This week, Jeff Popple reviews three Australian books about criminals, police killers and atomic tests. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Carnage by Mark Dapin

Scribner, $34.99

Mark Dapin’s latest venture into the murky world of criminal Australia is an absorbing account of colourful villains and killers. The focus is the theatrical larrikin and habitual criminal Jack Karlson, who engaged in a running battle with authority for over 60 years, and in the process found himself in the background of some of the most notorious events of the time. From outrageous escapes to collaborating with infamous prison-playwright Jim McNeil, to befriending hitman Christopher Flannery, Karlson led a fascinating life. With his typical verve and style, Dapin engagingly tells Karlson’s story, while also casting a broader eye on society. Fascinating.

Rendezvous With Death by Alan Leek

Big Sky Publishing, Scribe, $32.99

Also full of interest is Alan Leek’s meticulously researched Rendezvous With Death. Drawing on a wealth of primary material, including rare photos, Leek provides a detailed account of the Australian police officers killed whilst on duty during the first two decades of the 20th century. His examination of 25 separate killings between 1900 and 1921, tells a captivating story of policing in the new federation, and provides interesting insights into Australia at the time. The stories are also full of emotion, and provide a timely reminder of the dangers of policing and the profound impacts upon the families of those killed.

Operation Hurricane by Paul Grace

Hachette, $34.99

On 3 October 1952, Britain’s first atomic bomb was denotated in the hold of a surplus frigate moored in the Montebello Islands, 50 miles off the coast of Western Australia. The blast vaporised the frigate and produced a massive mushroom cloud, which covered the islands and parts of the Australian mainland with fallout. Paul Grace’s Operation Hurricane is the first detailed examination of the test from an Australian perspective. Using first-hand accounts from surviving participants, and a rich variety of documentary evidence, Grace provides an on-the-ground view of the test, and its legacy, and places it in the broader historical context. Recommended.