Norfolk: Island of Secrets : The Mystery of Janelle Patton's Death

by Tim Latham

In this well-researched analysis of a true and unsolved crime, the enigma surrounding the death of Janelle Patton—a 29-year-old Australian woman who disappeared while hiking on a popular Norfolk Island trail and was later found stabbed and dead—is investigated through personal interviews and probing questions. A territory of Australia, Norfolk Island itself is as fascinating and strange as Patton's murder. Few people in this secretive and protective island community of less than 2,000 citizens will discuss the incident, further shrouding Patton's death with mystery. This startlingly original tale is a portrait of an isolated community that holds a dark and peculiar secret that may never be revealed.

Genres: True Crime

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2006

Reviews

[Rock Angel]

This is one of those stories that cannot be spoiled by learning its outcome ahead of reading the book, at least for me. At the time of print (2005), no arrest had been made. Since then, someone named McNeill had been tried & convicted -- BUT, even the pathologist who examined Janelle’s body said her injuries did not match McNeill’s account of her death. A juror from the 2007 trial admitted that, "We know he didn't do it, but know who did. He (McNeill) wouldn't tell us, so we decided to slot him." Serving a 24-year sentence, McNeill finally revealed those names 2 months ago in April 2011 ... so far the case has yet to be re-opened.

Doesn't affirm anybody's faith in the system, does it?

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Reading this book, I was initially fascinated by the Norfolk's origins at Pitcairn Island and the Norfolk language, or patois, which is a mixture of 18th century English & Tahitian ("Welkam tu Norfuk Ailen", for example). Although given the general low educational level of islanders, i doubt anyone documented this language carefully. I imagine it would make a linguist very very happy.

The substance of this book, however, could probably be summed up in 1/3 of the volume that Mr. Latham took.

While the first 4 chapters give a lively description of island life with great writing (Ch.4 makes great reference to Norfolk & Pitcairn's cultures), it comes to a lull soon hereafter, when Latham begins to describe the aftermath of Janelle's murder to her parents. The "Who is Janelle?" chapter may be a good portrait of the victim, but it didn't make me like, or even care about her. Happily, "The Norfuk Wieh" & "Rooty Hill Road" revived me from my slumber. Stay tuned ....

The author's writing degraded considerably as the book wore on. It went from careful constructions in the first chapters to just being conversational & off-handed in the last 1/4 of the book. There were many "filler" chapters with no new information on the crime whatsoever. Neither investigator nor journalist by trade, the author offered conjectures that could not be taken seriously. I don't even think the book was proof read in its entirety.

Which is a shame, b/c the subject matter was fascinating. If you could just bear with -- or better yet, skip the uneventful chapters. This is a fascinating glimpse into sociology.


2011 update to the Norfolk story (skip to the latter 1/2):
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36646015/...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australi...


Some tidbits about Norfolk:
Television arrived only in 1987, and mobile phones in 2006. As of 2002, garbage was "thrown over the side of the cliff (Headstone Tip) and into the ocean below, where a brown whirling cesspool heaves it against the rocks". As recently as the 1970s, the island had only dirt roads and the electricity supply was erratic.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing read as I expected it to be entirely about the murder of Janelle Patton, but the author also delves into the history and strangeness of Norfolk Island itself, which turned out to be quite interesting.

It's important also to note that the book was written before the murderer was caught and in fact doesn't show up as an initial person of interest, so the author looks instead at Janelle's closest friends and their connections - which is a lot of people since so many people are related on Norfolk.

The history of Norfolk Island while not actually having anything to do with the murder was also pretty fascinating.

All in all a great read!

[Zoe W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story! I had visited Norfolk Island and never knew that this what part of the islands history. It was certainly never discussed when we visited.
Tim did a great job telling the story, as the reader I felt really connected with the difficulties he faced and the closed environment of the island.
I couldn't help but Google after I'd finished and was glad to see someone was finally caught for the crime.
My heart goes out to Janelle's Mum and Dad, what an awful experience they had.

[Jacqueline Sorokin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the book is interesting and intriguing, for a journalist, the author puts in a lot of his own fairly firm opinions and interpretations of people and of events. In all, the book lacked something, integrity?, sympathy?

[Daniel Gauld · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read and companion on our trip to Norfolk. As others have said, the book touches on the Norfolk people, their history, politics. It’s the insights into the community, that leave an impression. How they live, the secrets they keep and how that all informs who they are.

[Sarah Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book really hard to read. I live on Norfolk Island and know most of the people involved.