When Cheetah Richards arrived in the historic town of Berrima eight years ago, she did not expect to find the things she did.
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The Sydneysider was looking to buy a holiday home in the area, but instead found herself immersed in a historical tale of death and deceit.
“I was visiting Berrima because I wanted to buy a holiday home, and I thought I would cruise through the Berrima Courthouse [Museum] while I was there,” Ms Richards said.
That was where she came across the story of Lucretia Dunckley, a Welsh woman trialed and convicted for the murder of her husband.
“I listened to her case in the courthouse and I was just fascinated,” Ms Richards said.
“I felt drawn to her, and I became absorbed in that period.”
Ms Richards did end up buying a home in Berrima, and that is where she spent the next five years writing a novel about the case she discovered in the courthouse.
Published in 2015, ‘Summoned Souls’ is Ms Richards’ first book.
It is a work of historical fiction that follows the story of a love triangle between Lucretia Dunckley, Martin Beech and John Lynch in the 1800s.
On September 24, 1843, Lucretia and Martin were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the disappearance of Henry.
On September 16, 1843, Lucretia became the second woman to be hanged in Australia, as she and Martin were found guilty and hanged at the Berrima Gaol.
“Lucretia was a mysterious person, but also a beautiful woman inside and out,” Ms Richards said.
“She endured a lot of hardship and she was very isolated, living alone in the country with her husband.”
“Then she met an Irish lad [Martin] and he became obsessed with her. The night he killed John he couldn’t take it any more – he was drunk, he stormed into the bedroom and killed him with an axe.”
Summoned Souls is based on extensive historical research conducted by Ms Richards, who sifted through court records, transportation papers and even spoke to local residents with connections to the case.
As for the “feelings and detailed events” of their lives leading to their deaths, Ms Richards said “this could only be imagined”.
“I used all the evidence I found from court and so on and built Lucretia’s life around that,” she said.
“But you have to create the feelings, sensitivities and emotions of the characters.”
Ms Richards is now working on her second novel, another work of historical fiction, which is set on the Great Barrier Island of New Zealand.
“I’ve always wanted to write and I love history. I have a passion for it.”
