Book Review: Jungle Law: Mad, Bad, Stupid and Dangerous: True Crime Tales from a Perth Criminal Lawyer By Henry Sklarz
Review by Megan Cramp
Senior Associate, Wotton + Kearney Jungle Law is a collection of short stories told by Perth criminal defence barrister, Henry Sklarz. The slogan of Sklarz Lawyers is “Think outside the box”. Outside the box is an appropriate way to describe the characters within these stories.
Jungle Law tells tales of murderers, rapists, bank robbers, and prostitutes. Ranging from hilarious to horrifying, chapter titles such as “The Granny Killer” and “The Prostitutes” give an idea of what can be found within its pages. The reader is as likely to finish a tale with a chuckle as with a gasp of shock and dismay. These stories serve as a reminder of the criminal underbelly of Perth, so easily forgotten as we plod along the Terrace with our thoughts fixed on the foot traffic and our next client meeting. A reminder that criminal activity surrounds us may not sound appealing. However, the familiar territory makes it effortless to visualise each story as it unfolds. Most tales take place in Perth. However, Kalgoorlie, the Pilbara, and our beloved south-west are not excluded. The book starts off on a light note, telling the almost charming story of a hapless bank robber. The story of the man who stole a winning lotto ticket from his mother-in-law also makes for entertaining reading. In contrast, some stories are downright disturbing. One can only imagine how difficult it was for Sklarz to immerse himself in the details of these crimes.
A chapter entitled “Violence Against Women” recounts some horrific events, but also serves as a timely reminder to the community of what still occurs behind closed doors. Sklarz has certainly served the public interest in making this point. Sklarz says that Jungle Law was inspired by decades of working with complex characters in difficult situations, and after many dinner party conversations justifying the work of a criminal defence barrister. This is evident from the content of each story. Sklarz interweaves the background of each offender into their story. The reader is reminded that, while some criminals are simply terrible people, almost all come from complex backgrounds, and some deserve our sympathy. One such story is that of a Vietnam veteran who developed a drug addiction to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder sustained while serving in the Australian army. Sadly, he passed away while serving a prison sentence for drug offences. Each story also contains fundamental information about the criminal justice system. The reader will soon be able to recite the definition of murder and potential defences to that crime, amongst others. The inclusion of this information is helpful to the lay reader, providing the particulars they need to understand each story. It may also prove useful to Sklarz at future dinner parties. Guests who enjoy complaining about the state of the criminal justice system may soon have more educated complaints to make, and a better understanding of the role that a criminal defence barrister plays in the administration of justice. It was a stroke of genius to embed this information within each harrowing or hilarious story. One would
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Each story also contains fundamental information about the criminal justice system. It was a stroke of genius to embed this information within each harrowing or hilarious story. One would suggest that this is the literary equivalent of hiding vegetables in your child’s spaghetti. suggest that this is the literary equivalent of hiding vegetables in your child’s spaghetti. The stories told are not always politically correct. A story regarding the author’s secretary, an ex “Miss West Coast”, in the preface to the book gives the reader fair warning of this. Others make it clear that Sklarz has a wry sense of humour. After telling the cautionary tale of a murder caused by peer pressure, the author ends with the line, “birds of a feather do life in prison together”. A sense of humour is no doubt required to survive 35 years in the criminal law. Sklarz does not appear to take himself too seriously, and neither should you, if you are to enjoy the stories that are shared. Jungle Law is a well-timed entrant to the literary world, given the current fascination with true crime. It provides some engrossing stories to share with family and friends, or over the water cooler. A great gift for the true crime fan in your life. These are fascinating stories of, as the title suggests, the mad, bad, stupid, and dangerous.
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