Noose: True Stories of Australians Who Died at the Gallows

by Xavier Duff

The first man hanged in Australia lost his life for stealing food. Rough justice was the order of the day, and even minor offences were punished by death. Over almost two centuries, 1700 men and women were sent to the gallows in Australia.

Noose draws on court records and newspaper reports to paint a vivid picture of how people came to be found guilty of capital crimes. It uncovers injustices and traces the rising chorus of dissent that eventually saw hanging abolished. Anyone interested in Australia's social and criminal history will enjoy these gripping, chilling tales.

Noose vividly portrays eleven of these cases, including the very first – in 1788 of Thomas Barrett, a First Fleeter and talented engraver, hanged for stealing food. And the very last, the hanging of Ronald Ryan, at Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison in 1967, in the controversial case that divided the nation.

Among others, Noose explores the Myall Creek Massacre, in which seven stockmen were hanged for the slaughter of 28 Aboriginal people; Elizabeth Woolcock, charged with poisoning her husband; and the possibly schizophrenic Clifford Hulme; a case which, combined with Angus Murray’s hanging in 1924, presaged the beginning of the end for capital punishment in Australia.

Genres: True Crime

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book. Well researched. Written in a down-to-earth style. Of the 1700 Australians who were hanged before capital punishment was abolished, the author has chosen to focus on 11 of these cases. He weaves bits about Australia's social, and criminal, history in amongst the telling of each tale. I learned a few things, which is always a big plus for me when reading a book.

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a 3.5 book for me. It did enjoy it but it didn't wow me. The hangings that are mentioned appear to be well researched and shows the decline of capital punishment in Australia.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read on our history

[David Vernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier Duff had a hard job when he set out to write this book. Of the 1700 or so men and women hanged in Autralian since 1888, which ones to include? Duff has chosen a great selection of stories for this book and has examined a variety of different crimes and motivations. Most of the well known crimes are here as well as a smattering of less known ones. I thought his examination of the Myall Creek Massacre was particularly well researched and described. It was understandable that at times Duff's own feelings about the atrocity came to the fore but rather than detracting from the book, it added to the intensity of his exploration of the murders. I would have liked to have seen a few more 'less known' crimes. but generally this is an excellent book that explores the nature of capital punishment in Australia via a range of case studies.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like it, but I couldn't put it down.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers the stories of 11 Australians who were hanged. Some are well known such as Ronald Ryan (the last person hanged in Australian) and others less well known like Thomas Barrett who was the first person hanged.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither gory nor spooky, so not my cup of tea. Well researched though.