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The Coroner: Investigating Sudden Death
Go behind the scenes of some of Australia's most notorious crimes.
When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is usually bad news. When the phone rings in the middle of the night, and you are the State Coroner, it is invariably someone else's bad news. In this compelling book we travel with State Coroner, Derrick Hand, behind the scenes of his investigations, and discover how he pieced together the puzzles thrown up by suspicious deaths, and helped bring some of Australia's most notorious murderers to justice.
The Coroner offers insights into forensic science, the workings of the court and criminal justice system, and the high-profile inquiries into the deaths of Roni Levi, Anita Cobby, and Michael Hutchence; as well as the Newcastle earthquake, the Down Under Hostel fire, and the Sydney Hilton bombing.
When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is usually bad news. When the phone rings in the middle of the night, and you are the State Coroner, it is invariably someone else's bad news. In this compelling book we travel with State Coroner, Derrick Hand, behind the scenes of his investigations, and discover how he pieced together the puzzles thrown up by suspicious deaths, and helped bring some of Australia's most notorious murderers to justice.
The Coroner offers insights into forensic science, the workings of the court and criminal justice system, and the high-profile inquiries into the deaths of Roni Levi, Anita Cobby, and Michael Hutchence; as well as the Newcastle earthquake, the Down Under Hostel fire, and the Sydney Hilton bombing.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 30, 2016
This book is a fascinating look into his career and the many cases - some of Australia's most high profile - that Derrick Hand worked during his 47 years in the courts, five as the NSW State Coroner.
Police shootings, the death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, the Threadbo disaster and many murders including that of Anita Cobby - Derrick Hand writes from his unique perspective.
Having seen so many deaths and complex cases, Hand details the case that affected him the most - 1991's Strathfield Plaza massacre in Sydney by taxi driver Wade Frankum.
On the massacre, Hand writes: "People ask what was my most harrowing experience. This was it. Six bodies lay where they had fallen".
Hand was the magistrate when Sydney's "Granny Killer" first appeared in court. Hand recounts the case of John Glover who murdered six elderly women from Sydney's North Shore, an exclusive enclave of the harbour city.
Co-written with journalist Janet Fife Yeomans, The Coroner is a gripping read. I Highly recommend you get your hands on a copy.
Police shootings, the death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, the Threadbo disaster and many murders including that of Anita Cobby - Derrick Hand writes from his unique perspective.
Having seen so many deaths and complex cases, Hand details the case that affected him the most - 1991's Strathfield Plaza massacre in Sydney by taxi driver Wade Frankum.
On the massacre, Hand writes: "People ask what was my most harrowing experience. This was it. Six bodies lay where they had fallen".
Hand was the magistrate when Sydney's "Granny Killer" first appeared in court. Hand recounts the case of John Glover who murdered six elderly women from Sydney's North Shore, an exclusive enclave of the harbour city.
Co-written with journalist Janet Fife Yeomans, The Coroner is a gripping read. I Highly recommend you get your hands on a copy.
February 21, 2022
This guy was corrupt and obviously used Others stories to make himself come off better.
He's said way to many dumb things for local papers for this to be taken realistically
For instance
"The then NSW Deputy Coroner Derrick Hand found that while a 1990 inquest suggested a number of possibilities including suicide or accidental death, he was "quite satisfied" the teen was not murdered."
Said about a teenager found drowned who.had been weighed down with 21 kilograms of chains and mill bricks, his hands bound with chains behind his back and secured with bolts.
Yeah totally not murdered ......he certainly didn't do it to himself
What do I know, I'm not a fancy deputy coroner 🙄
He's said way to many dumb things for local papers for this to be taken realistically
For instance
"The then NSW Deputy Coroner Derrick Hand found that while a 1990 inquest suggested a number of possibilities including suicide or accidental death, he was "quite satisfied" the teen was not murdered."
