Matthew Condon

Matthew Condon is an Australian journalist and author who has written extensively about crime and corruption in Queensland, particularly through his true crime trilogy about police and political misconduct spanning the 1950s-80s. His most notable works include "Three Crooked Kings," "Jacks and Jokers," and "All Fall Down." As a novelist, Condon has published multiple works of fiction including "The Trout Opera" and "The Pillow Fight." His literary works often explore Australian cultural identity and have earned him recognition including a Steele Rudd Award for "A Night at the Pink Poodle." Condon's journalism career includes roles at major Australian newspapers including The Courier-Mail and his investigative work has focused on exposing historical corruption. He has served as a professor of journalism at the University of Queensland and continues to contribute to Australian media outlets. The impact of Condon's true crime works extends beyond literature, as his investigations have contributed to public understanding of institutional corruption in Queensland's history and helped drive reforms. His meticulous research and extensive interviews with key figures have provided crucial documentation of this period in Australian history.

Readers appreciate Condon's investigative journalism style, particularly in his true crime works about Queensland corruption like "Three Crooked Kings" and "The Night Dragon." Reviews note his thorough research and ability to untangle complex criminal networks. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear presentation of complicated historical events - Integration of primary sources and interviews - Focus on Queensland's distinct culture and politics Common criticisms: - Dense detail can overwhelm narrative flow - Some books take time to build momentum - Occasional repetitive passages Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Three Crooked Kings" - 4.0/5 (287 ratings) "The Night Dragon" - 3.9/5 (156 ratings) "All Fall Down" - 4.1/5 (203 ratings) Amazon: "Three Crooked Kings" - 4.3/5 (41 reviews) "The Night Dragon" - 4.2/5 (28 reviews) One reader noted: "Condon excels at revealing the human stories behind the headlines." Another commented: "Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae but worth persisting."

The Trout Opera (2007) A multi-generational saga following an elderly man in the Snowy Mountains region and spanning the entire 20th century of Australian history.

The Pillow Fight (1995) A story about a Brisbane advertising executive who becomes involved in an investigation of his father's past.

Three Crooked Kings (2013) A non-fiction account of police corruption in Queensland during the 1950s and the rise of Commissioner Terry Lewis.

Jacks and Jokers (2014) The second book in the Queensland police corruption trilogy, covering the period from the 1960s to the 1970s.

All Fall Down (2015) The final installment of the Queensland police corruption trilogy, focusing on the events leading to the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

Brisbane (2010) A personal history of Brisbane city combining memoir, history, and cultural observation.

The Ancient Guild of Tycoons (1994) A novel about a young man's entry into Brisbane's business world and his relationship with an eccentric millionaire.

A Night at the Pink Poodle (1995) A story set on the Gold Coast following a private investigator and the city's underground culture.

The Motorcycle Cafe (1988) A novel about the lives of various characters intersecting at a Brisbane motorcycle cafe.

The Lulu Magnet (1996) A tale of a young man's obsession with an enigmatic woman in subtropical Brisbane.