Home among the Melbourne slums and sideshows, Mona Hayes is anything but traditional

Diamonds, Furs and Murder is a historical fiction inspired by the life and crimes of little-known thief Mona Hayes. Described by police as a well-educated, exceptionally clever crook - if she sees something she wants, she takes it. Most women don't do that. If the mark is deserving, even better. Diamonds, watches and furs are Mona's weakness. Not to be deterred by jail time, she hones her craft, performing cons on shopkeepers and charming the police.

But when Mona falls in love with the mysterious Albert Sharpe, who will save her? Who will save him? And can Mona finally pull herself out of the life of crime to which she's grown accustomed?

In researching Victorian public records, Tara Oldfield was so taken by Mona's story that she embarked on a journey to share an imaginative portrait of a woman few people know, creatively filling in the gaps of this criminal's colourful exploits.