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Table of Contents
About The Book
Millions have been entertained by the viral video of a man being arrested after a 'succulent Chinese meal'. But when Mark Dapin investigated, it emerged that this man's story went to the heart of the Australian underworld. A true crime cult classic in the making. This edition featuring a new Afterword.
Whether you know it as the 'succulent Chinese meal' video, or 'democracy manifest', chances are you have seen the video of baritone larrikin Jack Karlson getting arrested outside a Brisbane Chinese restaurant in 1991. The Guardian called it 'perhaps the pre- eminent Australian meme of the last 10 years'.
When Karlson called crime writer Mark Dapin out of the blue, though, Dapin hadn't heard of him. But there was enough that intrigued him about this theatrical outlaw to continue the conversation. Over the following months a dark and complex past emerged. It turned out that Karlson had been in the background of many notorious incidents in late-twentieth century Australian crime, from collaborating with infamous prison-playwright Jim McNeil to befriending hitman Christopher Dale Flannery (Mr Rent-a-Kill).
But most shockingly of all, Karlson's life story led Dapin to shed new light on a number of unsolved murders, by two serial killers.
The result is an extraordinary, deeply revealing portrait of Australian crime from the 60s to the 2010s – a portrait of carnage.
' Carnage is a classic Australian crime story.' Gary Jubelin, author of I Catch Killers
'True crime at its grim and richly entertaining best, and – let's face it – its truest .' Robert Drewe, author of The Shark Net
'If ever there was a book crammed with colorful villains who are “mad, bad and dangerous to know,” it's definitely Mark Dapin's extraordinary book, Carnage .' Kate McClymont, author of He Who Must Be Obeyed
Whether you know it as the 'succulent Chinese meal' video, or 'democracy manifest', chances are you have seen the video of baritone larrikin Jack Karlson getting arrested outside a Brisbane Chinese restaurant in 1991. The Guardian called it 'perhaps the pre- eminent Australian meme of the last 10 years'.
When Karlson called crime writer Mark Dapin out of the blue, though, Dapin hadn't heard of him. But there was enough that intrigued him about this theatrical outlaw to continue the conversation. Over the following months a dark and complex past emerged. It turned out that Karlson had been in the background of many notorious incidents in late-twentieth century Australian crime, from collaborating with infamous prison-playwright Jim McNeil to befriending hitman Christopher Dale Flannery (Mr Rent-a-Kill).
But most shockingly of all, Karlson's life story led Dapin to shed new light on a number of unsolved murders, by two serial killers.
The result is an extraordinary, deeply revealing portrait of Australian crime from the 60s to the 2010s – a portrait of carnage.
' Carnage is a classic Australian crime story.' Gary Jubelin, author of I Catch Killers
'True crime at its grim and richly entertaining best, and – let's face it – its truest .' Robert Drewe, author of The Shark Net
'If ever there was a book crammed with colorful villains who are “mad, bad and dangerous to know,” it's definitely Mark Dapin's extraordinary book, Carnage .' Kate McClymont, author of He Who Must Be Obeyed
About The Author
Photograph © Mark Dapin
Mark Dapin is an acclaimed journalist, author, screenwriter and historian. He is the author of the novels King of the Cross, Spirit House and R&R. King of the Cross won the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction, and Spirit House was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, and shortlisted for the Age Book of the Year and the Royal Society for Literature’s Ondaatje Prize. R&R was shortlisted for a Ned Kelly Award. Mark holds a doctorate in military history. His history book The Nashos’ War was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, and won the NIB People’s Choice Award and an Alex Buzo Shortlist Award. He has also written three books of true crime: Public Enemies (shortlisted for a Ned Kelly Award), Prison Break and Carnage. He worked as consultant producer on Network Seven TV show Armed and Dangerous, and as screenwriter on Stan’s Wolf Creek 2. His website is at markdapin.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Scribner Australia (March 5, 2025)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781761631610
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Raves and Reviews
‘Carnage is a window into Australian mayhem, killingly funny and beautifully told. Dapin finds pathos in a twisted world.’
– Matthew Spencer, author of Black River
‘If ever there was a book crammed with colourful villains who are "mad, bad and dangerous to know," it's definitely Mark Dapin's extraordinary book, Carnage.'
– Kate McClymont, author of He Who Must Be Obeid
‘A must read. Mark Dapin could never be accused of glorifying crime, but he is guilty as sin for understanding it. With an innate ability to find stories and characters behind the facts he again takes us deep into the world of true crime. Inhabited by flawed humans, filled with violence, humour, tears and dreams, Carnage is a classic Australian crime story.’
– Gary Jubelin, author of I Catch Killers
'True crime at its grim and richly entertaining best, and – let’s face it – its truest.'
– Robert Drewe, author of The Shark Net
'an absorbing account of colourful villains and killers ... With his typical verve and style, Dapin engagingly tells Karlson’s story, while also casting a broader eye on society. Fascinating.'
– Canberra Weekly
'Carnage is, at times, difficult yet engrossing reading that spares no brutal detail. It will be a welcome addition to Australian true crime shelves'
– Books+Publishing
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Carnage Paperback 9781761631610
- Author Photo (jpg): Mark Dapin Photograph © Mark Dapin(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
