The Stained Man

In The Stained Man by Patrick Mullins, a gripping Australian true crime story collides with political history, following a solicitor who backs the wrong man—and spends decades trying to make it right.

Sydney, 1895: Richard Meagher is a star criminal defence lawyer with his eye on Parliament when George Dean, a charismatic ferry-man, is charged with trying to poison his wife. The case is messy, sensational, and soaked in public opinion. Meagher throws himself into Dean’s cause, convinced there’s something to gain in the tide of sympathy—even as the evidence mounts.

When the campaign collapses, Meagher’s career and reputation go with it. What follows is a long, combative quest for vindication that runs from gritty streets and courtrooms to the power plays of Federation-era Australia.

Perfect for readers of **true crime**, **Australian history**, **legal drama**, and **political biography**.

Add it to your shelf and step into one of Australia’s most infamous scandals.