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.