A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay

By Simon Farquhar

A true crime masterpiece of investigative journalism: the landmark Muriel McKay kidnapping case re-examined.

Winter 1969. Rupert Murdoch's purchase of two newspapers captivates two men, setting in motion a plan to kidnap his wife for ransom. A mistake leads them to Muriel McKay, wife of Murdoch's colleague, Alick McKay. Held for 1 million, Muriel's fate grips the nation.

A Desperate Business unveils the story of Britain's first kidnap and ransom case. Simon Farquhar evokes a 1960s Britain on the cusp of change, with a struggling police force and a ravenous press. This is a tale of crime, detection, and tragedy, revealing the dark side of ambition and the enduring impact of a desperate act. Perfect for readers of true crime, social history, and those fascinated by the intersection of crime and media.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0750997230
• ISBN13: 9780750997232
• Release Date: February 2020
• Publisher: History Press
• Length: 348 Pages