Bloodstain - The Vanishing of Peter Falconio - Richard Shears

I remember this story breaking in the UK and being filled with horror at the ordeal described by Joanne Lees. I subsequently kept up to date with the developments right through to the trial. When some opinion started to turn against Joanne, I thought it was unfair and some of it truly ridiculous. For example she was criticised for not attending press conferences and when she did for wearing a T-shirt with "cheeky monkey" written on it. In a subsequent interview she explained that she was too distressed to attend press conferences and that most of her clothes were in police custody with the camper van and she could hardly suggest a shopping trip. ...  Read the complete review

I remember being morbidly fascinated when the story broke in July 2001 of two British backpackers being attacked in the Australian Outback as we had just returned from 9 months doing the same thing. This was a crime that tapped into your worst nightmare and sent a shiver down your spine thinking "there but for the grace of God....". The fact that one survived (Joanne Lees) and one disappeared (and has still not been found - Peter Falconio) only added to the fascination. In 2005, Bradley Murdoch, a maverick loner who smuggled drugs inter state was arrested and subsequently found guilty of the murder of Peter Falconio and assault related charges on ...  Read the complete review