The Postcard Bandit
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The Postcard Bandit
Narrated by:
Mitchell Bourke, Daniel Fletcher, Mike Booth, Pia Glover
Buy Now for $29.41
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Narrated by:
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Mitchell Bourke
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Daniel Fletcher
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Mike Booth
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Pia Glover
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By:
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Derek Pedley
Summary
Bank robber. Fugitive. Womaniser. Comedian. Conman. Chameleon. How the Postcard Bandit put his stamp on Australia... and paid the price.
Brenden Abbott escaped custody three times and was a fugitive for more than six years, using sophisticated disguises, fake identities and safehouses to become the nation's most successful and feared bank robber, reaping millions of dollars.
They called him the Postcard Bandit, after a series of photos emerged of Abbott living the high life of a rich tourist at iconic Australian locations.
Cunning and shrewd, he used self-taught skills in make-up to create convincing disguises, computers to create false IDs, and electronics to dodge alarms and police. Weeks were spent planning each robbery, observing staff, identifying weaknesses in security, patterns of behaviour and the layout of the banks.
These intelligence-gathering skills also aided both of his audacious prison escapes, and detectives who have interviewed Abbott say he relentlessly probes for information.
Less than three years after his recapture, he escaped from a Queensland prison amid a hail of gunfire and became the nation's most wanted man. When they finally caught him, Abbott was cast into a specially built solitary confinement cell, and furious authorities set about trying to break his spirit with endless years of isolation.
Abbott was held in maximum security in Queensland until he was transferred to Casuarina Prison in Western Australia in 2016. He is eligible for parole in 2028, but claims that after three decades in prison, he's now wrongfully imprisoned. Abbott continues to fight in court for his freedom, desperate to spend time with the son he's only ever known through prison bars.
'Pedley nails the true story of Australia's Dillinger, Brenden Abbott, whose life and crimes raise echoes that go all the way back to Ned Kelly and Ben Hall.' ANDREW RULE, author of The Chosen Few©2025 Derek Pedley (P)2026 W. F. Howes ltd.
Great book.
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The Postcard Bandit by Derek Pedley is an engrossing true‑crime biography that delivers far more than the legend suggests. Pedley brings remarkable depth and clarity to the life of Brenden Abbott — a man often reduced to myth — by grounding the story in decades of research, exclusive interviews, and a journalist’s sharp eye for detail. The result is a narrative that is fast‑paced, vivid, and surprisingly empathetic.
🌟 What makes this book stand out
• Exceptional research and access: Pedley’s long‑term engagement with Abbott gives the book an authenticity that few true‑crime accounts achieve. His ability to separate fact from media myth — including the famous “postcards” story — adds real value. allenandunwi...
• A gripping, cinematic story: Abbott’s escapes, disguises, and years on the run read like a thriller, yet Pedley never loses sight of the human being behind the headlines.
• Balanced and nuanced: Rather than glorifying crime, the book explores Abbott’s intelligence, humour, contradictions, and the harsh realities of long‑term incarceration.
• Richly updated edition: The revised version includes new anecdotes, photos, and insights into Abbott’s legal battles and personal reflections, making it feel timely and complete. Amazon.com.au
📚 Why it’s worth reading
Pedley writes with clarity and purpose, weaving together action, psychology, and social context. The book captures the tension of Abbott’s high‑stakes escapes while also exploring themes of identity, justice, and the power of media myth‑making. It’s the kind of true‑crime narrative that keeps you turning pages while also leaving you with plenty to think about.
🏁 Final thoughts
If you enjoy true crime that is smart, detailed, and character‑driven, The Postcard Bandit is an excellent choice. It’s a compelling portrait of a notorious figure, told with integrity and insight by a writer who knows the story better than anyone.
Brilliant
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