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Under the Lino: The Mystery The History The Community
When Caylie and David Jeffery renovated the worst house on the busiest street in Milton, they had no idea what treasures they would find secreted inside.
The intriguing discovery of 1950s money and bankbooks hidden old lino had Caylie turning to social media for help…
Who were Arthur and Eleanor Webster? Why were they hiding so much money? Who was Muriel White? Why was her bank book hidden in Milton when the address in the back said ‘Bristol St, West End’?
A online community of curious amateur sleuths began a relentless quest for answers. As more clues were revealed, the ghosts of Old Brisbane started to rise from the depths of people’s memories.
The trail of evidence leading from that dilapidated Queenslander revealed secret stories of fraud, missing gravestones, theft, brothels and… murder.
The Under the Lino Project has become one of Queensland’s most captivating mysteries, capturing the imaginations of thousands of people all over the country. Caylie’s account of this community’s extraordinary journey back through the history of iconic Queensland will have you tearing your house apart…
www.underthelino.com.au/book
The intriguing discovery of 1950s money and bankbooks hidden old lino had Caylie turning to social media for help…
Who were Arthur and Eleanor Webster? Why were they hiding so much money? Who was Muriel White? Why was her bank book hidden in Milton when the address in the back said ‘Bristol St, West End’?
A online community of curious amateur sleuths began a relentless quest for answers. As more clues were revealed, the ghosts of Old Brisbane started to rise from the depths of people’s memories.
The trail of evidence leading from that dilapidated Queenslander revealed secret stories of fraud, missing gravestones, theft, brothels and… murder.
The Under the Lino Project has become one of Queensland’s most captivating mysteries, capturing the imaginations of thousands of people all over the country. Caylie’s account of this community’s extraordinary journey back through the history of iconic Queensland will have you tearing your house apart…
www.underthelino.com.au/book
416 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2018
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2025
This is a self published book that follows the authors experiences with finding 3 bank books and some cash under her lino while renovating her house in Brisbane. I loved the different media included in the book, such as short histories, Facebook chats, conversations etc. It was a really interesting read and it baffled me as to why it was Alec published as I would have thought publishers would have jumped on board with this project! Definitely one for the Brisbane peeps and those that enjoy unraveling family history mysteries!
September 28, 2018
Caylie has done a good job taking a personal mystery and tying it to Brisbane history as well as making it real for the reader. I very much enjoyed her own story that at times mirrored the historical one rather well! The book is written in an interesting style, drawing from the group's facebook page and capturing the immediacy of social media. There is good coverage of general QLD and Brisbane history for those that may not know it - including indigenous history of the area, prominent locals and QLD architecture. I liked the 'special reports' from subject matter experts. The book had just the right twist towards the end that kept me intrigued. A quick read that hums along on its own. Perfect for all interested in local history, Brisbane history and families in the early 20th century.
September 28, 2018
As soon as this book arrived in the prison library I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed.
December 10, 2018
I enjoy history so was very interested in this book. It was written in a different style which took me a little while to get used to but in the end it was fine. There was alot of research done and a big 'high five" to Caylie and her team!!! Well done! I enjoyed it immensely.
October 11, 2018
I’m not what you’d call a big reader of books, but I do read a lot – mostly historical stuff (usually online) when researching for my photographic adventures. Caylie’s original post on Old Brisbane Album in August 2017, showing her ‘under the lino’ find of old bank books and money, caught my eye and not being a Brisbane local, I didn’t get too involved in the nitty gritty of the story at first. But it wasn’t too long before I saw the reaction from the community and I thought (like many others) there’s a book in this!
Fast forward to last month and my book arrived in the mail. How fascinating it was to read not only the story of the Websters and Murphys, but the background story of how the story took off with a life of its own, the research by dedicated followers, all the coincidences that followed Caylie, how the story became a book and the process of self-publishing.
The mystery isn’t completely solved, but the Muriel White link has given the readers enough information to get our grey cells working to think about our own ending to the story. A refreshing change from being told what to think!
