The infamous mushroom murders in Victoria have rekindled interest in poison and crime. Adelaide Sisters in Crime member, author H.R. (Helmine) Kemp, reports:
The South Australian Chapter hosted a popular event on 10 December with Marg Castles from the University of Adelaide interviewing writer and Sisters member Dr Rachel Spencer on the popular fascination with poison narratives.
Dr Rachel Spencer presented a fascinating insight into her research for her true crime book on the Emily Perry poisoning case from the 1970s-1980s. Drawing on her legal training/knowledge, as well as her creative writing expertise, she blended the facts of the case with telling the story of the people involved.
I appreciated hearing the perspective of someone trained in the law, which built a very different picture to the representation in the media. I remember the case and the reporting at the time, so it was interesting to hear the deeper story. For those who were not aware of the case, the evening provided an interesting and in-depth insight.
Dr Spencer shared an excerpt from her book and discussed the information gleaned from interviews with those involved in the case. Her thorough research highlighted the complexities of this case and the story behind the myths.
Two quotes from the evening:
“Poison and Prejudice depicts some of the agony, the ugliness, and the loneliness of death by poison. This is not for the purpose of lurid sensationalism but to remind the reader of the reality behind the blandness of the institutional and archival documents that record the events.”
“[The book] is a genuine attempt to tell the story of Emily Perry’s case, which, although sensational, is also of valid legal interest.”
Given the recent high-profile Erin Patterson case, this was a timely presentation.
It was an intriguing evening with a great opportunity to network and welcome new attendees.
There was a good turnout, especially given it was during the busy lead-up to the Christmas holiday period.