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The Edward Street Baby Farm
In 1907, Perth woman Alice Mitchell was arrested for the murder of five-month-old Ethel Booth. During the inquest and subsequent trial, the state's citizens were horrified to learn that at least 37 infants had died in Mitchell's care in the previous six years. It became clear that she had been running a 'baby farm', making a profit out of caring for the children of single mothers and other 'unfortunate women'.
The Alice Mitchell murder trial gripped the city of Perth and the nation. This book retraces this infamous 'baby farm' tragedy, which led to legislative changes to protect children's welfare.
The Alice Mitchell murder trial gripped the city of Perth and the nation. This book retraces this infamous 'baby farm' tragedy, which led to legislative changes to protect children's welfare.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2020
11 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Stella Budrikis
3 books31 followersStella Budrikis was born in England but has lived in Australia most of her life. She began writing articles for magazines and newspapers while working as a doctor in a rural community, then wrote cover articles and discussion papers for her church during a break in her medical career. She has now retired from medical work and is enjoying time to concentrate on research and writing.
Her first book, Susan, reflects her fascination with family history and the way that people respond to their genetic inheritance, upbringing and experiences. It grew out of a series of articles that she wrote for her family history blog, Clogs and Clippers, about her great great grandmother Susan Mason. In October 2020 her second book, The Edward Street Baby Farm was published by Fremantle Press.
Stella and her husband live in Perth in Western Australia. They have two grown up daughters.
Her first book, Susan, reflects her fascination with family history and the way that people respond to their genetic inheritance, upbringing and experiences. It grew out of a series of articles that she wrote for her family history blog, Clogs and Clippers, about her great great grandmother Susan Mason. In October 2020 her second book, The Edward Street Baby Farm was published by Fremantle Press.
Stella and her husband live in Perth in Western Australia. They have two grown up daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 9, 2021
A true story.
I first heard about the past practice of baby farming in one of Elly Griffiths more recent Ruth Galloway books. Practised during the Victorian era and early 20th century baby farms were just women who took in other women’s children, usually unmarried (oh the shame 😮) and who couldn’t look after them. Sort of like a cross between day care and fostering, only not as nice. The conditions were often grim. I can’t remember where I heard about this book but I read about it somewhere and decided to read it. Non-fiction - hmmmm.
I won’t say much about the plot except that it covers the trial of Alice Mitchell, a baby farmer of Perth, Western Australia in 1907. She had been taking in children for over six years and most of them died as infants. A total of about 37 infant deaths were recorded. There may have been more unrecorded because Alice’s record keeping was shoddy. She was only standing trial for the most recent infant death because the police had gotten involved, the other deaths were simply not regarded as suspicious at the time! Alice was found guilty of manslaughter (through neglect) and served 3 years of a 5 year sentence. Some of the details from that era were quite harrowing. Perth was still a city in its infancy and I suppose most people did their best but life was hard. I don’t think Alice was a bad person but IMHO uneducated, inexperienced and overwhelmed.
This was not fast paced and there was no twist but it was a very interesting true account. I loved a lot of things about this book. The author did an amazing amount of research and it shows and it’s all attributed. She writes well, the story flows well. I really liked that she gave us a full history of the major characters and also what they did following the trial until their deaths. It made the characters feel like real people, which of course they were! It was interesting to be reminded of the societal values of the time, how unwed women took all the blame and shame and how they and their children were treated so poorly.
We also learned about the fate of one Miss Harriet Lenihan, a middle-aged woman originally from Ireland and who had been the “lady health inspector” for Perth at the relevant time. I kid you not - that was her actual title. She was well educated and lost her job in the aftermath of the trial. She ended up getting a job as matron (no nursing qualifications)
at Bernier Island, about 30 km off the coast of Carnarvon in NW Australia. It was what was called a “lock hospital” and that’s a good call as it was a bit like a prison. They used to send Indigenous people who had suspected syphillis there until they were well again. Not all of them got well. But, contrary to prevailing attitudes, Harriet got on really well with the Indigenous women. She would sit around their campfires and just hang out with them. She later described the ‘natives’ as delightful, intelligent people with strong familial links. It’s a pity it took so long for others to recognise that. And that’s all folks!
