The State Sanctioned
Murder of Brothel Madam Shirley Finn
Juliet Wills
“I didn’t know this would become the most intriguing murder case in Western Australia’s history.” –
Terry Willesee, journalist
In June 1975, dressed to impress in her finest
ball gown, dripping with expensive jewellery and
driving a limited edition luxury car, socialite
and brothel madam Shirley Finn was invited to the
grounds of the Royal Perth Golf Club for a special
occasion – her own modern day public execution.
The killers knew they wouldn’t be caught. Their power reigned supreme in one of the most remote and prosperous cities on earth, during an era of police protection and ‘containment’ of organised crime.
Rising out of an abusive welfare system to become a police-protected madam, Shirley’s fate took an astonishing turn towards the top end of town.
As one of Perth’s best-known socialites, she hosted fabulous parties. But her downfall was fast and furious, following fears she might expose money laundering and high-level corruption in ‘The Wild West’ of the seventies.
[Dirty Girl] should be read by all those working in law enforcement agencies, lawmakers, prosecutors and everyone with a concern for justice, and interested in the history of this state...referred to by some as “The Wild West”. – Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia, 2011-2014
An important historical document that reveals the secrets and lies of powerful interests, criminal and political.
- David Whish-Wilson
REVIEWS
The West Australian · 24 Apr 2017 – Dirty ‘cover-up’ of a murder
"Dirty Girl is an exceptional read. The truth that evil flourishes when good men do nothing will haunt those who know that the past is never irrelevant to the present."
Read full review here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Wills has choppered into crocodile breeding grounds, been chased by rioting armed gangs, and jumped from a civilian plane with the 13th load at 13,000 feet on Friday the 13th. She has also pursued the story of murdered brothel madam Shirley Finn’s with fearless obstinacy.
Born in Sydney, Juliet has lived and worked throughout Australia. She has been awarded for her Excellence in Television Journalism, written for major newspapers, and lectured in broadcast journalism at two universities.
The mother of three lives in Perth and now works in real estate. Her first book, The Diamond Dakota, was published by Allen and Unwin in 2006.
You can find out more about Juliet Wills’ quest for justice for the Finn family at www.finnmurder.com
Author interview requests, trade distribution and media enquiries,
please contact Fontaine Publishing Group phone: 08 9467
4144
email: info@fontaine.com.au. Media Kit available for download.
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