The Sting cover art

The Sting

The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe's Killer

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The Sting

By: Kate Kyriacou
Narrated by: Adam Fitzgerald
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About this listen

The book that inspired the feature film The Stranger (Netflix), starring Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.

The disappearance of Queensland schoolboy Daniel Morcombe was one of the most heartbreaking and confounding child abduction and murder cases of the century, spanning almost a decade prior to the eventual arrest of known pedophile Brett Peter Cowan, one of the original persons of interest.

The story of the police sting that resulted in his confession reads like crime fiction, featuring an elaborately staged fake crime gang run by a 'Mr Big' that lured Cowan in with the promise of a hefty payout.

The Sting takes you on a journey behind Australia's most sensational undercover bust, revealing extraordinary new details. It is a shocking insight into one of the country's most evil killers, and the operation that brought him down.

©2022 Kate Kyriacou (P)2022 Bonnier Books UK Organised Crime True Crime Crime Disappearance Emotionally Gripping
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This book has at all – great true crime events told by a very thoroughly researched journalist and a great narrator. Even gets his eshay accent spot on 🤣

An absolute must for true crime readers

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Couldn’t stop listening. Good narration and detail. Recommended for anyone interested in true Australian crime. Rip Daniel. Will have a chat with my kids about being safe after listening to this!!!

Good audiobook!

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Fantastic book and highly engaging performance. We already know how this ends, but the details and work behind the scenes is amazing.

Real Eye Opener

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Excellent narration by Adam Fitzgerald.
Very well told true crime story.
The events were meticulously researched & skilfully sequenced.

Riveting story brilliantly narrated

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Moving and gripping story of a time in Australian history that will never be forgotten. The murder or Daniel and his family’s dedication is told in a thoughtful and though provoking manner, especially when you know that landmarks mentioned.

Detail in the investigation

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Well written, not grotesque with detail. Denise and Bruce Morcombe, the police and all the heroes in this book are amazing

So hard to listen to but SO IMPORTANT to read especially if you’re a parent, aunt, uncle, godparent or grandparent.

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Well researched and written with great compassion and respect for the Morcombe family. Daniel's name is etched in the Australian psyche and will not be forgotten. Excellent narration.

Gripping + Tragic True Crime

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As devastating as this was to hear, I enjoyed the insight of who Daniel was and hopefully people like these predators are more carefully looked at.

Well writen, well read.

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So interesting to get into the mind of this disgusting human. Very hard to listen to at times - made me feel physically sick. Important messages for parents to make their kids aware of strangers everywhere - pool, caravan parks, kindergartens.

Really well written - horrific story

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A well written account of an aspect of this case that we're not that familiar with. And probably the only way Cowan was ever going to be charged and convicted for Daniel's murder. Such a devastating crime, as all crimes involving children are. It was especially heartbreaking to hear the Morcombe family's impact statements.

Well written, well narrated.

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