A Thousand Miles from Care cover art

A Thousand Miles from Care

A Hunt for a Brother's Killer. A Thirty Year Quest for Justice.

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A Thousand Miles from Care

By: Steve Johnson
Narrated by: Steve Johnson
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About this listen

A gripping and heartbreaking story, A Thousand Miles From Care tells the 30-year quest Steve Johnson undertook to uncover the truth about his brilliant brother's brutal murder in Manly.

At the entrance of Sydney Harbor, the cliffs rise fourteen stories above the Pacific, like a gigantic skirt made of sandstone. North Head, one of the most memorable cliffs, is a gorgeous place to watch the sunrise. But it's an unforgiving place to lose your footing. When Steve Johnson's younger brother Scott went over the edge in 1988, he hit an outcrop on the way down and exploded on the rocks below.

The police deemed it a suicide. But Steve Johnson never believed his brother would take his own life, and over the course of three decades he embarked on an arduous quest to find out what really happened to Scott. This profoundly impactful book traces the steps Steve and his family and friends took to solve the mystery, including navigating an openly hostile police force and a maze of dead ends, unreliable informants, teenage gangs, a faked confession, and setbacks at every turn. And yet their quest ended with an extraordinary outcome: a stunning turnaround by police who apprehended a suspect, 32 years after Scott's death.

'Motivated by love and loss of his brother, this inspiring and heartbreaking true story provides a timely and powerful reminder to never take no for an answer in the pursuit of justice. Steve Johnson has ensured Scott Johnson's legacy would be a safer world for gay men, and that legacy is now enduring.' Alex Greenwich MP

'An extraordinary memoir. By turns harrowing, infuriating, and inspiring, it is partly a requiem for a loved one and a lament for all of the brilliant, wonderful people the world was robbed of, simply because they were gay. The pitiless pointlessness of it all is breathtaking, but so too is the decency and love that permeates this book.' Gareth Russell, The Palace

©2024 Steve Johnson (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
Biographies & Memoirs Murder True Crime Exciting Crime
All stars
Most relevant  
Very well written and narrated, very compelling true story about Australian history in terms of the LGBTI community and the discrimination they experienced

Compelling story

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True story detailing the sad loss of a loved brother and his family’s fight for justice.
His death came about due a long held hate and a prejudice
deeply entrenched within everyday society in 1980s Australia
This same prejudice caused a lack of interest and follow up from police and the death was quickly written off as suicide.

Justice

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So many highs and many more lows - an incredible journey spanning 3 long decades. I enjoyed the read, felt so much compassion for the Johnson family, as well as admiration for the nonchalant success of Steve Johnson, who was part of paving the way in what we now experience as everyday computing. A story of what could have been; a tragic loss of a talented life. Thank you Mr Johnson for writing this all down and unveiling the incredible misjustice of the those that should be up keeping the law the most.

A most compelling book.

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blind buy and so impressed with the story telling and a true crime story here in Australia that I had never heard of before. truly amazing story

what a book

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So ashamed of NSW Police and so proud for the family who wouldn’t give up.

Fantastic

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Mick Willing, gees that fella climbed the ranks fast.. He was always a cnt.
So incredibly sorry to hear he stood in the way of justice.

Bloody nsw police have a lot to answer for

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The book was beautifully written. His words guaranteed that I had no doubts about his love and sadness for what Scott would have gone through. Being the grandmother of a transgender teenager this book makes me feel so grateful that attitudes have changed dramatically. Most touching book I have listened to

The Undying Love of Two Brothers

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I grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches during the time of Scott’s murder. I feel saddened and ashamed that this happened and that I was not aware of what was going on in our own backyard. This is the story of one brother’s love and determination to bring justice. Steve Johnson never gave up and for that it not only brought justice for his brother but also shed a light on the dark past of Sydney in the 80s and 90s and therefore hopefully helped and will help other families who suffered similar loss during that time. I was brought to tears many times. It is a must read / listen.

For The Love of a Brother

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A tragic event that never should have happened. And a brother like no other, Steve and Scott.

The search for truth and justice

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I remember this story really well. Well done to the family for never giving up, even though the police did.
Usually I love having the author of the book narrating, but not this time.
Unfortunately his voice was horrendous and very difficult to listen to. Also lots of place names mispronounced, I know they are Aussie names and he’s American, but still

Awful narration

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.