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The Lost Girls
How did two girls go missing for seven years and nobody noticed? In August 2010, dirt bike riders discovered human bones in the notorious Belanglo State Forest, where Ivan Milat had so cruelly tortured and slain seven young backpackers. The remains were those of a young woman, who the police dubbed 'Angel' after a T-shirt emblazoned with the word 'Angelic' that was found near the body. But 'Angel' lay unidentified for years. Who was she, how did she die, and at whose hand? Then, in July 2015, the bones of a child were found by a highway in South Australia. Identification was made clothing and a blanket found near the suitcase matched that in a photo of two-year-old Khandalyce Pearce-Stevenson, who, along with her young mother, had not been seen for some years. Police were quick to identify Angel as Karlie Pearce-Stevenson, Khandalyce's mother. In the grimmest of scenarios, mother and daughter were reunited at last. The Lost Girls is the chilling true story of this heinous double murder and how the police eventually tracked down the killer, who not only murdered the two girls but stole the young mother's identity to claim more than $90,000 in benefit payments.
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First published April 15, 2019
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May 23, 2019I'm not giving this book a rating as I feel it's really hard to rate a book with such difficult topics.
(I listened to this audiobook while reading along in my physical copy.)
This book does not shy away from incredibly upsetting subject matters considering the true crime case that this book is about. So tread with caution because it's graphic in it's details.
'The word love cannot express enough for me. Now in your mum's arms, with Khandals in yours, I wish I could put mine right around you all again.'
I wanted to separate the distressing nature of the story to discuss the technicalities of the book.
Ava Benny-Morrison is a crime journalist so writing a book detailing a true crime case that she was closely connected too really worked for her. I found her writing was descriptive without being gratuitous, and presented all the information in a concise method. I felt like she put emphasis on respecting all the families involved at ground level - especially the family of the victims. I imagine this would be a hard tale to tell, but I felt like she did it how it needed to be told. With the utmost respect and compassion towards Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce who's family had to endure ten years of sorrow to get to a place of justice.
(I listened to this audiobook while reading along in my physical copy.)
This book does not shy away from incredibly upsetting subject matters considering the true crime case that this book is about. So tread with caution because it's graphic in it's details.
'The word love cannot express enough for me. Now in your mum's arms, with Khandals in yours, I wish I could put mine right around you all again.'
I wanted to separate the distressing nature of the story to discuss the technicalities of the book.
Ava Benny-Morrison is a crime journalist so writing a book detailing a true crime case that she was closely connected too really worked for her. I found her writing was descriptive without being gratuitous, and presented all the information in a concise method. I felt like she put emphasis on respecting all the families involved at ground level - especially the family of the victims. I imagine this would be a hard tale to tell, but I felt like she did it how it needed to be told. With the utmost respect and compassion towards Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce who's family had to endure ten years of sorrow to get to a place of justice.
July 1, 2019
What an awful crime this was :( I remember when the news broke about the child in the suitcase, and my mind went straight to William Tyrell. Ultimately, when the identities were revealed and the link between mother and daughter came to light, it was an equally baffling case. Many elements that went unreported by the media are in this book, since Holdom has finally been tried and sentenced. The background work of the police involved and the family story are also given in this account.
Told in a personal and yet factual way, this book is more than deserving of five stars. Finally Karlie and Khandalyce can have their story told, a story that might have remained hidden if not for a few breaks and timing. RIP :(
Told in a personal and yet factual way, this book is more than deserving of five stars. Finally Karlie and Khandalyce can have their story told, a story that might have remained hidden if not for a few breaks and timing. RIP :(
May 2, 2019
Brilliant, highly recommend.
Such a good read. A tragic, honest and painful account of a very dark happenning. Written with humble caution and considered empathy. Could not put it down, through many tears in one sitting.
Such a good read. A tragic, honest and painful account of a very dark happenning. Written with humble caution and considered empathy. Could not put it down, through many tears in one sitting.
October 17, 2020
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The double murder of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her young daughter Khandalyce shocked our nation. Journalist Ava Benny-Morrison brings our attention to this tragic case through her book, The Lost Girls. In her book, Ava Benny-Morrison outlines the detailed forensic investigation and the careful police work that resulted in the arrest of a killer.
