Stalking Claremont

Inside the Hunt for a Serial Killer

By: Bret Christian

Narrated by: Ant Neate

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The gripping true story of the notorious Claremont serial murders and the nation’s longest and most expensive investigation to catch the killer.

In the early hours of 27th January 1996, after an evening spent celebrating at Club Bayview in the Perth suburb of Claremont, 18-year-old Sarah Spiers called a taxi to nearby Mosman Park. But when the cab arrived, she’d already gone. She was never seen again.

Four months later, on 9th June 1996, 23-year-old Jane Rimmer disappeared from the same area, her body later found in bushland south of Perth. When the body of a third young woman, 27-year-old Ciara Glennon, was found north of the city, having vanished from Claremont in August 1997, it was clear a serial killer was on the loose.

A massive manhunt focused first on taxi drivers, then the outspoken local mayor and a quiet public servant. However, almost 20 years later, Australia’s longest and most expensive investigation had failed to make an arrest, until forensic evidence linked the murders to two previous attacks - and an unlikely suspect.

Stalking Claremont, by local newsman Bret Christian, is a riveting story of promising young lives cut short, a city in panic, an investigation fraught by oversights and red herrings, and a surprising twist that absolutely no one saw coming.

©2021 Bret Christian (P)2020 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Gripping book , excellent narration

I have never read an Australian true crime book, but now that I have finished this one, am keen to find more.
These murders were in the news recently since the trial only finished in 2020, providing a conclusion to the most expensive and protracted case in Australian history.
It was fascinating to gain an insight into how investigators dealt (or didn't deal) with sexual offences in the 80s and 90s, and how police corruption and or tunnel vision could prolong the suffering of victims, their families and those who were falsely accused. The role of the media in helping or hindering, was also effectively explored.
Apart from providing excellent commentary about the history of this case and the main players involved, the book teased out the mystery like a good crime thriller should. Bret Christian has been a journalist in Claremont throughout the entire period, and his passion for the case and those affected, is plain to see. I highly recommend this to any true crime fan who enjoys more than just a sensationalist story.

3.5 Stars with Great Narration

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this audiobook. I loved the voice of the narrator, Ant Neate, even though his soothing sounds often lulled me to afternoon naps.

There seemed to be a lot of research done by author Bret Christian in order to be able to present a cogent account of these serial rapes/murders. I admired that. However, there were many repetitions of small pieces of the information. I think somehow this book could have been written in a lot fewer words. Maybe if I had lived near Perth, Australia the extra information would have been more welcome.

The horrible way three of the suspects were hounded by police was very frightening to me. Also, leakage to media of police suspicions appalled me. That information needs to be in any book about these murders to warn people remember that there are good reasons to strive to believe someone is innocent until proven guilty. We also need not to jump to conclusions as a way to avoid being afraid.

Top-notch True Crime/Police Procedural

I have read and listened to countless True Crime and Police Procedural books . I rank this one among the best. It is extremely well written and I am awed by the author 's research. The narrator also does a great job.

good story but dragged out a bit

Couldn't told the exact same story in about 4 paragraphs but it was good story Internet thing but very detailed

Great,but...

Loved it but there wasn't much detail on the killer and his movements for the 20+ years before he was was caught.