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The May issue of The Monthly features a magnificent piece of writing: long-form journalism at its very best. Sarah Krasnostein turns her considerable skills to unfurling the story of Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train, and the circumstances and beliefs that led them to kill two police officers, a neighbour, and ultimately themselves on their property in Wieambilla, Queensland late last year. It is an essay that considers not just the circumstances of their horrendous crime, but the social conditions – the collision of ideology and isolation – that made that crime not just possible, but perhaps inevitable. Her research and insights into violent extremism, domestic terrorism and the politicisation of public safety paint a troubling picture of our radicalised times.

Professor Marcia Langton pays stirring tribute to the late Dr Yunupingu, Don Watson remembers the brilliance of Bruce Petty, and – not quite a eulogy yet – Malcolm Turnbull reflects on the current fortunes of the Liberal Party, and in particular the cost of their links to the Murdoch media.

And, elsewhere in the issue, Esther Linder considers the Australian households struggling to put food on their tables as cost-of-living concerns escalate, Shireen Morris shares her take on the political argy-bargy around the wording of the voice constitutional amendment, and Shaun Micallef tackles what to believe and the nature of delusions.

Plus architecture, film, literature and more.