The Lost Girls is carefully compiled by Ava Benny-Morrison, a crime reporter for the Sunday Telegraph. The Lost Girls is divided into four parts. The first part is titled ‘Discovery’. This pivotal section looks at the day the remains of Karlie were unearthed in the Belanglo State Forest, along with the resulting forensic investigation which worked to identify her bones. The second part titled ‘Disappearance’ gives the reader a solid background to Karlie Pearce-Stevenson, her family, personality traits, relationships and Karlie’s movements leading up to her disappearance. Ava Benny-Morrison provides a chronological based timeline around Karlie and her young daughter’s case. Part three is ‘Investigation’ which provides the reader with an in-depth look into the mechanics of this convoluted double murder investigation. The final part ‘Justice’ charts the judicial segment of this investigation into gaining a conviction, as well as the sentencing of the vicious killer. An Author’s Note, References and Acknowledgements section rounds off this informative text. Ava Benny-Morrison leaves no stone unturned in The Lost Girls, she outlines all aspects of this case from Karlie’s early family days, to the painstaking police work and the killer’s background. Much of the book concentrates on the impact that this terrible crime had on the loved ones left behind. What remains clear in this true crime novel is that it is a truly heart-breaking case and the motives for murdering mother and daughter were vicious, as well as calculated.
The Lost Girls was a book due to the content being based on domestic and child abuse, I found hard to both read and review. There was definitely a sick feeling that followed me throughout The Lost Girls. It would be inappropriate if I said that I enjoyed this text, but I appreciated what was presented. Despite the uncomfortable feeling that I had while reading The Lost Girls I felt compelled to keep reading this book and I cared to learn more about the lives of this mother and child, who were taken too soon. I did know about the final outcome of this case due to the media coverage I have encountered previously, but the path The Lost Girls took me on was tear jerking and shocking.
The Lost Girls is a well composed, empathetic and respectful text. Ava Benny-Morrison’s background as a journalist lends to an informative style of writing that complimented this book. The format was a clear and each preceding part of this true crime puzzle somehow got under your skin, encouraging you to read on, despite the upsetting circumstances. The Lost Girls is carefully researched, offering a comprehensive perspective on one of Australia’s most devastating cases. Ava Benny-Morrison utilises a balanced approach, issuing the core facts of this true crime, with moments of sensitivity. The author gives us a solid picture of the killer, but Ava Benny-Morrison is careful in ensuring that she does not glorify this man. In her treatment of Karlie’s family, partners and friends, Ava Benny-Morrison is very respectful.
I hope The Lost Girls will serve as an essential text to help raise community awareness of extreme violence against women and children in vulnerable situations.
The Lost Girls is book #111 the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
The double murder of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her young daughter Khandalyce shocked our nation. Journalist Ava Benny-Morrison brings our attention to this tragic case through her book, The Lost Girls. In her book, Ava Benny-Morrison outlines the detailed forensic investigation and the careful police work that resulted in the arrest of a killer.
The Lost Girls is carefully compiled by Ava Benny-Morrison, a crime reporter for the Sunday Telegraph. The Lost Girls is divided into four parts. The first part is titled ‘Discovery’. This pivotal section looks at the day the remains of Karlie were unearthed in the Belanglo State Forest, along with the resulting forensic investigation which worked to identify her bones. The second part titled ‘Disappearance’ gives the reader a solid background to Karlie Pearce-Stevenson, her family, personality traits, relationships and Karlie’s movements leading up to her disappearance. Ava Benny-Morrison provides a chronological based timeline around Karlie and her young daughter’s case. Part three is ‘Investigation’ which provides the reader with an in-depth look into the mechanics of this convoluted double murder investigation. The final part ‘Justice’ charts the judicial segment of this investigation into gaining a conviction, as well as the sentencing of the vicious killer. An Author’s Note, References and Acknowledgements section rounds off this informative text. Ava Benny-Morrison leaves no stone unturned in The Lost Girls, she outlines all aspects of this case from Karlie’s early family days, to the painstaking police work and the killer’s background. Much of the book concentrates on the impact that this terrible crime had on the loved ones left behind. What remains clear in this true crime novel is that it is a truly heart-breaking case and the motives for murdering mother and daughter were vicious, as well as calculated.
