# Event Details - **Event Name**: Digging for Dirt – Criminal inspiration from the archives - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 07:00 pm - **Event Description**: Archival research plays a critical role in creating historical crime writing, both fiction and non-fiction.About this EventThe PMI Victorian History Library Inc., 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran.Sisters in Crime and the Prahran Mechanics Institute are partnering to present this special Melbourne Rare Book Week event, 5.30 for 6.00 pm, Tuesday 28 July.Tara Oldfield and Lucy Sussex will be discussing the critical role that archival research plays in creating historical crime writing, both fiction and non-fiction. Using primary sources—such as police records, court transcripts, newspaper accounts, and diaries – helps create authentic narratives and enables characters to solve mysteries.Tara Oldfield’s debut novel, Diamonds, Furs and M**der: The Many Crimes of Mona Hayes (Ginninderra Press, March, 2026) is an historical fiction inspired by the life and crimes of little-known 1930s’ thief Mona Hayes.While working at Public Record Office Victoria, Tara happened upon the files of the fascinating 1930s’ Melbourne criminal Mona and her criminal mates. Ten years of research and writing later, Tara’s historical fiction novel, inspired by these real-life crims, was born.Police described Mona Hayes as a well-educated, exceptionally clever crook – if she sees something she wants, she takes it. Diamonds, watches, and furs are Mona’s weakness. Not to be deterred by J*il time, she hones her craft, performing cons on shopkeepers and charming the police. But when Mona falls in love with the mysterious Albert Sharpe, she quickly goes from petty crook to killer - then disappears from the public record. More info.Lucy Sussex’s abiding interest in the hidden narratives to be revealed from research began as a reference librarian. Later, the task of identifying the woman behind Waif Wander led to a quest lasting years, finding over 500 short stories and even more pseudonyms. Often, a clue in a digitised newspaper will lead to cross-referencing, using both digitised records and hardcopy archival research. She has crossed the globe virtually, and actually, in search of facts. She is currently working on the queer life of writer Fergus Hume, using archival research about his blackmailers.Lucy’s most recent books are the 2025 Outrageous Fortunes, a biography of crime writer Mary Fortune and her criminal son George; and Nothing but Murders, a collection of Fortune’s detective fiction, both with Megan Brown. Lucy has abiding interests in women’s lives, Australiana, and crime fiction. Her award-winning fiction includes the novel, The Scarlet Rider (1996, reprint Ticonderoga 2015), and her anthology She’s Fantastical was shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award. She has five short story collections.Her 2015 book, Fergus Hume & The Mystery of a Hansom Cab: The Story of the Crime Novel that Became a Global Publishing Phenomenon (Text), won the History Publication Award in the Victorian Community History Prizes. Lucy’s Women Writers and Detectives in the Nineteenth Century (2012) examines the mothers of the mystery genre. More info.Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/prahran/digging-for-dirt-criminal-inspiration-from-the-archives/100001987978468113 - **Event Categories**: art, literary-art, performances, entertainment - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 1 hour - Location: PMI Victorian History Library Inc. - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: AUD ## Event venue details - **city**: Prahran - **state**: VI - **country**: Australia - **location**: PMI Victorian History Library Inc. - **lat**: -37.8497435 - **long**: 144.9916857 - **full address**: PMI Victorian History Library Inc., 39 Saint Edmonds Road, Prahran, Australia ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Digging for Dirt – Criminal inspiration from the archives - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/dce47c245fbbb253d19ab908281ff25c7dcd18e9afa17cceb53fba63aa14a38f-rimg-w1200-h600-dc1f0606-gmir.jpg?v=1777689348 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives being held? - **A:** Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives takes place on Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 07:00 pm at PMI Victorian History Library Inc., 39 Saint Edmonds Road, Prahran, Australia. - **Q**: Who is organizing Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives? - **A:** Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives is organized by Sisters in Crime Australia. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Prahran, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Digging for Dirt - Criminal inspiration from the archives sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Digging for Dirt – Criminal inspiration from the archives", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/dce47c245fbbb253d19ab908281ff25c7dcd18e9afa17cceb53fba63aa14a38f-rimg-w1200-h600-dc1f0606-gmir.jpg?v=1777689348", "startDate": "2026-07-28", "endDate": "2026-07-28", "url": "https://allevents.in/prahran/digging-for-dirt-criminal-inspiration-from-the-archives/100001987978468113", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "PMI Victorian History Library Inc.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "39 Saint Edmonds Road", "postalCode": "3181", "addressLocality": "Prahran", "addressRegion": "VI", "addressCountry": "AU" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "-37.8497435", "longitude": "144.9916857" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Archival research plays a critical role in creating historical crime writing, both fiction and non-fiction.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "AUD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-04", "availabilityEnds": "2026-07-28", "validFrom": "2026-09-04", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/prahran/digging-for-dirt-criminal-inspiration-from-the-archives/100001987978468113" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "AUD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-09-04", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-09-04", "url": "https://allevents.in/prahran/digging-for-dirt-criminal-inspiration-from-the-archives/100001987978468113", "price": 0, "name": "General Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Sisters in Crime Australia", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/sisters-in-crime-australia/22544204", "description": "Sisters in Crime Australia is a 600+ member strong organisation promoting and supporting women crime writers across all genres. Sisters in Crime Australia currently have chapters in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Brisbane. Sisters in Crime has no funding – just keen volunteers! Sisters in Crime Australia hosts a busy yearly calendar of events including interview panels, debates, book launches, quiz nights. and tours of places such as the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Victoria Police Museum. Events are open to members of the public. Men or ‘brothers in law’ are welcome to attend events and join. Check out ourwebsite,follow us onFacebook,TwitterorInstagramandjoin our newsletter A Stab in the Dark email listto keep up with our current events." } ] } ] ```