Blackened Tanner: The Denis Tanner Story

by Ron Irwin

This is the story of Denis Tanner, a Victorian detective who hit the headlines in 1996 when a newspaper accused him of murdering two women – his sister-in-law Jennifer, whose death in 1984 was treated as suicide, and Adele Bailey, a transsexual prostitute who disappeared in 1978.
In 1998 a coroner found that Denis Tanner had shot his sister-in-law, but he was never charged. As a result, he has been denied a forum in which to defend himself and clear his name.
In this book, former detective Ron Irwin presents a compelling case for Denis Tanner’s innocence and documents a deeply disturbing miscarriage of justice.

Genres: True Crime, Crime

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Fred and Jeanette

Over the years I have read a considerable amount of newspaper articles on this and have, like many, been intrigued and perplexed by it. I confess I also believed that Denis Tanner was guilty - based on what I had read. I have not lived in Australia for 8 years and was recently home for a visit and purchased the book which I have just finished.

Words now fail me as to how I have felt - shocked, disgusted, appalled, saddened and deeply disappointed in a Country, political system, legal system and Police service who I sincerely trusted and believed would "do the right thing". The bad guys were always caught and punished accordingly.

The Tanner family, and in particular Denis deserve the opportunity to prove their innocence and I am appalled that everyone has failed him in this regard.

Congratulations Ron on having the courage to write this book. It would seem you are of the "old school" (as I am) where you believe in right and wrong and thought that Governments and the Police were there to protect you. Please continue the fight - do not give up.

Regards

Jeanette

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What has this family been put through? Not a comforting portrayal of Victoria's police

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having not read this book I was more than prepared to believe what was written about Denis even though at times I often wondered what the motive really was.

After reading this book I can only be appauled at how badly the investigation was handled and how so many could have got so much so wrong and the system just let it fly.

While sometimes a little dry it gave a detailed account of what did and didn't take place and all I can add at the end of the day is that the Tanner family didn't deserve anything that happened to them from Jenny's suicide and through the subsequent years.

This book opened my eyes and made me look more closely at the facts of the case ALL the facts, not those that made it to the media but all of them. This book could very well change your mind about the case and who was actually responsible.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if he did it or not. Nothing I read in the book makes me believe he is guilty. What the media and the legal system put this family through, I have no words for. Did the coroner have his mind made up that Denis Tanner was guilty before listening to any evidence. I feel for the Tanner family.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Happy to give people the opportunity to clear their name and there were aspect of trial by media in the case , the book lost me on its unfair focus on Jennifer past life , what relevance does her four abortions have on her character?

[Jenny Clark]

Still not sure