The Skull: Informers, Hit Men and Australia’s Toughest CopThere has never been a more feared or respected policeman in Australia than Brian “Skull” Murphy. Bestselling author Adam Shand tells the story of the last of the super cops. Through dramatic recreations, The Skull follows Brian Murphy on the beat as he collars big-time crims and small-time thugs, rubs shoulders with corrupt officials and flashy assassins, and uses a combination of old-school persuasion and self-styled ‘slychology’ to recruit his network of informers. Murphy ventures into the grey areas of law enforcement and the criminal underworld of the ’70s and ’80s, where he confronts such renowned villains as Christopher Dale Flannery, the Kane brothers and Ray Chuck. Fast-paced and gritty, The Skull is the life and times of a legendary crime-fighter. ‘An energetic writing style that often captures the emotion of some truly extraordinary scenes.’ —NineMSN ‘A fascinating read ... an insider’s insight into Melbourne’s underworld.’ —Examiner ‘An enjoyably racy biography of a police officer’ —Sydney Morning Herald |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 7 | |
| 19 | |
| 25 | |
| 29 | |
Justice is Blind and often Drunk | 35 |
His Right Whack | 41 |
The Gamers | 47 |
In the Dry Dock | 162 |
The Verdict | 168 |
The Tuning of the Bell | 180 |
In Smoke | 190 |
The Valour Badge | 196 |
The Thunderclap | 205 |
The Consorters Push | 209 |
A Toothless Tiger | 216 |
Expediency | 54 |
Detective in Training | 60 |
Family Man | 66 |
Chocolate Run | 78 |
Hoons Bludgers and Members of Parliament | 85 |
All the Way with LBJ | 94 |
A Puss in Hobnail Boots | 104 |
The Breakers | 114 |
Raising Kane | 120 |
WAYS AND MEANS 17 Billy and Me | 131 |
One Thing Led to Another | 139 |
The Lives of Brian | 226 |
Stayin Alive | 233 |
A Window of Opportunity | 253 |
Goodbye Mr Platypus | 263 |
Bad Laws and Bad Policemen | 266 |
The Greengrocers Mail | 272 |
Mad Bull Lost Its Way | 279 |
So Be It | 288 |
Acknowledgements | 293 |
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Common terms and phrases
arrest asked Murphy bastard Billy Longley bloke Bookie Robbery bookies bosses Brian Francis Murphy Brian Kane Brian Murphy called Carroll charged chief commissioner Collingburn Consorters copper cops couldn’t court crims detective didn’t door Ericksen eyes face finally find finished fire first fist five Flannery floor Frank Galbally front fucking Gardiner going hand head heard Higgins hoon inspector Ivan jail Kane kicking kids kill knew later locked Longley Longley’s looked Maggie man’s Margaret Marinof mate Melbourne’s Mick Miller Mickey’s murder Murphy and Stillman Murphy’s never night no-one office officers okay Painters and Dockers Paul Higgins Plattfuss policeman Port Melbourne pulled Puss Ray Chuck replied Murphy Roger Rogerson Russell Street senior constable senior sergeant shoot shot South Melbourne Squad St Kilda station straight Sydney tell there’s things told Tuingla Victoria Police villains walked wanted What’s wife Williams