In 1953, a small dog leads his owner to the mutilated, dead body of a young girl. The senseless and brutal homicide not only shakes up the small seaside town of Mt Martha, but also begins an Australia - wide manhunt for the callous murderer. However, the witness testimonies are strangely inconsistent, and without a prime suspect, the case goes cold. That is until the present time, when Nick Szabo begins an unrelated research project and comes across an old newspaper clipping. Aided by his old friend Arthur Boyle, he digs deeper into the case, uncovering horrific layers of deception and betrayal. Told in a split narrative, the novel explores family secrets and lies as the reader travels between 1953 and the present when Nick Szabo, dealing with girlfriend troubles, and his older informant, Arthur Boyle, discover hidden relationships and connections that link them to the past. Steeped in Melbourne’s past and historically accurate, Murder in Mount Martha is inspired by a real - life unsolved murder. It is an exciting and harrowing tale of what might have happened on that dark day on September 12, 1953.