Book Launch with Madeleine Cleary

BOOK LAUNCH

We would love for you to join us to celebrate the release of The Butterfly Women by Madeleine Cleary.

Madeleine will be in conversation with writer Kelly Gardiner at Little Lon Distilling Co. in Melbourne's CBD, the iconic setting of Madeleine's debut novel of historical fiction. 

Copies of The Butterfly Women will be available for purchase at the venue, with a book signing after the discussion.

The venue will open at 2:00pm for a 2:30pm start.

ABOUT THE BUTTERFLY WOMEN

It's 1863, and Melbourne is transitioning from a fledgling colony to a thriving, gold-fuelled metropolis. But behind its shiny new façade, the real Melbourne can be found in the notorious red-light district of Little Lon, full of brothels where rich and poor alike can revel all night. The most glamorous among them is Papillon, home to the most alluring women in the city.

For poor Irishwoman Johanna Callaghan, a job at Papillon could be her ticket to success, but in a time when women's lives are cheap, it also brings great danger. Meanwhile, for respectable women like journalist Harriett Gardiner, Papillon is strictly off-limits, but when a murderer begins stalking the streets of Little Lon, she becomes determined to visit it and find the truth.

As both women are drawn into the hunt for the killer, a long-hidden side of old Melbourne is revealed. Lush, dark and meticulously researched, The Butterfly Women weaves romance and mystery into an unforgettable tale of Australian history, and the women so often erased from it.

ABOUT MADELEINE

Madeleine is from Naarm/Melbourne and lives at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges with her husband. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne and an associated honours degree from RMIT University. Oblivious to her history, Madeleine completed her studies a block from her family's tawdry brothel in Juliet Terrace.

Madeleine served as an Australian diplomat in China. Before joining the Australian Public Service, Madeleine spent five years working in bookshops where she met her husband. Madeleine co-hosts The Book Deal podcast and was shortlisted for the 2024 The Australian Fiction Prize. When not working or writing, Madeleine is reading, bush walking, eating, travelling, or spending time with her family and friends.

ABOUT KELLY

Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction for all ages. Kelly's latest book with author Sharmini Kumar is Miss Bingley, Private Detective, available from 2 April 2025. Her other books include The Firewatcher Chronicles, 1917: Australia's Great War, shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Young People's History Prize and the Asher Award; the Swashbuckler pirate trilogy; and a picture book, Billabong Bill's Bushfire Christmas. Her young adult novels Act of Faith and The Sultan's Eyes were both shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, while Act of Faith was shortlisted for the ASA's Barbara Jefferis Award and Gold Inky. A former journalist and editor, Kelly taught writing at La Trobe University for many years and now writes full-time and runs writing masterclasses and retreats.