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