#AusReadingMonth25 Quentin McDermott
Version 1.0.0
by Quentin McDermott (no photo)
Finish date: 17.10.2025
Genre: Australian non-fiction
Rating: A
#NonFicNov25
Good News: Meadow’s Law is a now-discredited legal concept once used to adjudicate cases involving multiple instances of sudden infant death syndrome(crib or cot deaths) linked to a single caregiver. Discredited….but it still took Kathy Folbigg 20 years to prove her innocence…and finally released in June 2023 in Australia !
Good News: This is an utterly fascinating and meticulously researched account of one of Australia’s most infamous criminal cases, written by investigative journalist Quentin McDermott.
Bad News: How could any judicial system be so CRUEL? Repeatedly Kathy applied for appeal…and rejected every-single-time….even with conclusive scientific proof that there was a reasonable doubt in her conviction.
Personal: I rarely read True Crime but if the book is on the shortlist for…I must read it. Chapters 1-13 (part 1) were filled with Ms Folbigg’s personal background and the descriptions of the deaths of four infants (19 weeks – 18 months) over 10 years. Part 2-3 were page turners! I read the book in one day! Will the book win the prize? I don’t think so …there are many more impressive books on the shortlist.
NancyElin.blog 
I should read this because despite the reversal of Folbigg’s conviction I still think she was likely responsible for the death of one or more of her children. Perhaps this can change my mind.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
The book makes a strong case for her innocence! Hope you find what you are looking for.
I hadn’t heard of this case (I live in Europe), but I know that there have been cases when a mother was suspected of murder in a case of SIDS. I’m very interested to read this.
It was heartbreaking but her lawyers fought tooth and nail to prove her innocence!