I first heard about the past practice of baby farming in one of Elly Griffiths more recent Ruth Galloway books. Practised during the Victorian era and early 20th century baby farms were just women who took in other women’s children, usually unmarried (oh the shame 😮) and who couldn’t look after them. Sort of like a cross between day care and fostering, only not as nice. The conditions were often grim. I can’t remember where I heard about this book but I read about it somewhere and decided to read it. Non-fiction - hmmmm.
I won’t say much about the plot except that it covers the trial of Alice Mitchell, a baby farmer of Perth, Western Australia in 1907. She had been taking in children for over six years and most of them died as infants. A total of about 37 infant deaths were recorded. There may have been more unrecorded because Alice’s record keeping was shoddy. She was only standing trial for the most recent infant death because the police had gotten involved, the other deaths were simply not regarded as suspicious at the time! Alice was found guilty of manslaughter (through neglect) and served 3 years of a 5 year sentence. Some of the details from that era were quite harrowing. Perth was still a city in its infancy and I suppose most people did their best but life was hard. I don’t think Alice was a bad person but IMHO uneducated, inexperienced and overwhelmed.
This was not fast paced and there was no twist but it was a very interesting true account. I loved a lot of things about this book. The author did an amazing amount of research and it shows and it’s all attributed. She writes well, the story flows well. I really liked that she gave us a full history of the major characters and also what they did following the trial until their deaths. It made the characters feel like real people, which of course they were! It was interesting to be reminded of the societal values of the time, how unwed women took all the blame and shame and how they and their children were treated so poorly.
We also learned about the fate of one Miss Harriet Lenihan, a middle-aged woman originally from Ireland and who had been the “lady health inspector” for Perth at the relevant time. I kid you not - that was her actual title. She was well educated and lost her job in the aftermath of the trial. She ended up getting a job as matron (no nursing qualifications)
at Bernier Island, about 30 km off the coast of Carnarvon in NW Australia. It was what was called a “lock hospital” and that’s a good call as it was a bit like a prison. They used to send Indigenous people who had suspected syphillis there until they were well again. Not all of them got well. But, contrary to prevailing attitudes, Harriet got on really well with the Indigenous women. She would sit around their campfires and just hang out with them. She later described the ‘natives’ as delightful, intelligent people with strong familial links. It’s a pity it took so long for others to recognise that. And that’s all folks!
January 4, 2021
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**3.5 stars**
The Edward Street Baby Farm by Stella Budrikis. (2020).
In Perth 1907, one of Australia's most notorious baby farmers, Alice Mitchell, was arrested for the murder of 5-month-old Ethel Booth. During the inquest and subsequent trial, Perth's citizens were horrified to learn that at least 37 infants had died in Alice's care. How could this have happened, especially when the home was regularly visited by Perth's first female health inspector, Harriet Lenihan, and by the children's socialists specialist Dr Edward Officer?
I don't often read non-fiction, so the synopsis would have to be very intriguing for me to pick it up. In this case, I am a true crime fan and I live in Perth so this one jumped out at me. I hadn't heard of this particular case before so it was all new knowledge for me. It's clear the author has engaged in extensive research for this novel, particularly from court transcripts and newspaper reports, and the references are provided. It explores not only the 'baby farm', but also the events both before and after, as well as the lives of various people involved; specifically focusing on Alice, the heath inspector Harriet and Dr Officer. It is truly baffling that Dr Officer managed to move on from Alice's trial with basically no repercussions! It is interesting to ponder if Alice did indeed purposely mean for all of these babies to die, or if she just didn't care for them well enough, or if indeed natural causes and hygiene of the times is in fact to blame for the high number of infant deaths.
