What do you think?
Rate this book
Devine Justice
In 1917, at the tender age of sixteen Matilda Mary Twiss married Sapper James Devine, an Aussie Digger who spent more time AWOL and in detention than carrying out his military duties.
Two years later, she arrived on Australian shores as a war bride.
Making their home in East Sydney, the Devines involved themselves within Sydney’s criminal underworld. After tolerating years of an abusive marriage, Tilly decided to challenge the inferior status of women in society and set out to prove that you didn’t need to be born with a set of testicles to rule Sydney’s underworld!
When women were considered nothing more than breeding stock and houseslaves in a patriarchal society, Tilly worked her way up from the street to become the Queen of Woolloomooloo who, at her peak owned 30 brothels, was the leader of a razor gang and became the richest woman in New South Wales.
Ruling the criminal underworld with guts and cunning, in a violent world generally considered a man’s domain, Tilly racked up 204 criminal convictions. She served numerous prison sentences in the New South Wales gaols for prostitution, affray, assault, and attempted murder.
Devine Justice takes you on a journey back to the 1920s and onwards where you will be introduced to the violent but captivating criminals who dominated Sydney’s underworld and were integrally involved in Tilly Devine’s life.
Two years later, she arrived on Australian shores as a war bride.
Making their home in East Sydney, the Devines involved themselves within Sydney’s criminal underworld. After tolerating years of an abusive marriage, Tilly decided to challenge the inferior status of women in society and set out to prove that you didn’t need to be born with a set of testicles to rule Sydney’s underworld!
When women were considered nothing more than breeding stock and houseslaves in a patriarchal society, Tilly worked her way up from the street to become the Queen of Woolloomooloo who, at her peak owned 30 brothels, was the leader of a razor gang and became the richest woman in New South Wales.
Ruling the criminal underworld with guts and cunning, in a violent world generally considered a man’s domain, Tilly racked up 204 criminal convictions. She served numerous prison sentences in the New South Wales gaols for prostitution, affray, assault, and attempted murder.
Devine Justice takes you on a journey back to the 1920s and onwards where you will be introduced to the violent but captivating criminals who dominated Sydney’s underworld and were integrally involved in Tilly Devine’s life.
727 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Charis Constantine
12 books94 followersI was born in New South Wales, Australia, but now reside in Queensland.
We live on the Darling Downs southwest of Brisbane where I am embraced by nature, with our beautiful horses, dogs, cats, birds and chickens. I find nothing more inspirational than being surrounded by those you love and all that you love in life.
I have always enjoyed writing and won many awards for my compositions and short stories during my school years. I was always creating tales and writing poetry, or composing songs for as long as I can remember.
Growing up with a love for books, often at night I would hide under the covers with a pen torch reading instead of sleeping. At age seven I was helping fellow pupils at school with their reading. My teacher, Mrs. Mendelssohn often gave me books to read that were two to three grades higher than the one I was in at that time. By age eight I was reading adult books as well as continuing to read the children’s ones.
When not locked away in my office writing, I am either chasing after my precocious Poodle Princess and Prince, my mighty Maremmas or lazing with the horses and chickens.
I didn’t really start writing again until I was into my early fifties.
The first novel I wrote was Luminescence: Memoirs of a Blood Hunter- a riveting and addictive historical fiction with elements of international travels..
However, the characters from my first novel would not let me sleep peacefully- they were forever visiting me in my dreams. So, of course I had to write their stories in the Luminescence Blood Hunter Series, which also includes- Memoirs of Sara, Memoirs of Tycho the Vampyr Hunter and the final installment, Memoirs of Veronika.
My first Lesbiana fiction novel is The Pink Rose. If you want a fictional story that is different, compelling, and which includes strong female characters who will appeal to all women, this series is a ‘must read’ for you’!
I have also recently published a fictional biography about the life and times of Matilda Devine, 1920s Brothel Madam, Crime Queen and Razor Gang Leader. What a woman she was!
I will be releasing a Mafia novel titled, The Godmother within the next few months.
I love to hear from my readers and you can contact me personally via e-mail
charisconstantineauthor@gmail.com
We live on the Darling Downs southwest of Brisbane where I am embraced by nature, with our beautiful horses, dogs, cats, birds and chickens. I find nothing more inspirational than being surrounded by those you love and all that you love in life.
I have always enjoyed writing and won many awards for my compositions and short stories during my school years. I was always creating tales and writing poetry, or composing songs for as long as I can remember.
Growing up with a love for books, often at night I would hide under the covers with a pen torch reading instead of sleeping. At age seven I was helping fellow pupils at school with their reading. My teacher, Mrs. Mendelssohn often gave me books to read that were two to three grades higher than the one I was in at that time. By age eight I was reading adult books as well as continuing to read the children’s ones.
When not locked away in my office writing, I am either chasing after my precocious Poodle Princess and Prince, my mighty Maremmas or lazing with the horses and chickens.
I didn’t really start writing again until I was into my early fifties.
The first novel I wrote was Luminescence: Memoirs of a Blood Hunter- a riveting and addictive historical fiction with elements of international travels..
However, the characters from my first novel would not let me sleep peacefully- they were forever visiting me in my dreams. So, of course I had to write their stories in the Luminescence Blood Hunter Series, which also includes- Memoirs of Sara, Memoirs of Tycho the Vampyr Hunter and the final installment, Memoirs of Veronika.
