Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century - by Peter Graham (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published with the title: So brilliantly clever: Parker, Hulme and the murder that shocked the world. Wellington, N.Z.: Awa Press, 2011.

Book Synopsis

A New York Times Best Seller!

"A worthy retrospective that feels chilling in the manner of novelist Perry." -Kirkus Reviews

On June 22, 1954, teenage friends Juliet Hulme--better known as bestselling mystery writer Anne Perry--and Pauline Parker went for a walk in a New Zealand park with Pauline's mother, Honora. Half an hour later, the girls returned alone, claiming that Pauline's mother had had an accident. But when Honora Parker was found in a pool of blood with the brick used to bludgeon her to death close at hand, Juliet and Pauline were quickly arrested, and later confessed to the killing. Their motive? A plan to escape to the United States to become writers, and Honora's determination to keep them apart. Their incredible story made shocking headlines around the world and would provide the subject for Peter Jackson's Academy Award-nominated film, Heavenly Creatures.

A sensational trial followed, with speculations about the nature of the girls' relationship and possible insanity playing a key role. Among other things, Parker and Hulme were suspected of lesbianism, which was widely considered to be a mental illness at the time. This mesmerizing book offers a brilliant account of the crime and ensuing trial and shares dramatic revelations about the fates of the young women after their release from prison. With penetrating insight, this thorough analysis applies modern psychology to analyze the shocking murder that remains one of the most interesting cases of all time.

Review Quotes

A comprehensive, well-researched examination not only of the crime and its aftermath but also of the killers' lives, from childhood to the present day. Like a punctilious courtroom lawyer, [Graham] presents the facts and his analysis, leaving the final verdict to the reader. -The Washington Post

"Graham psychoanalyzes Parker and Hulme from afar but does so tastefully and insightfully. Matricide is a rare crime. As a result, it has not been written about much in the popular literature, a gap Graham fills admirably. A worthy retrospective that feels chilling in the manner of novelist Perry." -Kirkus Reviews

". . . A readable and eye--opening story of 1950s Christchurch and the complicated family dynamics that produced one of New Zealand's most famous murder cases." -Library Journal

"I read this book in three long sittings and was riveted. I found the story of their lives in the years since the trial especially interesting."
--Graham Beattie, New Zealand Herald

"Objective and engaging. This is a great read, although it may disturb your sleep."
--Andrew Rumbles, The Read

About the Author

Peter Graham served as a barrister for many years before turning to crime writing. In addition to Anne Perry, he is the author of Vile Crimes: The Timaru Poisonings. He lives in New Zealand.