Carol Baxter

The second book from this author I've now read, I'm growing to increasingly like the manner in which she tells her true stories. Woven into a narrative that reads like a tall tale but true, BLACK WIDOW isn't a dry retelling of facts. Having said that, there appears to be sufficient research and veracity in the facts of the case to make it all the more shocking.

Louisa Collins was executed in Sydney, the first female "serial killer" in colonial Australian history. There is so much in this show more story that seems wrong. For a start there seems to be major question marks about her guilt, not helped by four trials that allowed witnesses, especially her own daughter, to "practice" their evidence. There's even that question of 4 trials in total. Surely there's the whiff of witch hunt there, certainly it's had to avoid the feeling that the male dominated society were not happy about an alleged female husband killer walking free no matter how dodgy the allegations might be. There's also the connections drawn in the book between the demeanour of Collins and that of a more recent case (Chamberlain) where the defendant appeared to be tried, found guilty and convicted based on the court of public opinion. Just because Collins conducted herself in a particular manner in the dock.

Then there's that perennial chestnut of political interference and corruption. The more history is revealed, the more chastened and depressing it is to realise that there has been precious little time when politics was above question - maybe the shining light at the end of that particular tunnel is that these days we know if we care to pay attention.

BLACK WIDOW is a fascinating book to read, it's beautifully constructed, making history come alive, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions on many of the aspects of the story of Louisa Collins.

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When you don't read blurbs, or avoid coverage of a book that you know you're going to read eventually, some things can come as a considerable surprise. Things like THE PECULIAR CASE OF THE ELECTRIC CONSTABLE being a true story.

The starting premise of the book is the speedy identification and capture of an alleged murderer by an early electric telegraph. If you think, however, that this is the whole point of the story, then you are going to be disappointed. Whilst there is background to the show more scepticism of the system's worth and the difficulties in getting an installation up and running, the telegraph's usefulness in this particular case, is done and dusted very quickly as the story becomes all about John Tawell and his assumed guilt in the murder of a young woman.

Not that the alternative focus is necessarily a major disappointment as John Tawell is a fascinating character. A supposedly pious and sincere Quaker he's been a surprisingly naughty boy. He's also gifted with a major talent for refusing to acknowledge his part in his own downfall. Long after he's ejected from the Quaker church he's still trying to buy, bribe and cajole his way back. He's still walking around dressed as a Quaker, still participating as much as he can in the community. You can almost hear the Quaker elder's teeth grinding as Tawell simply will not go away.

Whilst the known facts of Tawell's life, his crime(s) and his subsequent trial for murder are built into the story, this reads like a ripsnorter of a yarn. The pace clips along, and the actions of Tawell are beautifully described, as are the reactions of everyone around him. The author appears to be in as much doubt as to WHY as anybody else is by the end of the story (although which "why" ... well that would be telling). That seems to be absolutely fair - allowing the reader to question, consider and resolve in their own minds if they are of a mind to do so.

As unexpected as THE PECULIAR CASE OF THE ELECTRIC CONSTABLE was, and as unlikely as the scenario may seem, even allowing for the slightly misleading title of the book itself, this was a very interesting, engaging book and as silly as this sounds, a tall tale but true.

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I won an advanced copy of this book through Library’s Early Reviewers group.

One of the best biographical novels I have ever read. Entertaining, easy, not dry or too historic, this one really takes you into the life and experiences of Chubbie. I’ve always been fascinated with female aviators at the start of human flight, there is just something so daring and rambunctious about how hard they worked to gain access to that world. This novel introduces us not only to Chubbie, but also to a show more host of other notable pilots making and breaking records during this time. I was afraid when’s i received my copy as it’s a little longer than I had hoped, but because of the writing style it’s a quick read, and had a tendency to keep me up at night to read “one more chapter.” I’d highly recommend! show less

Review of Advance Reading Copy

The early days of aviation, filled with adventure, danger, and bravado, did not easily accept lady fliers. This, however, did not deter the women pilots although they chaffed at appellations such as ladybirds, petticoat pilots, flying flappers, and sweethearts of the air. Their daring achievements, now part of the glory days of early aviation history, revealed their stamina, their grit, their ability to pilot planes just as well as their male counterparts.

“The show more Fabulous Flying Mrs Miller” recounts the exploits of Australian aviation pioneer Jessie “Chubbie” Miller who, although perhaps less well-known than Amelia Earhart, was nevertheless a contemporary of the accomplished aviatrix and who was one of the most successful women competing in air-racing circles. Along with many of the women pilots of the time, Jessie was one of the founding members of The Ninety-Nines, the non-profit international organization of women pilots. Among Jessie’s many accomplishments, she was the first women to first to fly across the equator, the first woman to fly more than eight thousand miles, and the first woman to become a test pilot.
As the narrative chronicles Jessie’s storied aviation life, it moves on to cover the controversial 1932 Miami murder trial of fellow aviator Bill Lancaster in which she was embroiled.

Well-researched and richly detailed, this engaging account of Jessie’s passion for flying and her spirited life during aviation’s golden age makes for fascinating reading.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program show less