Thanks to NPR for pointing me in the direction of some strangely beautiful photographs — that are ripe for narration.  (Read the original story here.)

So what’s special about these photos?  They are mugshots from Sydney, circa 1900 – 1930.  This website has a lot more photos and it even details the alleged crime when possible.  These women were arrested for shoplifting, bigamy, vagrancy, performing abortions, and a slew of other reasons.  Fascinating.

{most photos from this book}

And for the really gruesome writer who is looking for the next great idea, the crime scene photo section is quite ripe with literary inspiration.

{Here were last summer’s photos that motivated my pen.}