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The Satin Man: Uncovering the Mystery of the Missing Beaumont Children
On Australia Day 1966, the Beaumont children - Jane, Arna and Grant - disappeared from an Adelaide beach. Despite a large-scale police investigation and extensive media coverage, the case remains unsolved, bogged down by false leads and dead ends, an the Beaumont children were never seen again.
In 2006, author Alan Whiticker, assisted by researcher Stuart Mullins, wrote the definitive account of the sibling's disappearance in Searching For The Beaumont Children. Since the publication of that book, fresh leads have been skeptically received, until one family in particular presented a remarkable possibility - that their family patriarch, a man with a peculiar predilection for satin, might have been involved.
This book, The Satin Man, is the result of the six years that followed, in which Whiticker and Mullins continued their hunt for th truth. It details everything uncovered about the new potential suspect, a man of wealth and position, and sheds incredible new light on this decades old mystery.
In 2006, author Alan Whiticker, assisted by researcher Stuart Mullins, wrote the definitive account of the sibling's disappearance in Searching For The Beaumont Children. Since the publication of that book, fresh leads have been skeptically received, until one family in particular presented a remarkable possibility - that their family patriarch, a man with a peculiar predilection for satin, might have been involved.
This book, The Satin Man, is the result of the six years that followed, in which Whiticker and Mullins continued their hunt for th truth. It details everything uncovered about the new potential suspect, a man of wealth and position, and sheds incredible new light on this decades old mystery.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 26, 2013
Major Crime detectives have formally admitted Harry Phipps was not a suspect in the case and allegations implicating him had been investigated and discounted.
Adelaide Now, 24/8/13.
Alan Whiticker states,
“ I’m not an investigator. I’m just a writer.”
Respectable writers of true crime need a judicious researcher who is capable of finding the truth, one without intent on crucifying the dead who cannot speak from their graves. They need a private detective who’s experienced in Major Crime; one who knows the differences between suppositions, disgruntled rumors, conspiracy theories and core evidence.
It is a despicable act to hear another deceptive account based on hearsay and inferences of what appears to be a small revengeful group with rancorous scruples. The smear campaign is a great tragedy, not only for Harry Phipps and many of his family members who cannot speak from their graves, but more importantly for Grant and Nancy Beaumont. They have endured years of pain and tolerated too many hoax stories from people who don’t have a moral compass and conscience. I find the media attention and writing by Alan Whiticker and researcher, Stuart Mullins contemptible. Book sales of crime, void of substance and core evidence, should never exceed the importance of falsely accusing and incriminating innocent people. Shame on all involved in rumours, innuendos and lies. Authenticity and integrity shall always triumph over repugnant fabrications.
Adelaide Now, 24/8/13.
Alan Whiticker states,
“ I’m not an investigator. I’m just a writer.”
Respectable writers of true crime need a judicious researcher who is capable of finding the truth, one without intent on crucifying the dead who cannot speak from their graves. They need a private detective who’s experienced in Major Crime; one who knows the differences between suppositions, disgruntled rumors, conspiracy theories and core evidence.
It is a despicable act to hear another deceptive account based on hearsay and inferences of what appears to be a small revengeful group with rancorous scruples. The smear campaign is a great tragedy, not only for Harry Phipps and many of his family members who cannot speak from their graves, but more importantly for Grant and Nancy Beaumont. They have endured years of pain and tolerated too many hoax stories from people who don’t have a moral compass and conscience. I find the media attention and writing by Alan Whiticker and researcher, Stuart Mullins contemptible. Book sales of crime, void of substance and core evidence, should never exceed the importance of falsely accusing and incriminating innocent people. Shame on all involved in rumours, innuendos and lies. Authenticity and integrity shall always triumph over repugnant fabrications.
June 15, 2013
Like most Australians I have always been fascinated with the mystery of what happened to the Beaumont children on Australia Day 1966. How was it possible that three children could be abducted in broad daylight on a crowded beach in Adelaide and simply disappear without a trace? Despite many theories being floated in the almost 50 years since, there has never been any kind of definitive answer.
In his previous book Searching For The Beaumont Children: Australia's Most Famous Unsolved Mystery, author Alan Whiticker examined the case in detail but was left with no real conclusion other than that he believed the children were dead. Following publication of that book he received a phone call that sent him on a new hunt for clues - and this time he believes he gone much further along the road to solving the case.
