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  • Published: 14 February 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761045455
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $34.99

The Messiah's Bride




Eleven-year-old Stefanie Hinrichs came to Australia looking for paradise –and found herself trapped in the marriage from Hell.

In 1994, Stefanie Hinrichs dreamed of owning a horse, leaving school and marrying Keanu Reeves. But God had other plans for the teenager.

Her family belonged to a controversial Doomsday cult led by self-proclaimed Messiah William Kamm, also known as the ‘Little Pebble’, who was building a new promised land for his followers deep in the Australian bush.

Stefanie was forced to become the false prophet’s child bride – one of eighty-four mystical spouses chosen by the Lord to bear twenty-seven children for his new heavenly dynasty.

Forbidden from telling anyone about the illicit sexual relationship, she kept a diary.

Investigative journalist Megan Norris unravels the story of Stefanie’s lost childhood, her courageous escape with his child, and how the scribblings of a teenage girl brought one of Australia’s most dangerous sex predators to justice.

  • Published: 14 February 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761045455
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $34.99

About the author

Megan Norris

Megan Norris is a UK-trained journalist and award-winning author whose portfolio includes covering some of Australia’s most notorious crimes.

Her first book, Perfect Victim, co-authored with Elizabeth Southall, is now a movie starring Sam Neill, Miranda Otto and Guy Pearce. Her last book Look What You Made Me Do was awarded the 2017 Sisters in Crime Australia Davitt Award for best non-fiction crime book.

A regular contributor to Australian Women’s Weekly, Megan has appeared on Foxtel’s Crimes That Shook Australia, Channel Seven’s Sunday Night and Today Tonight and on Ten’s The Project. She has also been a regular guest on Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb’s acclaimed podcast, Australian True Crime, on the Stalking Australia podcast and ABC Radio’s Nightlife. Her work has been syndicated worldwide.

Megan lives on the Gold Coast with her husband Steve, their grandson, and their dog Larry. The Messiah’s Bride is her seventh book.

Also by Megan Norris

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Awards & recognition

Davitt Awards

Longlisted  •  2024  •  Best Non-fiction book

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