In “A Whispering of Trees”, Carol Rosenhain and Peter Newbury give us a meticulously researched account of an obscure but dreadful crime committed in Australia in 1971. True crime fans are likely to be drawn to the unusual features of the crime.
On 23 June 1971, Ted Benedek shot his six year old son Charlie, and then himself. His four year old daughter watched from the back seat of their car. Charlie died, Ted survived but was declared insane, and Susan became caught up in an inadequate welfare system.
I don’t read much true crime, as I tend to feel it’s exploitative of both victims and their survivors. So it’s worth noting that an adult Susan actively participated in the research for this book, and apparently wanted the story told.
The authors actively avoid sensationalism and have meticulously documented the crime and its aftermath. Indeed, there is so much detail that at times it might overwhelm the reader, and in avoiding sensationalism, the tone is sometimes on the dry side.
Still, it is hard not to get caught up. The authors set the scene for the crime very extensively – in fact, they go back to a time before Ted and the children’s mother met. I think they were trying to build an understanding of Ted, and to a large extent they succeed. It’s hard, though, to get your head around Ted’s premeditated and conscious decision to kill his children.
They also describe the crime in considerable detail, but the dry narrative also mutes the emotion and horror of the moment and the immediate aftermath.
This was not a crime that ever had to be “solved”, which is perhaps why it got relatively little attention at the time or afterwards. The authors go on to show the effects of Ted’s actions rippling through decades of Susan’s life. There is, unfortunately, little new in this section; the failings of the child welfare system in Australia have been sadly well documented in recent years. While this personalises them, it doesn’t tell us much that’s new.
This is a well researched book which tries to tell a story with empathy but without sensationalism. It is sensitive to the feelings of witnesses who still live, notably Susan. I think true crime fans will appreciate it.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading A Whispering of Trees by Carol Rosenhain and Peter Newbury. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
On starting this book, my heart broke for the two kids, Charlie 6 and Susan 4. A mother named Ritva who is unstable returns to Finland and has not much contact with her kids. The children’s father Ted Benedek truly loves his kids but is a broken man.
I do read true crime stories and always been fascinated with them and always feel sad after reading though.
Throughout reading, I just wanted to hug Susan for what she went through. To lose her brother in Australia in 1971 and to have seen how he died at such a young age really rocked me to the core. Her father is taken into custody, and he tells them exactly how it all happened. He never lies at what he did.
Susan is cast into orphanages and then thankfully into the care of Pearl and her husband Kevan, although not related, Susan and Charlie had been cared for by Pearl at their day care centre. Susan was much happier to go and live with her and not strangers.
Susan rejoiced as Pearl buys a 140 acres farm and she loves the freedom and space she had never known.
As you read, you learn more of what Susan had to endure in her lifetime and they are horrible to even think that she had to go through them.
With Susan’s help as an adult now, she agreed to help the authors with information for this book.
I found it a fascinating read, I can’t imagine what Susan has been through and seen with her eyes. There were times I was angry at her dad but at the same time, thinking he really thought he was doing the best but why do it.
I wish Susan the best as she has her own family now. For people that do follow real crime stories, this is a great read and it will capture your attention. I found it really interesting. The story will stay with me for a while too.
I loved the cover which really depicts the love between Charlie and Susan.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for sending the book to me.
This book grabbed me by the heart and wouldn’t let go. I know it will stay with me for many years and perhaps will never leave.
Reading the true story of Susan who was only 4 when life as she knew it was turned upside down by the tragic killing of her elder brother by their Father. Her Mother had left and returned to her homeland of Finland so her Father was left to raise the two children. One day it seems he decided to end the struggle of raising two children on his own. Charlie was shot and killed but Susan was spared. Her Father took the gun and turned it on himself but failed to kill himself.
Thus began Susans new life in a Foster home with people who were not stable.
Susans strength to become a person in her own right and to not just fall in a heap is amazing.
This book tells the entire story as its know to Susan. Covering her memroies and the memories of those that took part in the fateful day. Information from Old letters, trial records, medical and offical records from the jail system, etc.
For me this is a story of a young girls amazing strength.
Many thanks to Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for my copy of this book to read and review.
The Whispering of trees contains the heartbreaking story of 6 year old Charlie who was shot by his father in 1971 and his 4 year old sister, Susan, who witnessed this tragedy.
The book covers the event, the trial, the life of Ted, the father, after said event and the story of what happens to Susan upon becoming a ward of the state. Her mother had left for Finland many years previously.
So much research was done to put this book into print. The authors did a fantastic job to piece it all together. I think any reader would appreciate the effort involved.This book gave the reader so many things to think about.
So many things were done differently back in the 70’s. Little was known about mental health. So many Government agencies were ill equipped to handle situations such as in the case of Susan.
The story of Charlie and Susan will stay with me for a long time.
A Whispering of Trees is a heartbreaking but important book. What makes it particularly powerful is that it goes beyond the shocking crime itself to show how a vulnerable child was failed by the very people and systems that should have protected her.
The extensive research gives the story credibility, while the authors’ compassionate, straightforward approach helps keep the focus on the people involved rather than sensationalising the tragedy. The subject matter is confronting, and parts of the book are likely to be distressing to read.
However, Susan’s survival and resilience give the story a measure of hope. It is a sobering reminder of how childhood trauma can shape a person’s life, but also of the strength people can find to overcome extraordinary adversity.
A compelling, sensitively written piece of Australian true crime that is as much about justice, child protection and human resilience as it is about murder.
Readers who enjoy carefully researched true stories and Australian history, provided they are comfortable with confronting subject matter.
Thank you to Big Sky Publishing and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read such a compelling piece of Australian history.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for the opportunity to read A Whispering Of Trees by Carol Rosenhain and Peter Newbury.
This is a true story and I had to keep trying to convince myself that it wasn’t true. It was sickening that a Dad could take his own son’s life.
This had lots of facts and sometimes it was a little dull but it wasn’t dramatised at all. It had great witness accounts and very detailed.
Susan who was the only child to survive had a hard life, but she helped willingly to write this book.
To listen to what this family went through is heartbreaking and all you’ll want to do is hold those dear close to you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, Beauty and Lace, for the opportunity to review A Whispering of Trees by Carol Rosenhain and Peter Newbury.
This story is one that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It is harrowing and a story that should not be forgotten. It tells of a family tragedy that occurred in Australia and the aftermath for a young girl named Susan, who had to grow up after her brother Charlie (only 6 years old) was shot by their dad.
My heart broke for Susan, who should have been cared for but was let down by the very systems that should have been there to protect her, and an era (the 70’s) very different in terms of foster care and protection.
The book also shows how, although life can be incredibly hard and people can go through terrible experiences growing up, the human spirit can keep going.
I highly recommend this true crime nonfiction book. Although it is difficult to read at times, and could be very triggering for some, it is a worthwhile read of the human spirit and adversity.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for allowing me to review A Whispering Of Trees.
I had no idea of the tragedy that occurred so close to where I live.
A whispering of trees tells us the true story of a family broken apart, a little 6 old boy whose life was tragically taken and the little girl who saw it all happen was left behind.
Throughout the story we find ourselves learning of everything leading up to the shooting and then we learn of all of the beautiful people who helped out little Susan during this tragedy.
Thanks to witnesses and filed long buried we find out what happened during Ted’s trial and why Charlie was shot and Susan was spared.
We also learn of the adversity she faced in her life.
I really enjoyed the book but I wish the tragedy did not occur.