Underbelly: Shot at Close Range
Australian History Social History Non-Fiction True Crime Criminology Biography & Memoir Crime Investigation Journalism
True-crime collectors prize this 2016 first-edition paperback of Underbelly: Shot at Close Range because both authors—Walkley-winning journalists Andrew Rule and John Silvester—have autographed the title page. That dual signature turns an already scarce Melbourne underworld chronicle into a genuine piece of Australian publishing history; only a handful of signed firsts ever reached shops before the initial print-run sold out. The book itself is in very good condition, square and tight at 400 pages, with just light shelf evidence and no inscriptions, dog-ears or internal marks, so it displays beautifully on shelf or under glass.
Inside, the authors revisit the headline homicides that fuelled their iconic Underbelly franchise, but with fresh court files, never-before-printed crime-scene photos and interviews conducted after the convictions. Readers ride shotgun through Melbourne’s bloodiest turf wars—from the Walsh Street ambush to the Carlton courthouse steps—while learning how ballistics, wiretaps and underworld politics finally put key hitmen behind bars. The narrative pace is novelistic, yet every quotation and autopsy detail is footnoted to primary sources, making the book equally valuable to criminology students and arm-chair detectives.
For collectors, the appeal is three-fold: a signed first edition rarely appears on the secondary market; the subject matter is quintessentially Australian, chronicling events that reshaped national policing; and the physical book is substantial enough to feel premium without being unwieldy. Young adults and seasoned true-crime buffs alike will appreciate the accessible 197 mm height and 129 mm width—perfect for reading on the train or tucking into a weekend backpack. Secure this copy now and you own not just a gripping read, but a signed slice of Melbourne’s criminal heritage that appreciates in both cultural value and collector demand.
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