Murders Most Foul

18/08/2024

The Balmain True Crime History Tour with the on Saturday. It was a great day of ferry riding and laneway exploring. We finished the tour at the in Balmain with a fantastic lunch.

09/08/2024

A recent article I wrote on the history of pubs in Surry Hills.

Surry Hills, a unique inner-city suburb of Sydney, is renowned for its vibrant cafe scene, boutique shops, picturesque terraced streets, and

27/07/2024

Palmer Street in Darlinghurst was the centre of the redlight district for over 100 years. It essentially died about 15 years ago. However, this video shows there are still some ladies that frequent the old haunt.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C90ZnYlhZ45/?igsh=MWVqb3lmdGsxdGJtYg==

18/07/2024

Those of you who have done some of my tours will know that we touch on the histories and origins of some of Sydney's earliest ethnic minority communities. For example, Surry Hills has had Chinese, Lebanese, Jewish, Greek, Maltese and Italian communities dating back to the 1850s and 60s. Of course, the Gadigal people have lived here for countless generations before that.

Here are three new books I today acquired for my Devonshire Street Library of Australian History.

Red Tape Golden Scissors by Shirley Fitzgerald is about the Chinese in Sydney as far back as the 1820s.

Chosen: The Jews in Australia by Hilary Rubinstein is about Australian Jewry dating back to the First Fleet.

The Lebanese in Australia by Andrew & Trevor Batrouney documents the Lebanese in Sydney from 1876.

No history of Sydney is complete without a thorough understanding of the contrbution of these communities to the development of our great city.

23/05/2024

We have launched a new line of historical true crime-themed clothing and apparel.

Check out our T-shirts and bags depicting Kate Leigh, Tilly Devine, Dulcie Markham and many other crime queens of Sydney.

Historical true crime themed clothing and apparel. T-shirts, bags, water bottles, posters books and more. Stand out from the crowd in killer style.

15/04/2024

To celebrate the launch of Amanda Hampson's second novel in her Tea Ladies series, The Cryptic Clue, we are giving you a chance to Win a signed copy of the book and a limited-edition Tea Ladies tea towel.

To enter the competition, book a tour before 15/05/2024 for any date in the future using the promo code Tea_Ladies (the promo code will also get you 20% off the total price).

On 15/05/2024, at 7 p.m., we will randomly draw a booking number from the list of entrants. The winner will be contacted by email, and the signed book and tea towel will be mailed to the winner.

The Cryptic Clue: A Tea Ladies Mystery is available now in your favourite bookstore.

https://murdersmostfoul.com/sydney-walking-tours/

Amanda Hampson

07/04/2024

Another great article in Sydney Weekend magazine (Daily Telegraph 6 April 2024) by Mercedes Maguire. This one is about the days when the north shore suburb of Killara was a wild frontier famous for horse racing, bare-knuckle boxing and bush rangers.

06/04/2024

History talk this Friday 12 April at 7pm!

Discover the long-forgotten true crime history of Sydney's upper North Shore from 1805 to the 1920s.

Bushranger gangs who occupied the caves and valleys.
The old forgotten inn, hotels and taverns of the 1830s and 1840s.
Horse Racing on the Pacific Highway
Bare-knuckle boxing in Killara Park.
Violent blood feuds between prominent families.
A brutal cold case murder at the Killara Green Gate in 1862.
The murder of a Pymble Police officer in 1913.
A cold case murder in 1920s Gordon.
And much more!

The talk will be held in the historical Killara Golf Club which is opening to the public for this special event.

Every ticket holder gets a drink on arrival and finger food will also be served.

Click the link below to book tickets.

A true crime history event about the grim history of Killara, Gordon, Pymble and St Ives.

06/04/2024

Sydney ranked 3rd best coffee in the world and Surry Hills was ranked no.1 in Sydney.

We pass several of the worlds best cafes on the Sunday Surry Hills tour and stop at one for morning tea.

We even beat Melbourne – and we'll celebrate that with a flat white.

