Suzanne Falkiner’s latest book “Mrs Mort’s Madness” is set in Lindfield in the 1920s and brings back to life a home-grown (local) scandal of intrigue and lust. On Wednesday 11 March from 11am to 12 noon, readers will have a chance to meet the author and discuss the book and her research, at Lindfield Library.
The novel is based on the murder of Claude Tozer, a medical doctor, war hero and talented cricketer who played for New South Wales, by one of his patients (and lover) Mrs Dorothy Mort. He was shot 3 times and killed by Mort four days before Christmas in 1920 (and a little over a week before he was to have captained the NSW cricket team against QLD on New Year’s Day 1921). Mort was reportedly depressed at the time. At her trial, Mort was found not guilty by reason of insanity, however she was imprisoned at the State Reformatory for Women at Long Bay at the Governor’s pleasure and released nine years later. The trial of Mort had Sydney-siders atwitter, as the details of the affair between the dashing hero and the staid, matronly mother-of-two provided fuel for gossip on a scale not often seen in those strait-laced times.
The house in which Dr Tozer died was the Mort family’s residence, Inglebrae on Howard Street, Lindfield. It looks as if Inglebrae no longer exists, but it was to this house that Dorothy Mort returned after her incarceration, and faded back into everyday life.
Suzanne Falkiner, the author of several notable works of fiction and non-fiction (including “Eugenia: A Man”, the story of Eugenia Falleni – another shocking Sydney-based case of the 1920’s – which was recently re-imagined by Mark Tedeschi AM QC in 2012) brings this story to life with a blend of research and imagination. She will be making herself available for this author encounter at Lindfield Library.
There will be copies of the signed books available to purchase, and light refreshments will be served.
Where? Lindfield Library, 265 Pacific Highway, Lindfield
When? Wednesday 11 March 2015, 11am – 12 noon
Contact? Lindfield Library – 02 9424 0428 or lind.library@kmc.nsw.gov.au