Readers who are interested in true crime and/or Perth (or Western Australia) history should pick this one up.
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**3.5 stars**
The Edward Street Baby Farm by Stella Budrikis. (2020).
In Perth 1907, one of Australia's most notorious baby farmers, Alice Mitchell, was arrested for the murder of 5-month-old Ethel Booth. During the inquest and subsequent trial, Perth's citizens were horrified to learn that at least 37 infants had died in Alice's care. How could this have happened, especially when the home was regularly visited by Perth's first female health inspector, Harriet Lenihan, and by the children's socialists specialist Dr Edward Officer?
I don't often read non-fiction, so the synopsis would have to be very intriguing for me to pick it up. In this case, I am a true crime fan and I live in Perth so this one jumped out at me. I hadn't heard of this particular case before so it was all new knowledge for me. It's clear the author has engaged in extensive research for this novel, particularly from court transcripts and newspaper reports, and the references are provided. It explores not only the 'baby farm', but also the events both before and after, as well as the lives of various people involved; specifically focusing on Alice, the heath inspector Harriet and Dr Officer. It is truly baffling that Dr Officer managed to move on from Alice's trial with basically no repercussions! It is interesting to ponder if Alice did indeed purposely mean for all of these babies to die, or if she just didn't care for them well enough, or if indeed natural causes and hygiene of the times is in fact to blame for the high number of infant deaths.
Readers who are interested in true crime and/or Perth (or Western Australia) history should pick this one up.
January 20, 2021
Those poor babies.
I liked reading about turn of the 20th century Perth, knowing the streets and suburbs mentioned.
I liked reading about turn of the 20th century Perth, knowing the streets and suburbs mentioned.
October 23, 2020
‘How did it come to this?’
In 1907, Perth woman Alice Mitchell was arrested for the murder of five-month-old Ethel Booth. Alice Mitchell, a nurse and midwife, had been registered since 1903 with the Perth Local Board of Health to take charge of infants. Babies were boarded at her premises in Edward Street in East Perth while their mothers worked to support themselves and pay for their children’s care.
‘How could so many infants die in the care of one woman without anyone becoming concerned?’
The case came to light after Mitchell was reported by a constable on duty in the neighbourhood when she casually mentioned during a conversation that she had a child lying ill in her house but could not afford a doctor. The police called Dr Davey to attend a 10-month-old child who was in “an exceedingly emaciated condition”. While at the house Dr Davey noticed another baby, Ethel Booth, in a similar condition. Both children were taken to Perth Public Hospital, but little Ethel died the next day.
Ethel Booth was not the only baby to die in Mrs Mitchell’s care. Corporal O’Halloran investigated the names and addresses of the parents included on the (incomplete) register Mrs Mitchell was required to keep as well as details from the State Registrar’s office and was able to compile a list of thirty-seven infants who had died in Alice Mitchell’s care between 190l and 1907. There may have been others.
‘I keep them for a living. I don’t keep them for the love of the thing.’
But who else was involved? In this book, Ms Budrikis writes of the social conditions in Perth at the time, of the factors that lead to Mrs Mitchell operating a baby farm, and of Dr Ned Officer and Miss Harriet Lenihan. The case raised questions about how so many infants could die, in apparently squalid conditions.
Dr Officer was the doctor who, apparently, provided regular oversight of the children in Mrs Mitchell’s care. He also signed many of the children’s death certificates. Miss Lenihan was the Lady Health Inspector responsible for inspecting the premises where the babies were kept on a regular basis. Dr Officer emerges from the trial unscathed, while Miss Lenihan is vilified.
And Mrs Mitchell? The trial concluded on 13 April 1907 and the jury found her guilty of manslaughter and she was sentenced to five years hard labour. The case led to legislative changes to protect the welfare of children.
In her Afterword, Ms Budrikis, while wondering about this case writes:
‘Clearly something went terribly wrong to cause the death of so many babies and young children in one household. The death rate among the infants in Alice’s care was far higher than the already-high rate amongst other “boarded-out” children.’
I found this a difficult but important book to read. And I wonder what really happened.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In 1907, Perth woman Alice Mitchell was arrested for the murder of five-month-old Ethel Booth. Alice Mitchell, a nurse and midwife, had been registered since 1903 with the Perth Local Board of Health to take charge of infants. Babies were boarded at her premises in Edward Street in East Perth while their mothers worked to support themselves and pay for their children’s care.
‘How could so many infants die in the care of one woman without anyone becoming concerned?’
The case came to light after Mitchell was reported by a constable on duty in the neighbourhood when she casually mentioned during a conversation that she had a child lying ill in her house but could not afford a doctor. The police called Dr Davey to attend a 10-month-old child who was in “an exceedingly emaciated condition”. While at the house Dr Davey noticed another baby, Ethel Booth, in a similar condition. Both children were taken to Perth Public Hospital, but little Ethel died the next day.
Ethel Booth was not the only baby to die in Mrs Mitchell’s care. Corporal O’Halloran investigated the names and addresses of the parents included on the (incomplete) register Mrs Mitchell was required to keep as well as details from the State Registrar’s office and was able to compile a list of thirty-seven infants who had died in Alice Mitchell’s care between 190l and 1907. There may have been others.
‘I keep them for a living. I don’t keep them for the love of the thing.’
But who else was involved? In this book, Ms Budrikis writes of the social conditions in Perth at the time, of the factors that lead to Mrs Mitchell operating a baby farm, and of Dr Ned Officer and Miss Harriet Lenihan. The case raised questions about how so many infants could die, in apparently squalid conditions.
Dr Officer was the doctor who, apparently, provided regular oversight of the children in Mrs Mitchell’s care. He also signed many of the children’s death certificates. Miss Lenihan was the Lady Health Inspector responsible for inspecting the premises where the babies were kept on a regular basis. Dr Officer emerges from the trial unscathed, while Miss Lenihan is vilified.
And Mrs Mitchell? The trial concluded on 13 April 1907 and the jury found her guilty of manslaughter and she was sentenced to five years hard labour. The case led to legislative changes to protect the welfare of children.
In her Afterword, Ms Budrikis, while wondering about this case writes:
‘Clearly something went terribly wrong to cause the death of so many babies and young children in one household. The death rate among the infants in Alice’s care was far higher than the already-high rate amongst other “boarded-out” children.’
I found this a difficult but important book to read. And I wonder what really happened.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 22, 2021
Good lord! This is so horrid.
December 17, 2020
This was fascinating! It may be less fascinating if you're not familiar with Perth, but still, it did a good job of bringing life to historical documents without getting bogged down in too much irrelevant detail. I'd never even heard of baby farming before this, and it really doesn't sound like much fun.
November 29, 2020
This was an interesting investigation into the trial of Alice Mitchell, a woman who took in illegitimate babies in Perth (Western Australia) in the early 1900s. The research is very well done, and the description of the events that occurred was an interesting read.
It was interesting to learn of what life may have been like for women, and the emergence of child protection services at a time when Perth was a very young city, without the infrastructure that already existed in the Eastern States (t'otherside!). Budrikis has done a great job of reconstructing events using the evidence available, and her hypotheses of possible causes in the last chapter are well worth reading.
It was a different world, but although we have come a long way in our care of children, and in removing the stigma that used to be associated with pregnancy out of wedlock, unmarried mothers still often face shame, and this still occurs the detriment of their child's health. Child protection services still are held responsible when children die, so our systems still require better resourcing, better training, more improvements.
I would have liked more analysis of the case and comparison between that time and ours. But I suppose, that would probably fill another book!
It was interesting to learn of what life may have been like for women, and the emergence of child protection services at a time when Perth was a very young city, without the infrastructure that already existed in the Eastern States (t'otherside!). Budrikis has done a great job of reconstructing events using the evidence available, and her hypotheses of possible causes in the last chapter are well worth reading.