18/03/2024

Each week, journalist Mercedes Maguire writes an article on local Sydney history, books and other cool topics in the Daily Telegraph. I recommend you read her article each week in the Sydney Weekend liftout.

This week she wrote about the old Golden Fleece Hotel and the Crown Street riot in 1890. Those of you who have been on the Surry Hills tour will be familiar with this story.

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia

14/02/2024

Taking the gang to the old 'Touch of Class' on Riley Street.
The girls are always so confused when they see 30 people standing out front... I'm sure the Johns get a bit worried as well 🤣🤣

10/02/2024

With the recent passing of Detective Roger Rogerson there has been increased interest in the 1970s and 1980s Sydney underworld from my tour guests. I have been recommending everyone watch the 1995 two-part series Blue Murder. Here is a link to watch it free on Youtube.

Here is part 2: https://youtu.be/9y2RGt1iDVs?si=AyNDJwqQbgMRdOz6

This is one of my favourite true crime dramas ever. Enjoy.

We're trying a new format! How do you feel about Crime Drama shows? Part 2 will be released on the 23rd of September!This is based on a true story; involving...

04/01/2024

A New Talk Series!

Discover the INCREDIBLE history of the Blue Ribbon suburbs Killara, Gordon, Pymble and St Ives, found on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Before beautiful houses, pretty gardens, flowering jacaranda trees, tennis courts and European cars there were horse races, bare-knuckle boxing, bushrangers, blood feuds and MURDER. A talk series with a complimentary drink and food in the historical Killara Golf Club.

This is a completely forgotten history that will blow your mind!

Blood & Sawdust: A Forgotten History of Killara, Gordon, Pymble and St Ives (1820 to 1960). History Talk.

April 12

A true crime history event about the grim history of Killara, Gordon, Pymble and St Ives.

29/10/2023

Hey folks, here is an article in today's Sun Herald about a potential serial killer murder in Hyde Park from 1929. If you have done the Darlinghurst tour you may recall it (Vera Sterling). I will be talking about it at the Bad Sydney Crime Writers Festival next Saturday on the Hyde Park: A Story of Lawless Beauty walking tour.

The nine murders of women in similar circumstances in Sydney’s past are worthy of a Sherlock Holmes page-turner. Historian Elliot Lindsay thinks they may have been the work of one man.

20/10/2023

In the dimly lit engineering workshop in Crows Nest, the lifeless body of Charles Louis le Gallien lay sprawled on the floor, a grim testimony to a brutal murder that would shake the North Shore of Sydney to its core. The sheer savagery of the attack was evident: the walls and desk splattered with b...

13/10/2023

Hey gang! The BAD Crime Writers Festival is next month!!
November 1-5 at the State Library of NSW.
I am pleased to be involved again and am hosting two historical true crime themed tours in Sydney.

1. Hyde Park: A Story or Lawless Beauty. On this tour, I will have the pleasure of being joined by the legendary academic and pioneer gay rights activist Dennis Altman. We will explore the history of Hyde Park after dark. Hyde Park was a major red-light district between 1860 and 1930. It was also a place where gay men would associate from at least the 1870s right up to the 1990s, including members of the 19th century drag scene. Professor Altman will shed light of the experience of the early LGBT communities.

2. The Tea Ladies Walking Tour of Surry Hills: On this tour, the best-selling author, Amanda Hampson, will join me as we walk around the old Surry Hills garment district where her novel 'The Tea Ladies' was set. We will discuss the history of the garment district and the stories of the underworld entities that lurked the same streets between 1940 and 1980. Crime scenes are guaranteed!

I invite you all to come along or share this with friend. We will have a great time.

Book your ticket at badsydney.com or contact me directly for more info.

29/09/2023

Here is an article I wrote about my journey of the Amazon River and the ancient indigenous archaeological sites I visited.

It is in the October issue of Afloat Magazine. Also you can have a go at my sailing quiz in the back.

https://flipbook.afloat.com.au/afloat-october-2023-no-402.html?p=24

The link above will take you straight to the page.

