Join us for an evening of exploration at Coventry Library, Stirling as Walter Marsh shares the scientific true-crime museum caper at the heart of his book, The Butterfly Thief!

In January 1947, a chance discovery rocked the world of natural science: over 3,000 butterfly specimens had vanished from Australia’s most prestigious museums in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

Drawing on unpublished case files, dossiers, and private archives, journalist Walter Marsh explores this scientific true-crime caper and the enigmatic Englishman at its centre. Along the way, The Butterfly Thief also reveals a deeper history that begs an uncomfortable but vital question: What if Western museums were crime scenes all along?

Light refreshments included. Matilda Bookshop will be selling copies of The Butterfly Thief on the night.

Walter Marsh is a journalist and editor based in Tarntanya/Adelaide, and the author of Young Rupert: the making of the Murdoch empire (Scribe 2023). A former staff writer and editor at The Adelaide Review and Rip It Up, his writing has also appeared in The Guardian, The Monthly, The Saturday Paper, Crikey, The Age, and InDaily.

Please note:
Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings

When a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is declared for the Mt Lofty Ranges, all Adelaide Hills Council Library branches will be closed, and all events and programs will be cancelled without notice. Any monies paid will either be reimbursed or the event will be rescheduled for a later date.

When an Extreme 2 (75+) Fire Danger Rating is declared for the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Gumeracha Library will be closed and all events and programs will be cancelled without notice. Events at the Woodside Library and the Coventry Library, Stirling will be reviewed and may also be cancelled without notice. Any monies paid will either be reimbursed or the event will be rescheduled for a later date.

Current fire danger ratings can be checked here: http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml

Contact the host of A Historical Heist: an evening with the author of 'The Butterfly Thief'