What do you think?
Rate this book
Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends: Tales from a Colonial Coroner's Court
Murder, manslaughter, suicide, mishap - the very public business of determining death in colonial Sydney.
Murder in colonial Sydney was a surprisingly rare occurrence, so when it did happen it caused a great sensation. People flocked to the scene of the crime, to the coroner's court and to the criminal courts to catch a glimpse of the accused.
Most of us today rarely see a dead body. In nineteenth century Sydney, when health was precarious and workplaces and the busy city streets were often dangerous, witnessing a death was rather common. And any death that was sudden or suspicious would be investigated by the coroner.
Henry Shiell was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889. In the course of his unusually long career he delved into the lives, loves, crimes, homes and workplaces of colonial Sydneysiders. He learnt of envies, infidelities, passions, and loyalties, and just how short, sad and violent some lives were. But his court was also, at times, instrumental in calling for new laws and regulations to make life safer.
Catie Gilchrist explores the nineteenth century city as a precarious place of bustling streets and rowdy hotels, harbourside wharves and dangerous industries. With few safety regulations, the colourful city was also a place of frequent inquests, silent morgues and solemn graveyards. This is the story of life and death in colonial Sydney.
PRAISE
'Catie Gilchrist draws back the veil on death in nineteenth-century Sydney to reveal life - ordinary, tragic and hopeful' David Hunt, author of Girt and True Girt
Murder in colonial Sydney was a surprisingly rare occurrence, so when it did happen it caused a great sensation. People flocked to the scene of the crime, to the coroner's court and to the criminal courts to catch a glimpse of the accused.
Most of us today rarely see a dead body. In nineteenth century Sydney, when health was precarious and workplaces and the busy city streets were often dangerous, witnessing a death was rather common. And any death that was sudden or suspicious would be investigated by the coroner.
Henry Shiell was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889. In the course of his unusually long career he delved into the lives, loves, crimes, homes and workplaces of colonial Sydneysiders. He learnt of envies, infidelities, passions, and loyalties, and just how short, sad and violent some lives were. But his court was also, at times, instrumental in calling for new laws and regulations to make life safer.
Catie Gilchrist explores the nineteenth century city as a precarious place of bustling streets and rowdy hotels, harbourside wharves and dangerous industries. With few safety regulations, the colourful city was also a place of frequent inquests, silent morgues and solemn graveyards. This is the story of life and death in colonial Sydney.
PRAISE
'Catie Gilchrist draws back the veil on death in nineteenth-century Sydney to reveal life - ordinary, tragic and hopeful' David Hunt, author of Girt and True Girt
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2019
24 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 11, 2019
‘Henry Shiell was the coroner for metropolitan Sydney between July 1866 and January 1889. This book is about the inquests that were held during his long career.’
In her preface to this book, Catie Gilchrist writes that ‘Australian historians have not used coroners’ inquests in a detailed or systematic manner, and yet they offer a rich insight into life and death in the colonial city.’ Because inquest records are so comprehensive, they allow us to peer into households, workplaces and personal lives, capturing glimpses of contemporary life that would otherwise be unavailable.
I found this book fascinating. The coroner’s role was to investigate any death that was sudden or suspicious. Sometimes such deaths were a result of murder, but more often sudden death was the result of mishap.
‘A coroner must be available at all times … In this regard the coroner is in a similar position to a policeman; he is always on duty.’
Catie Gilchrist has divided this book into six chapters, with a postscript including more information about Henry Shiell. The six chapters are entitled ‘Murder Most Foul’, ‘Manslaughter’, ’This Rash Act’, ’Awful Accidents’, Dreadful Dangers and Daily Life’, and ‘Women’s Troubles’.