It was a different world, but although we have come a long way in our care of children, and in removing the stigma that used to be associated with pregnancy out of wedlock, unmarried mothers still often face shame, and this still occurs the detriment of their child's health. Child protection services still are held responsible when children die, so our systems still require better resourcing, better training, more improvements.
I would have liked more analysis of the case and comparison between that time and ours. But I suppose, that would probably fill another book!
July 18, 2023
True crime books report on crimes from the beginning of their investigation to their legal proceedings. These books not only restore the lived experiences of the perpetrators and their victims, but also reconstruct the complex circumstances in which the crimes were committed.
These books help us see the parties involved as genuine people. Instead of mere statistics and sensationalised media coverage, we follow the behind-the-scene stories of how crimes were initiated, conducted, scrutinised and solved. We experience their considerable impact on individuals and communities.
In writing The Edward Street Baby Farm, Western Australian author Stella Budrikis confesses: “I’ve always been fascinated by the way people’s lives interact, bringing all their past experiences and personalities crashing together at a single place and time, before diverging again like billiard balls on a table.”
One of the three people featured in the book is Alice Mitchell, the notorious “baby farmer” who was arrested in Perth in 1907 for the murder of a five-month-old girl. During the inquest and subsequent trial, the public was shocked to learn that 37 out of 43 infants in her care had died.
Questions were asked: How could so many babies have died when Mitchell’s house was visited regularly by Perth’s first female health inspector, Harriet Lenihan? And how could 25 of the death certificates have been signed by the same children’s specialist, Dr Edward Officer, without him raising any concern about such a high mortality rate?
Through meticulous research on court records, state archives and newspaper reports from the time, Budrikis examines the events leading up to and beyond this tragedy. Her expertise as a general practitioner, pastoral carer and addictions clinic doctor helps shaping a highly intelligent narrative that is both informative and emphatic.
Budrikis further reveals the social history of Perth in the early 20th century, explaining how criminal cases like Mitchell’s can lead to essential changes in law. She pays specific attention to society’s attitude towards protection of children of single mothers and other “unfortunate” women back then.
Budrikis details how “illegitimate” babies were often shunned by their families and society due to the lack of a parental marriage certificate. In her words, the “illegal” status of these babies “meant that no one felt responsible for seeing that they were well treated”.
Worse, the practice of “baby farming” – private, for-profit foster care arrangements where the carers were purely interested in making money out of taking in children – was well known, but few seemed to care or offered any solution.
As Budrikis points out, at the time, whoever suggested these “illegitimate” babies and their mothers should be better protected and provided with humane care would meet the response that “that would just encourage other women to act immorally and take advantage of the system”.
Hopefully, true crime accounts like The Edward Street Baby Farm (Fremantle Press, 2020) can prompt more readers to question our society’s attitude towards those labelled “illegals” and hidden from view. To change, we first need to pay attention and care.
Note: This book review was originally published under the title “A shocking murder trial”, by Ranges Trader Star Mail, April 20, 2021, Page 6.
These books help us see the parties involved as genuine people. Instead of mere statistics and sensationalised media coverage, we follow the behind-the-scene stories of how crimes were initiated, conducted, scrutinised and solved. We experience their considerable impact on individuals and communities.
In writing The Edward Street Baby Farm, Western Australian author Stella Budrikis confesses: “I’ve always been fascinated by the way people’s lives interact, bringing all their past experiences and personalities crashing together at a single place and time, before diverging again like billiard balls on a table.”
One of the three people featured in the book is Alice Mitchell, the notorious “baby farmer” who was arrested in Perth in 1907 for the murder of a five-month-old girl. During the inquest and subsequent trial, the public was shocked to learn that 37 out of 43 infants in her care had died.
Questions were asked: How could so many babies have died when Mitchell’s house was visited regularly by Perth’s first female health inspector, Harriet Lenihan? And how could 25 of the death certificates have been signed by the same children’s specialist, Dr Edward Officer, without him raising any concern about such a high mortality rate?