Www.afloat.com.au

AFLOAT October 2023 - issue No. 402 - for 34 years we have been bringing you the latest Australian boating news and the best marine feature stories

16/09/2023

Street Art on Sofia Street, Surry Hills.

14/09/2023

A new walking tour is being launched at the Bad Sydney Crime Writers Festival in November this year.

HYDE PARK: A STORY OF LAWLESS BEAUTY

Since the 1790s, Sydney’s Hyde Park has been a favourite place for locals and visitors alike to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a sunny corner. However, by night, the park has been just as popular with those living on society’s fringe. Join historian Elliot Lindsay on a walking tour of Hyde Park to discover the larrikins, razor gangsters, s*x workers, boys in drag, preachers, polemics and cold-blooded killers that lurked in the park after dark for nearly 200 years.

Starting and finishing at the State Library of New South Wales.

Saturday 4 November, 2023 @ 3:30pm

Book your tickets here https://www.badsydney.com/program/elliot-lindsay-crime-walk-around-hyde-park/

See what else is on at the BAD Crime Writers Festival here
https://www.badsydney.com/bad-sydney-2023-sydney-crime-writers-festival-program/

14/09/2023

Historian, Elliot Lindsay is teaming up with author Amanda Hampson to explore the streets and buildings that inspired her recent crime fiction best seller, The Tea Ladies. A once only tour of Surry Hills for Bad Sydney Crime Writers Festival 2023.

Hear from Amanda what inspired The Tea Ladies, and what motivated her to choose Surry Hills in the 1960s as the setting of a quite unconventional crime mystery novel.

Explore the history of the old Surry Hills garment district from 1880 to present. Hear stories about the factories and their workers. Discover the gangsters and racketeers that operated in the neighbouring alleys and lane ways.

Thursday 2 November, 2023 @ 4pm

Book your tickets here:

https://www.badsydney.com/program/a-tea-ladys-tour-of-surry-hills-with-amanda-hampson/

(If you bring a copy of the book on the day I'll see if Amanda will sign them for us... 🤫)

20/08/2023

Another great collaboration with and The Daily Telegraph in the Saturday Weekend Magazine. This article is about the old Tradesman's Arms Hotel, now known as the East Village Hotel, Darlinghurst. During WW2, thousands of United States servicemen came to Sydney. Many were African American and were made to stay in Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, and Surry Hills. The old Tradesmans Arms was where many could be found. The article tells the incredible story of this forgotten moment in history.

Thank you, Mercedes, for writing another great story l.

02/08/2023

On Sunday, we launched our new walking tour titled

Sydney Oddyssey: An Off Beat Sightseeing Tour of Sydney Harbour

The ever fabulous and energetic joined us on our maiden tour.

The weather was a fantastic 22°c with blue skies and not a cloud in sight. We started in Circular Quay and walked to Woolloomooloo following the shoreline and meandering through the Botanic Gardens. The ladies heard many forgotten stories and visited lots of forgotten historical sites.

We stopped at a secret cafe in the Sydney Botanic Gardens for the best coffee view in Sydney. After we finished at the for lunch and a few well-deserved drinks.

It was a fantastic day, and we look forward to taking the next group of the Wonder Women on this tour in 2 weeks' time 🙂

16/07/2023

On Saturday night I had the pleasure of taking the team from Australias Capture Paranormal along with 20 of their wonderful friends on the Surry Hills Walking Adventure. While I provided the historical context, they demonstrated the various tools and techniques used to pick up paranormal activity. They even used a 'spirit box' to attempt communication with some of the victims of the historic crimes scenes that I took them to see. It was certainly an eye opening experience.

If you are interested in the paranormal then you must follow Australias Capture Paranormal on Facebook and Instagram.

28/06/2023

The Bourke Street Murder by Elliot Lindsay

The True Story of a Forgotten Nineteenth-Century Le***an Love Tragedy When George Edwards arrived home to the cottage at 195 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, he found Edith Van Kaspelen knocking on the door. “Marvellous, you can let me in. I have been here knocking on this door for five minutes.” .....

