The image of Australia as a sunny, easy-going, ‘no worries’ culture makes it one of the most popular long-haul tourist destinations for backpackers and families alike. However, Australia has its dangerous side too, as the recent murder and disappearances of British tourists has proved. Danger Down Under lets you know what the tourist board won’t – the dark side of the Australian dream. This immense and, in places, hostile landscape has been the setting for a catalogue of gruesome murders, vicious criminals and mysterious vanishings. Danger Down Under contains chapters on Ivan Milat, Australia’s notorious hitchhiker killer; serial murderers every bit as psychotic as those from the US and UK; the perplexing disappearances of vanishing Britons, including Peter Falconio in Summer 2001; the true story of the Port Arthur massacre; the ‘dingo baby’ case; Martin Bryant – the Tasmanian spree killer; bike gangs on the rampage and backpacker hell. This is the definitive primer on Australian true crime.

Australia is one of the most popular long-haul tourist destinations for backpackers and families alike, successfully exporting the image of a carefree, "no worries", BBQ, beach and beers culture around the world. But that's only one side of the story. This volume lets you know what the tourist board won't and looks at Australia's turbulent history and cultural changes. Here are the facts and faces of Australia's most notorious crimes and criminals. You can read about: Ivan Milat, Australia's notorious hitchhiker killer; serial killing down under; the perplexing disappearance of Peter Falconio and other vanishing Britons; the true story of the Port Arthur massacre; the "dingo baby" case; biker gangs on the rampage; backpacker hell and much more.

Patrick Blackden is an essayist and true crime aficionado. He is the editor of My Bloody Valentine (Virgin, July 2002).

Couples Whose Sick Crimes Shocked the World

Nothing inspires more horror and fascination than couples possessed of a single impulse - to kill for thrills. Obsessed by and sucked into their own sick and private madness, their attraction is always fatal, their actions always desperate. This title presents a sinister catalogue of notorious couples: from desperados Starkweather and Fugate, on whom the film "Natural Born Killers" is based, right through to Fred and Rose West, who committed unspeakable horrors in their semi-detached house in Gloucester, England. With contributions form a variety of true crime aficionados, this book covers both the world-famous cases and also lesser-known but equally shocking crimes.

The deadly belief systems of cults worldwide hold a fascination for those desperate enough to look for "ultimate truths". Throughout history, thousands of people have joined cults and committed acts of mind-boggling atrocity in the belief they would attain power or everlasting life. From the acid-drenched psychosis of the Manson Family to the primitive barbarism of the Ugandan Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, the deluded followers of cults - and their charismatic and megalomaniac leaders - have been responsible for history's most shocking and bizarre assassination, slayings, and mass suicides. Jack Sargeant has compiled 12 in-depth essays from a variety of experts on this deadly phenomenon. The book includes cults about whom very little has previously been written, such as the Russian castration sect and the bizarre Japanese Aum doomsday cult which released sarin gas into Tokyo's subways.

Editor Jack Sargeant has a huge fan base as a writer of true crime and cult cinema. He is the author of numerous published books on the subjects including Born Bad and Deathtripping (Creation Books) He writes regularly for Headpress, Fringecore, and Bizarre magazines and is the film editor for Sleazenation. In addition to writing, Sargeant co-ordinates film screenings and is a university lecturer in film studies. The contributors to the book include published essayists and specialists in the subject from the UK, USA and Australia