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  • Kidnapped

  • The Crime That Shocked the Nation
  • By: Mark Tedeschi
  • Narrated by: Stephen Briggs
  • Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (51 ratings)

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Kidnapped

By: Mark Tedeschi
Narrated by: Stephen Briggs
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Publisher's Summary

The story of Australia’s first known kidnapping of a child for ransom.

When eight-year-old Graeme Thorne was kidnapped on his way to school in July 1960, Australia was gripped with fear and loathing. What monster would dare take financial advantage of the most treasured bond of love - between parent and child? Just weeks earlier, Graeme’s parents had won a fortune in the Opera House Lottery, and this had attracted the attention of the perpetrator, Stephen Bradley.

Bradley was a most unlikely kidnapper, however his greed for the windfall saw him cast aside any sympathy for his victim or his victim’s family and drove him to take brazen risks with the life of his young captive.

Kidnapped tells the astounding true story of how this crime was planned and committed, and describes the extraordinary police investigation that was launched to track the criminal down. Mark Tedeschi explores the mind of the intriguing and seriously flawed Stephen Bradley, and also the points of view of the victim, his family - and the police, whose work pioneered the use of many techniques that are now considered commonplace, marking the beginning of modern-day forensic science in Australia.

Using his powerful research and storytelling skills, Mark Tedeschi reveals one of Australia’s greatest true-crime dramas, and what can only be described as the trial of the 20th century.

"A broad-brush morality tale about the consuming power of greed." (Sydney Morning Herald)

"A detailed and compelling account of events, unfolded with Tedeschi’s customary forensic skill and interspersed with interpretation and analysis that informs and provokes." (Nicholas Cowdery, AM QC)

"An utterly compelling account of the kidnap and murder of schoolboy Graeme Thorne from an author with unparalleled knowledge of the investigation and prosecution of crimes which have terrified Australians." (Margaret Cunneen, SC, deputy senior crown prosecutor) 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Mark Tedeschi (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about Kidnapped

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed with narration & quality

I read this book so awaited the audible version eagerly
The narrator was poor. Mistakes made. Even audible ones in pronunciation.
I knew this story well as I lived in area where kidnap occurred & sadly the murder.
I found the accents extreme & narration was spooked ;(again) by that.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Ali
  • 22-06-2022

Gee the editor failed here

Whoever edited the audio version should go back and have another go. This is full of repeated sentences and even the author mispronouncing a word and say "F##k". Pretty poor effort to make sure it's audio ready.
Book was okay, but seems to be a lot of assumptions and presumptions.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

TRULY AMAZING

This has to be the best and most factual presentation of Australia’s most infamous Crime. The detail and chronology are impeccable. The reasoning and depth of explanation are the best I’ve seen in modern times . The effort in production of this masterpiece is huge . Explanation and interpretation of the law is immensely accurate . This is a must read for anyone & everyone. Once you start listening you can’t stop . Well done Mark. !!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Long winded

Overall a very thorough examination of the first kidnapping in Australia. To my view could have done with some pruning. But interesting none the less.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

You Won't Put This Down

This is an excellent audiobook. I loved it. So well written and narrated. Very easy to follow. Fascinating to explore the crime from early 1960s in Australia, the investigation and court proceedings for all involved. Highly recommend.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

I have listened to true crime podcasts for many years and this account of a real crime is the best I have heard. This book is exceptionally detailed, well narrated and paced… this guy has certainly done his homework! A must listen!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well worth a listen

This is a landmark case in Australia's criminal history, well worth the thorough review given in this book. Mark Tedeschi does an excellent job of recounting the tragedy, the characters, the police work, the culture of Australia in the 1960s, and the legal aspects of the terrible incident. I could have done without the author's creative suppositions of the thought processes and reactions of various people: even poor little Graham's thoughts and emotions at the time of his kidnap are depicted. I could also do without the psychoanalysis of Bradley but that's only in the final chapter. Stephen Briggs has a pleasant voice and does a reasonable job of narration, but his attempt at the Bradleys' accents is over-the-top and unnecessary.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Great analysis of a case I am very familiar with! Good narration and an easy listen... went too quickly...fascinating. What a monstrous human being.. so sad.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Really interesting

I did indeed enjoy this book, and the detail of law described in it. It was gratifying to hear that Bradley was declared guilty, and no longer enjoyed freedom again.
I felt so sad about the suffering of an 8 year old boy and his loving family.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Highly recommend
An amazing story..if you are a true crime fan you must listen to this.
Incredibly well narrated, beautifully written and well researched we all remember this terrible tragic case.
But to listen to this presentation in its entirety is not only highly recommended but essential

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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.