Hachette Australia To Publish Recipe For Murder, Duncan McNab’s In-depth Investigation Into The Erin Patterson Trial

Hachette Australia is proud to announce the upcoming publication of RECIPE FOR MURDER, a compelling true crime investigation by former detective and bestselling author Duncan McNab. This authoritative account delves into the high profile Erin Patterson case – a chilling saga that captivated the nation and sparked international headlines.

In July 2023, a seemingly ordinary family lunch in rural Victoria led to the deaths of three people and the hospitalisation of a fourth. In the months that followed, the name Erin Patterson became synonymous with one of the most bizarre and chilling murder cases in Australian history. With allegations of deliberate poisoning, conflicting narratives, and a backdrop of family tension, the case ignited a media firestorm and legal drama unlike any other.

In RECIPE FOR MURDER, McNab offers an unparalleled examination of the Erin Patterson case. Drawing on his extensive investigative experience, he provides readers with an in-depth look into the nine-week trial, offering unmatched insight into the key evidence, the legal strategy, and the emotional toll of a case that gripped the nation and captured global attention.

With first-hand access, courtroom experience, rigorous research, and McNab’s signature narrative drive, RECIPE FOR MURDER brings the full weight of the Erin Patterson trial – including the final verdict that declared Erin Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder – into sharp, unsettling focus.

Duncan McNab says: ‘Erin Patterson’s crimes are appalling – a calculated and deadly plot targeting honourable people who cared for her and her children. The motive for this darkest of crimes remains elusive. I’ve spent a life in crime and this is one of the most insidious – Patterson is a loving mother and also a cold-blooded killer.’

Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Non-Fiction at Hachette Australia, says: ‘This is a crime that shocked many and a court case that saw those following trawling through media reports to find out the latest revelations. But we should never forget the victims and the trust they placed in someone they loved. How could Erin Patterson deliberately poison her husband’s family? Was this carefully calculated evil or carelessness with horrific consequences. Yesterday’s verdict proved the former. Now, bestselling author Duncan McNab, who was in the courtroom on the first day and the last, has followed the evidence every step of the way and used his investigative skills honed as a detective to connect to neighbours, experts and community members. He has pieced together Patterson’s background and profile and will reveal the whole story, unpack the lies and deliver the definitive account of the “Mushroom Murderer” from Leongatha.’

RECIPE FOR MURDER will be released in all formats on 14th OCTOBER 2025.

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