Reading through each chapter gave me some insight into both the coroner’s processes and causes of death in colonial Sydney. Some of the deaths, especially those of young children, are tragic. There are reminders as well of how very fragile life could be: dreadful workplace accidents, illness and unregulated use of poisons all feature in this book. Sometimes the work of the coroner’s court called for new laws and regulations to make life safer. Sadly, these recommendations were not always acted on as quickly as they could have been.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a closer look at life and death in colonial Sydney. Some causes of sudden death have been reduced (through public health and workplace safety measures) but others are still with us. Sadly.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In her preface to this book, Catie Gilchrist writes that ‘Australian historians have not used coroners’ inquests in a detailed or systematic manner, and yet they offer a rich insight into life and death in the colonial city.’ Because inquest records are so comprehensive, they allow us to peer into households, workplaces and personal lives, capturing glimpses of contemporary life that would otherwise be unavailable.
I found this book fascinating. The coroner’s role was to investigate any death that was sudden or suspicious. Sometimes such deaths were a result of murder, but more often sudden death was the result of mishap.
‘A coroner must be available at all times … In this regard the coroner is in a similar position to a policeman; he is always on duty.’
Catie Gilchrist has divided this book into six chapters, with a postscript including more information about Henry Shiell. The six chapters are entitled ‘Murder Most Foul’, ‘Manslaughter’, ’This Rash Act’, ’Awful Accidents’, Dreadful Dangers and Daily Life’, and ‘Women’s Troubles’.
Reading through each chapter gave me some insight into both the coroner’s processes and causes of death in colonial Sydney. Some of the deaths, especially those of young children, are tragic. There are reminders as well of how very fragile life could be: dreadful workplace accidents, illness and unregulated use of poisons all feature in this book. Sometimes the work of the coroner’s court called for new laws and regulations to make life safer. Sadly, these recommendations were not always acted on as quickly as they could have been.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a closer look at life and death in colonial Sydney. Some causes of sudden death have been reduced (through public health and workplace safety measures) but others are still with us. Sadly.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 28, 2019
Really intriguing perspective of colonial Sydney. I’ve always found true crime fascinating and to finally find a book about it happening in my own city before the 20th century was great. Some chapters were brilliant but others were a little scattered/random/list-like and some assumptions were a bit of a stretch factually. However I’ve still learnt tonnes and now see Sydney differently.
November 3, 2019
DNF 52%
This was enthralling and all, but I could only handle so much of 12hr 40min of 1800s Sydney deaths. A third of the examples would have been adequate. So yeah, I only got half way through and gave up.
I assume this was a PhD thesis published as a book. This is always difficult to get right. The editor didn't cut out enough words.
This was enthralling and all, but I could only handle so much of 12hr 40min of 1800s Sydney deaths. A third of the examples would have been adequate. So yeah, I only got half way through and gave up.
I assume this was a PhD thesis published as a book. This is always difficult to get right. The editor didn't cut out enough words.
December 13, 2019
I added Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends to my reading list for #NonficNov but it only became available at my library this week. The subjects - crime, Australian colonial history, and social history, are intriguing on their own, in combination, I find them near irresistible.
Catie Gilchrist draws extensively on the records of Henry Shiell, who was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889, to provide unique insight into the lives, and deaths, of Sydney residents in the 19th century. During his career, Shiell presided over roughly 200 inquests a year, mandated to investigate sudden, unexpected or suspicious deaths.
Surprisingly murder was rare in colonial Sydney, but when it occurred it caused a sensation amongst the populace, reported upon excitedly by the newspapers, often with little regard for facts. Jurors were paraded by the remains of the victims before listening to witnesses and experts, and then as directed by the coroner, rendering a verdict as to cause of death.
Death most often occurred due to misadventure as a result of hazardous workplaces, household accidents, crowded streets, and unregulated poisons, amongst other things. Alcohol and opiates were often contributory factors.
Infants and young children were particularly vulnerable to not only accidents, but also illness, and disease, and tragically were too often victims of ‘infantcide’.
Women suffered violence at the hands of their partners, and strangers, though less often than they died in childbirth, or in a desperate attempt to end an unwanted pregnancy.
