Five Drops of Blood: Murder in the Cat Protection Society

by Paul Wilson, Dianne McInnes

In March 1998, four directors of the Cat Protection Society of Queensland drove to their chairperson's house to discuss crucial items on the agenda. They heard the strained barking of a security dog and the howls of sixteen hungry cats. A terrible smell hit them as they climbed out of their car - it led to the decomposing body of Dr. Kathleen Marshall, slumped in the veterinary clinic she had created under the house.

Five Drops of Blood examines the events leading to one of the most talked about murders in Australian history. The book details the subsequent trial, and imprisonment, of palmist and spiritualist, Andrew Fitzherbert. No motive, exact time of death, or murder weapon were presented as evidence - only DNA samples from five drops of blood. The conviction, based solely on DNA evidence, was a first in Australia, and only the third in the world.

The Fitzherbert support group believes in Andrew's innocence, and is fighting for his release. Is the real killer roaming free?

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a murder conviction that was based totally on DNA evidence ... it was the first in Australia, and only the third worldwide. Interesting case. Lots of twists, and turns, as it plays out. It certainly makes you stop, and think, about how the DNA we casually drop everywhere might one day be used.

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.

[Claude · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read from the Non-fiction shelves. More evidence of what I already knew, justice not being available to everyone.
Maybe I'm a little bit silly for saying so, but I believe I could have written a more entertaining and compelling novel than this whilst keeping to the facts. However I have not done this, so any claims to great artistry are just silent screams. Well done to the authors. I chose to read this because I knew it would be an easy read not requiring much thinking, which is what I tend to read to distract myself in times of high stress or poor concentration. If this is you (and I hope not as I do have empathy for strangers) then read up!

[Jas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, stumbling across the topic it seemed like a perfect crossroads of my interests but... it just wasn't written well enough.

[Ayça Yılmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating. historic. and i fall in love with this book :))