Author and musician Hugh McGinlay has been coming to Ocean Grove for summer holidays since he was four.
Now 41, the town provided all the inspiration for Hugh’s latest novel, Bodysurfing, the third in his Catherine Kint mysteries.
Set in Ocean Grove, Catherine and her friend Britt, who is a homicide detective, find a body in the water which sets off a series of various rocks to uncover a killer.
Catherine is a gin enthusiast, milliner, raconteur and sleuth and is still as “hedonistic as she ever was” according to Hugh.
“I’ve been coming to Ocean Grove most years since I was four,” Hugh says.
“I’ve spent a lot of time there and always loved being at the beach. It’s a real holiday mystery.”
Hugh says several local landmarks and eateries are mentioned in the book, from the Zebra Bar, Ming Terrace, Memorial Oval, 13th Beach and “every fish and chip shop”.
“There’s more fish and chips consumed in this book than any other,” Hugh says.
The book also pokes fun at politics “no matter which party you love and hate”.
“It’s the most fun book I have ever written,” he says.
“It’s something to switch off from post-pandemic.
“The characters are having a great time even when they’re not having a great time.”
Published by Clan Destine Press, Bodysurfing is available in paperback and ebook.
Hugh will be at Ocean Grove Library on February 17 for an author talk.
“All the locals can tell me what I got wrong,” he says.
