An Irresistible Temptation: The True Story of Jane New and a Colonial Scandal

Set in 1829 Sydney, the story revolves around Jane New, who faces a death sentence for shoplifting silk, raising questions about her guilt. Despite a legal technicality overturning her sentence, Governor Ralph Darling keeps her imprisoned, igniting a fierce defense by influential figures like barrister William Charles Wentworth. The scandal not only captivates the public but also threatens a constitutional crisis in colonial New South Wales, intertwining Jane's fate with the turbulent politics of the time and leading to her lasting legacy in Australian history.