The Lost Girls was a book due to the content being based on domestic and child abuse, I found hard to both read and review. There was definitely a sick feeling that followed me throughout The Lost Girls. It would be inappropriate if I said that I enjoyed this text, but I appreciated what was presented. Despite the uncomfortable feeling that I had while reading The Lost Girls I felt compelled to keep reading this book and I cared to learn more about the lives of this mother and child, who were taken too soon. I did know about the final outcome of this case due to the media coverage I have encountered previously, but the path The Lost Girls took me on was tear jerking and shocking.
The Lost Girls is a well composed, empathetic and respectful text. Ava Benny-Morrison’s background as a journalist lends to an informative style of writing that complimented this book. The format was a clear and each preceding part of this true crime puzzle somehow got under your skin, encouraging you to read on, despite the upsetting circumstances. The Lost Girls is carefully researched, offering a comprehensive perspective on one of Australia’s most devastating cases. Ava Benny-Morrison utilises a balanced approach, issuing the core facts of this true crime, with moments of sensitivity. The author gives us a solid picture of the killer, but Ava Benny-Morrison is careful in ensuring that she does not glorify this man. In her treatment of Karlie’s family, partners and friends, Ava Benny-Morrison is very respectful.
I hope The Lost Girls will serve as an essential text to help raise community awareness of extreme violence against women and children in vulnerable situations.
The Lost Girls is book #111 the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
July 27, 2025
A terrifying true story
June 11, 2019
A haunting case. I have thought about Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and Khandalyce Pearce since I first heard what happened.
July 14, 2019
While the underlying story is horrible and heartbreaking, the way this book itself was written made it a chore to get through (at least for me). I was not a fan of this author's writing style.
March 15, 2024
An absolutely horrendous story told with fearlessness and compassion. A really difficult read and it's utterly terrifying to think people like the killer at the centre of this book actually walk among us. A great insight into a story that you 'sort of know about', maybe heard a bit about when it was initially big in the news. Really sad story, but very well researched and presented.
September 19, 2019
So I've heard this story before about the toddler in the suitcase and her mama being found in Belango through true crime podcasts but I enjoyed being able to see the pics and really see the settings.
February 8, 2024
This is a heartbreaking story which is sensitively told and respectful to the victims family. To think that the awful character that hurt these girl’s so terribly actually exists, is really frightening.
October 31, 2019
Listened to this as an audio book. Well researched and put together. This case was very very sad and shocking. It blows me out how much work and forethought has to go into the investigations and hopeful incarceration of criminals, especially those guilty of the most heinous crimes.
May 7, 2019
Probably the saddest true crime book I’ve ever read. The best fiction writer couldn’t have come up with this story. Highly recommended.
July 16, 2019
Good book. I just feel the first part of the book could have been less detailed it was hard to get into until part 2.
September 14, 2020
I don't want to rate this book 😥, But I will rate the author by the way she wrote it ,told the readers how the Mother and Daughter were brought back to their family and how a monster was caught.
May 31, 2022
Chilling Heart-breaking But Highly Recommend
A very well researched and written book by Ava Benny Morrison. The book is a very tragic, painful, and honest account of a very dark subject. The book is the chilling true story of the heinous double murders of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce in Australia. In August 2010, the bones of a young woman were found in Belanglo State Forest Then in July 2015, the bones of a child were found in a suitcase by a highway in South Australia.
The book flows beautifully with how Karlie met Holdom and how the police eventually put both murders together as DNA records quickly confirmed that they were related. Eventually they track down Danual James Holdom in prison on a charge of having sex with a minor. Holdom not only killed the mother and daughter under horrific brutal ways, but Holdom stole Karlie’s identity to defraud authorities and her family.