Alan was skeptical of this new information at first - after all he had received dozens of calls over the years, but this information was much more solid. The son of a prominent and wealthy Adelaide businessman had revealed to his now ex wife that he saw the Beaumont children in his back yard with his father that summer's day. Out of sight in his cubby house, he didn't realise the significance of that sighting until he was older. Upon further investigation Alan Whiticker began to believe this was it - the lead that could finally solve the case once and for all.
Once I started reading this book I found it hard to put it down. Easy to read and meticulously detailed, I was drawn into the trail that Alan and his friend Stuart followed in trying to discover as much information as possible about the wealthy Adelaide resident known as The Satin Man. Long dead and with his son suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, it was not always an easy investigation. However what they have put together is a solid and very plausible explanation as to what happened on Glenelg Beach in 1966.
After reading this book I can only hope that the information will prompt a Coronial Inquest (as the author hopes) and close the books on one of Australia's greatest mysteries.
In his previous book Searching For The Beaumont Children: Australia's Most Famous Unsolved Mystery, author Alan Whiticker examined the case in detail but was left with no real conclusion other than that he believed the children were dead. Following publication of that book he received a phone call that sent him on a new hunt for clues - and this time he believes he gone much further along the road to solving the case.
Alan was skeptical of this new information at first - after all he had received dozens of calls over the years, but this information was much more solid. The son of a prominent and wealthy Adelaide businessman had revealed to his now ex wife that he saw the Beaumont children in his back yard with his father that summer's day. Out of sight in his cubby house, he didn't realise the significance of that sighting until he was older. Upon further investigation Alan Whiticker began to believe this was it - the lead that could finally solve the case once and for all.
Once I started reading this book I found it hard to put it down. Easy to read and meticulously detailed, I was drawn into the trail that Alan and his friend Stuart followed in trying to discover as much information as possible about the wealthy Adelaide resident known as The Satin Man. Long dead and with his son suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, it was not always an easy investigation. However what they have put together is a solid and very plausible explanation as to what happened on Glenelg Beach in 1966.
After reading this book I can only hope that the information will prompt a Coronial Inquest (as the author hopes) and close the books on one of Australia's greatest mysteries.
April 25, 2019
No. Just no, the ramblings of a damaged bloke with father issues do not warrant writing and publishing a book. The bloke himself said he didn’t want to be involved and the author then goes on to detail how he hounded him to be interviewed. And would a prominent businessman spend up to an hour playing with the children in public, and draw attention to himself by asking the elderly couple if they’d seen anyone going through the kids’ clothing before announcing that money had been pinched? It all seems very unlikely that a person with a public profile would risk being recognised. The disappearance of these children is a tragedy and I don’t believe this book helps in any way to solve the mystery of what happened to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2016
Definitely some interesting theories about a cold case that has haunted Australian consciousness for the past fifty years. Even if the 'Satin man' has nothing to do with this crime, the allegations about him by his son were reprehensible enough.
Well researched by one of Australia's leading crime authors. Highly recommend, five stars.
Well researched by one of Australia's leading crime authors. Highly recommend, five stars.
February 2, 2024
Read this book many years ago, I still refer to it when speaking to others about the case.
July 15, 2013
This book didn't have an awful lot to add to Alan J. Whiticker's 'Searching for the Beaumont Children'. If you haven't read that book, just skip straight to this one, which re-caps the story told in the previous book, interspersed with chapters which deal with the authors' new leads. It would be wonderful if the SA Police re-opened the case based on this evidence, even if nothing comes of it. Well written and researched.
August 23, 2013
Too similar to the other book about the Beaumont children. Only half of the book is about a family obviously with issues and writing style is ordinary.
August 25, 2013
Ouch.
October 29, 2025
Interesting reading - a few possibilities put forward. It may be that this disappearance will never be solved.
January 26, 2022
What ever today means to you- Invasion Day or Australia day, the 26th January will always be the day the Beaumont children disappeared from Glenelg Beach in 1966. This book does not do their story justice.
Adam Whiticker wrote a book called Searching for the Beaumont Children. From that, Amanda Harrison contacted Whiticker stating that her ex husband Warwick had told her his father had kidnapped and murdered the 3 children. Whiticker then investigated this theory but with nothing proven and the man in question dead, no answers came from it. That is the book!
My biggest gripe is that Warwick is a man with issues. He clearly struggled with his mental health and substance abuse. He also previously had episodes of psychosis. Now that's not to say what he saw is untrue but an investigation should be left to the experts.
Adam Whiticker wrote a book called Searching for the Beaumont Children. From that, Amanda Harrison contacted Whiticker stating that her ex husband Warwick had told her his father had kidnapped and murdered the 3 children. Whiticker then investigated this theory but with nothing proven and the man in question dead, no answers came from it. That is the book!
