The Butterfly Women

By: Madeleine Cleary

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Paperback | 29 April 2025

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Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
23 x 16 x 3

Paperback

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It's 1863, and Melbourne is transitioning from a fledgling colony to a thriving, gold-fuelled metropolis. But behind its shiny new faade, the real Melbourne can be found in the notorious red-light district of Little Lon, full of brothels where rich and poor alike can revel all night. The most glamorous among them is Papillon, home to the most alluring women in the city.

For poor Irishwoman Johanna Callaghan, a job at Papillon could be her ticket to success, but in a time when women's lives are cheap, it also brings great danger. Meanwhile, for respectable women like journalist Harriett Gardiner, Papillon is strictly off-limits, but when a murderer begins stalking the streets of Little Lon, she becomes determined to visit it and find the truth.

As both women are drawn into the hunt for the killer, a long-hidden side of old Melbourne is revealed. Lush, dark and meticulously researched, The Butterfly Women weaves romance and mystery into an unforgettable tale of Australian history, and the women so often erased from it.

About the Author

Madeleine is from Naarm/Melbourne and lives at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges with her husband. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne and an associated honours degree from RMIT University. Oblivious to her history, Madeleine completed her studies a block from her family's tawdry brothel in Romeo Lane.

Madeleine served as an Australian diplomat in China. Before joining the Public Service, Madeleine spent five years working in bookshops where she met her husband.

When not working or writing, Madeleine is reading, bush walking, eating, travelling, or spending time with her family and friends.

Industry Reviews

'Impeccably researched and beautifully told, The Butterfly Women is a daring novel that gives voice to the silenced women of early Melbourne – women who were maligned, judged and buried under layers of mainstream history. Weaving a marvellous, and oft dark tale, that doesn't hesitate to expose class and cultural differences, as well as trenchant sexism, misogyny and racism, Madeleine Cleary breaks down an imposing door and, invoking the ghosts and monsters of other places and times, beckons the reader to follow her into Australia's hidden past. Go with her – you won't regret it.' Karen Brooks

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