The Mushroom Murders: A family lunch. Three deaths. What really happened?

by Greg Haddrick

The shocking story of a weekend lunch laced with a highly toxic mushroom, and a triple murder trial that gripped the world, shattered a family and gave a mother a life sentence.

On 29 July 2023, Erin Patterson hosted a family lunch at her home in the small regional Victorian town of Leongatha. She had invited her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, and her husband Ian.

Erin made beef Wellington for her guests, individual beef eye fillets covered in mushroom paste, wrapped in pastry. The following day, all four guests were taken to hospital, and Heather, Gail and Don died. Ian Wilkinson barely survived. A toxicologist found traces of the highly poisonous death cap mushroom in the remains of the meal.

At first, it appeared to be a dreadful accident. As the police investigation continued, the evidence mounted, seeming to point one way. Yet Erin Patterson spun a web of lies, and steadfastly claimed she did not intend to harm her relatives.

Greg Haddrick tells the fascinating inside story of the dramatic murder trial, and the forensic evidence that convinced the jury to convict a suburban mother of a gruesome triple murder. With many details not previously revealed in the media, it is the compelling story of a troubled family, and the world's most poisonous mushroom, which is readily found in parks and gardens.

Praise for Greg Haddrick's In the Dead of Night:

'No one tells a true crime story better than Haddrick.' - John Silvester

'As addictive as the best crime thrillers.' - Matthew Condon

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This true-crime case that occurred in Australia was well-publicized in North American news reports. This was a unique crime with a woman suspected of killing several relatives by serving them a meal containing poison mushrooms. There was a lack of evidence reported and little written here about the court deliberations.
I was hoping to learn details in a factual true-crime report. I thought this got off on the wrong track by inserting the thoughts of a fictional jury member into the account, and had hoped for a true report of just the facts. A disappointment.

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure taking creative license with the point-of-view was entirely necessary for such a sensational case, where the facts are already stranger than fiction. It blurred the line between fact and fiction a bit too much for me, though I'll admit it indulges all of our “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” speculations.

My full review of The Mushroom Murders is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Tooter · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mushroom Murders is a quietly unsettling read that creeps up on you rather than hitting with shocks. Greg Haddrick takes a familiar true-crime premise and treats it with restraint, letting the strangeness and tragedy of the events speak for themselves. What stood out most for me was the careful pacing and the sense of unease that lingers long after you put the book down. It’s thoughtful rather than sensational, and all the more disturbing for it.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Mushroom Murders: A family lunch. Three deaths. What really happened? by Greg Haddrick is a mind blowing account of a unique true crime case that took place in a small rural town in Victoria, Australia. Erin Patterson a seemingly ordinary mother of two is suspected of murdering three of her former in-laws and attempting to murder a fourth after inviting them for dinner and serving them Beef Wellington containing highly toxic death cap mushrooms. The case shocked and obsessed the nation and it captured media attention all around the world. I think everyone I knew was talking about the case at the time.

The story is written from the perspective of a fictional female juror and it had me gripped. The beef wellingtons Erin served her guests were made in individual serves and it was interesting to hear about everything that led to this event and the relationship Erin had with her estranged husband Simon.

We follow the murder trial and forensic evidence and I was surprised at the conclusion of the book where it’s revealed that three previous charges against Erin during the time she was married were dropped, that blew my mind!

This was an engaging read that sent shivers up my spine and despite the horror I enjoyed reading it. The tale is well written and meticulously researched and felt like a fictional crime novel.

Publication Date 07 October 2025
Publisher Allen & Unwin

Thank you so much Allen & Unwin for a copy of the book.

