Grave Tales: Melbourne Volume 1 is one of a series of non-fiction books written by Australian journalists and authors, Helen Goltz and Chris Adams. This title looks at the stories behind certain graves in Melbourne’s cemeteries. Prefaced by an introduction noting information about the history of Melbourne’s cemeteries are eighteen tales of death and the life that preceded it, or the circumstances that led to it.

Each entry follows a set format: photograph(s) of the grave, basic information about the interred and the location of the grave, the interred person’s story (including photographs or drawn illustrations), directions for finding the grave, and detailed references.

Meticulous research is compiled into a very readable volume, although some of the related research included may be of more interest to Melbourne locals than a wider readership. And while not every story will be equally riveting, there will certainly be one or two to interest every reader.

Some of the stories depict interesting lives, lives that include highs and lows, stories of hardship and fulfillment, of tragic accidents, of murder, rape, boating mishap, wrongful conviction; some are well known by name (eg Whelan the Wrecker, Harold Holt); or by deed (the first female mechanic, the inventor of Vegemite, a dress-pattern mogul, the co-composer of a famous Aussie ballad).

Some are notable for interesting deaths (or perhaps their aftermath), be they accidental (drowning, food poisoning, car accident, typhus, choking on food) or intentional (execution, suicide, strangulation, shooting). This volume is bound to appeal to readers who are interested in the quirky aspects of Melbourne history: fascinating tales of what lies behind the headstone.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by the author and Atlas Productions.