Author, Richard Shears' latest book, Swamp: Who Murdered Margaret Clement? has been officially launched in the town in which the mystery is based.
Sunday, May 11 saw the Leongathta Bookstore and Tarwin Lower Riverview Hotel host a capacity filled event to celebrate the release of the book and to commemorate one of Australia's enduring mysteries.
Clement was the belle of Melbourne Society until the great Depression changed her life forever. Her home – once overlooking lush pastures on the Tarwin River – ended up
in the middle of a swamp, after river levy banks collapsed from lack of maintenance. However Margaret stayed put as the property disintegrated around her. It made her a target of opportunists – and one that would lead to her murder. Over 50 years later, there has still been no official answers as to what happened to Margaret Clements, however, new research in Swamp, could eventually lead to the case being solved.
in the middle of a swamp, after river levy banks collapsed from lack of maintenance. However Margaret stayed put as the property disintegrated around her. It made her a target of opportunists – and one that would lead to her murder. Over 50 years later, there has still been no official answers as to what happened to Margaret Clements, however, new research in Swamp, could eventually lead to the case being solved.The launch at Tarwin Lower also involved Richard Shears presenting the Leongatha and District Historical Society with copies of important documents including Margaret Clements will and some of her personal letter.Swamp: Who Murdered Margaret Clement? is out now through New Holland Publishers.
