Shortcut: The Brownout Murders

Jun 9, 2025

18:06

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This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.

During World War II, Melbourne hosted American soldiers as part of the Allied effort, and the city enforced "brownouts"—partial blackouts to obscure urban areas from potential air raids.

Among the soldiers was Edward Leonski, whose self-confessed fixation on women's voices led to the tragic murders of Ivy Violet McLeod, Pauline Thompson and Gladys Hosking.

Joining us is Luke C. Jackson, one of the creators of The Brownout Murders, a graphic novel that examines the fear, fortitude and social change sparked by this dark chapter in Melbourne’s history.

Links:

"The Brownout Murders" is authored by Luke C. Jackson, Kelly Jackson and Maya Graham. You can purchase your copy here.

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CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on instagram here.