Caylie’s style of writing appeals to me, the way she tells us a particular part of the story will be important later in the book, the detailed explanation of family trees and of daily life in the ‘40s and ‘50s all help to make this an enjoyable read. By entwining her personal journeys and endeavours within the chapter, it makes me feel she’s been a life-long friend.
There are some ‘wise words of wisdom’ at the end of the story which are the backbone of the creation of this book: “A reminder that shared memories bring joy, revive history and relieve solitude; and that when people work together sharing skills, tools and knowledge, they can achieve great things”.
Well done Caylie, you should be proud of your achievement.
Fast forward to last month and my book arrived in the mail. How fascinating it was to read not only the story of the Websters and Murphys, but the background story of how the story took off with a life of its own, the research by dedicated followers, all the coincidences that followed Caylie, how the story became a book and the process of self-publishing.
The mystery isn’t completely solved, but the Muriel White link has given the readers enough information to get our grey cells working to think about our own ending to the story. A refreshing change from being told what to think!
Caylie’s style of writing appeals to me, the way she tells us a particular part of the story will be important later in the book, the detailed explanation of family trees and of daily life in the ‘40s and ‘50s all help to make this an enjoyable read. By entwining her personal journeys and endeavours within the chapter, it makes me feel she’s been a life-long friend.
There are some ‘wise words of wisdom’ at the end of the story which are the backbone of the creation of this book: “A reminder that shared memories bring joy, revive history and relieve solitude; and that when people work together sharing skills, tools and knowledge, they can achieve great things”.
Well done Caylie, you should be proud of your achievement.
October 5, 2018
This book took me on a journey that I really hadn't expected. Caylie has written in a way that has kept me totally mesmerised and loving every page. The mystery of the bank books and the lives of those who were associated with them peaked my interest right up to the last page. The way Caylie brought old Brisbane into the stories is brilliant, and I was able to connect with a great majority of them.
I loved this book so much that I'm reading it again. One of my all time favourite reads.
I loved this book so much that I'm reading it again. One of my all time favourite reads.
January 5, 2026
This book was okay. I just found d it a bit slow going at times
January 16, 2019
This is a great read for fans of local history, genealogy, or life in Brisbane past and present. With the aim of solving the mystery of the items found under the lino, this is a rambling collection of stories told in a style reminiscent of a neighbourly gossip over the back fence. The stories illuminate the day-to-day life of everyday Brisbane dwellers while also offering insights into how communities are forged in the 21st century. Did the UTL community solve the mystery? Yes, they did!
June 30, 2019
An interesting book. Enjoyable, as places mentioned during the book are places I know and have been. The community interest and participation was warming.
October 26, 2019
Well done. I read this book in 2 days, couldn’t put it down.
May 19, 2022
I am not sure what I feel about this book. I consider myself to be an amateur historian. I enjoy getting lost in Trove, searching through archives, and digging through plenty of other resources. Is the thrill of the hunt and falling down into 'rabbit holes' of things which are not directly related to the topic but are still enjoyable to find out about.
As a book about finding three bank books and pound notes under the lino of a house it waffled.
As a book about the community of people who searched for the answers, it could have been better. I kept wondering why there were conversations taken from the Facebook Group then discovering at the end that self-publication of the book was crowd funded. Did everyone who contributed to the cost get a mention?
It just felt like it could have done with a good edit. I kept on getting lost in the story line.
As a book about finding three bank books and pound notes under the lino of a house it waffled.
As a book about the community of people who searched for the answers, it could have been better. I kept wondering why there were conversations taken from the Facebook Group then discovering at the end that self-publication of the book was crowd funded. Did everyone who contributed to the cost get a mention?
It just felt like it could have done with a good edit. I kept on getting lost in the story line.
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November 7, 2020What an interesting read of local history
March 31, 2021
Interesting premise, but I got lost in all of the names and historical notes. I wasn't interested enough to finish it
May 5, 2022
Started out alright, but I didn't finish. I grew up in Brisbane, near those suburbs mentioned, so found it interesting but as I got about half way through the book I lost interest.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews