A boundary element method based on the Cauchy integral formulae, i.e. a complex variable boundary element method (CVBEM), is proposed for the numerical solution of an antiplane crack problem involving an elastic body with shear modulus that varies continuously in space. The shear modulus assumes a certain form which is quite general to allow for multiparameter fitting of its variation. The method reduces the problem to a system of linear algebraic equations and can be readily implemented on the computer. For clarity, the CVBEM formulation is first carried out for a straight crack and then its extension to include an arbitrary curved crack is indicated.