Join us at Books@Stones on Thursday 11 September for a special author talk and signing by Brisbane's infamous Jack Sim, author, haunted historian and Brisbane's true crime and ghost tour extraordinaire!

Jack has researched, written and self-published many titles under the Ghost Trails, Murder Trails and Boggo Road Gaol series. He has also worked with other authors whose expertise and knowledge has become part of these series. Jack will be speaking about his latest books, The Ghosts of South Brisbane Cemetery: Brisbane's River Cemetery and History of Boggo Road Gaol (1883 - 1999).

The Ghosts of South Brisbane Cemetery: Brisbane's River Cemetery

Brisbane's River Cemetery draws on history, folklore and tales collected by local haunted historian Jack Sim, who unveils the haunted heritage of the second largest cemetery in Queensland through stories of those buried there, their ghosts, and where they haunt. The Ghost Trails series explores Australia's most haunted places and sites.

The Ghosts of South Brisbane's Cemetery: Brisbane's River Cemetery is a Ghost Trails Haunted Site Guide detailing South Brisbane Cemetery's ghost stories including:

The Ghost of the Plough Inn Hotel
“The Devils’s Plot”
The Strange Case of Tim Tie
The Grave of Patrick Kenniff
Gravediggers Tales
The Cemetery Reach.

Discover the River City's haunted heritage through local ghost stories, urban legends and myths, tales of tragedy, crime, murder, mystery, love and death.

History of Boggo Road Gaol (1883-1999)

From its opening in 1883 to its official closure in 1992, Boggo Road Gaol created drama. In the 1980s it was the scene of escapes, riots, hunger-strikes and roof-top protests. While the last years of Boggo Road resulted in nationwide notoriety, its past has been long and shadowy.

Author and heritage tourism operator, Jack Sim, has a 25-year association with Boggo Road Gaol. Through extensive research – including interviews with former officers and prisoners – Jack has compiled a fascinating narrative, which includes over 150 images, many never published before.

The Boggo Road Gaol series tells the history of one of Australia’s most notorious prisons through thrilling stories and original images. To commemorate the centenary of No. 2 Division, a special new edition was released in 2021.

Jack Sim was born and grew up in Brisbane in the late 20th century and from an early age was fascinated with “dark history” – accidents, tragedies, war, mysteries, ghosts and hauntings, crime, murder, prisons and asylums. He collects unusual aspects of the past, and owns a vintage 1939 Studebaker President hearse.

Throughout historic Australia, Jack undertakes history, cemetery, ghost and crime tours & experiences. Jack started Brisbane Ghost Tours in 1998, and for 10 years he operated Boggo Road Gaol tours on behalf of the Queensland State Government.

Passionate about promoting Australian history and heritage he appears regularly on tours, podcasts, radio (ABC, 4BC, River 949 & West Bremer radio), TV, guest-speaking and library talks. Jack has been published in journals, magazines, newspapers and blogs, and appeared in national and international documentaries and short films.

Discover Brisbane’s Haunted History – ghosttoursaustralia.com.au