The Devil's Butterfly
Hunting Australia's first serial killer
Published on 31. January 2024
314 pages
978-1-923004-81-8 (ISBN)
Description
'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
More details
Person
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.