[Karen Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOD.
Greg Haddrick has written this account of the now infamous 'Mushroom Murders" from the point of view of an imagined female juror, sifting through the evidence during Erin Patterson's trial.
Although there were times I found this imagined juror a little annoying, it generally worked pretty well to make the complexities of a trial such as this quite readable.
Most of us are well aware of the story, but reading about the evidence as it was uncovered and presented to the court was quite fascinating. What was equally as fascinating were the last few chapters, where details of the dropped charges against Erin were presented - I found this absolutely astounding - no spoilers, but... WOW!!
If you've followed along and been as fascinated with this case as I have you need to read this one!!
Fantastic!

[Bernadette]

DNFed at 40%. Nope, I can’t take the narrative device of the fictitious female juror anymore, it’s so unnecessary. It’s confusing the way it keeps jumping around, and when the narrator inserts details about their own life and thoughts which I have to keep reminding myself are fake. Also, it’s giving woman written by a man. The last straw, after sexualising the informant, was the following comment about the sole survivor of the lunch, Ian Wilkinson: “In the witness box, he was polite, sincere, gentle and tolerant. A good man. A humble man. Didn’t get my juices flowing, let’s not get too carried away - but he was a decent bloke.” The man was a victim of an attempted murder where three of his family members were killed, including his wife, have some respect!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insane verhaal. Hoe erg haat je iemand om ze zo erg te vergiftigen dat ze gewoon sterven van interne lever falen en andere orgaan falen???
Maar ook, als iemand mij al 3x had vergiftigd (of het nou expres was of niet), had ik alles en iedereen afgeraden OOIT bij die persoon te eten.

Het boek is af en toe wat wazig, maar dat komt meer doordat het verhaal zo'n clusterfuck is. Het boek wordt geschreven door het oog van een fictief jury-lid. Hierdoor kom je goed in het verhaal en is het extra spannend.

Het einde is een beetje een oproep om jury-leden in Australië meer bewijs te geven, maar je moet I guess als schrijver ook een standpunt hebben.

Echt een aanrader en als je dit boek niet wil lezen, zoek dan ff een leuke podcast of YouTube video over deze case op.

[Jessica Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

the author did a really good job with this book. it's in the pov of a fictitious juror but goes through the entire trial. i learnt so much i didn't know. i definitely recommend checking this one out especially if you're interested in the case.

rip to Gail, Heather and Don. 🩷🩷🩷

[Jodie Esler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author can do better than this but in his attempt to be the first to release a book on this case, he invented an imaginary juror to be the narrator. The book would have been much improved if he had just stuck to the story in a factual way.

[Michelle_Mck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mushroom Murders approaches one of Australia’s most infamous recent crimes from a markedly different angle. Rather than retelling the Erin Patterson mushroom poisoning case as straightforward true crime or courtroom reportage, Greg Haddrick frames the story through the perspective of a fictional female juror, inviting the reader inside the mind of a juror and into the moral, emotional, and intellectual weight of deciding guilt.

The novel revisits the now well-known events: a family lunch in regional Victoria, a meal containing deadly mushrooms, three deaths, and a trial that gripped the nation. However, instead of focusing on investigative timelines or forensic detail alone, Haddrick centres the experience of listening, judging, doubting, and deliberating. For a case that has already been extensively covered in the media and in multiple books, this shift in premise feels intentional and refreshing.

Having read three books about the mushroom murders in the past two months, I found this perspective genuinely interesting. The juror’s viewpoint offers a new way of engaging with familiar facts, particularly in how information is revealed selectively. It is only in the epilogue that the reader is given access to material that was withheld from the trial and the public narrative, which adds a quiet but unsettling layer of reflection about truth, justice, and what juries are never allowed to know.

That said, the fictional juror herself occasionally pulled me out of the story. At times, I found her perspective frustrating, and her internal voice distracted from the gravity of the case rather than deepening it. This didn’t ruin the book, but it did slightly weaken my immersion.

I listened to the audiobook, which significantly enhanced the experience. Lisa McCune’s narration was excellent — measured, empathetic, and emotionally controlled — and she brought credibility and nuance to the juror’s voice. Her performance elevated the material and made the reflective tone of the book work more effectively than it might have on the page alone.