My biggest gripe is that Warwick is a man with issues. He clearly struggled with his mental health and substance abuse. He also previously had episodes of psychosis. Now that's not to say what he saw is untrue but an investigation should be left to the experts.
January 1, 2023
A good reading. I give five star rating for the story and journalism but do not agree with the conclusion on the prime suspect.
Common sense tells that a prominent businessman, who can easily be recognised, will not risk playing with the children. Worse, he will not be exposing himself by asking the elderly couple about money being pinched. Harry must be stupid to do this. No, he was an intelligent guy who founded the Castalloy company!
So, the conclusion fails just on this point — nevertheless, well written & deserves a higher rating.
Common sense tells that a prominent businessman, who can easily be recognised, will not risk playing with the children. Worse, he will not be exposing himself by asking the elderly couple about money being pinched. Harry must be stupid to do this. No, he was an intelligent guy who founded the Castalloy company!
So, the conclusion fails just on this point — nevertheless, well written & deserves a higher rating.
January 18, 2018
On Australia Day 1966, the Beaumont children Jane, Arnna and Grant disappeared from Glenelg an Adelaide beach. Despite a large scale police investigation and extensive media coverage, the case remains unsolved to this day.
I was 12 years old when the children were abducted and like many thousands in Australia it is one missing persons case that never leaves you.
This book discusses a new theory but still has not resolved the case.
A little repetitive at times, but in all a good read.
I was 12 years old when the children were abducted and like many thousands in Australia it is one missing persons case that never leaves you.
This book discusses a new theory but still has not resolved the case.
A little repetitive at times, but in all a good read.
February 15, 2018
Really fascinating read. What a pity this information didn’t come out sooner so it could be fully investigated when the satin man was still alive. Leaves you will the feeling it’ll never be solved unless they miraculously find the spot these children may have been buried. I hugely feel for the parents. I cannot imagine all 4 of my kids being taken all at the same time and still not knowing what happened 50 plus years later. So so sad :(
April 6, 2018
A fascinating read. Alan Whiticker and Stuart Mullins have done a brilliant job of bringing this mystery back into the public eye 50 years after the event. As writers they are dedicated to the task of trying to explain the disappearance of the children linking it to the dark underworld of lurking men who prey on children.
May 4, 2024
A must read for any South Aussie. As I grew up in the same area many years later it still hits close to home. As a Mother now I can’t believe their parents died with no answers, absolutely heartbreaking. May they all RIP. I hope I’m alive when the truth is revealed. So much research and time has gone into this book. Well done Alan & Stuart.
March 8, 2018
This is the best book that I’ve seen about the disappearance of the Beaumont children. With the evidence that’s present in this book SAPOL should dig the whole area where the sand pit used to be. The Beaumont children are probably buried there. Very compelling book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2021
This case has fascinated me ever since I first heard of it when I was a child and I have been hoping ever since for some kind of resolution.
I found the book to be very informative as it brings to light a whole new person who may have been involved. Allegedly.
I found the book to be very informative as it brings to light a whole new person who may have been involved. Allegedly.
Read
October 4, 2022A fascinating look at the events surrounding the disappearance of the 3 Beaumont children in 1966. Although I wasn't in Australia at the time, I like everyone else, heard of the case over the years to come. It's an enduring mystery, which I hope, could never happen today.
July 18, 2018
An interesting new insight into one of Australia's biggest mysteries!
February 21, 2020
Fabulous book, I really hope we get an updated one, very insightful and well written.
August 31, 2021
Very interesting read.
September 30, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and how detailed the authors were in their investigation of the case! Would highly recommend.
May 1, 2026
A very convincing read as to what happened to those poor children.
August 24, 2021
So horrifying
December 30, 2013
Because the Beaumont children disappeared when I was a young girl in the same city this story held special significance...however what is written, although extremely plausible, is not proven in court....so I am still sceptical as well as intrigued by the subject.
January 2, 2014
A random pick up from the library that ended up being quite fascinating.
Let's hope people take notice and justice can be finally done.
Let's hope people take notice and justice can be finally done.
June 10, 2014
Interesting retread of the Beaumont children mystery, but the book is underpinned by an unconvincing theory that mirrors the false leads and dead ends the book discusses.
March 2, 2015
Very fascinating book. Hopefully one day the case is solved.
August 17, 2015
Very interesting book! Made me feel like i was getting closer to what happened...
January 28, 2016
Dreadful read. Sounds far fetched to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews