Murder in the Suburbs

Shocking True Crimes can happen in Your Street.

From acclaimed true crime author and podcaster Emily Webb comes a gripping collection of chilling cases from Australia and beyond. This volume delves into both well-known and obscure crimes, revealing the dark underbelly lurking beneath seemingly peaceful neighbourhoods.

In 1977, the murder of an Australian nurse living in Texas shocked the community and remains unsolved to this day. In 1950, the disappearance of a Melbourne woman led to the largest search of its time, only for her husband to later confess to disposing of her body under dubious circumstances.

The book also examines decades of baby abductions from hospitals, suburban homes, and public streets, highlighting the vulnerability of the most innocent among us. The still-unsolved murder of elderly "gentleman grocer" Frank Newbery in Newcastle serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk in the most familiar places.

In the 1950s, a cricket match in suburban Adelaide turned into a scene of terror when a gunman opened fire, fatally shooting one player and injuring another. In 1973, during a bustling football game at Adelaide Oval, 11-year-old Joanne Ratcliffe and 4-year-old Kirste Gordon vanished without a trace, their disappearances haunting the community to this day.

Murder in the Suburbs is a compelling reminder that even the most tranquil street can harbour dark secrets. These true accounts will leave you questioning the safety of the world just outside your door.

Praise for Emily Webb

Suburban True Crime is a cracking read. It's full of suspense and mystery — but not of the Hollywood variety — instead Emily Webb writes about our streets and suburbs. – The AU Review

Webb certainly whets the appetite for more reading around these cases … A solid addition to any true crime lover’s bookshelf. – GLAM

Her telling of a range of tales reads as factual, careful and very considered … That doesn't mean that she shies away from explaining what happened to many of these victims, it, fortunately, lacks the sensationalism that can sometimes be found in these sorts of accounts. – AustralianCrimeFiction.org