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The Devil's Butterfly: Hunting Australia's first serial killer
‘This is a strange and gripping tale of one of Australia’s most notorious criminals.’ – TROY LENNON – ByTheBook, Sydney Daily Telegraph
From goldfields to gallows – the international manhunt for Australia’s first serial killer.
The Devil’s Butterfly is the harrowing true story of the killer conman, Frank Butler, whose deception and duplicity sent the colony of New South Wales into a state of fear and panic.
Advertising in the Sydney papers, the charismatic Butler lured his prey towards the western goldfields with exaggerated tales of untold wealth and riches.
Five men answered, three men went missing.
Fearing capture and searching for new killing grounds, Butler flees Australia, headed for San Francisco.
Two detectives, certain they are hunting Australia’s first ‘true’ serial killer, steam across the Pacific on a speedier ship. A third detective traverses the globe, racing to America via London.
Desperate to reach San Francisco before a sociopathic killer disappears once again; will they capture their man or will the now notorious Butler escape forever?
Praise for the Book
‘What a phenomenal true crime/who-dunnit!... It's an amazing true story of lies, deception, and surprising twists you won't forget!’
– Karen Dustman
‘Required meticulous research and a desire to dig into the life and times of a man with a mysterious background and a talent for trickery.’
– Jen Gourley, View of the Valleys, August 2021
‘A great read’
– Ann Hewitt, The Book Tree.
‘An intriguing, colourful tale’
– Mildura Weekly
From goldfields to gallows – the international manhunt for Australia’s first serial killer.
The Devil’s Butterfly is the harrowing true story of the killer conman, Frank Butler, whose deception and duplicity sent the colony of New South Wales into a state of fear and panic.
Advertising in the Sydney papers, the charismatic Butler lured his prey towards the western goldfields with exaggerated tales of untold wealth and riches.
Five men answered, three men went missing.
Fearing capture and searching for new killing grounds, Butler flees Australia, headed for San Francisco.
Two detectives, certain they are hunting Australia’s first ‘true’ serial killer, steam across the Pacific on a speedier ship. A third detective traverses the globe, racing to America via London.
Desperate to reach San Francisco before a sociopathic killer disappears once again; will they capture their man or will the now notorious Butler escape forever?
Praise for the Book
‘What a phenomenal true crime/who-dunnit!... It's an amazing true story of lies, deception, and surprising twists you won't forget!’
– Karen Dustman
‘Required meticulous research and a desire to dig into the life and times of a man with a mysterious background and a talent for trickery.’
– Jen Gourley, View of the Valleys, August 2021
‘A great read’
– Ann Hewitt, The Book Tree.
‘An intriguing, colourful tale’
– Mildura Weekly
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2024
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Jason K. Foster
14 books6 followersJason K. Foster is an author, freelance journalist and history teacher. He is currently studying his PhD in Media and Communication at RMIT, focusing on representations in film and the way history is presented in the media. He also possesses degrees in History, Spanish and Secondary Teaching. Foster grew up in public housing in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, an experience which instilled a strong sense of social justice. Since the age of nineteen he has travelled extensively, including time teaching in Spain, England and Argentina, which has given him a love of history and languages. Jason has also spoken to a range of audiences in an array of forums right across Australia on topics such as writing historical narratives, the journey to become an author and a range of social issues such as remembering the past and Aboriginal rights.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 2, 2024
The Devil’s Butterfly by Australian author Jason K Foster is a gripping and engaging tale based on a true story, of a killer conman.
Serial killers are those murderers who commit at least two homicides, in separate incidents with an interval between their acts of murder. Of all the different types of criminals, it’s the serial killer that frightens us the most.
This book is the story of the man known as Frank Butler, Australia’s first serial killer and conman.
Butler born Richard Ashe in Dorset, England in 1858, adopted numerous aliases as he travelled the world, arriving in Australia in the early 1890s. In and out of prison, on and off the gold fields, Ashe found himself in Sydney in mid-1896 using the name Frank Butler Harwood.
Butler placed advertisements in Sydney newspapers under the name Harwood, seeking men to accompany him to search for gold. He selected three respondents: Charles Burgess, Arthur Preston, and Lee Weller and took them to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney in the pretence of untold wealth. There he made his companions dig their own graves before he shot them, robbed them, buried them, and then moved on.
With fear of his capture Butler fled Australia to San Francisco, using the identity papers of one of his victims. Police realise he has fled the country, and a manhunt is conducted, with solid detective work he is found, with his extradition back to Australia to face trial. With a guilty verdict given the death sentence by hanging was carried out on 16 July 1897 in Darlinghurst Gaol. His body was left to hang in the courtyard for all to see.
Jason K Foster has written many books about murder, and The Devils Butterfly is another great addition. We all know about serial killers, and most of us can name quite a few, I had never heard of Frank Butler and books like this are an eye-opener on how many in history there were.
This is all in the knowledge that this was all true and a nightmare lived out in the real world, a long time ago these killers once lived among us and some still do which makes my blood run cold.
There is a keen wit to the whole atmosphere and presentation of the storyline that will draw readers in. The pacing really helps the facts of the scheming Butler did to sink in. it is a story that must be heard to be believed, making sure you remember Butler long after you’ve finished reading.
The author has spent an incredible amount of time researching history, and we are rewarded for his efforts. It not only explores the history of Butler and the circumstances that led him to commit such violent crimes, but also the background of the investigation and his capture. It is a fascinating tale of murder and so-called justice.
I loved the timeline with illustrations, the visual aid complemented the story bringing the words to life in a way that makes readers more involved. Prior to the book I had googled phots of Frank Butler, to have them in included in the book was a great addition.
As a real fan of true crime, this is a fascinating read. if you enjoy true non-fiction historical crimes, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you, Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for the opportunity to tread and review.
Serial killers are those murderers who commit at least two homicides, in separate incidents with an interval between their acts of murder. Of all the different types of criminals, it’s the serial killer that frightens us the most.
This book is the story of the man known as Frank Butler, Australia’s first serial killer and conman.
Butler born Richard Ashe in Dorset, England in 1858, adopted numerous aliases as he travelled the world, arriving in Australia in the early 1890s. In and out of prison, on and off the gold fields, Ashe found himself in Sydney in mid-1896 using the name Frank Butler Harwood.
Butler placed advertisements in Sydney newspapers under the name Harwood, seeking men to accompany him to search for gold. He selected three respondents: Charles Burgess, Arthur Preston, and Lee Weller and took them to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney in the pretence of untold wealth. There he made his companions dig their own graves before he shot them, robbed them, buried them, and then moved on.
With fear of his capture Butler fled Australia to San Francisco, using the identity papers of one of his victims. Police realise he has fled the country, and a manhunt is conducted, with solid detective work he is found, with his extradition back to Australia to face trial. With a guilty verdict given the death sentence by hanging was carried out on 16 July 1897 in Darlinghurst Gaol. His body was left to hang in the courtyard for all to see.
Jason K Foster has written many books about murder, and The Devils Butterfly is another great addition. We all know about serial killers, and most of us can name quite a few, I had never heard of Frank Butler and books like this are an eye-opener on how many in history there were.
This is all in the knowledge that this was all true and a nightmare lived out in the real world, a long time ago these killers once lived among us and some still do which makes my blood run cold.
There is a keen wit to the whole atmosphere and presentation of the storyline that will draw readers in. The pacing really helps the facts of the scheming Butler did to sink in. it is a story that must be heard to be believed, making sure you remember Butler long after you’ve finished reading.
The author has spent an incredible amount of time researching history, and we are rewarded for his efforts. It not only explores the history of Butler and the circumstances that led him to commit such violent crimes, but also the background of the investigation and his capture. It is a fascinating tale of murder and so-called justice.
I loved the timeline with illustrations, the visual aid complemented the story bringing the words to life in a way that makes readers more involved. Prior to the book I had googled phots of Frank Butler, to have them in included in the book was a great addition.
As a real fan of true crime, this is a fascinating read. if you enjoy true non-fiction historical crimes, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you, Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for the opportunity to tread and review.
April 2, 2024
The Devil’s Butterfly was such an interesting true crime novel.
Set in the gold rush times in Australia, I enjoyed the history and setting and was fascinated with the story of Frank Butler, his desire for, and enjoyment of, murder. His cunning ways to trap his victims and lies and deceits make for an engaging novel. Equally, Foster cleverly details the police work, following the evidence, hunting him in Australia and chasing him overseas as well as the court proceeding – this ensures an intriguing tale.
I would recommend this novel for true crime fans, mystery lovers and even those who like to read about Australian history. It’s an easy to read story even although the subject matter is quite grim!
I hope I never come across someone like Frank Butler!
Set in the gold rush times in Australia, I enjoyed the history and setting and was fascinated with the story of Frank Butler, his desire for, and enjoyment of, murder. His cunning ways to trap his victims and lies and deceits make for an engaging novel. Equally, Foster cleverly details the police work, following the evidence, hunting him in Australia and chasing him overseas as well as the court proceeding – this ensures an intriguing tale.
I would recommend this novel for true crime fans, mystery lovers and even those who like to read about Australian history. It’s an easy to read story even although the subject matter is quite grim!
I hope I never come across someone like Frank Butler!
September 14, 2025
DNF -
I thought it would be more interesting and unique, but he's just a boring af serial killer
I thought it would be more interesting and unique, but he's just a boring af serial killer
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews