The Widow of Walcha by Emma Partridge

It’s a cliche, but truth is stranger than fiction. As I read this account of the true story of the murder of Mathew Dunbar in the small NSW town of Walcha my breath was taken away by the shocking audacity of the woman who killed him. (I am not mentioning her name – she doesn’t deserve to be remembered.) She manipulated him, played on his better nature and his obvious need for love and affection. She had already made several attempts on the life of a previous husband, and her cruelty is truly unbelievable. She was a pathological liar. She appeared to be unable to tell the truth.

The author is a seasoned journalist, and she uses her reporting skills to flesh out the people touched by this horror story. She shows us that Mathew Dunbar was a well respected, and much loved, member of the local community, who craved love and family. He thought he’d found both when he met this woman, who, in the blink of an eye, had convinced him to leave his multi-million-dollar estate to her in his will. His fate was then sealed.

This woman was the mother of three children. I found this particularly chilling and kept thinking of  the damage done to their lives by their mother’s actions. She left a trail of destruction in her wake. The term ‘psychopath’ is used liberally, but in this case, it’s an accurate description of this woman.

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s not my usual genre, but the author spent months researching the case, interviewing Mathew’s friends and family and attending the court hearing. She delves into the lives touched by the perpetrator, giving them the opportunity to have their stories told. This is truly a shocking story. It’s hard to say it’s ‘enjoyable’, but it’s certainly unputdownable.

Reviewed by Gaby Meares
SMSA Member