Bay of Martyrs was published in the UK earlier this year, where it has been enjoying great reviews and acclaim for its "exotic" setting.

The novel is a collaboration between former Standard journalist Tony Black, who has published about a dozen crime books in his native Scotland, and current Standard journalist Matt Neal.

Bay of Martyrs is having its first Australian launch on Saturday at Warrnambool Books. 

Neal will be joined by Port Fairy author Jock Serong for a Q&A session at the event from 10.30am. 

The novel tells the story of a young woman's body washing up at the Bay of Martyrs near Peterborough, sparking a local journalist's investigation into her fate that uncovers a secret web of corruption.

Sections of the story are set in Koroit and Port Fairy, as well as several iconic Warrnambool landmarks.

A sequel is due out in the UK early next year.