Said about a teenager found drowned who.had been weighed down with 21 kilograms of chains and mill bricks, his hands bound with chains behind his back and secured with bolts.
Yeah totally not murdered ......he certainly didn't do it to himself
What do I know, I'm not a fancy deputy coroner 🙄
March 15, 2022
A corrupt official monetising his corruption.
March 29, 2021
I've been working in the coronial space for almost 2 years now, and a co-worker recommended this book to me as a bit of fun. I think inquests are fascinating, and so I liked that this book gave readers a bit of a highlights reel of some of the more novel cases that former State Coroner Hand had a hand in. I think the book could have used a more thorough edit before publication - I caught a few spelling/grammar errors, and I think the writing style could have used some more polishing. For example, while I understood that Hand would jump between cases in a chapter as that's just the practical nature of how simultaneous inquests are run, from a reader's perspective, it didn't make for very engaging reading. I also think the book would have been stronger had it gone deeper into certain inquests - I felt that we only got a shallow look at even those matters that formed the underpinning of each chapter name, which is a real shame considering the amount of work I know goes into an inquest.
I'm not sure whether my experience heightened or lowered my enjoyment of the book, but I will say I found it to be a pretty fun read overall.
I'm not sure whether my experience heightened or lowered my enjoyment of the book, but I will say I found it to be a pretty fun read overall.
January 3, 2022
Derrick Hand, a man who commends his own detectives for finding nothing. Robby-Jo Coulter was found chained to the bottom of a river, CHAINED DOWN, and Derrick Hand was like, "Nah, bruh, he wasn't murdered!" Like, what?! C'mon, it's so obvious SOME SORT OF FOUL PLAY WAS INVOLVED! And, sure, the possibility it was a "prank gone wrong" is more plausible, but besides for the other evidence to suggest against this, who the heck is going to go out of their way to buy stuff to chain somebody down in a river?! Yeah, there's some stupid pranks out there, but my word that would take some dedication and presumably a good chunk of money too! And the idea that Robby-Jo chained himself down is ludicrous. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it kind of hard to CHAIN YOURSELF UP? Furthermore, even if Robby DID somehow chain himself up, how the heck is he going to get into the river?! Just fall in? He'd have to be close to the water to do that, and I'd figure that if he fell in, he wouldn't sink into the water that easily without some sort of help. Derrick hand is either stupid, corrupt, or both.
March 4, 2022
This was an interesting read, revealing the workings of a coroner's office, which isn't as glamorous as it often appears on tv. I remember all of the cases this book covers, including the Thredbo landslide disaster, the death of Michael Hutchence and also sadly the murder of Anita Cobby. During his time as the NSW Coroner, Derrick Hand saw some very sad and confronting cases, as well as quite a few bizarre ones. If you want to find out the real truth behind a coroner's work then this book will be a great help. It is written clearly without too much legal jingo. It is also written with warmth by a compassionate retired coroner who was going about his day to day but busy task of looking into the circumstances leading up to sudden and mysterious deaths.
October 1, 2017
It's written in a factual barrister's style, but still enjoyable reading.
October 17, 2022
Derrick Hand was the NSW State Coroner for 20 years. In his time, he worked on many high profile cases such as the Thredbo Landslide, Michael Hutchences' suicide and Anita Cobby's brutal murder. This book takes the reader behind the scenes throughout various investigations. Another non-fiction that I quite enjoyed. Not overly gruesome but interesting and insightful.
October 6, 2023
Uninspired drivel by a corrupt official. Yes, I've read the book, and it was even more unimpressive than the author's career. A stout example of cronyism in Australia, It is likely he will write off these scathing words, claiming he's "not really interested in what people online have to say about him". May his legacy sink like the Patanela, who's ghosts shall haunt him forevermore.
April 5, 2020
I read this because my mum and sister both love this book. I however just felt underwhelmed by it. I like my true crime from the detective, victim, family, forensic or journalist point of view - apparently not a legal or coroner point of view.
