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Underbelly #13
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Author(s): John Silvester & Andrew Rule 9780977544097 Paperback 2009-02-01 Made in Melbourne. Slayed in Sydney. Chris 'Rentakill' Flannery was a Melbourne gunman who sold his services to Sin City's highest bidder. He went on the missing list because he didn't realise the future belonged to those who controlled pills and powders, not pistols. A world of corrupt cops, bent politicians and beautiful women who fell for the rich gangsters, And a few detectives trying to stop the tidal wave. This was Australia's underbelly.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 2, 2024
Silvester and Rule's 'Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities' is a riveting dive into the underbelly of urban life, weaving a complex tapestry of crime, corruption, and human drama.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of the symbiotic relationship between the criminal underworld and the fabric of society itself. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, the authors unravel the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that define the criminal landscape of two cities. However, what truly captivates is the human element—the flawed characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, blurring the lines between right and wrong, good and evil. 'Underbelly' is not just a true crime narrative; it's a haunting exploration of the shadows that lurk beneath the surface of civilization, compelling readers to confront the darkness within and without.
What sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of the symbiotic relationship between the criminal underworld and the fabric of society itself. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, the authors unravel the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that define the criminal landscape of two cities. However, what truly captivates is the human element—the flawed characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, blurring the lines between right and wrong, good and evil. 'Underbelly' is not just a true crime narrative; it's a haunting exploration of the shadows that lurk beneath the surface of civilization, compelling readers to confront the darkness within and without.
July 4, 2018
So Underbelly is an Australian true crime television series. I don't know exactly how this book connects to it (I found it in the used book store & picked it up because Australian true crime), so I'm just going to review the book without further reference to the show.
Silvester & Rule have a flippant, ironic, gossip-mag tone which highlights the resemblance of the events they discuss to a gruesome Clockwork Orange soap opera, with complicated and constantly shifting allegiances between drug dealers, hit men, fixers, and police officers (Sydney was breathtakingly corrupt for, apparently, most of the 20th century), most of whom end up either dead or in prison (or one followed by the other). Also, defects of its virtues, it makes the book feel shallow, although it's more than apparent that the authors know the ground they're covering extremely well, mostly through interviews with the various players (Silvester's bio says he's been a crime reporter in Melbourne since 1978).
Not anybody's masterwork, but definitely worth reading.
Silvester & Rule have a flippant, ironic, gossip-mag tone which highlights the resemblance of the events they discuss to a gruesome Clockwork Orange soap opera, with complicated and constantly shifting allegiances between drug dealers, hit men, fixers, and police officers (Sydney was breathtakingly corrupt for, apparently, most of the 20th century), most of whom end up either dead or in prison (or one followed by the other). Also, defects of its virtues, it makes the book feel shallow, although it's more than apparent that the authors know the ground they're covering extremely well, mostly through interviews with the various players (Silvester's bio says he's been a crime reporter in Melbourne since 1978).
Not anybody's masterwork, but definitely worth reading.
January 27, 2016
knew all the names from the underbelly series and also from living through that time... if you are in that game your life expectancy is pretty short. .
September 20, 2023
Intriguing read , some of which seems almost crime writing fantasy ( but isn’t)
Spoilt in part as it is a collection of stories rather than a contiguous telly
There are repeated part stories which makes it read like it was hastily put together
Spoilt in part as it is a collection of stories rather than a contiguous telly
There are repeated part stories which makes it read like it was hastily put together
December 25, 2022
Read this and don't bother about the TV series on it
September 11, 2025
The writing is very monotonous. The TV series, however, gets the job done well - 10/10.
April 8, 2024
I have sketchy memories of Terry Clark, Bob Trimbole and other associated villains. I do recall seeing the picture of Trimbole on the front page of the Herald Sun, he was well and truly dead, the picture was taken in the morgue apparently. I do remember the sudden disappearance of Donald MacKay and the Griffith mafia involvement. We all knew about Griffith and you didn't have to be a genius to put two and two together, to know he'd upset the wrong people. What is remarkable is that the police took so long to come to the same conclusion.
The book is what the season was based on, but that was an adaptation so this is the original source material for the series. Don't expect a novelisation of the series, this is more a series of article and essays put together in a logical sequence. Silvester has followed the careers of these crooks for years and it shows in his writing. He hasn't glamorised them at all, simply exposed what was blatant police corruption and we knew about Sydney cops, they were the worst of the worst.
It took me back to the old days in Melbourne, it was a trip down memory lane. I was in Brunswick a few nights after Brian Kane was gunned down, I was actually pulled off a tram and searched by two plain clothes cops from the drug squad that night. I must have looked suspicious! I was also living not far from Les Kane and remember reading about the 'murder' in the papers. I also remember the Great Bookie Robbery.
Nevertheless, it's a good read if you're into true crime. You will find yourself referring to this book after watching the Underbelly version because they've added and subtracted certain things and characters for dramatic effect.
The book is what the season was based on, but that was an adaptation so this is the original source material for the series. Don't expect a novelisation of the series, this is more a series of article and essays put together in a logical sequence. Silvester has followed the careers of these crooks for years and it shows in his writing. He hasn't glamorised them at all, simply exposed what was blatant police corruption and we knew about Sydney cops, they were the worst of the worst.
It took me back to the old days in Melbourne, it was a trip down memory lane. I was in Brunswick a few nights after Brian Kane was gunned down, I was actually pulled off a tram and searched by two plain clothes cops from the drug squad that night. I must have looked suspicious! I was also living not far from Les Kane and remember reading about the 'murder' in the papers. I also remember the Great Bookie Robbery.
Nevertheless, it's a good read if you're into true crime. You will find yourself referring to this book after watching the Underbelly version because they've added and subtracted certain things and characters for dramatic effect.
May 31, 2009
All the same faults as the first underbelly book though this one was so much more disappointing due to failing to capitalise on such a rich tale. Don't believe the Hype.
August 23, 2021
Ridiculous censorship given Google has all the names but worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews