Media Release From Longacre Press
Lynley Hood’s long awaited book about the controversial Christchurch Civic Creche case will now be published by Dunedin
based publisher Longacre Press. The book, A City Possessed, is the result of over seven year’s research by the award
winning author. The book will be released later this year.
Creche worker, Peter Ellis, was convicted of abusing children in 1993. The case divided Christchurch at the time –
between those who believed the abuse happened and those who thought there was a miscarriage of justice. Throughout the
trial and since, Ellis has always maintained his innocence.
The book not only details the court case, but most importantly it lays out the events and debates which surrounded and
preceeded the case. By putting the case in its historical, social and political context it shows why the Civic Creche
case occurred, and why it took the shape it did.
‘It’s a challenging, thought-provoking and powerfully written book’ said Longacre’s managing editor Barbara Larson. ‘The
content is fascinating, informative and disturbing – A City Possessed is a profound and important work.’
Lynley Hood’s books include Minnie Dean, Her Life and Crimes, the only woman hanged for murder in New Zealand and
Sylvia, a biography of Sylvia Ashton-Warner.
Longacre Press was awarded the D.W. Thorpe Publisher of the Year Award last year.
ENDS