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The Ballroom Murder

By Leigh Straw
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3.52 goodreads logo

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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
In The Ballroom Murder by Leigh Straw, set in the post-World War I era, a young woman's murder at a glamorous Perth ballroom unravels a web of intrigue and deceit. As the investigation unfolds, complexities of social dynamics, hidden motives, and the desire for justice surface, drawing the reader into a gripping tale of mystery and suspense.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3700
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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 intriguing tale if you're captivated by true crime narratives and the mysteries of historical criminal cases. Set against the backdrop of a 1920s ballroom, it blends meticulous research with a gripping narrative that unravels the complexities of murder investigation, offering a fas cination look into a bygone era's justice system.

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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

The Ballroom Murder is a true crime story that gripped Perth nearly 100 years ago, demonstrating the power of the press and privilege in an extraordinary judicial outcome.

In August 1925, Audrey Jacob shot dead her former fiancé, Cyril Gidley, in full view of hundreds of guests at a charity ball in Perth's Government House. When she was arrested, she still held the gun in her hand. It was an open-and-shut case of wilful murder—that is until Jacob assigned prosecutor Arthur Haynes to her defence. His ability to play the press and the jury for sympathy would lead to a sensational result. Not only did Jacob escape the gallows, she was found not guilty of Gidley's murder.

Straw, the author of a number of books about notable Australian female criminals, tells a story that is rich with first-hand newspaper accounts from the day.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Ballroom Murder by Leigh Straw has been praised for its well-researched narrative and Straw's skill in vividly bringing characters to life, providing a dramatic and tragic storyline filled with romance, suspense, and intrigue. It's considered an absorbing read, ideal for a captivating evening, and comes highly recommended for its combination of high drama and historical context.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760990572

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 August 2022

Country: Australia

Imprint: Fremantle Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 236g

Pages: 184

Collections

Biography & Memoir Crime & Thriller Fiction Leigh Straw Penguin Books True Crime

About the Author

Leigh Straw is an academic, historian and writer. She is the author of true crime biographies of Australian crime figures Kate Leigh and Dulcie Markham, and Australia's first female detective, Lillian Armfield. Leigh was the joint winner of the 2018 Margaret Medcalf Award for her book After the War- The Mental and Physical Scars of World War I. Leigh is Deputy Head of the National School of Arts and Sciences and Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Notre Dame Australia.

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