Gilchrist presents the cases in fairly comprehensive detail, complemented by information gleaned from other sources, and Gilchrist’s own commentary. While I think a casual reader might find it a little dense, anyone with interest in the period will be enthralled.
I found Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends to be absolutely fascinating reading.
Catie Gilchrist draws extensively on the records of Henry Shiell, who was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889, to provide unique insight into the lives, and deaths, of Sydney residents in the 19th century. During his career, Shiell presided over roughly 200 inquests a year, mandated to investigate sudden, unexpected or suspicious deaths.
Surprisingly murder was rare in colonial Sydney, but when it occurred it caused a sensation amongst the populace, reported upon excitedly by the newspapers, often with little regard for facts. Jurors were paraded by the remains of the victims before listening to witnesses and experts, and then as directed by the coroner, rendering a verdict as to cause of death.
Death most often occurred due to misadventure as a result of hazardous workplaces, household accidents, crowded streets, and unregulated poisons, amongst other things. Alcohol and opiates were often contributory factors.
Infants and young children were particularly vulnerable to not only accidents, but also illness, and disease, and tragically were too often victims of ‘infantcide’.
Women suffered violence at the hands of their partners, and strangers, though less often than they died in childbirth, or in a desperate attempt to end an unwanted pregnancy.
Gilchrist presents the cases in fairly comprehensive detail, complemented by information gleaned from other sources, and Gilchrist’s own commentary. While I think a casual reader might find it a little dense, anyone with interest in the period will be enthralled.
I found Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends to be absolutely fascinating reading.
December 7, 2019
I am not sure how a topic such as this could be boring, but unfortunately it was. It was not engaging in anyway and I couldn’t finish it
September 12, 2019
Social history, especially as it pertains to murder and crime, will always be a lure to get me into a book. Catie Gilchrist’s account of Henry Shiell’s 33 year tenure as colonial Sydney’s City Coroner through a selection of the cases over which he presided has been on my wish list for a while.
The cases that passed through Shiell’s court between 1866 and 1899 are presented in distinct categories: murder, manslaughter, suicide, accidental deaths occurring through the hazards of work, transport and daily life, and the deaths resulting from unwanted pregnancies, either through abortion or infanticide. It’s a sad and sometimes sensational record of life and death in a colonial city and the usual spread of human suffering, passion, cruelty and pity.
Gilchrist doesn’t simply provide a litany of cases and their outcomes – her research into various cases comes with commentary of how Sydney society responded to notorious and sometimes heartbreaking cases. She also records the instances of when inquests resulted in suggestions for changes in laws and attitudes – whether such calls for change were ignored, embraced or took several years for authorities to act.
Gilchrist adds her own observations on how poverty and societal attitudes towards women and men affected various kinds of deaths, remarking with asperity particularly on damaging and contradictory attitudes to women and the poor (and poor women especially) that created situations in which so much tragic death occurred.
The author’s occasional tendency to withhold the names of key perpetrators for effect was sometimes frustrating. The reader needs to stay alert too, as cases mentioned one or more chapters ago might come up again to demonstrate the timeline. (I took a four week break between starting and finishing this book, which meant I lost track a little!)
Those quibbles notwithstanding, I read Murder, Misadventures and Miserable Ends: Tales from a Colonial Coroner’s Court with morbid fascination and finished it with a greater understanding of the conditions in Victorian-era Sydney. My copy is now festooned with sticky notes against cases and relevant laws that I may refer to for further research in my own writing.
The cases that passed through Shiell’s court between 1866 and 1899 are presented in distinct categories: murder, manslaughter, suicide, accidental deaths occurring through the hazards of work, transport and daily life, and the deaths resulting from unwanted pregnancies, either through abortion or infanticide. It’s a sad and sometimes sensational record of life and death in a colonial city and the usual spread of human suffering, passion, cruelty and pity.
