Frank & Fearless

When I walked through the office door each day, I knewthat almost every decision I made would make somebody unhappy. If I decided toprosecute someone, he or she would be unhappy. If I decided not to prosecute, avictim or a police officer or both would be unhappy. If I decided to appealagainst an inadequate sentence, the prisoner would be unhappy; if I declined toappeal, the law-and-order brigade would erupt.

For sixteen-and-a-half years, Nicholas Cowdery was Directorof Public Prosecutions for New South Wales. During this time, he immersedhimself in the worst and saddest of human behaviour as he examined cases inforensic detail. And when he made unpopular decisions he had to reckon withcriticism from politicians, media, victims, perpetrators and their families.

In Frank & Fearless, Cowdery reflects on some ofthe most notorious and difficult cases of his distinguished career, includingthe headline-grabbing criminal trials of Gordon Wood, Keli Lane and JeffreyGilham. He also writes about lesser-known cases involving drugs and voluntaryassisted dying, and the need for law reform. All the while, he fights for a fair trial for all concerned. This gripping bookreveals the workings of our criminal justice system from the inside.

'Frank & Fearlessis not only the ultimate insider's account of some of the state's most sensational murder trials, it is also an account of one man's valiant battle against political and media forces to ensure that justice was done. Society owes Nick Cowdery a debt of gratitude.' - Kate McClymont

'From inside the machine - a powerful memoir of justice pursued in the face of fallible judges, law 'n' order politicians and the tabloid press.' - David Marr

'Nicholas Cowdery's candid and measured account of his more than 16 years as NSW Director of Public Prosecutions (basicallydeciding if the cases that come before him should go to court) is sobering,but a testament to his resilience in an extremely testing job...Whatcomes through amounts to a portrait of admirably calm, considered deliberation at work.'- Steven Caroll, The Sydney Morning Herald