Otago Daily Times
October 2, 2001

Positive reaction to book
By Craig Page

Dunedin author Lynley Hood has had nothing but support following yesterday's release of her controversial book about convicted child abuser Peter Ellis.

"Everybody has been extremely positive. People are saying good on you. It's about time the truth came out," Ms Hood said last night at the book's launch in Dunedin.

The 600-page book, A City Possessed , is the culmination of seven years research by Ms Hood into the conviction of Christchurch's Civic Creche worker Peter Ellis for sexually abusing seven young children.

Ellis was sentenced to 10 years jail in 1993 for the crimes. Last year, he was released from prison after serving two-thirds of his sentence. A ministerial inquiry earlier this year found it had not been proved the original conviction was unsafe.

However, Ms Hood's book points to evidence showing Ellis is innocence.

More than 60 people were on hand last night for the launch of the book at the University of Otago's executive residence.

Ms Hood (58) said she had been delighted at the initial response. "There hasn't been any flak at the moment. It could come, but if I'd been worried about that I wouldn't have written the book."

Dunedin book stores yesterday reported "plenty of interest" in A City Possessed , although one outlet believed some people might have been put off by its $59.95 price.

Whitcoulls was reluctant to give details on the number of sales, as it was also involved with sales of the book at last night's launch. However, a spokeswoman said there had been "quite a lot of interest".