1828: Sydney is a city built on the backs of exiled convicts. But in a colony of criminals, how do you narrow down the list of suspects when a murderer is on the rampage? Nicodemus Dunne was a London policeman. After being deported on trumped up charges of assault, he now makes his living in New South Wales as a running patterer, spreading the news of the day by word of mouth. Confronted with a series of gruesome and horribly inventive murders, the governor seeks out Dunne for his investigative skills and his ability to infiltrate all levels of society. With each mutilated body, the murderer has left clues for Dunne to decipher. Can he put the pieces of the puzzle together and catch his elusive quarry without becoming prey himself?

A fascinating compendium of broadsheet ballads, political satire and sensational stories of murder and scandal, first published in 1871.

Australian crime fiction has grown from the country's origins as an 18th-century English prison colony. Early stories focused on escaped convicts becoming heroic bush rangers, or how the system mistreated those who were wrongfully convicted. Later came thrillers about wealthy free settlers and lawless gold-seekers, and urban crime fiction, including Fergus Hume's 1887 international best-seller The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, set in Melbourne. The 1980s saw a surge of private-eye thrillers, popular in a society skeptical of police. Twenty-first century authors have focused on policemen--and increasingly policewomen--and finally indigenous crime narratives. The author explores in detail this rich but little known national subgenre.

John Camden Hotten's 'The Slang Dictionary: Etymological, Historical, and Anecdotal' is a comprehensive exploration of the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of slang. Delving into the linguistic nuances of colloquial expressions, Hotten provides readers with a captivating look at how language evolves in response to social trends. The book offers a mix of academic analysis and entertaining anecdotes, making it both informative and engaging for readers interested in the study of language and communication. Hotten's meticulous research and keen observations make this dictionary a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of language usage in various contexts. From archaic terms to modern-day jargon, this book covers a wide range of slang expressions, shedding light on their meanings and historical contexts. John Camden Hotten's expertise in lexicography and linguistics shines through in this detailed and enlightening work, making it a must-read for language enthusiasts and scholars alike.