This book was very hard to put down and Holdom was eventually caught and charged with both murders in October 2015. There are plenty of Photos at the end of the book. The suffering and grief the friends and family went through is unimaginable and my heart goes out to them all especially for the family who were led to believe that their loved ones were still alive. A terribly sad and disturbing story. I am part of the ARC group for Wildblue Press and BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A very well researched and written book by Ava Benny Morrison. The book is a very tragic, painful, and honest account of a very dark subject. The book is the chilling true story of the heinous double murders of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce in Australia. In August 2010, the bones of a young woman were found in Belanglo State Forest Then in July 2015, the bones of a child were found in a suitcase by a highway in South Australia.
The book flows beautifully with how Karlie met Holdom and how the police eventually put both murders together as DNA records quickly confirmed that they were related. Eventually they track down Danual James Holdom in prison on a charge of having sex with a minor. Holdom not only killed the mother and daughter under horrific brutal ways, but Holdom stole Karlie’s identity to defraud authorities and her family.
This book was very hard to put down and Holdom was eventually caught and charged with both murders in October 2015. There are plenty of Photos at the end of the book. The suffering and grief the friends and family went through is unimaginable and my heart goes out to them all especially for the family who were led to believe that their loved ones were still alive. A terribly sad and disturbing story. I am part of the ARC group for Wildblue Press and BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 18, 2025
The Lost Girls by Ava Benny-Morrison, is such a chilling story about the murders of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce. The book is so well-researched and well-paced—it kept me hooked the whole way through.
That said, biographies might not be for me. I love true crime, but I think I’ll stick with fictional thrillers from now on. Still, I’m really glad I gave this one a shot because the story is so important and heartbreaking. If you’re into true crime or enjoy really detailed investigations, I would highly recommend this book.
That said, biographies might not be for me. I love true crime, but I think I’ll stick with fictional thrillers from now on. Still, I’m really glad I gave this one a shot because the story is so important and heartbreaking. If you’re into true crime or enjoy really detailed investigations, I would highly recommend this book.
March 3, 2021
I have now words to describe how well this author handled these absolutely heinous and live altering crimes.
Ava Benny-Morrison was respectful and considerate when it came to talking and discussing the victims lives and their stories.
There are major points in this case that should be looked at again. But overall this book highlights the great side and range of abilities that our justice system has here in Australia.
Ava Benny-Morrison was respectful and considerate when it came to talking and discussing the victims lives and their stories.
There are major points in this case that should be looked at again. But overall this book highlights the great side and range of abilities that our justice system has here in Australia.
April 29, 2021
Really well told story, horrific crime & not for the faint hearted. One of the best told versions of a true crime I've encountered to date.
June 11, 2022
A very detailed and honest account of a terrible crime. Well researched and written and well read in the audio book by Fiona Macleod.
November 13, 2024
Excellent story telling and detailed narrative of such a horrific crime.
April 19, 2025
An absolute tragic story of a poor mother and daughter. Thankfully this man was brought to justice!
October 15, 2019
Very well researched and written. A terribly sad and disturbing story.
July 27, 2024
Well-written. I believe it should include a warning at the start re distressing/strong themes involving crimes against children.
June 8, 2019
Oh. This is hard to review because of the grimness of the story. Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce were murdered in the most appalling way by Daniel Holdom. Karlie’s body was discovered in the Belanglo forest in 2010 and Khandalyce’s was found in a suitcase on the side of a highway in South Australia in 2015. DNA records quickly confirmed that they were related. It’s such a sad story of a family who were led to believe that their loved ones were still alive and yet they weren’t.
This is a really well-written and researched account of the case. The forensics are impressive. The case is desperately sad and haunting and another fucking instance of sadistic violence against women and children by a perpetrator known to them. Fuck that.
This is a really well-written and researched account of the case. The forensics are impressive. The case is desperately sad and haunting and another fucking instance of sadistic violence against women and children by a perpetrator known to them. Fuck that.
November 19, 2019
Excellent book about the tragic murders of Karlie and Khandalyce Pearce=Stephenson.
September 23, 2023
Excellent book!
April 14, 2020
I genuinely feel awful for giving this book only two stars, but I was so very much looking forward to reading it and then it just didn’t live up to the hype, unfortunately.