Through meticulous research on court records, state archives and newspaper reports from the time, Budrikis examines the events leading up to and beyond this tragedy. Her expertise as a general practitioner, pastoral carer and addictions clinic doctor helps shaping a highly intelligent narrative that is both informative and emphatic.
Budrikis further reveals the social history of Perth in the early 20th century, explaining how criminal cases like Mitchell’s can lead to essential changes in law. She pays specific attention to society’s attitude towards protection of children of single mothers and other “unfortunate” women back then.
Budrikis details how “illegitimate” babies were often shunned by their families and society due to the lack of a parental marriage certificate. In her words, the “illegal” status of these babies “meant that no one felt responsible for seeing that they were well treated”.
Worse, the practice of “baby farming” – private, for-profit foster care arrangements where the carers were purely interested in making money out of taking in children – was well known, but few seemed to care or offered any solution.
As Budrikis points out, at the time, whoever suggested these “illegitimate” babies and their mothers should be better protected and provided with humane care would meet the response that “that would just encourage other women to act immorally and take advantage of the system”.
Hopefully, true crime accounts like The Edward Street Baby Farm (Fremantle Press, 2020) can prompt more readers to question our society’s attitude towards those labelled “illegals” and hidden from view. To change, we first need to pay attention and care.
Note: This book review was originally published under the title “A shocking murder trial”, by Ranges Trader Star Mail, April 20, 2021, Page 6.
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March 11, 2021This review was first published on the Underground Writers website: http://underground-writers.org/review...
The Edward Street Baby Farm recounts the story of Alice Mitchell, a so-called ‘baby farmer’ accused of neglecting and killing five-month-old Ethel Booth. The novel takes place in the heart of Perth city and contains places you will most certainly recognise if you’re a local. The mention of familiar street names gives the book an eerie feel and roots it in reality, whilst simultaneously driving home how awful these crimes were.
Whilst Alice Mitchell is only brought to justice for baby Booth’s (as Ethel is referred to in the book) death, it is also believed that she is responsible for dozens of other child deaths. The book details the mistreatment of the children in Alice’s care while also touching on perspectives of other individuals involved in the case. Health inspector Harriet Lenihan and Dr Ned Officer were both deemed complicit in the Booth case.
Author Stella Budrikis has done an excellent job of painting a picture of what life in Perth was like during the early 1900s, injecting tangents of descriptive language into the story that work well as a reprieve from the depictions of child abuse and neglect. This story can be quite exhausting to read at times, and I did find myself having to put it down after reading a few chapters. The author’s writing isn’t poor by any means; it is so well written that you can’t help but feel so deeply connected to the plight of the poor children in this book. Budrikis has put a commendable amount of research into this story and it has certainly paid off. One thing I would have liked to see in the book is a section of photographs, depicting life in Perth in this era. I find nonfiction books with this inclusion to be a more immersive reading experience.
The book states the facts clearly whilst adopting somewhat of a narrative style, which I found easier to read and able to digest information more easily. The nonfiction elements in this book are clear without being clinical, which I think readers will appreciate.
If you enjoyed books such as Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack The Ripper, this one is similar in the way it captures life in Perth during a similar time period. A truly masterful piece of true crime that covers a case everyone should know about.
The Edward Street Baby Farm recounts the story of Alice Mitchell, a so-called ‘baby farmer’ accused of neglecting and killing five-month-old Ethel Booth. The novel takes place in the heart of Perth city and contains places you will most certainly recognise if you’re a local. The mention of familiar street names gives the book an eerie feel and roots it in reality, whilst simultaneously driving home how awful these crimes were.
Whilst Alice Mitchell is only brought to justice for baby Booth’s (as Ethel is referred to in the book) death, it is also believed that she is responsible for dozens of other child deaths. The book details the mistreatment of the children in Alice’s care while also touching on perspectives of other individuals involved in the case. Health inspector Harriet Lenihan and Dr Ned Officer were both deemed complicit in the Booth case.
