25 Oct 2025

Recipe for Murder: inside the mushroom trial

From Saturday Morning, 9:29 am on 25 October 2025

The recent trial of Australian woman Erin Patterson captured headlines around the world. 

Charged with murder and attempted murder after serving a family lunch laced with the poisonous death cap mushroom, the mum of two claimed the deaths were accidental but failed to convince the jury.   

Former police detective turned investigative journalist Duncan McNab, attended the high-profile trial. 

A best-selling author, his latest book Recipe for Murder, provides further insights into the woman who committed these unimaginable crimes and how she was caught. He talks to Guyon Espiner about the motivation, method and mistakes behind the triple murder that gripped a nation.

Duncan McNab next to his book cover 'Recipe For Murder'.

Duncan McNab. Photo: Hachette