The Lost Girls looks into the deaths of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her young daughter, Khandalyce, and the ensuing murder investigations. It was a case that shocked, perplexed and intrigued Australia when it came to light in 2015 when the skeletal remains of Khandalyce were found stuffed into a suitcase on the side of the road near the tiny town of Wynarka in South Australia. It was a crime wherein forensic science, notably DNA profiling, was paramount in solving not only Khandalyce’s murder, but also the death of her mother whose remains had been found in New South Wales some five years beforehand, and had remained unidentified that entire time.
The author is a journalist, and the style of writing used in The Lost Girls reads very much like it has been written by one, not someone writing a full-length piece. The sentences and paragraphs are short and choppy, moving from one matter to another in the way that you’d expect from a newspaper article, not an investigative, non-fiction book. I found the writing flat, and void of emotion. It really felt to me as just a way to streamline the facts, without adding any sort of depth to the story itself.
And that is a shame, in my opinion, as I feel the story of Karlie and Khandalyce is an important one: The reality of life in an isolated outback town and the excitement of adventure; the danger of illicit drug use, and the questionable characters involved in the trade and transport of them; the shocking reality of paedophilia hidden in plain sight, even in those places where you’d least expect it; the problem with police complacency, and the ease of social security fraud in Australia; the importance of DNA science... The list goes on. Karlie and Khandalyce could have been any young mother and child from anywhere in Australia, that is what struck me most about this case: They were just so normal, and their family was normal, and then strangers came into their lives and changed it forever.
I feel the author could have delved into this more, rather than just reeling off processes and facts already divulged to the public.
The Lost Girls looks into the deaths of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her young daughter, Khandalyce, and the ensuing murder investigations. It was a case that shocked, perplexed and intrigued Australia when it came to light in 2015 when the skeletal remains of Khandalyce were found stuffed into a suitcase on the side of the road near the tiny town of Wynarka in South Australia. It was a crime wherein forensic science, notably DNA profiling, was paramount in solving not only Khandalyce’s murder, but also the death of her mother whose remains had been found in New South Wales some five years beforehand, and had remained unidentified that entire time.
The author is a journalist, and the style of writing used in The Lost Girls reads very much like it has been written by one, not someone writing a full-length piece. The sentences and paragraphs are short and choppy, moving from one matter to another in the way that you’d expect from a newspaper article, not an investigative, non-fiction book. I found the writing flat, and void of emotion. It really felt to me as just a way to streamline the facts, without adding any sort of depth to the story itself.
And that is a shame, in my opinion, as I feel the story of Karlie and Khandalyce is an important one: The reality of life in an isolated outback town and the excitement of adventure; the danger of illicit drug use, and the questionable characters involved in the trade and transport of them; the shocking reality of paedophilia hidden in plain sight, even in those places where you’d least expect it; the problem with police complacency, and the ease of social security fraud in Australia; the importance of DNA science... The list goes on. Karlie and Khandalyce could have been any young mother and child from anywhere in Australia, that is what struck me most about this case: They were just so normal, and their family was normal, and then strangers came into their lives and changed it forever.
I feel the author could have delved into this more, rather than just reeling off processes and facts already divulged to the public.
November 3, 2021
Aus true crime, tragic story of mum & daughter assaulted and murdered
• Australian true crime
• triggering content: murder, drug use, sexual abuse
The story - what happened - is so tragic and heart wrenching. It boggles the mind how some people get away with so much before they finally do something that there’s no recovering from - in this case murder. The young mother and child who were murdered are the escalation of a man who brings nothing but destruction to everyone he crosses and harms, victimised and abuses who knows how many people before finally committing murder. He should’ve been put in jail and kept there ages before his path even crossed with them.
That list of children ages names and some locations - police didn’t find connections due to lack of enough info but I bet everything he has done what the list implies.
ANYWAY - this book is well researched with a lot of resources and interviews with personal accounts from those involved and victims and is told in a chronological order of bodies found and them being connected to a cold missing persons case. I think the research the writing style and the storytelling set up is done well and as objectively as it can be done - even though it comes across a little frustrating when everyone involved get their say and you just know what a scum someone in particular is - Grrr.
Ava does this story justice in the way it is told.