My first Lesbiana fiction novel is The Pink Rose. If you want a fictional story that is different, compelling, and which includes strong female characters who will appeal to all women, this series is a ‘must read’ for you’!
I have also recently published a fictional biography about the life and times of Matilda Devine, 1920s Brothel Madam, Crime Queen and Razor Gang Leader. What a woman she was!
I will be releasing a Mafia novel titled, The Godmother within the next few months.
I love to hear from my readers and you can contact me personally via e-mail
charisconstantineauthor@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 5, 2021
This book is very well written and Charis has done a good job of piecing together the available evidence as well as added her own imagination to create a complete picture of Matilda Devine, her husband Jim Devine and the criminals surrounding her. I especially enjoyed reading the sub stories of the criminals in her life. They gave a deeper understanding of the times and the lifestyle of criminals when Australia was still a young country. The timeline is succinct, the story flows well around the scattered biographies of Nellie Cameron, Dulcie Markham and Kate Leigh.
I liked how the chapters were divided into focusing on different aspects of Tilly’s complex and complicated life rather than just being a full on chronological timeline.
I also liked how Charis included historical information from the time period to provide a bigger picture.
I think Matilda Devine is one of the most fascinating Australian historical figures. Although she was a criminal and some of her actions had harmed and killed people, I still admire her. She made it to the top of a male dominated society, and excelled in her role without losing her humanity. She took the people who crossed her to task, while still being charitable and giving back to her local community. It isn’t surprising that she was equal parts feared and beloved by the people of East Sydney. She was complicated - fearsome and tough, yet loving and caring.
I recommend giving this book a read if you are interested in Sydney crime history, or if you are interested in reading about a woman who defied the prescribed societal role that was expected during her time.
I liked how the chapters were divided into focusing on different aspects of Tilly’s complex and complicated life rather than just being a full on chronological timeline.
I also liked how Charis included historical information from the time period to provide a bigger picture.
I think Matilda Devine is one of the most fascinating Australian historical figures. Although she was a criminal and some of her actions had harmed and killed people, I still admire her. She made it to the top of a male dominated society, and excelled in her role without losing her humanity. She took the people who crossed her to task, while still being charitable and giving back to her local community. It isn’t surprising that she was equal parts feared and beloved by the people of East Sydney. She was complicated - fearsome and tough, yet loving and caring.
I recommend giving this book a read if you are interested in Sydney crime history, or if you are interested in reading about a woman who defied the prescribed societal role that was expected during her time.
April 2, 2021
This book is a gripping portrayal ,delving from elite grandeur of the Upper Class to the poverty , prostitution & violence required just to eke out a pitiful existence in the slums and working class areas of London, Sydney & Melbourne from the early 1900’s through WW1 and the Great Depression -each periods of great turmoil.
During this 40 odd year period of time, two strong women worked tirelessly to develop their empires and this novel is their stories .
The amount of research done on these two ‘ladies’ , their working girls , companions & constabulary is truly staggering, the novel is packed with dates and times of actual events .
I picked up the novel, and put it down , finished , 18 hours later ☺️
Loved it- Congratulations Charis, Well done ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
During this 40 odd year period of time, two strong women worked tirelessly to develop their empires and this novel is their stories .
The amount of research done on these two ‘ladies’ , their working girls , companions & constabulary is truly staggering, the novel is packed with dates and times of actual events .
I picked up the novel, and put it down , finished , 18 hours later ☺️
Loved it- Congratulations Charis, Well done ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 23, 2021
For anyone who is from Sydney, the State of NSW or Australia in general, who is fascinated by the many criminals who became 'folk heroes' in this land of complexity after colonization, should allow themselves to visit the story of one of it's more most outstanding characters from real life. Many tales have been told of Tilly Devine, a tv series made about her notorious exploits and other journal articles over the years. However, this fictional biography is a different approach through it's intimacy and relationship with the main character, and the forces she took on to become the most famous modern female crime boss, perhaps in the world.
The amount of research that went into building the recounting of the tale of events was colossal.
I have worked with Charis Constantine, in some way, with many of her books. The untold hours spent in rereads, rewrites and editing of Devine Justice made it a total labor of love by the author.
The final outcome and read is one of a girl who came from the dregs of war torn London and took on the world in the only way she was able, to provide for her family and herself. Used and abused, giving as good as she got, maybe even better, she made a place for herself through notoriety that was nationwide and is still talked about now. Sometimes Justice can be Devine, it was in this story.
The amount of research that went into building the recounting of the tale of events was colossal.
I have worked with Charis Constantine, in some way, with many of her books. The untold hours spent in rereads, rewrites and editing of Devine Justice made it a total labor of love by the author.
The final outcome and read is one of a girl who came from the dregs of war torn London and took on the world in the only way she was able, to provide for her family and herself. Used and abused, giving as good as she got, maybe even better, she made a place for herself through notoriety that was nationwide and is still talked about now. Sometimes Justice can be Devine, it was in this story.
March 30, 2021
First off, the foreword told enough of the story that you really didn't need to read the book. I found the story line to be very depressing. Written like a documentary, not really my preferred reading. I gave it up about half way through the book. Didn't keep my attention, also didn't want to waste anymore of my time on it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews