The Matriarch cover art

The Matriarch

The Story of 'Granny Evil' Kathy Pettingill

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The Matriarch

By: Adrian Tame
Narrated by: Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Kelly Butler
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About this listen

 The matriarch of Australia’s most violent and notorious criminal family, and allegedly the inspiration for the award-winning film Animal Kingdom, tells her side of the story.

Kathy Pettingill is a name that’s both respected and feared, not only by Australia’s criminal underworld, but by many in the Victorian police force. As the matriarch at the head of the most notorious and violent family of habitual offenders in Australian criminal history, her life has revolved around murder, drugs, prison, prostitution and bent coppers – and the intrigue and horror that surround such crimes.

Her eldest son, Dennis Allen, was a mass murderer and a $70,000-a-week drug dealer who dismembered a Hell’s Angel with a chainsaw. Two younger sons were acquitted of the Walsh Street murders, the cold-blooded assassination of two police officers that changed the face of crime in Melbourne forever. One of the two, Victor, was gunned down himself in the street 14 years later, becoming the third son Kathy has buried.

In this revised and updated authorised edition of Adrian Tame’s bestselling The Matriarch, Kathy Pettingill reveals the chilling truth behind many of the myths and legends that surround her family, including her experiences in the blood-spattered charnel house at the centre of Dennis Allen’s empire of drugs and violence.

But this is no plea for pity. Forthright and deeply disturbing, like its subject, The Matriarch pulls no punches.

Updated and revised for a new generation, this true crime classic is as terrifying and powerful as when it was first published.
 Crime True Crime Women Exciting Scary Murder
All stars
Most relevant
This has been the best audio book I have listened to so far. The subject is appalling but could not stop listening to this crazy family. KP is very sharp and quite hilarious at times. The best part however are the narrators. They made the audio book what it is. Great listen and highly recommend.

Great listen

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Highly recommended for anyone who remembers the crimes in Melbourne for which this family is infamous. The various voices used throughout, to depict the different persons, have an excellent realism.

Melbournians will be especially interested.

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Great book very interesting couldn’t stop listening to it . The story kept me intrigued all the way through.

Great book

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Yes the the book was good, the narrater as well, happy to have read story and hope no proceeds went to this wicked woman, not a fan of her or her spawn. We all have choices. Knowing she is living a life of an upstanding citizen grates me a little, but at least she is giving back to the community, better now than latter I guess.

Humm

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I enjoyed this audio. Especially Narrator Kelly Butler.
Lewis Fitz-gerald was very easy to listen also. HR

Interesting and alarming times in Victoria!

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loved this book. it took me there. also the end. i recommend it highly.

granny evil

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loved it. didn't want it to finish. when I got to the end I dragged it out.

The matriarch

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Loved it, I could read it again and again and never get tired of reading it

The shocking truth

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Well worth the credit such a good read enjoyed every minute. She's a tough woman

Good book

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A curious string of tales about 70's/80's crime family. At times ridiculous. Getting away with it was turned into an art form. The code of honour among thieves broken and the knitting un- ravelled. Maternal strength comes to the fore with a startling resolve. Fascinating!

Tales of Melbourne Criminal Family

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