I’m sure this is great for some - just not for me.
I’m sure this is great for some - just not for me.
December 31, 2024
Not what I expected when I bought this book, as I’d read another of Janet Fife-Yeomans before. This was written by her and the actual coroner of these cases.
Very interesting to say the least, reading the ins and outs of famous crimes in Australia. Well written with names and dates through it all.
As a true crime lover, I’m glad I read it as it gave me the inside stories of what happened.
Very interesting to say the least, reading the ins and outs of famous crimes in Australia. Well written with names and dates through it all.
As a true crime lover, I’m glad I read it as it gave me the inside stories of what happened.
August 29, 2021
Very good detail and insight into the methods, mindset and feelings that Derrick had for his work.
March 4, 2022
This brought back many memories of major dramas, accidents and earthquakes of the last fifty years. The sequence of violent deaths became a little overwhelming---but a good read.
6.5/10
6.5/10
July 14, 2022
This was really interesting
May 19, 2023
Such a fascinating book about NSW's first State Coroner.
July 14, 2023
Excellent, interesting and easy to read book that gives details of life for a state coroner. Very informative.
March 6, 2024
A very interesting book. I did not realise what being a Coroner involved. Some very interesting cases.
April 18, 2024
Really interesting to read, especially as I remember most of the cases that the coroner investigated.
July 21, 2016
The Coroner, Investigating Sudden Death, by Derrick Hand and Janet Fife-Yeomans is an insight into the working life of one of Australia’s most prominent coroners, Derrick Hand.
Janet Fife-Yeomans was a crime and legal reporter who met Hand while working for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian and had observed him from many press seats in various courtrooms.
Her introduction to the book describes him as a “solid, reliable, stern looking man”. She says he “never had any glamour or glitz about him” regardless of the high profile job.
The book covers his early law career, beginning as a court clerk in his home town of Forbes and his experiences as he rose through the ranks to magistrate but the focus is from when he is appointed initially as Deputy Coroner then Coroner for NSW.
“When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is usually bad news. When the phone rings in the middle of the night and you are the State coroner, it is invariably someone else’s bad news ….”
It should be noted that in Australia coroners investigate unexpected, violent and unnatural deaths in order to determine the identity of the deceased as well as the when, where and how.
These cases include death caused by accident or injury and not just suspicious deaths. Coroners also investigate the cause of natural disasters, fires and explosions.
It is the Coroner’s role is to find out what happened not to prosecute or name suspects. Australian Coroners are trained in law not in medicine. You could say they are investigators not medical examiners.
It is also the duty of the coroner to make recommendations after an enquiry to reduce the risk of it happening again particularly following natural disasters and major accidents. In Derrick Hand’s career these included the Thredbo landslide and the Newcastle earthquake.
Hand always believed that coroners can make a difference when, following recommendations by him and other coroners, prescription drugs were to be in child proof containers and pills not produced in colours that made them look like lollies.
I had only got through the first few paragraphs of the book and immediately began to enjoy the writing style. From the beginning it reads like a story, not merely relating incidents or court cases.
The incidents and cases in the book are not strictly in chronological order but links relevant cases together.
Not just clarifying and telling how the coroner works cases or even a recollection of some of the more sensational cases, it is a very personal insight into the man himself, a family man who is caring and considerate of those around him and in particular the families whose lives are affected by the crimes and disasters.
We also have an insight into his family life and how the job impacts on them. He has a loving and understanding wife but tries not to take his work home with him limiting any discussion to the basics. This was not the situation in one particular case when due to threats against him and his family they are forced to live for four months with constant police protection.
Derrick Hand comes across as a caring, intelligent magistrate but down to earth Aussie bloke. The sections about his personal life are written in a lay back style, typical of the man as he describes himself.
It is easy to read and has a definite touch of Aussie humour. During the descriptions of the court room scenes the book doesn’t get bogged down with lengthy courtroom debates and legal jargon but succinctly summarises the evidence, atmosphere and personalities.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Given the subject matter, it was not gruesome, over legalistic or technical.