Gilchrist doesn’t simply provide a litany of cases and their outcomes – her research into various cases comes with commentary of how Sydney society responded to notorious and sometimes heartbreaking cases. She also records the instances of when inquests resulted in suggestions for changes in laws and attitudes – whether such calls for change were ignored, embraced or took several years for authorities to act.
Gilchrist adds her own observations on how poverty and societal attitudes towards women and men affected various kinds of deaths, remarking with asperity particularly on damaging and contradictory attitudes to women and the poor (and poor women especially) that created situations in which so much tragic death occurred.
The author’s occasional tendency to withhold the names of key perpetrators for effect was sometimes frustrating. The reader needs to stay alert too, as cases mentioned one or more chapters ago might come up again to demonstrate the timeline. (I took a four week break between starting and finishing this book, which meant I lost track a little!)
Those quibbles notwithstanding, I read Murder, Misadventures and Miserable Ends: Tales from a Colonial Coroner’s Court with morbid fascination and finished it with a greater understanding of the conditions in Victorian-era Sydney. My copy is now festooned with sticky notes against cases and relevant laws that I may refer to for further research in my own writing.
July 11, 2021
Pretty bleak by the end
December 3, 2019
Really interesting book. I enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of colonial Australia. It was a wonder anyone survived!
February 4, 2022
Really mad at this one, great concept poorly delivered on. Morally judgemental language (it's 2022) seemingly without awareness of intersectional issues, and the deaths are presented and then the book moves on without critically evaluating the context that the deaths occurred in, so why bother at all? What does this book achieve? What was it for? If it only wanted to be a compendium of miserable ends then fine, I guess, but it could have aimed higher. The government of NSW, such as it was, was incredibly corrupt and there is hardly a dearth of knowledge on what the rich and powerful were up to at this time, yet the author seems happy to continue the perpetuate the language of the morally bankrupt poor and the rich being rewarded for the virtue by wealth (they come upon their misfortune by being driven to desperation or fury by external circumstance *eyeroll*).
February 26, 2025
Catie Gilchrist’s Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends is a fascinating dive into the darker side of colonial Sydney, offering a vivid portrait of crime, punishment, and society in the 19th century. Drawing from historical research and newspaper archives - from the poor constable bashed 16 times with a desk or cutlass, to the various women who died of septicaemia from abortions gone wrong - Gilchrist pieces together a collection of true crime stories that highlight the challenges, dangers, and social divides of the era.
The book provides excellent insight into Sydney’s early settlers, from struggling convicts to wealthy elites, and how crime was both a symptom and a consequence of the harsh socio-economic conditions.
While some readers may find the stories somewhat disjointed, this structure is a natural outcome of the book’s collage-like approach - each case stands alone as a snapshot of Sydney’s violent and chaotic past. The book offers a series of well-researched vignettes, each revealing different aspects of crime and justice in the 1800s.
Overall, Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends is an informative read, particularly for those interested in Australian history, true crime, and the realities of colonial life. I must admit, the book cover is one of the most beautiful I have seen. Kudos to the book cover designer, Peter Lang.
The book provides excellent insight into Sydney’s early settlers, from struggling convicts to wealthy elites, and how crime was both a symptom and a consequence of the harsh socio-economic conditions.
While some readers may find the stories somewhat disjointed, this structure is a natural outcome of the book’s collage-like approach - each case stands alone as a snapshot of Sydney’s violent and chaotic past. The book offers a series of well-researched vignettes, each revealing different aspects of crime and justice in the 1800s.
Overall, Murder, Misadventure and Miserable Ends is an informative read, particularly for those interested in Australian history, true crime, and the realities of colonial life. I must admit, the book cover is one of the most beautiful I have seen. Kudos to the book cover designer, Peter Lang.
August 30, 2024
This is quite a mixed read - whilst I can appreciate the extensive effort involved in researching the events and their contexts covered in this summary of Henry Shiell's tenure as coroner of colonial-era Sydney, I did not enjoy Gilchrist's writing. The structure was often both meandering and repetitive, choosing to jump between similar events, which often meant I had forgotten any of the information pertaining to certain inquests by the time the narrative returned to it. There are also frequent attempts to connect passages and chapters with sentences aspiring to be philosophical and observational, but which land glib, nonsensical, or just unnecessary. Mostly I wished Gilchrist understood the purpose and usage of the comma.
