The Devil's Butterfly: Hunting Australia's first serial killer
Jan 2024 · Simon and Schuster
Ebook
314
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
‘This is a strange and gripping tale of one of Australia’s most notorious criminals.’ – TROY LENNON – ByTheBook, Sydney Daily Telegraph
From goldfields to gallows – the international manhunt for Australia’s first serial killer.
The Devil’s Butterfly is the harrowing true story of the killer conman, Frank Butler, whose deception and duplicity sent the colony of New South Wales into a state of fear and panic.
Advertising in the Sydney papers, the charismatic Butler lured his prey towards the western goldfields with exaggerated tales of untold wealth and riches.
Five men answered, three men went missing.
Fearing capture and searching for new killing grounds, Butler flees Australia, headed for San Francisco.
Two detectives, certain they are hunting Australia’s first ‘true’ serial killer, steam across the Pacific on a speedier ship. A third detective traverses the globe, racing to America via London.
Desperate to reach San Francisco before a sociopathic killer disappears once again; will they capture their man or will the now notorious Butler escape forever?
Praise for the Book
‘What a phenomenal true crime/who-dunnit!... It's an amazing true story of lies, deception, and surprising twists you won't forget!’
– Karen Dustman
‘Required meticulous research and a desire to dig into the life and times of a man with a mysterious background and a talent for trickery.’
– Jen Gourley, View of the Valleys, August 2021
‘A great read’
– Ann Hewitt, The Book Tree.
‘An intriguing, colourful tale’
– Mildura Weekly
From goldfields to gallows – the international manhunt for Australia’s first serial killer.
The Devil’s Butterfly is the harrowing true story of the killer conman, Frank Butler, whose deception and duplicity sent the colony of New South Wales into a state of fear and panic.
Advertising in the Sydney papers, the charismatic Butler lured his prey towards the western goldfields with exaggerated tales of untold wealth and riches.
Five men answered, three men went missing.
Fearing capture and searching for new killing grounds, Butler flees Australia, headed for San Francisco.
Two detectives, certain they are hunting Australia’s first ‘true’ serial killer, steam across the Pacific on a speedier ship. A third detective traverses the globe, racing to America via London.
Desperate to reach San Francisco before a sociopathic killer disappears once again; will they capture their man or will the now notorious Butler escape forever?
Praise for the Book
‘What a phenomenal true crime/who-dunnit!... It's an amazing true story of lies, deception, and surprising twists you won't forget!’
– Karen Dustman
‘Required meticulous research and a desire to dig into the life and times of a man with a mysterious background and a talent for trickery.’
– Jen Gourley, View of the Valleys, August 2021
‘A great read’
– Ann Hewitt, The Book Tree.
‘An intriguing, colourful tale’
– Mildura Weekly
About the author
Jason K. Foster is an author, freelance journalist and history teacher who grew up in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. He is currently studying his PhD in Media and Communication at RMIT, focusing on the representations of history in film and other media. He holds a Master’s degree, as well as degrees in Journalism, Secondary History teaching, and Spanish. Jason has presented at numerous forums, both within Australia and internationally, discussing historical research and the writing and construction of historical narratives. Author is currently based in Sydney, NSW.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
