Cuckoo: The True Story Of Mr Stinky The Madill Heywood Sex Killer
Australian History Biography True Crime Criminology 1980s Nostalgia Adult Education Reference Serial Killer Non-Fiction
Cuckoo: The True Story of Mr Stinky – The Madill-Heywood Sex Killer is the 1988 vintage paperback that true-crime collectors still hunt for. Written by Australia’s acclaimed crime reporter Andrew Rule (later co-creator of the Underbelly series), this 239-page biography delivers the definitive inside account of one of Victoria’s most shocking serial cases. Rule’s on-the-ground journalism and court-room access produce a narrative that reads like a thriller yet never loses the rigor of police statements and trial transcripts, making it both a gripping read and an authoritative reference for students of Australian homicide.
What sets this copy apart is its clean, tight condition: no inscriptions, no dog-eared corners, no underlining—just light cover scuffing typical of a well-stored 1980s paperback. The illustrated inserts of crime-scene photographs and newspaper clippings remain crisp, giving buyers the full visual context that later reprints often lack. For collectors, the 1988 first edition is the only printing that contains the original pagination and photo placement Rule approved before editorial changes crept into later versions.
Beyond rarity, the book’s value lies in Rule’s early dissection of predator psychology and the police methodology that eventually ended the reign of the killer dubbed “Mr Stinky.” Criminology students, true-crime book clubs, and Australiana enthusiasts consistently rank Cuckoo among the top five must-own Australian true-crime titles. Securing a vintage, well-preserved copy ensures you hold both a piece of investigative history and a conversation-starting shelf classic that appreciates in collector interest each year.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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