I kept reading because the history is of interest, but this could have been a much greater book if more thought was given to the structure, and it had a few more turns in the hands of a competent editor.
I kept reading because the history is of interest, but this could have been a much greater book if more thought was given to the structure, and it had a few more turns in the hands of a competent editor.
October 22, 2025
This is very nicely written, with some passages taking quite a lyrical turn. Considering the academic tone, it's refreshing and really most enjoyable. I would've added another star but for the quick jumps between anecdotes, which are of most interest to me. Gilchrist's focus, understandably, is on the factual material surrounding Henry Shiell's dynamic Sydney of the mid- to late-nineteenth century. As a result, it's naturally more erudite than gripping -- but put together skilfully enough that non-academic readers will have much to appreciate too. :)
Edited to add:
I had to laugh at some of the lesser star rating reviews. It seems some people can't distinguish between a social history book and a salacious true crime compendium. I read and like both but, thankfully, I know the difference.
Edited to add:
I had to laugh at some of the lesser star rating reviews. It seems some people can't distinguish between a social history book and a salacious true crime compendium. I read and like both but, thankfully, I know the difference.
September 30, 2025
I would like to make it very clear that I have only knocked this down so heavily because of the absolute absence of discussion of any of the indigenous peoples of Australia during this period. This is a HUGE gap in the text and I think even a section denoting the lack of data due to the racist nature of the colonial project would have amended my views on this text.
Also if you are going to advocate for abortion and women's rights you really need to push that forward and not cower out at the end and make some vague ameliorating comments about the patriarchy.
Having said all of that this is really well constructed as a narrative and for someone who reads the Phryne Fisher novels and has no intention of every going to Australia, it was very good for world building.
Also if you are going to advocate for abortion and women's rights you really need to push that forward and not cower out at the end and make some vague ameliorating comments about the patriarchy.
Having said all of that this is really well constructed as a narrative and for someone who reads the Phryne Fisher novels and has no intention of every going to Australia, it was very good for world building.
January 13, 2024
What a fascinating read! It considers death in colonial NSW through the lens of the Coroner's Court, specifically during the tenure of Henry Shiell (he was Coroner between 1866-1889). The Coroner, then as today, would investigate any death that was sudden or suspicious
Through chapters on Murder and manslaughter, death by suicide, accident, death through the dangers of daily life, and botched abortions and infanticides, we are given an insight into the lives of ordinary people, learning how short, sad, violent, and inequitable some lives were.
The book takes us into the seedy and treacherous streets of nineteenth century Sydney and emphasises that then as now, death can come calling unexpectedly in the midst of life and importantly, how vital the Coroner's role was in calling for new laws and regulations to make life a little safer.
This is a brilliant book on an relatively hidden aspect of Australian history that anyone with an interest in history or hows and whys of the life and death of colonial Sydney would learn a lot from
Through chapters on Murder and manslaughter, death by suicide, accident, death through the dangers of daily life, and botched abortions and infanticides, we are given an insight into the lives of ordinary people, learning how short, sad, violent, and inequitable some lives were.
The book takes us into the seedy and treacherous streets of nineteenth century Sydney and emphasises that then as now, death can come calling unexpectedly in the midst of life and importantly, how vital the Coroner's role was in calling for new laws and regulations to make life a little safer.
This is a brilliant book on an relatively hidden aspect of Australian history that anyone with an interest in history or hows and whys of the life and death of colonial Sydney would learn a lot from
March 30, 2025
This is an interesting blend of history, death and a bit of true crime all rolled into one book. What intrigued me was the laws surrounding some deaths and the way inquests were held at a local pub/hotel in the early days of the city. The other thing I found interesting was the legal Acts that were in place at the time (such as safe storage of flammable goods) which I thought were from more recent times. Many of the deaths were sad to read about but thanks to an inquest lessons were learned. In some cases, it helped ease the distress of the bereaved.
