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Digging for Dirt

Melbourne Rare Book Week

Event Date: 28 July 2026 06:00 PM to 28 July 2026 07:00 PM
Author / Presenters: Tara Oldfield, Lucy Sussex
Event Organiser: Melbourne Rare Book Week

Tara Oldfield’s debut novel Diamonds, furs and murder is an historical fiction inspired by the life and crimes of little-known 1930s thief Mona Hayes. Lucy Sussex has crossed the globe virtually and actually in search of facts and is currently working on the queer life of writer Fergus Hume. Together, they will discuss the critical role that archival research plays in creating historical crime writing, both fiction and non-fiction; and explore how primary sources - such as police records, court transcripts, newspaper accounts, and diaries - help create authentic narratives and enable characters to solve mysteries.

Arrive at 5:30pm for 6:00pm

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