James Gibney

There's no doubt that among the cavalcade of Australia's worst crimes, the brutal murder of three siblings near the small Queensland town of Gatton on Boxing Day 1898 still ranks very highly, even after the passing of more than a century. Both the brutality of the crime, the two sisters bound, repeatedly raped and their heads bashed in, their brother sexually assaulted, and shot, and the fact that it was never solved, despite a host of suspects, means that this case keeps attracting attention despite the passage of time ensuring that it will remain forever a mystery. The authors are both judges, and their book reflects a careful legal approach to the case. Every piece of evidence is closely examined, and whil this doesnt make for exciting reading, it is thorough and engrossing. In the end, their conclusion is tentative, as befits legal minds reluctant to go beyond the available evidence. They do conclude however that the most likely suspect was an individual, a stranger to the area, who was ignored by police until he had left the district, while they concentrated on another, much less likely suspect. The brothers, again with careful legal precision, do not come straight out and state that police bungling cost any chance of a resolution, but it is clearly implied. This book is not an easy read, it is technical and precise, and may bore some readers used to a more flamboyant style of writing, but it repays the attentive reader with a very satisfying sense of satisfaction that is the best resolution for the case given the available evidence. Highly recommended for true crime buffs and readers interested in Australia's early history.… (mehr)