When The Bough Breaks

Local Description

2003. A paperback copy in near fine condition.

Description

The true story of Australia's worst convicted female serial killer, Kathleen Folbigg. She killed her four children over 10 years. Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura Folbigg died one by one over a 10-year period in similar circumstances - suddenly, unexpectedly and while sleeping. Each was discovered by Kathleen, their mother, who raised the alarm to her husband, Craig, that they were not breathing. When the Folbiggs' marriage fell apart six weeks after the death of their fourth child, Laura, Craig was devastated. It only got worse when he discovered Kathleen's diary in her bedside drawer. Horrified at his wife's ramblings about losing control with the children, her 'terrible thoughts' and her fears she was her 'father's daughter', he took the diary to the police. The diary was the crucial evidence Detective Bernie Ryan had been searching for to confirm his suspicions that the babies had been murdered. With his career and credibility on the line, he made the decision to charge Kathleen Folbigg with the murder of her four innocent babies. No one who knew Kathleen could believe she had murdered her own children. Yet few knew of her tragic past - the fact that her own father had stabbed her mother to death four decades earlier. When The Bough Breaks exposes the secret life of Australia's worst convicted female serial killer, a woman jailed for the unthinkable crime of killing her own children. It raises important issues about parents who do not feel emotionally attached to their children and about the diagnosis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a cause of death.

Author description

Matthew Benns is a freelance journalist and has written exclusive stories on the mining industry. He is also the author of a number of books including The Men Who Killed Qantas for Random House. Dirty Money is a sequel in the same mould. Using impeccable sources within the mining industry and charitable watchdog groups, it will dramatically put the pollution and financial scandals into the context of a world facing up to the effects of global warming. Is mining sustainable? What needs to be done to make it ethical? Are Australian companies prepared to take any steps or is the only imperative greed? This book will provide Australians with the uncomfortable facts and shocking answers.