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The Bolthole
"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 multimillionaires from the mainlaind 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
"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 multimillionaires from the mainlaind 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
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
34 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Peter Papathanasiou
14 books43 followersPeter Papathanasiou was born in northern Greece in 1974 and adopted as a baby to an Australian family. His debut book, a memoir, was published in 2019 as "Son of Mine" by Salt Publishing (UK) and "Little One" by Allen & Unwin (Australia). His debut novel, a work of crime fiction, was published in 2021 as "The Stoning" by MacLehose Press (UK) and Transit Lounge (Australia), and in 2022 by Polar Verlag (Germany). Peter's writing has otherwise been published by The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Seattle Times, The Guardian UK, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Good Weekend, ABC and SBS. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from City, University of London; a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences from The Australian National University (ANU); and a Bachelor of Laws from ANU specialising in criminal law.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterPapatha...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2026
EXCERPT: Boyle stared out across the distant paddocks scattered with mechanical debris - tractors and ploughs and agricultural machinery of unspecified vintage - remnants of long days working alone. The old farmer had a tragic quality about him; Sparrow thought he saw a tear form in the corner of Boyle's eye. The corrugated sunflower of a windmill sat crooked in an empty field.
Boyle inhaled another lungful of strength. He kicked the trailer's flat tyre with resignation.
'Look, don't get me wrong,' he said. The community's rallied around, their generosity's been really touching, I'm grateful as hell. They brought me food and clothes when I was wiped out - even donated this old trailer. The Islander spirit, which we've had for generations, through wartime and natural disasters, shone through. It shows there's still good people out there.'
Noah nodded with an air of quiet contentment. They had the island, and each other, and would defend it with every fibre in the face of oncoming danger, whatever its form. It was a bond Sparrow found worthy of his reluctant respect, and perhaps even a little envy.
'And you also got your health, mate,' Sparrow told Boyle. 'You look as fit as a trout.'
Boyle chuckled, embarrassed by the sudden attention. 'I'm doin' okay. I put it all down to physical labour. Old school farming, like Pa once did, always moving around. I've no bloody time to be ill, I can't afford it, and I'm grateful to everyone for their help. But this, right now, isn't sustainable.'
'I reckon things'll pick up soon,' Sparrow said. 'The new builds are nearly finished. I saw Marlowe's the other day and it was basically done.'
'Marlowe,' grumbled Boyle, eyes narrow. 'Don't talk to me about fucking Marlowe . . .'
'Why? What happened?' Sparrow asked.
Boyle admitted he'd had a spiteful encounter with Marlowe soon after he arrived on the island - a road rage incident that had quickly escalated, involving Boyle's boxy tractor and Marlowe's luxury sports car.
'The prick vowed to have me killed,' said Boyle. 'Can you believe that?'
'Jesus,' sad Sparrow. 'Over a car?'
'Yep, over a lump of fucking metal.'
'Must be some car . . .'
'Piece of foreign shit driven exclusively by corporate wankers with private jets. I was pretty shaken, I've had some run-ins over the years, I'm no soft cock, but no-one's threatened me like that over a piece of metal.'
'Did you report it?' Sparrow asked.
'Informally,' Noah said. 'In other words, he told us over beers t the pub.'
Boyle took a final drag on his smoke and flicked the glowing orange stub onto the grey earth, snuffing it out with an unforgiving work boot. No regard for fire safety - not that there was any fuel left to burn.
'I'm not like that, I can take care of myself,' Boyle said. 'Especially against a little prick like Marlowe. He was the same back at school, you know. Always tryin' it on.'
'You went to school together?' Sparrow asked.
Boyle dipped his wide-brimmed Akubra hat and nodded. 'Marlowe may be missing, he may be dead, but I'm too old to care. All I know is a missing dead prick is still a prick.'
ABOUT 'THE BOLTHOLE': 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 multimillionaires from the mainlaind 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.
MY THOUGHTS: I was pleased to be reunited with DS George Manolis and Senior Constable Sparrow. I enjoy their characters and the interaction between the two. Manolios can sometimes forget that Sparrow can't possibly know everything he knows and Sparrow can be equally disparaging and recalcitrant.
Although this is the second book in the DS George Manolis series, it can easily stand on its own.
Papathanasiou has written a compelling novel blending the history of Kangaroo Island with the socio-economic and environmental issues of the present all set around the story of a missing entrepreneur.
To be perfectly honest, I found I found the passages on indigenous land management, particularly 'cool burning' every bit as riveting as the actual mystery. I had an idea early on about who was responsible for Marlowe's disappearance and am happy to report I was right. But this in no way marred my enjoyment of the read.
I'll definitely be lining up for the next in the series.
A novel of lies, secrets and subversion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheBolthole @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: was born in Florina, which is a small mountain town in northern Greece, in 1974. As a baby, he was adopted to a family living in Australia, where he was raised as an only child. It wasn't until 1999 that he discovered the truth behind his adoption, which seemed to tear his life in two. He later journeyed to Greece to meet his biological family, which included two older brothers.
While his intention, first and foremost, is to write a compelling crime novel inspired by the vast Australian outback, he also wanted to write something that was more than a whodunit. A whodunit thread can help propel a plot, but his was designed as a springboard to launch into an exploration of characters and their worlds. Through the prism of an atrocious crime, his aim was to present readers – nationally and internationally – with some important issues, which he hopes they take away with them.
Boyle inhaled another lungful of strength. He kicked the trailer's flat tyre with resignation.
'Look, don't get me wrong,' he said. The community's rallied around, their generosity's been really touching, I'm grateful as hell. They brought me food and clothes when I was wiped out - even donated this old trailer. The Islander spirit, which we've had for generations, through wartime and natural disasters, shone through. It shows there's still good people out there.'
Noah nodded with an air of quiet contentment. They had the island, and each other, and would defend it with every fibre in the face of oncoming danger, whatever its form. It was a bond Sparrow found worthy of his reluctant respect, and perhaps even a little envy.
'And you also got your health, mate,' Sparrow told Boyle. 'You look as fit as a trout.'
Boyle chuckled, embarrassed by the sudden attention. 'I'm doin' okay. I put it all down to physical labour. Old school farming, like Pa once did, always moving around. I've no bloody time to be ill, I can't afford it, and I'm grateful to everyone for their help. But this, right now, isn't sustainable.'
'I reckon things'll pick up soon,' Sparrow said. 'The new builds are nearly finished. I saw Marlowe's the other day and it was basically done.'
'Marlowe,' grumbled Boyle, eyes narrow. 'Don't talk to me about fucking Marlowe . . .'
'Why? What happened?' Sparrow asked.
Boyle admitted he'd had a spiteful encounter with Marlowe soon after he arrived on the island - a road rage incident that had quickly escalated, involving Boyle's boxy tractor and Marlowe's luxury sports car.
'The prick vowed to have me killed,' said Boyle. 'Can you believe that?'
'Jesus,' sad Sparrow. 'Over a car?'
'Yep, over a lump of fucking metal.'
'Must be some car . . .'
'Piece of foreign shit driven exclusively by corporate wankers with private jets. I was pretty shaken, I've had some run-ins over the years, I'm no soft cock, but no-one's threatened me like that over a piece of metal.'
'Did you report it?' Sparrow asked.
'Informally,' Noah said. 'In other words, he told us over beers t the pub.'
Boyle took a final drag on his smoke and flicked the glowing orange stub onto the grey earth, snuffing it out with an unforgiving work boot. No regard for fire safety - not that there was any fuel left to burn.
'I'm not like that, I can take care of myself,' Boyle said. 'Especially against a little prick like Marlowe. He was the same back at school, you know. Always tryin' it on.'
'You went to school together?' Sparrow asked.
Boyle dipped his wide-brimmed Akubra hat and nodded. 'Marlowe may be missing, he may be dead, but I'm too old to care. All I know is a missing dead prick is still a prick.'
ABOUT 'THE BOLTHOLE': 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 multimillionaires from the mainlaind 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.
MY THOUGHTS: I was pleased to be reunited with DS George Manolis and Senior Constable Sparrow. I enjoy their characters and the interaction between the two. Manolios can sometimes forget that Sparrow can't possibly know everything he knows and Sparrow can be equally disparaging and recalcitrant.
Although this is the second book in the DS George Manolis series, it can easily stand on its own.
Papathanasiou has written a compelling novel blending the history of Kangaroo Island with the socio-economic and environmental issues of the present all set around the story of a missing entrepreneur.
To be perfectly honest, I found I found the passages on indigenous land management, particularly 'cool burning' every bit as riveting as the actual mystery. I had an idea early on about who was responsible for Marlowe's disappearance and am happy to report I was right. But this in no way marred my enjoyment of the read.
I'll definitely be lining up for the next in the series.
A novel of lies, secrets and subversion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#TheBolthole @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: was born in Florina, which is a small mountain town in northern Greece, in 1974. As a baby, he was adopted to a family living in Australia, where he was raised as an only child. It wasn't until 1999 that he discovered the truth behind his adoption, which seemed to tear his life in two. He later journeyed to Greece to meet his biological family, which included two older brothers.
While his intention, first and foremost, is to write a compelling crime novel inspired by the vast Australian outback, he also wanted to write something that was more than a whodunit. A whodunit thread can help propel a plot, but his was designed as a springboard to launch into an exploration of characters and their worlds. Through the prism of an atrocious crime, his aim was to present readers – nationally and internationally – with some important issues, which he hopes they take away with them.
November 6, 2025
Clunky prose with barely developed characters.
A bad attempt at mimicking the excellent Australian noir crime novels of Disher and Hammer.
A bad attempt at mimicking the excellent Australian noir crime novels of Disher and Hammer.
August 4, 2025
This was an absolutely fantastic read. It was compelling, pacy, and filled with both colour and humour. It's part of a series of crime novels, but can also be read as standalone. Wonderful to see Manolis and Sparrow back again, their chemistry is perfect. This would make a superb screen adaptation, and I couldn't help but notice the review in The Times which said: "Think The White Lotus directed by Steven Spielberg". Couldn't have said it better myself! Highly recommend this and all the authors previous books
November 13, 2025
dnf the opening pages were so full of description it read like a kid who just dicovered adjectives. His watch changed between para one and the final para in the chapter. The cliche of divorce and kids not liking the stepmother. The lecture by the indigenous officer. It was very preachy. not for me at this time
August 18, 2025
Just too much like a lecture for me. He doesn’t embed his research well enough just bangs us all on the head with it. It was obvious that the nasty rich people would be the baddies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
Pretty terrible, I’m afraid. His earlier book The Stoning was quite good. This is over-written and under-edited.
September 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐
The Bolthole is the latest book in the series starring Detective Sergeant George Manolis and his partner Senior Constable Sparrow. This time they are on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.
Called in to help the local constabulary when a wealthy businessman goes missing while on his morning surf and swim they soon find there is much more to this island and it's inhabitants.
There were a few threads running through this story which made it very interesting indeed. The 'local locals' or longtimers are not very accepting of newcomers with their fancy houses, helipads and part-time island living. The threat of loss of animal habitat due to building, desalination plants and possible off shore exploration are topics that have divided this community.
Sparrow has his own issues with the history of the island and the mistreatment of indigenous women from the mainland who were taken there. With his mind not fully on the job at hand and a brief romantic encounter, he pushes his working relationship with George to the limit.
The ending of this one was very tense and had me reading at speed to see what happened. Glad to see that there are loose ends for George and Sparrow which should mean another book!
The Bolthole is the latest book in the series starring Detective Sergeant George Manolis and his partner Senior Constable Sparrow. This time they are on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.
Called in to help the local constabulary when a wealthy businessman goes missing while on his morning surf and swim they soon find there is much more to this island and it's inhabitants.
There were a few threads running through this story which made it very interesting indeed. The 'local locals' or longtimers are not very accepting of newcomers with their fancy houses, helipads and part-time island living. The threat of loss of animal habitat due to building, desalination plants and possible off shore exploration are topics that have divided this community.
Sparrow has his own issues with the history of the island and the mistreatment of indigenous women from the mainland who were taken there. With his mind not fully on the job at hand and a brief romantic encounter, he pushes his working relationship with George to the limit.
The ending of this one was very tense and had me reading at speed to see what happened. Glad to see that there are loose ends for George and Sparrow which should mean another book!
September 24, 2025
Characters are great - it’s good to see the police pair back together. But … this story dragged. Half the book was a history lesson, which was fine until it felt like a dressing down. Constantly.
Too much history, same rich vs locals over and over again. More plot please and less lecturing.
Too much history, same rich vs locals over and over again. More plot please and less lecturing.
August 15, 2025
3.5 Stars raised to 4. Author Peter Pathanasiou has been heralded as a rising star in dark Australian thrillers and has become a favourite of mine. The characters are outstanding, and the police procedures are compelling and well-written, making the crime investigations tense and suspenseful. I have read his books set in remote areas, but there is little mention of the beauty of the Outback. He concentrates mainly on the dysfunction of remote communities.
The story takes place on Kangaroo Island, which was named by early discoverers, but its name does not denote a love for those animals. It was a disturbing read due to the mention of illegal hunting of endangered animals, animals killed by road traffic, and death and injury of birds and animals from a recent forest fire. The island is located off the south coast of the Australian mainland and is surrounded by turbulent, violent seas, which are home to sharks that have been increasing in size and have begun to hunt in packs.
The early settlers took pride in their independence and self-sufficiency. The social and political dynamics have become fractured as modernization takes place. There is great concern about maintaining the environment, as opposed to industry bringing in businesses that will harm the fragile ecosystem, but also create new jobs on the island. There are plans for offshore oil drilling, which will destroy the abundant underwater life and the peaceful lives of the islanders. Now, multimillionaires are moving in, building enormous clifftop mansions, and filling the air with their private planes and helicopters, adding to the noise. They contribute nothing to help local residents and are resented.
Kangaroo Island has frequently visited pubs serving junk food. It was interesting to note that there was also delicious, fresh seafood, including rare and expensive abalone, as well as a unique honey.
One of the wealthy newcomers, Richard Marlow, had been seen entering the ocean for an early morning swim. He disappeared and was believed to have been killed by sharks. His surfboard and a foot have been recovered, but his body has not yet been found. He was disliked for his extravagant lifestyle and his connections to oil drilling and other business ventures. He left behind a wife and children. Rumours spread that he was seen frequently visiting a young artist. She is considered strange and lives alone in an isolated shack. What were the secrets and repercussions of their relationship?
Two police detectives were assigned from the mainland to investigate the disappearance. Accidental drowning, shark attack, suicide, murder? DS Manolis and Constable Sparrow are to find Marlow's body and determine how he died. These two police detectives worked together in an earlier book. Sparrow is a young gay indigenous man who is uncomfortable, as the island reminds him of the fate of his people there. He tends to disregard police rules, is outspoken, gloomy, and sarcastic. His conversations with the older, more experienced Manolis provide plenty of humour. Manolis tolerates him because he reminds him of mistakes he made when he started in the police force. Sparrow is showing promise as a detective.
The two detectives have many suspects who disliked Marlow for various reasons and wished him gone. There are twists and surprises in unravelling the mystery.
The story takes place on Kangaroo Island, which was named by early discoverers, but its name does not denote a love for those animals. It was a disturbing read due to the mention of illegal hunting of endangered animals, animals killed by road traffic, and death and injury of birds and animals from a recent forest fire. The island is located off the south coast of the Australian mainland and is surrounded by turbulent, violent seas, which are home to sharks that have been increasing in size and have begun to hunt in packs.
The early settlers took pride in their independence and self-sufficiency. The social and political dynamics have become fractured as modernization takes place. There is great concern about maintaining the environment, as opposed to industry bringing in businesses that will harm the fragile ecosystem, but also create new jobs on the island. There are plans for offshore oil drilling, which will destroy the abundant underwater life and the peaceful lives of the islanders. Now, multimillionaires are moving in, building enormous clifftop mansions, and filling the air with their private planes and helicopters, adding to the noise. They contribute nothing to help local residents and are resented.
Kangaroo Island has frequently visited pubs serving junk food. It was interesting to note that there was also delicious, fresh seafood, including rare and expensive abalone, as well as a unique honey.
One of the wealthy newcomers, Richard Marlow, had been seen entering the ocean for an early morning swim. He disappeared and was believed to have been killed by sharks. His surfboard and a foot have been recovered, but his body has not yet been found. He was disliked for his extravagant lifestyle and his connections to oil drilling and other business ventures. He left behind a wife and children. Rumours spread that he was seen frequently visiting a young artist. She is considered strange and lives alone in an isolated shack. What were the secrets and repercussions of their relationship?
Two police detectives were assigned from the mainland to investigate the disappearance. Accidental drowning, shark attack, suicide, murder? DS Manolis and Constable Sparrow are to find Marlow's body and determine how he died. These two police detectives worked together in an earlier book. Sparrow is a young gay indigenous man who is uncomfortable, as the island reminds him of the fate of his people there. He tends to disregard police rules, is outspoken, gloomy, and sarcastic. His conversations with the older, more experienced Manolis provide plenty of humour. Manolis tolerates him because he reminds him of mistakes he made when he started in the police force. Sparrow is showing promise as a detective.
The two detectives have many suspects who disliked Marlow for various reasons and wished him gone. There are twists and surprises in unravelling the mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
I received a copy of The Bolthole from the author to review.
Rating of 4.25.
Acclaimed Australian crime fiction author Peter Papathanasiou returns with another outstanding entry in his DS George Manolis series, The Bolthole.
Plot Synopsis:
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.
The Bolthole was another compelling novel from Papathanasiou that successfully blended a cool focus on an iconic Australian setting with a slow-burn mystery. The result was an awesome novel that I had an excellent time getting through and which consistently kept my attention.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/09/24/...
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 21 August 2025:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/09/24/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.25.
Acclaimed Australian crime fiction author Peter Papathanasiou returns with another outstanding entry in his DS George Manolis series, The Bolthole.
Plot Synopsis:
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.
The Bolthole was another compelling novel from Papathanasiou that successfully blended a cool focus on an iconic Australian setting with a slow-burn mystery. The result was an awesome novel that I had an excellent time getting through and which consistently kept my attention.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/09/24/...
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 21 August 2025:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/09/24/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
December 12, 2025
A Detective Sergeant Manolis crime mystery tale, The Bolthole (2025) by Peter Papathanasiou, is a missing person’s investigation. Whilst Manolis is hoping to reconnect with his wife, he and Senior Constable Sparrow are sent to Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia. A missing man, believed to have been the victim of a shark attack, is wealthy and well-connected, so the major crime team is charged with closing the case. DS Manolis is hesitant to rule out a crime, even when a man’s leg is washed ashore. Tension between the locals and wealthy tourists does not assist police enquiries, as a slow-burning murder mystery unfolds. It’s a typical Aussie noir and an enjoyable read with a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
March 26, 2026
Sad to give this only 3* because I feel a sense of loyalty to the author having greatly enjoyed The Stoning. This book unfortunately felt a bit preachy - although the messages they conveyed were important ones about climate change, habitat destruction, wealth inequalities, appalling historic treatment of the original inhabitants of Australia. Not a barrel of laughs by any means. I didn't mind that, but it felt shoehorned into conversation in an unrealistic way. I also wasn't gripped by the mystery which Manolis and Sparrow were originally summoned to investigate. It seemed implausible that so much resource would be devoted to what appeared to be a natural death. Worst of all, things heated up in the final pages and then ended on a cliffhanger!
October 20, 2025
DS George returns this time to the beautiful Kangaroo Is.
Was George Columbris [a successful foodie who was unfairly traduced for a underpaying staff...it is not as if HE actually did the books] the 'inspiration' for Patrick's demise?
Good characters. Good ending...even if I 'worked' out the culprit but liked how it unravelled.
In passing wasn't The Invisible # 2 of the series?
Was George Columbris [a successful foodie who was unfairly traduced for a underpaying staff...it is not as if HE actually did the books] the 'inspiration' for Patrick's demise?
Good characters. Good ending...even if I 'worked' out the culprit but liked how it unravelled.
In passing wasn't The Invisible # 2 of the series?
December 22, 2025
First page - actually first paragraph - finished me off. Dreadfully clunky prose with overdone references to the character’s financial/social standing - just in case we didn’t get it from one clue: aviator lenses, Botox, designer polo shirt, sleek sports car, sapphire crystal face of watch and boat-shoed foot. All in 8 and a bit lines. Does he think his readers are a bit thick?
I stopped there.
I stopped there.
March 11, 2026
By page 50, I was “over” Sparrow’s snide remarks and huge chip on his shoulder. What a way to go through life! The writing at times is very adept and then , other times, quite grating ( doesn’t an editor fix that up normally?) …still reading, so far.
March 17, 2026
If adjectives and metaphors are you thing then this one is for you. Full of cliches of the Australian bush, dull characters, a scene from Jaws that is laughable and the classic cop with wife problems. One star for the unique way the murder was done.
August 13, 2025
enjoyed this and the setting of Kangaroo Island
October 5, 2025
A little slow going until about the last 100 pages.
But I will always love him for his outsider's view and how he portrays and respects the county's original owners.
But I will always love him for his outsider's view and how he portrays and respects the county's original owners.
March 24, 2026
Great Book. I'm definitely going to read all the books in this series.
January 13, 2026
First time reader of this author and I will go back for more.
This is a missing persons investigation with lots of ropes that are dangling down, any of which could be pulled to have the guilty party(ies) come tumbling down.
The thing that really stood out for me was the author's descriptive prose - the way in which he described the landscape (in the first couple of pages) after a terrible bushfire was so evocative, I could almost smell the burnt ground.
While I found some of the actions of the protagonists to be a bit unbelievable, it was a good page turner.
This is a missing persons investigation with lots of ropes that are dangling down, any of which could be pulled to have the guilty party(ies) come tumbling down.
The thing that really stood out for me was the author's descriptive prose - the way in which he described the landscape (in the first couple of pages) after a terrible bushfire was so evocative, I could almost smell the burnt ground.
While I found some of the actions of the protagonists to be a bit unbelievable, it was a good page turner.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews