The Mount Marunga Mystery

The Mount Marunga Mystery is a murder mystery by Australian author Harrison Owen first published in 1919. Owen, a Melbourne-based journalist, was noted by reviewers for his detailed knowledge of police procedures and skillful narrative construction. In June 2008, the novel was re-issued by Kessinger Publishing.

Plot
The story unfolds at a Victorian mountain hotel during a fancy-dress ball, where wealthy pastoralist Henry Tracey is found murdered. Initial suspicions fall on Tracey's daughter and her lover, owing to the victim's opposition to their marriage. The daughter is eventually found guilty, leading to unexpected plot twists.

Adaptations
In 1921, Raymond Longford and Lottie Lyell adapted the novel into the silent film The Blue Mountains Mystery.

Resources

 * The Mount Marunga Mystery full text on archive.org