Crime author leaves guests wanting more

Veteran News Limited crime reporter Mark Morri had guests on the edge of their seats when he spoke about his latest book Hate Mail at the Glen Street library on Thursday night.

Mr Morri recalled back in 1998, personal trainer and Kings Cross identity Brett Boyd arrived at his Belrose home to find a package waiting in the driveway addressed to his girlfriend Simone Cheung. Inside the parcel was a bomb which left Boyd in hospital fighting for his life.

The police investigation that followed led to the Kings Cross organised crime scene, an arrest, a faked death, false passport and a manhunt that led to Spain.

Speaking at the conclusion of his author talk, Morri revealed it was a casual conversation with Manly Police crime manager Craig Wonders in 2016 which planted the seed about re-telling the extraordinary tale of Brett Boyd.

"It was a case of the northern beaches colliding with Kings Cross in its heyday,'' he said. "To have a man (Boyd) literally have his thumb blown off in suburban Belrose, it was just unheard of and probably still is.

"If you look at all the different elements of the story, it would make a great movie."

Morri has also written a best selling book on the murder of Blacktown nurse Anita Cobby in 1986, a high profile case he covered for the Daily Mirror at the time.

"It was harrowing, and just so senseless,'' he said. "It really cut me deep, it was horrible to report on."

Hate Mail is available at all good book shops for $34.99.