Deal with the Devil: The Death of Matthew Leveson and the Ten-Year Search for the Truth

by Grace Tobin

What Mark and Faye Leveson endured to discover the truth about the mysterious death of their son Matt is unfathomable. For ten years after Matt's disappearance in September 2007, they tirelessly searched bushland for his body and doggedly pursued the man they believed responsible, Michael Atkins. Matt's boyfriend always denied involvement with their son's disappearance, despite the compelling evidence stacked against him.

Atkins was, in fact, a serial liar. But to expose his deceit and achieve their main objective, to find Matt's body, the Levesons agreed in late 2016 to make a deal with the devil. In an unprecedented move, Atkins received immunity from prosecution in exchange for revealing where he had buried Matt. Atkins, however, claimed that Matt had died of a drug overdose and wasn't murdered.

Deal with the Devil is the story of the Leveson family from the journalist who was closest to them throughout the four-year police reinvestigation of Matt's case. This is a firsthand account of the Levesons' ordeal, from their harrowing decision to grant Atkins immunity to the extraordinary search for Matt's body in Sydney's Royal National Park. There is also an unnerving insight into Atkins' past, as well as exclusive interviews with his ex-boyfriends, lovers, and former friends. But, above all, what emerges is a portrait of a loving family, and of two parents bound by their public quest to achieve justice for their son.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Book Club

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2018

Reviews

[Michael Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compelling and well researched true crime story revealed previously unknown details to me despite being familiar with the case from the coverage of the recent coronial inquest. The book allows a sensitive and respectful insight into how the family was feeling at the time of these terrible events and provides a fascinating insight on the police and court processes that go on behind the headlines.

[Andrew Leabeater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly tragic story about the loss of a young life, a family’s middle child. Ten years of deception and how the justice system failed the people it’s meant to protect.
This book was honest, and not at all exploitative. The author truly respects Matthew and his family left behind. My condolences to his family and loved ones.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sensitively written and a definite page turner. The family would no doubt be very happy with the portrayal of events in this book.

[Jake Zuccolotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, well written and I found myself unable to put the book down. It's a bit daunting to read considering I remember the news reports of the case, and because Sydney is my home.

[TikTok Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

So well researched and informative, giving so much more depth to a well-known case. Reading it, your heart cannot help but break for Mark and Faye.

[Tess Kowalick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the beginning. The entrigue, the guessing how it happened, all made it so exciting.

I was, however, disappointed in the end as I felt nothing was truly resolved. Although the book tries very hard to show that Matthew was murdered outright, and I do think this is the most likely outcome when you objectively stand back and look at the evidence there is ground for reasonable doubt around this. I also took issue with the way the legal system seemed to be portrayed as failing. There simply wasn't the evidence to convict for murder. While I do think Matthew was likely murdered if I were in the Jury I would not convict as the evidence was lacking. Either way, a very sad outcome for all involved, it's a shame the family never really got their answers.

Still an interesting and enjoyable read.

[Sunshine Biskaps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. I love true crime stories. This book was told very as a matter of factly in a journalistic fashion. It didn’t grip me like many other authors I’ve read this year. But still an interesting story about a man with nefarious intentions. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and harrowing account of the disappearance of Matthew Leveson & subsequent investigation of his partner at the time. Gripping.

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussie true-crime that’s equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s so frustrating to read something like this, seeing how flawed the justice system is in this country. Grace Tobin has done a fantastic job of piecing together this very messy story into very readable book, there’s a lot going on here, a lot of different timeline stuff, but the author is an exceptional writer and should be credited for her excellent work with this book. I moved to Sydney in 2007 and frequented a lot of gay bars at the time, so reading about a murder from the era and all the different clubs being locations of the story made me connect with it in a way I may not with all of the other true-crime I read. It’s a sad tale, Matt Levenson, a boy with his whole life ahead of him, taken so long before his time, and then for his family to endure what they did, horrible. Great book, an interesting read, I always feel so weird saying I “enjoy” true-crime books.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a bit frustrating to read the second half (about the investigation and court processes, which I felt were a weird combination of overdone in parts and underdone in others), but the parts about Matt's life were beautifully done. I felt like I knew who Matt was through Grace' s well researched narrative.

[Susan Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad but enlightening story of perseverance, bravery and challenges for Matthew Leveson's parents, 10+ years of pushing the system - when the murderer still walked free - and lies upon lies, upon more blatant and ridiculous lies. But they found Matt, so he can be put to rest.

[Annie Milham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book
Read it in 2 days
Thankyou grace for sharing the levensons story
RIP beautiful matt 🙏❤️

[Rebecca Yeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deal with the devil was well researched and well structured. The true story of the disappearance of Matty Leveson and the decade long search for him from his parents was so tragic.