📖 Overview
Kate McClymont is an Australian investigative journalist who has worked for The Sydney Morning Herald since 1985. Her career spans decades of groundbreaking investigations into organized crime, corruption, and corporate misconduct.
As a multiple Walkley Award winner, McClymont is particularly known for her exposure of political corruption in New South Wales and her detailed reporting on criminal networks in Sydney. Her work has led to multiple government inquiries and has helped bring about significant reforms in Australian state politics.
McClymont's books include "He Who Must Be Obeid," which details the corrupt dealings of former NSW politician Eddie Obeid, and "Dead Man Walking," an investigation into the murder of businessman Michael McGurk. Her 2020 book "Dead Man Walking: The Murky World of Michael McGurk and Ron Medich" provides an in-depth examination of one of Sydney's most notorious murders.
Her fearless approach to investigative journalism has earned her both accolades and threats, cementing her reputation as one of Australia's most respected journalists. McClymont's work consistently focuses on exposing corruption and criminal behavior at the highest levels of business and politics.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise McClymont's thorough research and ability to make complex corruption cases understandable. On Goodreads, readers highlight her clear presentation of evidence and detailed documentation in "He Who Must Be Obeid" and "Dead Man Walking."
What readers liked:
- Clear explanation of complicated political scandals
- Detailed sourcing and documentation
- Engaging narrative style that maintains focus despite complex subject matter
- Raw insights into Australian corruption and organized crime
What readers disliked:
- Large number of characters can be difficult to track
- Some readers found the political detail overwhelming
- Several note the books can be dry in technical sections
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: "Dead Man Walking" - 4.0/5 (156 ratings)
"He Who Must Be Obeid" - 4.1/5 (89 ratings)
Amazon Australia: Average 4.2/5 across titles
One reader on Goodreads noted: "McClymont manages to untangle the web of corruption while keeping the human elements of the story intact."
📚 Books by Kate McClymont
Dead Man Walking (2019)
An investigation into the murder of Michael McGurk and the complex criminal networks in Sydney's property development industry.
He Who Must Be Obeid (2014) A detailed account of Eddie Obeid's political career and the corruption investigations that led to his downfall, co-authored with Linton Besser.
Engineering Consent (1997) An examination of the Liberal Party's media and policy strategies during specific campaigns in the Australian political landscape.
The Real Medicare: An Analysis of the Hawke Government's Health Policy (1987) A critical analysis of Australia's healthcare policy changes and implementation during the Hawke government era.
He Who Must Be Obeid (2014) A detailed account of Eddie Obeid's political career and the corruption investigations that led to his downfall, co-authored with Linton Besser.
Engineering Consent (1997) An examination of the Liberal Party's media and policy strategies during specific campaigns in the Australian political landscape.
The Real Medicare: An Analysis of the Hawke Government's Health Policy (1987) A critical analysis of Australia's healthcare policy changes and implementation during the Hawke government era.
👥 Similar authors
David Grann
Writes deep investigative journalism focused on true crime and historical mysteries. His work includes extensive research and interviews similar to McClymont's detailed investigative style.
Chloe Hooper Reports on Australian crime and social issues through long-form journalism and books. Her investigation methods and focus on corruption parallel McClymont's approach to exposing wrongdoing.
Nick McKenzie Specializes in investigating organized crime and corruption in Australia through print journalism and books. His work uncovers criminal networks and political misconduct in ways that align with McClymont's investigations.
Louise Milligan Focuses on investigative reporting of institutional abuse and corruption in Australia. Her research-heavy approach and dedication to uncovering truth mirrors McClymont's journalistic methods.
John Silvester Chronicles crime in Australia through his work as a crime reporter and author. His direct reporting style and insider knowledge of law enforcement provides context to criminal investigations like McClymont's work.
Chloe Hooper Reports on Australian crime and social issues through long-form journalism and books. Her investigation methods and focus on corruption parallel McClymont's approach to exposing wrongdoing.
Nick McKenzie Specializes in investigating organized crime and corruption in Australia through print journalism and books. His work uncovers criminal networks and political misconduct in ways that align with McClymont's investigations.
Louise Milligan Focuses on investigative reporting of institutional abuse and corruption in Australia. Her research-heavy approach and dedication to uncovering truth mirrors McClymont's journalistic methods.
John Silvester Chronicles crime in Australia through his work as a crime reporter and author. His direct reporting style and insider knowledge of law enforcement provides context to criminal investigations like McClymont's work.