January 9, 2021
Murder, misadventure and miserable ends - Tales from a colonial coroners court • Catie Gilchrist // at times this was a little hard to follow as so many similar names used but overall found this quite interesting. Some of these stories were quite brutal and I especially felt sad reading the chapter on women’s troubles.. so many unnecessary lives lost. A good insight on how deaths are investigated. 3/5⭐️ #shortstoryoressaycollection
Read
November 30, 2021A fascinating look at the time spent by Henry Shiell as Sydney City Coroner (1866 to 1889).
The book does not just cover the deaths, whether by murder, suicide, accident or mishap, it gives a glimpse into life in Sydney at the time and describes the conditions that caused the deaths described.
It does become slightly repetitive in part and the author puts her opinion in at times, but having said that I would still recommend it as an interesting read.
The book does not just cover the deaths, whether by murder, suicide, accident or mishap, it gives a glimpse into life in Sydney at the time and describes the conditions that caused the deaths described.
It does become slightly repetitive in part and the author puts her opinion in at times, but having said that I would still recommend it as an interesting read.
November 24, 2023
Take a walk back to colonial times, and see what a coroner might have had to deal with in the courts of the time. For many, the education was not there and of course, forensics was far into the future. Many murders were written off as accidents, while some accidents were prosecuted as murders.
I enjoyed reading through this book! When I grabbed it, I didn't realize that it was set in Australia. However, it was such a fantastic book. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
I enjoyed reading through this book! When I grabbed it, I didn't realize that it was set in Australia. However, it was such a fantastic book. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
January 22, 2023
The book was well written and achieved what it set out to do, but I found it a bit repetitive and long winded. I listened to the audiobook and just let it play through some of the case studies that didn’t grab me. A good book but not for me. I did love the chapter on women’s issues and could devour a whole book of those stories alone.
May 25, 2019
Catie Gilchrist has written a remarkable book about Sydney's colonial past; one that is often very gruesome and eye-opening as it sheds a modern light on twisted gender rights of the past, the fraught justice system and the surprisingly dark and tragic life Sydney urbanites were once exposed to.
February 10, 2020
Drawing upon the proceedings and findings of the Sydney Coroner's Court in the mid-to-late 19th century, this book provides a fascinating insight into the lives or ordinary people who end up meeting horrible ends.
February 13, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is a meticulously researched book, however it unfortunately turns into a litany of death which by the last couple of chapters becomes a bit of a chore. It is slow going reading this one bu if you are at all interested in Colonial Sydney it has some valuable information.
This is a meticulously researched book, however it unfortunately turns into a litany of death which by the last couple of chapters becomes a bit of a chore. It is slow going reading this one bu if you are at all interested in Colonial Sydney it has some valuable information.
April 25, 2022
This would probably not be to everyone's taste but I dove into this account of the many deaths reported to the Coroner in colonial Sydney. There truly were never good old days. I would have liked to know a little more of the Aboriginal people of Sydney but apart from that I greatly enjoyed this.
March 24, 2019
I am not one for non-fiction, but this was an interesting read. Set in 1860s Sydney it revolves around the work of Coroner Henry Shiell and the numerous ways that people within the colony died
April 25, 2019
An interesting insight into life in colonial Sydney.
May 5, 2019
This was great. A history of Sydney's Coroners court.
October 13, 2021
Fascinating trip back in time to life in colonial NSW. Wonderful we have come much futher in regard to child safety but sad that we still have issues with drownings.
May 23, 2022
Fascinating. I highly recommend to anyone who loves Australian history. The author is a natural story teller.
June 26, 2022
Interesting.
July 4, 2022
Loved it! Brutal. Would have loved more details on some of the cases but I know that info would be scarce and the book would be 4 x the size.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews