Lunatic Soup

by Andrew Fraser

Andrew Fraser’s bestselling and controversial true–crime memoirs are now being adapted into an exciting new television series titled Killing Time. After being convicted and disbarred, Fraser became the confidant of one of Australia’s most notorious serial killers, Peter Dupas. What he learned made him the Homicide Squad’s secret weapon. Angry at his treatment in jail and his excessive sentence, the long–time defence lawyer enjoyed the irony of his situation: the authorities who destroyed his career now needed his cooperation. There was never any doubt that Andrew would give evidence, even though he knew that the defence would try to destroy his credibility by bringing up the past he desperately wanted to forget. Fraser paints a vivid picture of the grim, terrifying, and futile reality of maximum security prison life and of his time spent with the murderers, psychopaths, and paedophiles. Lunatic Soup relates his harrowing experiences of the justice system as a prisoner and on the stand as a witness in a murder trial.

Genres: True Crime, Memoir, Nonfiction, Crime

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was a very public, big-time lawyer in Melbourne but in private was a mid-level cocaine dealer which led to him being imprisoned for 5 years. This book is partly about the 'corrupt police' who put him there and the 'appalling and apathetic conditions of imprisonment' he had to live under. (This is a cliche, all people who write about being in prison say that. It is probably true but since most of those who suffer have made society suffer there is a certain level of indifference to action that results in improvements being minor and slow to come.)

It is also about how through his imprisonment he came to know and 'befriend' the extremely violent and vicious serial killer, Peter Dupas. When Dupas eventually confessed to him to the unsolved murder of Mersina Halvagis who was stabbed nearly 90 times in a cemetery, Fraser agreed to give evidence in court. He also applied for the $1M reward but I haven't been able to find out if he got it.

It's always hard to unhear an author's voice and concentrate on what they are saying when you don't like the author, and that voice spoiled the book for me.

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was badly written but the content was interesting. Particularly fascinating was the point of view of an Australian prison inmate in maximum security.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish Andrew Fraser had a better editor- there are a lot of good stories in here, but it's so badly written. Fraser's narcissism shines through and I can't imagine how unbearable it must have been to be in prison with him.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not brilliant writing, but it doesn't matter. Fraser is there to tell you stuff...it would be extremely wise for everyone to listen.

[Mary Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an airport purchase and I've kind of picked it up and put it down a few times. I had no idea who or what Andrew Fraser was when I chose the book; I've always had a fascination with the jail and justice systems so that's what appealed to me. I think the book would have been a lot more enjoyable if I'd also had a prior interest in Fraser and the cases discussed in the book.

It was fascinating and kinda scary to read about how these prisons were run - I say 'run' loosely. The accounts of total negligence by the operational staff, and in some cases pure rudeness was not pleasant to read. It's hard to take that for what it is when you know you're talking about an institute with some of the worlds most hideous criminals inside. But, people like Fraser; one time offenders who will be rehabilitated, are mixed in among these people and the apathy by the jail staff to uphold their positions really sucks. I also hated reading about the lack of rehabilitation opportunities in prison and the way support post release is so limited.

It does sometimes feel like Fraser wrote this book purely to have 'the last say' on certain subjects and about certain parties - a way of being holier than thou or just excising himself from opinions that have been shared about him in the public domain. But, he seems very honest in his accounts.

One thing he won't win is a literary award. But apparently his books inspired a TV series. No idea which one.

[Janine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of paper. Badly written book and the "stories" by Fraser sound implausible and hard to believe. Seems to be just an attempt to try to make money from his 5 year incarceration for his serious offence. I thought the law in Victoria was that an offender cannot profit financially from their offence?

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few disturbed nights reading. Enlightened - NO - just confirmation of a system fraught with wrongs. Gotta admire his courage though..

[Kurt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly simplistic and logically inconsistent. Yet the insider details of the Victorian justice system made it interesting enough to finish.

[Duncan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is well written enough, contrary to what other reviews have said.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great true crime story. Unbelievably brave of Andrew Fraser to take a stand against a serial murderer, as well as police and prison authorities, risking his personal safety to say what he thinks needed to be said. Not always well written or edited but never the less it is an education to read, and I feel pride and respect for the author.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.75

Man who profits off the criminal law jurisdiction for many years has a convenient epiphany that the system is broken when he can no longer benefit from it.

This book is a mess, poorly written, a jumble of anecdotes etc etc etc

[love_elkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read! It’s definitely not war and peace but it is an easy read and sheds light on how a monster was caught.

[Elise March · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content was incredible - but story a little bit ruined by the author voice + writing style.

[Kelv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to read and digest. Believable, concise, and damming. The tempo and rhythm, coupled with the simple prose made this book uneventful.

Generally, the Victorian prison system was (is?) a joke and needed to be exposed further, the fall from height of Andrew is hard to imagine, but worth talking about.

[Sooz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apart from shedding light onto one of Australia's most disturbed serial killers, Peter Dupas, it gives an interesting inside glance at the inner workings of maximum security prison's in Australia, as well as the Australian criminal justice system. This book is very accessible and despite it's lame Dad jokes, myriad exclamation marks and slightly annoying repetitiveness, it was interesting to read becuase of it's content. The content itself is heavy going and isn't for the easily disturbed. It creeped me right out reading about Dupas in particular, especially as many of the murders took place in suburbs close to home. A good read overall.

[Linda Pozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Highly highly recommended!

[Leanne Mouritzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Gave a good insight into maximum security prison life. A recommended non fiction crime read

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

He clearly stated the facts awsome book