Whispering Death

Whispering Death by Patricia Skehan is a meticulously researched Australian history title that brings the 1919 Spanish Flu epidemic and its lingering WWI aftershocks into sharp, human focus. Drawing on her long career as a heritage speaker and guide, Skehan follows an intriguing trail that begins with a request to transcribe letters written by Jean Curlewis (daughter of Ethel Turner) while volunteering as a nursing aide.

As Patricia digs into rare archival material from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the Red Cross, Sydney University, Trove, and museum collections, a second thread emerges: a seemingly unrelated diary kept by a young WWI soldier. The documents don’t just illuminate daily life during a public health crisis in Sydney—they hint at Anzac-era secrets waiting to be understood.

Perfect for readers who enjoy archival investigation, Australian social history, wartime letters, and true local stories from NSW.

Add Whispering Death to your shelf and discover how voices from the past still speak.