• Australian true crime
• triggering content: murder, drug use, sexual abuse
The story - what happened - is so tragic and heart wrenching. It boggles the mind how some people get away with so much before they finally do something that there’s no recovering from - in this case murder. The young mother and child who were murdered are the escalation of a man who brings nothing but destruction to everyone he crosses and harms, victimised and abuses who knows how many people before finally committing murder. He should’ve been put in jail and kept there ages before his path even crossed with them.
That list of children ages names and some locations - police didn’t find connections due to lack of enough info but I bet everything he has done what the list implies.
ANYWAY - this book is well researched with a lot of resources and interviews with personal accounts from those involved and victims and is told in a chronological order of bodies found and them being connected to a cold missing persons case. I think the research the writing style and the storytelling set up is done well and as objectively as it can be done - even though it comes across a little frustrating when everyone involved get their say and you just know what a scum someone in particular is - Grrr.
Ava does this story justice in the way it is told.
April 2, 2022
As someone who lives not far from Belangalo State Forest I always find it devastating to know such evil monsters have lurked that forest and brought such cruelty and depravity to their victims.
This book is an in-depth analysis of the brutal murders of Karlie and her two year old daughter Khandalyce, the mammoth police investigation and the legal fight to bring their killer to justice.
The Lost Girls is well researched and highlights the amazing joint efforts of Police and multiple agencies in multiple states to first identify the victims and then find the person responsible for their brutal murders.
The content is hard, it's heartbreaking and there is just so much pain and suffering.
I spent most of the book torn between heartache for the victims and their families and absolue disgust at the level of depravity and lack of remorse from Daniel Holdom.
Whilst The Lost Girls is full of brutality and harsh imagery, the author has also made sure to give the victims and their family the kindness and dignity they deserve. She didn't just portray them as victims but also allowed the reader insight into the people Karlie and Khandalyce were and the loving and strong family who have been tormented and devastated by the murders.
This book will stay with me long after I finish the last page. My heart is heavy and I pray that Karlie and Khandalyce rest forever in peace. And their family who love them so much find some solace in knowing they are together again.
This book is an in-depth analysis of the brutal murders of Karlie and her two year old daughter Khandalyce, the mammoth police investigation and the legal fight to bring their killer to justice.
The Lost Girls is well researched and highlights the amazing joint efforts of Police and multiple agencies in multiple states to first identify the victims and then find the person responsible for their brutal murders.
The content is hard, it's heartbreaking and there is just so much pain and suffering.
I spent most of the book torn between heartache for the victims and their families and absolue disgust at the level of depravity and lack of remorse from Daniel Holdom.
Whilst The Lost Girls is full of brutality and harsh imagery, the author has also made sure to give the victims and their family the kindness and dignity they deserve. She didn't just portray them as victims but also allowed the reader insight into the people Karlie and Khandalyce were and the loving and strong family who have been tormented and devastated by the murders.
This book will stay with me long after I finish the last page. My heart is heavy and I pray that Karlie and Khandalyce rest forever in peace. And their family who love them so much find some solace in knowing they are together again.
August 29, 2019
An incredibly well-written true crime book. I'm a huge true crime follower... I think to say 'fan' would be politically incorrect, given the nature of the subject. In any case, I often find it different to read novels about true crimes. Podcasts, I could listen to them literally all day, and I have done. I'll do my own research and watch videos online for hours, but I just find it tedious to read a painstakingly written novel on even the most intriguing case. This book changed that. I was sympathetic to Karlie and her family, and I hated Daniel Holdom and people who protected and defended him. I deeply respected the professionals who worked so hard to solve the case. Having just moved to Sydney recently myself, I was fascinated to hear how the case broke in and around the city only so recently. My only reason to fault this novel was that there was no real mystery to it. The killer was revealed even before all of the victims were. The novel was paced like it was working up to a big reveal, when the killer was a major character throughout. I also don't think the author was hard enough on Holdom's exgirlfriends Hazel and Toni, both who had a working knowledge of what had happened before either body was discovered. The author really gives them a sympathized free pass in this novel, but perhaps this is because the justice system let them go free too.
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