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Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends: Tales from a Colonial Coroner's Court

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Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends: Tales from a Colonial Coroner's Court

By: Dr Catie Gilchrist
Narrated by: Emma Grant Williams
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About this listen

 Murder, manslaughter, suicide, mishap - the very public business of determining death in colonial Sydney.
Murder in colonial Sydney was a surprisingly rare occurrence, so when it did happen it caused a great sensation. People flocked to the scene of the crime, to the coroner's court and to the criminal courts to catch a glimpse of the accused.

Most of us today rarely see a dead body. In nineteenth century Sydney, when health was precarious and workplaces and the busy city streets were often dangerous, witnessing a death was rather common. And any death that was sudden or suspicious would be investigated by the coroner.

Henry Shiell was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889. In the course of his unusually long career he delved into the lives, loves, crimes, homes and workplaces of colonial Sydneysiders. He learnt of envies, infidelities, passions, and loyalties, and just how short, sad and violent some lives were. But his court was also, at times, instrumental in calling for new laws and regulations to make life safer.

Catie Gilchrist explores the nineteenth century city as a precarious place of bustling streets and rowdy hotels, harbourside wharves and dangerous industries. With few safety regulations, the colourful city was also a place of frequent inquests, silent morgues and solemn graveyards. This is the story of life and death in colonial Sydney.

PRAISE

'Catie Gilchrist draws back the veil on death in nineteenth-century Sydney to reveal life - ordinary, tragic and hopeful' David Hunt, author of Girt and True Girt

 19th Century Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Crime Modern Murder Oceania Social Sciences True Crime Business
All stars
Most relevant
great read also interesting from a social history perspective in australia at that time ccc

great read also interesting from a social history

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This is an absolutely amazing book. It will literally take you back in time. If you love true crime podcasts OR history (or both like me), then this is the audiobook for you. I feel like I have spent a week in 19th Century Sydney, it is that visceral.

Be a fly on the wall in Colonial Sydney

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I love everything to do with Australia's and especially , Sydney's , Past History . This Audiobook is truly amazing and from start to finish had me totally captivated . Fantastic !

Thoroughly Captivating !

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Highly recommended. Well researched, thoughtful. Excellent narration as well. Bringing early Australian history to life.

Brilliant

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Her enthusiasm for the subject matter shone through. It might be a criticism that it is too Sydney-centric, but as a student of Sydney history myself this was far from a problem!

Fantastic research.

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