Author Stella Budrikis has done an excellent job of painting a picture of what life in Perth was like during the early 1900s, injecting tangents of descriptive language into the story that work well as a reprieve from the depictions of child abuse and neglect. This story can be quite exhausting to read at times, and I did find myself having to put it down after reading a few chapters. The author’s writing isn’t poor by any means; it is so well written that you can’t help but feel so deeply connected to the plight of the poor children in this book. Budrikis has put a commendable amount of research into this story and it has certainly paid off. One thing I would have liked to see in the book is a section of photographs, depicting life in Perth in this era. I find nonfiction books with this inclusion to be a more immersive reading experience.
The book states the facts clearly whilst adopting somewhat of a narrative style, which I found easier to read and able to digest information more easily. The nonfiction elements in this book are clear without being clinical, which I think readers will appreciate.
If you enjoyed books such as Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack The Ripper, this one is similar in the way it captures life in Perth during a similar time period. A truly masterful piece of true crime that covers a case everyone should know about.
January 6, 2025
I approached The Edward Street Baby Farm with high hopes, as the premise seemed compelling and promised an intriguing exploration of a dark chapter in Australian history. However, by Chapter 6, I found myself unable to continue.
The writing style and structure made it difficult to stay engaged. The narrative seemed overly focused on detailing the lives and backstories of every minor figure, which detracted from the central plot. Instead of honing in on Alice Mitchell, the key figure of the story, the book became weighed down by an overabundance of background information.
While the research and effort that went into this book are evident, the sheer density of details made it feel more like an academic account than an engaging true-crime story. Readers looking for a focused exploration of Alice Mitchell’s actions and their consequences may find themselves disappointed.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet my expectations, and I struggled to connect with the story. It’s a missed opportunity to delve into what could have been a gripping and impactful narrative.
The writing style and structure made it difficult to stay engaged. The narrative seemed overly focused on detailing the lives and backstories of every minor figure, which detracted from the central plot. Instead of honing in on Alice Mitchell, the key figure of the story, the book became weighed down by an overabundance of background information.
While the research and effort that went into this book are evident, the sheer density of details made it feel more like an academic account than an engaging true-crime story. Readers looking for a focused exploration of Alice Mitchell’s actions and their consequences may find themselves disappointed.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet my expectations, and I struggled to connect with the story. It’s a missed opportunity to delve into what could have been a gripping and impactful narrative.
September 14, 2025
I approached The Edward Street Baby Farm with high hopes, as the premise seemed compelling and promised an intriguing exploration of a dark chapter in Australian history. However, by Chapter 6, I found myself unable to continue.
The writing style and structure made it difficult to stay engaged. The narrative seemed overly focused on detailing the lives and backstories of every minor figure, which detracted from the central plot. Instead of honing in on Alice Mitchell, the key figure of the story, the book became weighed down by an overabundance of background information.
While the research and effort that went into this book are evident, the sheer density of details made it feel more like an academic account than an engaging true-crime story. Readers looking for a focused exploration of Alice Mitchell’s actions and their consequences may find themselves disappointed.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet my expectations, and I struggled to connect with the story. It’s a missed opportunity to delve into what could have been a gripping and impactful narrative.
The writing style and structure made it difficult to stay engaged. The narrative seemed overly focused on detailing the lives and backstories of every minor figure, which detracted from the central plot. Instead of honing in on Alice Mitchell, the key figure of the story, the book became weighed down by an overabundance of background information.
While the research and effort that went into this book are evident, the sheer density of details made it feel more like an academic account than an engaging true-crime story. Readers looking for a focused exploration of Alice Mitchell’s actions and their consequences may find themselves disappointed.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet my expectations, and I struggled to connect with the story. It’s a missed opportunity to delve into what could have been a gripping and impactful narrative.
