The Butterfly Women

A killer is stalking Melbourne's most notorious streets. Two women are determined to stop him.

Melbourne, 1863.

Behind the wealth and glamour of the booming gold-rush city lies Little Lon—a dangerous world of brothels, secrets, and violence where women disappear without consequence.

For Johanna Callaghan, a young Irishwoman struggling to survive, a position at the glamorous Papillon brothel offers a chance at a better life. But when a murderer begins targeting women in Little Lon, that dream quickly turns into a nightmare.

Journalist Harriet Gardiner knows respectable women are supposed to stay far away from places like Papillon. But as the killings continue, she becomes determined to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.

As their lives collide, Johanna and Harriet are drawn into a deadly hunt for a killer hiding in plain sight. What they uncover will expose the dark heart of a city built on wealth, power, and secrets.

Rich in atmosphere, mystery, and unforgettable characters, The Butterfly Women is a gripping historical crime novel inspired by the hidden history of Melbourne's most notorious district.