My rating 5*
This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au
Janet Fife-Yeomans was a crime and legal reporter who met Hand while working for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian and had observed him from many press seats in various courtrooms.
Her introduction to the book describes him as a “solid, reliable, stern looking man”. She says he “never had any glamour or glitz about him” regardless of the high profile job.
The book covers his early law career, beginning as a court clerk in his home town of Forbes and his experiences as he rose through the ranks to magistrate but the focus is from when he is appointed initially as Deputy Coroner then Coroner for NSW.
“When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is usually bad news. When the phone rings in the middle of the night and you are the State coroner, it is invariably someone else’s bad news ….”
It should be noted that in Australia coroners investigate unexpected, violent and unnatural deaths in order to determine the identity of the deceased as well as the when, where and how.
These cases include death caused by accident or injury and not just suspicious deaths. Coroners also investigate the cause of natural disasters, fires and explosions.
It is the Coroner’s role is to find out what happened not to prosecute or name suspects. Australian Coroners are trained in law not in medicine. You could say they are investigators not medical examiners.
It is also the duty of the coroner to make recommendations after an enquiry to reduce the risk of it happening again particularly following natural disasters and major accidents. In Derrick Hand’s career these included the Thredbo landslide and the Newcastle earthquake.
Hand always believed that coroners can make a difference when, following recommendations by him and other coroners, prescription drugs were to be in child proof containers and pills not produced in colours that made them look like lollies.
I had only got through the first few paragraphs of the book and immediately began to enjoy the writing style. From the beginning it reads like a story, not merely relating incidents or court cases.
The incidents and cases in the book are not strictly in chronological order but links relevant cases together.
Not just clarifying and telling how the coroner works cases or even a recollection of some of the more sensational cases, it is a very personal insight into the man himself, a family man who is caring and considerate of those around him and in particular the families whose lives are affected by the crimes and disasters.
We also have an insight into his family life and how the job impacts on them. He has a loving and understanding wife but tries not to take his work home with him limiting any discussion to the basics. This was not the situation in one particular case when due to threats against him and his family they are forced to live for four months with constant police protection.
Derrick Hand comes across as a caring, intelligent magistrate but down to earth Aussie bloke. The sections about his personal life are written in a lay back style, typical of the man as he describes himself.
It is easy to read and has a definite touch of Aussie humour. During the descriptions of the court room scenes the book doesn’t get bogged down with lengthy courtroom debates and legal jargon but succinctly summarises the evidence, atmosphere and personalities.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Given the subject matter, it was not gruesome, over legalistic or technical.
My rating 5*
This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au
January 23, 2015
This book proved to be a very interesting look into the work involved in being a coroner, which is certainly a very complicated and important position to have. I'd never thought much about the coroner and all the inquests that go on. It was pretty eye-opening to read about the wide range of cases Derrick Hand had to preside over ranging from murders to natural disasters to all sorts of mysterious deaths.
Anyway, the chapters grouped together cases with similar threads, so they weren't always in order, but that doesn't make things too confusing.
The author makes sure to write about the cases with sensitivity and respect and I'd recommend this book for anyone interested in the methods of investigations.
Anyway, the chapters grouped together cases with similar threads, so they weren't always in order, but that doesn't make things too confusing.
The author makes sure to write about the cases with sensitivity and respect and I'd recommend this book for anyone interested in the methods of investigations.
July 20, 2011
It was a lot more interesting than most non-fiction books. I still dont like non-fiction as a genre however I did like this particular book as the cases were interesting and it was similar to a fiction book except that it was all true.
August 31, 2012
An interesting book with lots of interesting detail into what a coroner does. Great book.
April 8, 2015
An interesting book about the cases the State Coroner delt with, including Anita Cobby, Michael Hutchence & Thredbo disaster etc.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews