Stone Town
Stone Town by Margaret Hickey, published by Random House Australia in July 2022, is a mystery novel set against the backdrop of a town with a troubled past. The story begins when three teenagers discover a body in the bushland, disrupting Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti’s hopes for a peaceful return to his hometown. The victim, Aidan Sleeth, a controversial property developer, is found dead, raising questions about his dealings and the local community’s sentiments. The narrative is further complicated by the national mystery surrounding the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed, who was investigating a high-profile case before vanishing.
Readers will find a complex web of intrigue as the plot unfolds, intertwining the murder investigation with Natalie’s disappearance. The story delves into themes of crime and the secrets that lie beneath the surface of rural life. With 416 pages, this edition offers a detailed exploration of the characters and the evolving dynamics within Stone Town, making it a notable addition to the mystery and detective genre.
Official synopsis Publisher
With its gold-rush history long in the past, Stone Town has seen better days. And it’s now in the headlines for all the wrong reasons . . .
When three teenagers stumble upon a body in dense bushland one rainy Friday night, Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti’s hopes for a quiet posting in his old home town are shattered. The victim is Aidan Sleeth, a property developer, whose controversial plan to buy up local land means few are surprised he ended up dead.
However, his gruesome murder is overshadowed by a mystery consuming the entire nation- the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed.
Natalie had been investigating the celebrity wife of crime boss Tony ‘The Hook’ Scopelliti when she vanished. What did she uncover? Has it cost her her life? And why are the two Homicide detectives, sent from the city to run the Sleeth case, so obsessed with Natalie’s fate?
Following a late-night call from his former boss, Mark is sure of one thing- he’s now in the middle of a deadly game . . .
‘An impressive piece of crime fiction, with good characters, a twisty plot and crisp descriptions of an outback town undergoing change.’ Canberra Weekly
‘Hickey nicely layers the intrigue as we follow the always likeable Ariti, who once again discovers just how secretive and bizarre life in the rural hinterland can be. Stone Town does not disappoint.’ Sydney Morning Herald
‘Stone Town is a complex and readable crime novel, and is highly recommended.’ Canberra Times
‘Like Hickey’s debut novel, Cutters End, this equally satisfying thriller has interesting twists.’ Reader’s Digest
‘Astonishingly assured crime debut. A pitch perfect outback noir, set against a vivid and atmospheric desert landscape . . . The book’s explosive finale will linger with you for days.’ Weekend Australian on Cutters End
‘Past and the present collide to create a gripping tale of murder and intrigue.’ Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands on Cutters End
‘This smart, affecting tale owes more to Scandi noir fiction with its sinister twists and aching characters . . . a tour de force.’ Australian Women’s Weekly on Cutters End
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