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Forgotten Australia
Book Preview – The Murder Squad
Exclusive to Forgotten Australia listeners, this episode comprises the first 20 pages of The Murder Squad, my new book about homicide investigation in Sydney and NSW during the worst years of the Great Depression.
We start with Detective-Sergeant Tom McRae in Albury in September 1934 as he investigates the Pyjama Girl, before flashing back to the triple tragedies he endured in his early life and as he started his rise through the ranks.
Check out The Murder Squad's awesome cover:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.html
Here's what some very nice folks have been saying about The Murder Squad:
‘The Murder Squad is a cracking decade-long history of crazed killers and cunning cops – a triumph of true crime storytelling backed by exhaustive research.’ – Stephen Gibbs, Daily Mail
‘Michael Adams has that rare ability to drop the reader right in the heart of the action. He gives such precise and evocative detail that the reader can almost see, hear and smell each crime scene. Murder Squad is a riveting read, bringing Australia’s Great Depression era to life through a series of cracking true crime stories starring the ingenious Sydney detective Tom McRae.’ – Jen Kelly, Herald Sun, In Black & White column and podcast
‘Michael Adams takes you on a tense journey into Sydney’s historical badlands. Compelling, rich and meticulous: this is Australian true crime at its very best.’ – Candice Fox, author of Fire With Fire, The Chase and Crimson Lake
‘Michael Adams is a master true crime storyteller. His mastery is firstly, in digging out intriguing historical crimes – many of which have long been forgotten – and secondly, in recounting them in the most compelling way. The Human Glove Mystery, The Pyjama Girl and The Park Demon all get the Michael Adams treatment, but so too the stories that didn’t attract the sensational headlines, but are no less intriguing. And all of it against a backdrop of historic Australia and the men of the Murder Squad who hunted out the killers and tried to bring them to justice. So thoroughly researched, this is the ultimate reference for true crime in Australia during the depression years.’ – Mercedes Maguire, The Daily Telegraph
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55. Australia’s First Sporting All-Nighters
26:46||Season 10, Ep. 55This week, when we stay up (or get up) to cheer the Socceroos, we’ll be doing what Aussies first did one winter nearly a century ago. In 1930, the Ashes test cricket series was broadcast live from England via the new marvel of the age – radio! Night after night, Australians defied sleep to hear sporting history being made, with record-smashing new champion Don Bradman leading the charge. In this episode, we look at how these ingenious broadcasts were made and how they were received, from Melbourne to Mount Gambier, Bowral to Ballarat. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.comCheck out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html
51. Aussie History Pod Trivia Quiz #3 – Sexy Sinema, Ghostly Figures and a PM Minus His Pants
46:30||Season 10, Ep. 51Who named Australia? Which former Prime Minister lost his pants in public?Which celebrity came chasing ghosts Down Under?What were the weirdest names suggested for Melbourne before Melbourne became Melbourne?Welcome to the pub trivia night that plays out in your podcast playerHow well do you know our weird and wonderful history?30 Questions over 3 Rounds. What will you score out of 30?**Original upload had erroneous bit of commentary in the otherwise correct answer to question 10;it has since been corrected. Many thanks to listener Michael Bragge for pointing up my mistake!**The Aussie History Trivia Bonus Round will be released for supporters on the weekend.To hear this exclusive mini-episode – and have a chance at $100 in cash and book prizes – become a Forgotten Australia supporter.You can try for free:Patreon: http://patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: http://apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.comCheck out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html
50. A Murder of Note – Part Four: Cursed From Birth
34:13||Season 10, Ep. 50Having bent justice to their will successfully once, Kenneth Brown and his supporters tried a new defence tactic: arguing that he’d been cursed from birth as a hereditary homicidal maniac.If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0.National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Tel: 1 800 737 732 https://1800respect.org.au Lifeline Tel: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
49. A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim
33:57||Season 10, Ep. 49With Mary Ann Brown dead, and no doubt that Kenneth killed her, his April 1876 murder trial appeared to be an open-and-shut case. But he had the best defence that money could buy – and a colonial elite closing ranks to protect one of their own.If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0.National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Tel: 1 800 737 732 https://1800respect.org.au Lifeline Tel: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
48. A Murder of Note – Part Two: Shotgun Marriage
57:11||Season 10, Ep. 48In part one, we heard about Kenneth Brown. In this episode, we look at Mary Ann Tindall and how she became his wife and victim.If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0.National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling ServiceTel: 1 800 737 732https://1800respect.org.au LifelineTel: 131 114https://www.lifeline.org.au/Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.comCheck out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html
47. New Miniseries: A Murder of Note – Part One: A Man of the Killing Times
48:50||Season 10, Ep. 47We all know Edith Cowan – first woman elected to an Australian parliament – graces out $50 note. But did you know she was shaped by a traumatic childhood?In 1876, her father, the prominent colonial settler and explorer Kenneth Brown, shot her stepmother dead. This was a crime that shocked Western Australia – and one whose elements are all too common 150 years later.In Part One of this new miniseries, we look at the forces that shaped Kenneth, from Frontier War violence to his tilt at the Melbourne Cup.If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0.National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling ServiceTel: 1 800 737 732https://1800respect.org.au LifelineTel: 131 114https://www.lifeline.org.au/Aidan Kelly's research is here:https://freopedia.org/Kenneth_BrownSupport Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.comCheck out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html
46. Talking History - Australia’s Real-Life Jack Sparrow
50:06||Season 10, Ep. 46Ahoy, me hearties! William Swallow became the pirate captain of the convict ship Cyprus after he seized the vessel in Tasmania in 1829. From there, it was a case of ‘Bring me that horizon!’, with Swallow and his crew of motley misfits setting sail for freedom on the far side of the world. Author Ally Burnham joins us to explain how she researched this swashbuckling true story for Swallow, the first novel in an epic trilogy that will thrill fans of Master and Commander. It's an amazing tale of a fast-talking escape artist, of high stakes on the high seas, and of boldness and tenderness in an era of unspeakable brutality. Plus: Ally has some top tips on how to swear like a pirate! Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.comCheck out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html
44. Aussie History Pod Trivia Quiz #2 – Failing film stars! Flailing Frenchmen! Falling space junk!
42:50||Season 10, Ep. 44Failing film stars! Flailing Frenchmen! Falling space junk! They’re all here, the true and the false, the serious and the deeply stupid.Three rounds. 30 questions. Like pub trivia! Just minus the overcooked rigatoni and the annoying team at the next table who are definitely cheating.Play by yourself, against mates or – for an almost-guaranteed victory – against your dimmest pet.Not happy writing your answers in the mist of your bathroom mirror? Well, there’s a free downloadable answer sheet at: www.forgottenaustralia.com If you’re a Forgotten Australia supporter, be sure to check out this week’s Aussie History Trivia Quiz Bonus Episode with 10 more questions – and another chance to win actual prizes.Not a Forgotten Australia supporter? Well, now’s your chance to correct this regrettable life choice.Use a free trial to get a week’s access. It’s easy to get started:Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
43. Australia's Forgotten Serial Maniacs
49:30||Season 10, Ep. 43In 1837, three cold-blooded killers committed a series of bloody outrages that left nine people dead. Two of these murderers were to face their own gruesome fates. But, in an ironic twist, the third would be legally untouchable despite all the victims he'd shot and axed.Support Forgotten Australia for ad-free early episodes, exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes in the special edition trivia episodes.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com