Overall, The Mushroom Murders succeeds in doing something genuinely different with a case that “everyone in Australia knows.”

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth really is stranger than fiction.

[True Crime Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Considering the lunch at 84 Gibson Street, Leongatha on 29 July 2023, has become the most talked-about meal since the Last Supper, surprisingly little is known about what was actually said at it.” – Greg Haddrick

On 29 July 2023, Erin Patterson hosted a family lunch at her Leongatha home, serving beef Wellington made with a deadly death cap mushroom paste. Her four guests, Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson, fell gravely ill; three died, and Ian narrowly survived. What first appeared to be a tragic accident quickly turned into a gripping investigation and trial, as evidence pointed toward deliberate poisoning.

Those who know me know I’m not a big fan of the creative method when it comes to true crime. I like my facts straight, not wrapped in fiction. So when I opened Greg Haddrick’s book The Mushroom Murders and read that it was told through the voice of a fictional juror, I braced myself for disappointment.

To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it.

Haddrick takes an unusual approach, narrating the story as if he were part of the jury. While I found this method a little lazy (it meant he didn’t have to dig deeper or interview anyone), it works in its own clever way. He focuses purely on the trial, allowing readers to experience the case as it unfolded, questions and all.

Having attended the trial myself, this book hit differently. It felt personal. Like I was reliving those tense courtroom moments. I could almost hear the witnesses again and feel the mood shift with every testimony.

And surprisingly, I laughed more than I expected. Greg���s dry humour and sharp observations add a touch of humanity to an otherwise dark story.

While I wish he’d spent a few days in court himself to add more depth and atmosphere, The Mushroom Murders is still a well-crafted, easy read. More a courtroom recap than an investigative dive, but a solid one at that.

👨‍⚖️ Verdict: Even with my criticisms, I’d still recommend it, especially if you followed the case or love courtroom-style storytelling.

[Anabela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling. Visceral. Completely absorbing.

This is one of those audiobooks that feels almost unreal — like you’re listening to a fictional crime novel rather than a real-life case.

Told through the POV of a female juror, the story unfolds as evidence is presented during the trial, giving us a true ringside seat to one of the most infamous murder cases in recent history. It’s such a clever format — you’re not just observing, you’re weighing every detail alongside the jury, questioning what “beyond reasonable doubt” really means.

What makes it even more compelling is the inclusion of information that wasn’t allowed in court, adding extra layers to an already complex and unsettling case involving Erin Patterson.

The narration was excellent — immersive, measured, and perfectly suited to the tone of the story.

Gripping, thought-provoking, and deeply unsettling. This one stays with you.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the mushroom daily podcast and was extremely captivated by it and the detail it went into of how the trial was run. When I saw there was a book, I was super interested to see how that compared.
Conclusion, thought it was a great, yet horrific insight into what Gail, Don, Heather and Ian went through. Really enjoyed how it was written from the point of view of a fictional juror!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept for this book, to create a fictional juror and see all the evidence presented at the trial through the fictional jurors eyes, actually works surprisingly well. The way the narrator assesses and weighs the evidence does make a tonne of sense and you do understand how the genuine jury came to their collective guilty verdict. The question left at the end of the book - why did she do it - well only one person can answer that and she’s locked up in solitary now.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that I’ve read on this crime. The two books are poles apart in their approach to the subject. I think that this is a more satisfying account of the crime. If I had to recommend one book on the topic this would be it.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story being told from the perspective of a fictional juror. This added extra interest for me and a bit of light humour at times, which was really appreciated. The story itself is almost beyond belief. No one could write this in a novel and expect to be believed. The fact that this actually happened is mind boggling.
I feel so sad for the families of the victims of this senseless crime and especially for Erin and Simon’s children who will carry this trauma for the rest of their lives.
The book is thoroughly researched and well written and deserves to be read and learnt from.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good summary of the case we all followed, but I have mixed feelings about the use of a fictional juror. On the one hand, it provided some insight into the jury process, but I didn't enjoy the stereotypical traits that were given to this woman.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know not everyone enjoyed having a fictional narrator but I found it a very effective way to present the facts of the case without it being dry. Fascinating case and I learnt a lot.

[Maxine Hooker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Knew about 20 pages in that I hated this book. Why did I finish? Because it was a gift from my sister. It’s fair to say I did not enjoy this book. Why? Mainly because it could have been a media article rather than a fictional juror character, with misogynistic bias. Grrrrr.
Not a fan - would not recommend.

[Gabrielle Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, like most of Australia, have been utterly and entirely captivated by Erin Patterson and the Mushroom Murders. Could not put this down - a really interesting twist on a non-fiction book.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book puts the evidence in chronological order, which makes it an easy read. I'd heard the author had media access to the court happenings and I was led to expect new information that hadn't made it to the daily news cycle, but there was none and if anything lacked detail. Interesting witnesses were omitted wholesale, and detailed evidence was dismissed as too complex for the juror to understand.

Which brings me to the biggest flaw, that the fictional juror aspect of this fell really flat. I was really put off by two sexualised comments about a witness and a victim and just in general the protagonist offered no interesting or novel analysis.

if you haven't followed the case closely you might enjoy this book.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a long book, but learned some information that I didn't know about. Author writes from the POV from a jury member, and the evidence they hear, that coincides with what the verdict was. What a tale! Easy read over the holidays. Obviously a pathological liar.

[TJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the previous Greg Haddrick book, but this was a little odd. Still had good details about the case, but the choice to write from a fictional juror’s point of view was strange. Especially with some of the commentary from the fictional juror… such a weird choice.

[Lyndal Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fantastic read! very well written, engaging and compulsive! there were a few cringey moments where the author writes from the female perspective and utterly fails, but otherwise, a wonderful book.

[Chris Klitzing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into this case!
I struggled to read the first third of this book as there was so much mundane material that leads to the climax of this book and at that point I almost put the book aside but thought I would read another chapter and glad I did as I could not put the book down after that.
It is interesting all the tactics Patterson used to divert her guilt but she was not that good and tripped herself up.
Also interesting that the legal stuff that was later released gave a clear pattern but was not allowed but it did vindicate the guilty decision.
Great read 🤩

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

What utter garbage.

Pushing out the first book in a hypothetical juror scenario. Don’t even bother reading this hogwash.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A somewhat mesmerizing account from a fictional juror’s point of view. Kept unfolding at a great rate of knots and I liked the interplay of thoughts between ‘innocent’ and ‘guilty’.

[Charisma Macchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you scrolling through reviews to decide on whether to read this, let a Mushroom Murders obsessed follower give you a little overview on whether this is a worthy read or not.
The author creatively narrates the story from a fictions juror’s view. I found this rather clever and almost a double entendre… sharing the focus of how Ms Patterson was convicted but also how all those who watched on, read articles, listened to any information on the case, victims, accused and evidence being shared well before and well into the court case, were also acting as a juror, determining Ms Patterson’s guilt.
Maybe the author didn’t intend that suggestion in his delivery, but with the narrator’s thoughts often drifting to information outside of court presented evidence, I did feel that he was talking to all of us following the case closely.

If you have been avidly following the case, and the court proceedings I feel you may be a little like me , questioning what about this or that? There are definitely some key occurrences and evidence parts missing or given less drama than possibly I would feel important.
However the key reasons to how the jury come to the conclusion are well covered.
I would recommend this read for anyone who just wants to know the main aspects of the case, and how it all unfolded.
If you are looking for a thorough account with every fine detail this may leave you a little disappointed.
Personally I found it enjoyable but did leave me asking questions to how the prosecutor or defence let certain things fly.
My biggest question : who wears white pants when they have diarrhoea??! This is never mentioned.