Home among the Melbourne slums and sideshows, Mona Hayes is anything but traditional
Diamonds, Furs and Murder is a historical fiction inspired by the life and crimes of little-known thief Mona Hayes. Described by police as a well-educated, exceptionally clever crook - if she sees something she wants, she takes it. Most women don't do that. If the mark is deserving, even better. Diamonds, watches and furs are Mona's weakness. Not to be deterred by jail time, she hones her craft, performing cons on shopkeepers and charming the police.
But when Mona falls in love with the mysterious Albert Sharpe, who will save her? Who will save him? And can Mona finally pull herself out of the life of crime to which she's grown accustomed?
In researching Victorian public records, Tara Oldfield was so taken by Mona's story that she embarked on a journey to share an imaginative portrait of a woman few people know, creatively filling in the gaps of this criminal's colourful exploits.
Autorentext
Tara Oldfield is a PR and communications professional from Melbourne. In her current role at the State Archives, she delves into fascinating files of Victoria's past, writes regular history articles and presents episodes of the award-winning 'Look History in the Eye' podcast. Tara has written for publications such as 'Traces Magazine' and 'Ancestor'. In 2024 she won a Mander Jones Award for her short historical fiction, 'Bitter Salts'. Her journal article examining the life of Kate Rounsefell, fiancée and almost victim of serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming, was published in 'Provenance' in 2025. Through Tara's work with archives, she happened upon the files of a fascinating 1930s criminal, inspiring her first novel - 'Diamonds, Furs and Murder: The Many Crimes of Mona Hayes'