/profiles/interviews with the behind the scenes individuals – the investigator, the criminal psychologist, the forensic anthropologist /criminologist/reporter, the investigative reporter, the investigative journalist, the former police detective ( I hope I have not missed any one out) that interspaces the mysteries lifts and informs this collection of stories; simply fascinating. I could read more of this sort of interview.
There is so much sadness within these pages but there is optimism that reading this will make a difference to someone’s memory or conscience. I do hope so.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
This sounds utterly absorbing, Carol. These are real families with real devastation at not having answers. The stories are fascinating and I hope the families get some closure.
I think this type of book ( and tv ) is very useful – I just read a news article where something like this prompted a new witness to come forward on a cold case.
I enjoyed this too, fingers crossed it helps to solve even one of these cold cases.
I hope so Tracey – so many lives on hold here, waiting for answers