Meaner than Fiction by Lindy Cameron

Meaner than Fiction Reviews

• 
  Diane in Australia

  3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
• 
  Karen

  One of the principles of a strong democracy (and hence a strong justice system) has to be the right to scrutinise decisions made in our collective name.
  
  MEANER THAN FICTION is one such book - with a series of individual writers looking at a range of cases over the years that desperately call out for such scrutiny. There are a range of viewpoints and issues discussed in this book - from the victim's point of view in the case of Dr Andrew Taylor, to the perpetrator whose extenuating circumstances are simply not acknowledged (despite later cases that have been treated very differently). There's analysis of the anguish of families and loved ones in the event of an inexplicable disappearance / mrder and the role that crime writers can play in redressing a miscarriage of justice. There's historical perspective, as well as a range of cases from more current times. It's not just murder that's discussed either - the tragedy of the so called "Pacific Solution" is starkly outlined, as is the "whole truth" of some expert testimony. There are some things worth highlighting as well - such as the Innocence Project, but there is the other side - the difficult situation faced by victims of a flatmate peeping Tom.
  
  This anthology is as relevant now as it was when it was originally published. It's a stark reminder of the need for scrutiny and was both instructive, saddening, uplifting and fascinating.
• 
  Sally906

  Books like MEANER THAN FICTION make me really angry - not at the editor or any of the contributing authors - but at the justice system. A system I have to have utter faith in, if someone does me wrong then they will get punished; and if I get accused of doing something wrong, and I am totally innocent of the accusation then the system will serve me well by proving my innocence. Well that may not happen!
  
  MEANER THAN FICTION is a series of true stories written by an assortment of crime writers, academics and a forensic scientist who are all involved in the legal/justice system either directly or through research and together they demonstrate that the legal system doesn't always dispense justice sometimes it is powerfully and immovably unjust. Lindy Cameron kicks off by telling us about the shooting of Dr Andrew Taylor, Shelley Robertson then takes us into the courtroom for us to find out the the 'whole' truth may not be what the jury is told. PD Martin tells us that so many people are falling foul of the system that is suppose to protect the innocent that groups have sprung up across the world called Innocence Projects whose sole goal is to get imprisoned innocents freed. It is estimated that some 200 people serving time in Australia are genuinely innocent of the crime they have been convicted of. These are just a few of the 13 tales of injustice told - finishing with 'Did Ken kill Barbie' did a husband get away with murder?
• 
  Rhonda

  This is a series of essays about where justice has failed in Australia. There are stories - all true - throughout Australian history, some recent, some much older. The details of each are described and the shortcomings or failure of justice to be reached is analyzed. Its an interesting, easy to read introduction to where justice has failed by presenting a range of cases where justice has demonstrably failed which can then be investigated further should the interest be there. There is definitely a lack of depth but the range is good and the writers excellent - includes PD Martin, Kerry Greenwood and others. It will not linger in my memory however as the essays sets out the facts in a matter of fact and clinical manner, appropriate for the theme but concentrating more on the legal and human rights aspects than why people do what they do, which is what I find more interesting.
• 
  Carol Harvey

  was yet again another good read