28/06/2023

Hey folks! Check out the latest Neighbourhood Media 2010 issue. Page 10 is my story about a nineteenth century same s*x love affair that ends in tregedy.
There are many great articles to read!!!

Read Neighbourhood Media Surry Hills Magazine | June 2023 by neighbourhoodmedia on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform...

20/06/2023

Back by popular demand after a sold-out series in April!

Come listen to the incredible dark and forgotten history of Woollahra and the Woollahra Hotel.

Did you know the hotel once doubled as a morgue?

That Jack the Ripper may have drank in the hotel?

That an iconic Ocean Street mansion was the scene of a sensational 'Agatha Christie' style murder mystery.

You will hear all about this and much much more.

It is one final night only!

7pm, Tuesday 27th of June
Queen St Lounge
Woollahra Hotel

Booking is essential!

Go to www.murdersmostfoul.com/talks

15/06/2023

Yesterday, I did a tour of the Cementerio de la Recoleta, a cemetery located in the Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It was initially developed around the convent of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (church) that was erected by the Los Recoletos monks of the Franciscan order in 1732. A typical mission-style church on the outskirts of the city that was formally known as Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Ayre (City of our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds).

The cemetery was officially established in 1822 and renovated in 1888 during Argentina's Belle Epoque. In this period, the cemetery was converted into an above-ground necropolis.

Today, it has 4691 leased by families or managed by the state. They house various historical figures, including the embalmed body of María Eva Duarte de Perón, aka Evita (photo 7), along with former presidents, colonial liberators and military heroes.

Photo 9 is a young woman who died in an Italian avalanche in the 1970s. Her beloved dog is said to have died at the very same moment. Photo 10 is of an aristocratic woman from the 19th century with such incredible beauty that all men wanted to marry her. She chose a common man, but a jealous noble admire decided to murder her and her lover instead. People tie white ribbons to the gate of her crypt and ask her to help them find true love. (DM for more info on these two women).

10/05/2023

The typical tabloid newspaper in Brazil leads with s*x and murder. Here, you can see a photo of a young man who was murdered in a backstreet of Belém. Next to the photo is their equivalent of a page 6 girl.

07/05/2023

A Ghost Tour in St. Paul / Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On this tour, we were taken down Summit Avenue, the longest row of Victorian era mansions in the USA. 343 mansions of the original 440 still stand.

This stunning street was the home of many great American titans of industry in the 19th century, as well as the American 'Jazz Age' author, F. Scott Fitzgerald who wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925 (see images 9 & 10).

It is said several of these places are haunted. One story I enjoyed told of a wealthy couple in the post-Civil War era. The wealthy man married a beautiful younger woman. However, she was a 'spiritualist medium', and the Episcopalian and Presbyterian blue bloods on the street were suspicious of her. One day, the husband died. The young widow held a seance to communicate with her late husband. However, halfway into the ritual, the seance was interrupted by irate neighbours. As a result, the spirit of her husband was trapped between the world of the living and the dead for eternity. Residents of the house claim he is seen wandering the wings of the old mansion.

This street also has the most diverse collection of architectural styles. The barons would all compete to have the most unique house, and therefore, no two houses look the same. Whatever architectural styles that were possible in the USA between 1850 and 1940 are represented here. The James J Hill House was built in 1891 at the cost of $931,000 USD ($22 million USD today).

Today, these beautiful old mansions are mostly used as appartments.

A special thanks to my amazing hosts in the Midwest, David and Ruth Barnhill.

David Barnhill

03/05/2023

Today, I enjoyed the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour hosted by . General admission takes you on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and then Ellis Island, where you can access the museum. However, you can upgrade the ticket to do the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour where you explore the derilict old Immigrants Contagious Diseases Hospital.

Several million immigrants went through Ellis Island between the late 1890s and 1954, when it was finally closed down.

It was a great experience, and I recommend it.

https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/statue-liberty-and-ellis-island-tickets/