June 23, 2021
Thank you to Sisters in Crime and Fremantle Press for my copy.
Wow, what a book for many reasons!
Firstly, I've never heard of baby farming before this book and that it was a major story in my home town of Perth and I'd never heard of it amazed me.
The author has done a huge amount of very thorough research with an extensive list of references provided at the end of the book.
It's really well written with a good amount of background information on the main characters without being overdone and also a follow up on those characters after the trial.
I learned so much about Perth and how life was back around 1900. I didn't know we had typhoid and hygiene was so bad. It was a history lesson as well as a good, but heartbreaking story of single mother's and their poor doomed babies. I can't believe so many babies died under one woman's care and went on for years under the watchful eye of a particular doctor.
Highly recommended.
Wow, what a book for many reasons!
Firstly, I've never heard of baby farming before this book and that it was a major story in my home town of Perth and I'd never heard of it amazed me.
The author has done a huge amount of very thorough research with an extensive list of references provided at the end of the book.
It's really well written with a good amount of background information on the main characters without being overdone and also a follow up on those characters after the trial.
I learned so much about Perth and how life was back around 1900. I didn't know we had typhoid and hygiene was so bad. It was a history lesson as well as a good, but heartbreaking story of single mother's and their poor doomed babies. I can't believe so many babies died under one woman's care and went on for years under the watchful eye of a particular doctor.
Highly recommended.
February 26, 2021
This is a fascinating and meticulously researched book detailing the trial of Alice Mitchell. After reading, I'm still unsure if she was guilty of innocent and it's sad to think of the 40 babies or so who died in her care. Was she another Typhoid Mary or negligent? Highly recommended read for those with an interest in social history, child protection, law and Perth's past. An excellent book.
March 31, 2021
I just want to start by saying the length of time i took to read this book doesn't reflect on how i felt about it - it was my lunchtime book and I didn't get a lot of time to read it.
Even though this was a non-fiction book and revolves around a 1900s court case i found it very interesting and well written. It was certainly an eye-opener into life in Perth back in the early 1900s.
Even though this was a non-fiction book and revolves around a 1900s court case i found it very interesting and well written. It was certainly an eye-opener into life in Perth back in the early 1900s.
September 29, 2021
True Crime set in Perth, so lots of familiar places for Perth people.
Had a look around East Perth trying to retrace steps, but the Polly Freeway has caused renumbering, so an impossible task.
Really interesting story. Especially fascinating for those who have read about a similar case in Sydney or are fans of the musical The Hatpin.
Had a look around East Perth trying to retrace steps, but the Polly Freeway has caused renumbering, so an impossible task.
Really interesting story. Especially fascinating for those who have read about a similar case in Sydney or are fans of the musical The Hatpin.
January 26, 2021
WTF? This should be studied in schools. A relevant history and who's who of Perth. And only the Police really cared.
July 23, 2021
An engrossing account of a horrifying series of events in early 20th life in Perth. Thoroughly researched the author tells the complete story, based on a wide range of documentary evidence, all the more shocking as it occured within a stone's throw of where I live. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2021
Very well researched. Being from Perth, it is an interesting read.
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May 26, 2024On pause @ 21% (library loan expired)
August 10, 2025
Very intriguing story. Lots of information to take in. The author has done so well in research.
May 15, 2021
"Author Stella Budrikis has done an excellent job of painting a picture of what life in Perth was like during the early 1900s, injecting tangents of descriptive language into the story that work well as a reprieve from the depictions of child abuse and neglect. This story can be quite exhausting to read at times, and I did find myself having to put it down after reading a few chapters. The author’s writing isn’t poor by any means; it is so well written that you can’t help but feel so deeply connected to the plight of the poor children in this book. Budrikis has put a commendable amount of research into this story and it has certainly paid off. One thing I would have liked to see in the book is a section of photographs, depicting life in Perth in this era. I find nonfiction books with this inclusion to be a more immersive reading experience."
Full review here: http://underground-writers.org/review...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews