Daughter of the Razor: An Australian True Crime Story

by Maria Tinschert

An unforgettable Australian true crime story of prostitution, sexual, physical and mental abuse and violence inside the walls of family silence in the slums of Sydney in the 1930's. Maria shares her story of growing up as the daughter of a woman connected to Sydney’s infamous Razor Gang. Before the age of 11 Maria was introduced to the world of prostitution by her mother who was in the sister hood of Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine. This story would of never have been told had it not been for another violent crime perpetrated on the now adult Maria many years later which led her to break the code of silence. Now 84 years of age Maria is an inspiring survivor who works every day of the year as a volunteer Community Care Counsellor helping others. Maria does motivational speaking on all aspects of her life, with the aim of inspiring people to take responsibility for their decisions and actions, no matter what unfortunate beginnings that anyone of us has endured. Daughter of the razor is a shocking story in itself – but it is an even greater story of survival. It is it is powerful and moving and tells of the triumph of the human spirit of a little girl in her rise out of depravity, sadism and debauchery. It is a story which has been an incredible lifetime in the making. Ralph James
Solicitor
Accredited Specialist—Criminal Law

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia

170 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2016

Reviews

[Karen Beath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I have met Maria and foremerly knew of some of her story so I may be a little biased. In saying that, I did not previously know the full story and found it to be shocking, sad but also inspirational. Maria says from the start of the book that she is not a trained writer however she writes very well. She does not hold back in her graphic description of the domestic violence and torture she suffered at the hands of her family.
It is so important to read this book. Maria talks in depth about what needs to be done to ensure justice of victims of violence. Yet she also describes herself a survivor rather than a victim and this theme is reverberated throughout the book. I think we all like to see ourselves as victims at one point or another in our lives but to stand up and say 'I am a survivor' is a great step in moving forward.
Maria's book is ultimately one of the most inspiring and brutally honest books tackling a very dark part of Australian crime. A must read.

[Rhondda · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the start of the book Maria says that she is not a trained writer however the story she writes, and the depiction of the domestic violence and torture she suffered at the hands of her family, holds together as it goes back and forward, as it relates this very disturbing tale tackling a very dark aspect of society that unfortunately is still occurring today.
The important aspect to remember when reading this book, is that Maria talking in depth about what still needs to be implemented to ensure justice for all victims of violence. Throughout the book she emphases that she a survivor rather than a victim and that being able to say 'I am a survivor' and believe it is an important step for anyone who wants to move forward.
This book is uncomfortable to read, is brutally honest and, ultimately, an inspiring story.

[Ian Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rating is meaningless. While the book is vividly shocking, it's also incoherent and for good reasons. The events related are astonishingly awful and for that reason may be not entirely true but the core of the story feels right. Very unpleasant.

[ღ Carol jinx~☆~☔ʚϊɞ]

I can't give a rating, the story was just too horrible. I'm glad she survived but the nightmares she's had must be terrible. this was beyond sexual abuse or mental abuse; it was pure torture.

[Richelle Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to continue at times due to the detailed recounts of horrific abuse. However, the recounts were broken up with the authors current thoughts, opinions, and comparisons to her present experience which helped to continue reading. I like that she made suggestions for counsellors to better understand her and address her issues.

Only thing I strongly disliked was one line she said “did your mother do these things to you? If not then hop off your high horse” which is disrespectful to abuse survivors reading this book. This book could have been one about relating to others abuse but instead that line transformed it into one that is basically saying others have it worse so be grateful.

I would recommend to others to read as long as they are strong and resilient to reading shocking abuse scenarios. I commend the author for her strength to show such vulnerability and raw emotion in this book.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a shocking and terrible story. 5 stars for the courage, it no doubt took, to write it! The writing was stilted and awkward but it was also reflective of the memories and the trauma this woman endured her entire childhood. Such a sad and depressing read but the beauty of the author shone through however simply.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria's life story is horrible, and it is amazing that she has remained so strong to survive. It is hard to comprehend the level of abuse she went through, even though Maria describes some of what she went through, her story is more about how she is surviving and what needs to be done to change. Calling out behaviours, the law, the wrongs, bringing things to life. You look at the cover of the book and see a happy young girl with her mum, but what goes on behind the cover is a different story, that's why you never know that is happening behind closed doors. Maria has written the book her way, and you can tell, so all courage to her for putting pen to paper. She is a survivor and I hope she is living a somewhat happy life with lots of love and kindness.

[joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely hard book to rate.

As a traditional "book" it has shortcomings - primarily, it jumps around quite a bit, the narrative arc is all over the shop - but as a biography the tales were a reflection of the events and feelings as recalled by the author and given the trauma and horrors she endured this style of delivery can only be expected.

As a tale of personal triumph over unimaginable horrors and abuse over a lifetime, it offers some hope, and insight into the human condition that most are unaware of (I certain was not) - it is book that is moving and will change you. The Author offers hope and inspiration for good over evil. This why I rated it a 5.

Its a hard read - but worth it.

[Tserzang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been curious about human behaviour esp.abusers and the likes of them. I picked this one up after I read the news about Rosemary West and Fred West's(House of Horrors) daughter publishing a memoir about her years with her brutal parents.
This book is not so graphic as the author depicts.None the less, the abuse by her whole family is just disturbing. As I read through, I was scared of what might come next for poor Mary. And the interesting thing is that later in life, she did look after her mom which maybe due to the sheer power of her mom's control over her or her meek weakness because of so many years of mental abuse.
I will not say that this is a must read for everyone.But those of you who have been abused and are going through such abuses without anyone's knowing, it definitely is a must read for you because she has written this specifically for you.

[Dale Clearihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stick with it because Maria deserves the full read. Yeah, it's somewhat disjointed but so what. Her story is real and raw and harrowing, so if you can't handle the way it is written, then, go away. The crimes against her are unforgivable, those that perpetrated them are beyond disgust. Here is a story of depravity equal to anywhere in the world because incest and child sexual slavery is taboo in nearly every culture, country, creed.

[Anna Smith]

I have the pleasure of knowing Maria personally, she is the most amazing woman I have ever met. Her story is raw, real and a true account of her life. She truly is a survivor and continues to inspire and give hope to many people who have experienced abuse and trauma. Whilst she is not a professional writer I feel you really connect with Maria through her raw writing style. A must read :)

[Don Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly harrowing account of the 84-year-old author's physical and mental abuse at the hands of her mother, father and siblings. Courageous project which hopefully will lead to tighter action against child abusers.

[Mandy young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching

[nene11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to read but must have been harrowing to write. A survivors story against evil.

[⭐️Allyce~☆~♥ ☔♥]

Hard to finish this. It was a horrible true story!

[Wen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is a very crude story. It took me moooonths to finish not because was bad book but because I was not in the mental mood to read it. Check your triggers because there is description of abuse.