The Cemetery Road Murders

by Wes Swietek

Most people who grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky have heard of the so-called Murder Mansion on Cemetery Road. However, many people don’t know the reason it was given that macabre title so many years ago. The Cemetery Road Murders is the true story about the seventy-year old murders, the real cast of characters involved, and the courtroom dramas that followed.

In the summer of 1948, Dr. Charles Martin and his wife, Martha, are brutally murdered in their stately mansion on Cemetery Road. In the days that follow, the confessed killer opens the door to a possible accomplice, a mysterious love triangle, and revenge for unrequited love…or was it?

The Cemetery Road Murders brings new life to crimes now seven decades removed, reminding us of Bowling Green’s sordid past and a lonely house on the outskirts of town.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Mystery

211 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Olivia Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love true crime shows and podcasts, but this is the first true crime book I’ve ever read and I was not disappointed. I am not originally from Bowling Green but went to school at Western and now have been living here for a few years. My first encounter with the house was about two years ago when my boyfriend was driving down the road and pointed it out; “and there’s Murder Mansion where a few people were killed sometime in the 40’s or 50’s” I was pretty interested. I enjoyed the book because it was interesting to learn about a historical event in the city that you’re living in; a story full of money, sex, and murder. Go give it a read!

Also interesting fact: my boyfriends grandparents live right across the street from the mansion and you can see it from their laundry room.

[amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite Western Kentucky University being my Alma Mater and living in Bowling Green for several years, I had never heard of "Murder Mansion" until I came across this book at my local library.

The amount of research that went into creating this book had to be incredible. Not only does the author thoroughly recount the titled true-crime event, but he also gives a brief history for almost everyone in the book. He does an excellent job really setting the scene for what life would have been like in the 40's and 50's. I especially enjoyed learning about Pauline Tabor and how Bowling Green used to carry the nickname "Little Chicago" for the high crime in the 60's and 70's. I would have never expected Bowling Green to have such an interesting and sordid past! I also appreciated that the author stayed true to their research until the final chapter- saving speculation and family input for the end. I was a little surprised at the end for sure!

The middle of the book was admittedly difficult to get through with all the court proceedings, but overall it was a great read. I definitely would recommend this book for anyone interested in True Crime who may be from Kentucky!

[Jennifer Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from Kentucky this was an interesting little read… Murders based out of Bowling Green, even after reading you don’t really know what happened and who was involved but it does leave you wondering what really happened?

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled onto this book-part of a 9 book series on Kentucky True Crime. A short book, but not necessarily an easy read. The first part introduced many of the characters involved, but jumped around and was tricky to follow. I'm not entirely sure about the resolution of the story, but as a new resident of Kentucky I was interested in some of its controversial history.

"Most people who grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky have heard of the so-called Murder Mansion on Cemetery Road. However, many people don’t know the reason it was given that macabre title so many years ago. The Cemetery Road Murders is the true story about the seventy-year old murders, the real cast of characters involved, and the courtroom dramas that followed. In the summer of 1948, Dr. Charles Martin and his wife, Martha, are brutally murdered in their stately mansion on Cemetery Road. In the days that follow, the confessed killer opens the door to a possible accomplice, a mysterious love triangle, and revenge for unrequited love…or was it? The Cemetery Road Murders brings new life to crimes now seven decades removed, reminding us of Bowling Green’s sordid past and a lonely house on the outskirts of town."

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We visited Bowling Green, KY, for a car show a few months back. I learned vaguely about the mansion and this book while on the historical trolley ride from the Corvette museum. I did not know anything about these murders or Bowling Green before that trip or this book. I got this book at the train depot while on the trolley tour.
* Do not look at the pictures in the middle of the book unless you want spoilers* (I wish someone would have told me that).
Super detailed and exciting book. At the beginning it feels a little ADD going into the back stories of all involved and who we're introduced to, but it makes sense by the 2nd half of the book because the individuals involved needed some context to understand why they're saying/acting the way they were.
Very crazy story given the time period and where we were in time with our inventions/technology (or lack thereof). I learned way more about Bowling Green and the history of that area than I'd ever imagined. Having been on that trolley tour, I was able to 'see' all the areas of Bowling Green that were being explained throughout the book that made it even more exciting.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this from cover to cover in record pace. It is the true story about crime(s) and subsequent trial(s) that took place in the late 1940’s in Bowling Green. My dad was a student there at the time, and lived there with my mom and brother. My entire life I heard about this from my mother. It includes murder, extortion, dog napping, betrayal, sex, you name it. I have been researching these crimes and trials for over 12 years. I wanted to write about it, but honestly did not where to start or where to end. Thank goodness Wes did!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what draws me to stories of true crime, but this one based on a series of events not far from where I now live was both intriguing and surprising. I had not heard of this crime but the cast of characters and the events of the book are very interesting. The author's voice is that of a local relaying the story to curious out-of-towners who don't know the story. Very fluid and homey.

[Shaun Goebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

More history than mystery, which I wasn’t sure I would be into when I started and realized it, but getting tossed back in time in the city I’ve lived in for quite some time was a fun ride. If you’ve spent time in Bowling Green, Kentucky, I highly recommend this journey into the past.

[Maddie]

RTC

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise, but honestly, not all that interesting of a case? Can’t tell if the writing was middling or the case was just not all that interesting. Not a bad read though.