The Bolthole
The Bolthole by Peter Papathanasiou, published by Hodder & Stoughton on July 31, 2025, is a mystery novel set against the backdrop of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The story unfolds in a locale marked by its violent seas and a history of shipwrecks, where the traditional lifestyle of the Islanders is increasingly threatened by the influx of wealthy newcomers. When Richard Marlowe, a recent arrival, goes missing after a dawn swim, the community’s tensions rise as suspicions about his disappearance grow.
Readers will follow Detective Sergeant Manolis and Senior Constable Sparrow as they navigate the complexities of the investigation amidst a backdrop of local hostility and environmental concerns. The narrative delves into themes of self-sufficiency and community dynamics, highlighting the clash between the Islanders and the affluent outsiders. With 352 pages, this edition presents a gripping exploration of mystery and suspense, reflecting the changing landscape of a once-quiet paradise.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A rising star of crime fiction” Sunday Times
“Outback noir has a new star” The Times
Located off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island lies surrounded by violent seas harbouring deadly great white sharks and forgotten shipwrecks.
Over the centuries the Islanders have cultivated a sense of self-sufficiency, independence and resilience. But times are changing: multimillionaires from the mainland are building immense clifftop mansions and filling the skies with private planes and helicopters. A quiet paradise is being transformed into a bolthole for the rich and privileged. And the locals aren’t happy.
Richard Marlowe, a wealthy “blow-in” to the island, goes missing, last seen wading into the ocean for a dawn swim. A shark attack is blamed, but things don’t add up. Reuniting for a new investigation, Detective Sergeant Manolis and Senior Constable Sparrow arrive on the island, but their presence isn’t welcomed, either. Faced with hostility from both Islanders and newcomers, their attempts to locate the missing man are derailed by a civil war over limited resources, a fragile environment, and fractured community dynamics.
REVIEWS FOR THE STONING
“Political crime fiction of a high order” Sunday Times
“Deliciously dark outback noir” Guardian
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