Sticks and Stones: A gripping serial killer thriller with a shocking twist

by Jack Probyn

Sticks and stones were meant to break bones — now someone is using them for something far worse.

A mutilated and delirious man emerges from a Surrey woodland in the middle of the night and collapses inside Haslemere Hospital. When surgeons get him on the operating table, what they discover leaves DI Stephanie Broadbent speechless.

Still reeling from the loss of their colleague, Stephanie must pull her fractured team together and lead them into a case threaded with strange sightings and whispers of folklore that refuse to stay buried.

Because whatever happened in those trees feels like the first step in a much darker path.

And something in the hills is stirring.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 5, 2026

About the author

I’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.

I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.

Reviews

[Helen Stead]

Another gripping story from this author. Not for the squeamish though, as Jack's description of the victims is very detailed. No more spoilers, but definitely worth reading.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stick and stones is book 5 in the D.I Stephanie Broadbent series by Jack Probyn and another fantastic read.
When Stuart Pritchard wakes up delirious and mutilated, he knows something is not right. There is something hard in his stomach and the pain is immense. He struggles but makes it to the nearest hospital. But after having surgery they find things in his stomach that they can’t explain. But then Stuart suffers from Sietsema and then dies.
DI Stephanie Broadbent is on the case with her fractured team still suffering from the death of their colleague. And the relatives of the victim going on social media telling everyone that the police aren’t doing enough and the boss beathing down her neck. Stephanie has a lot on her plate.
The is another fast-paced gripping thriller from Jack Probyn, that I devoured in 24 hours. A killer on the rampage, some strange sightings in the forest and all linked to social media. I couldn’t put this down. I really enjoyed this. The story has great characters, especially Stephanie, a loyal Police officer but she has a vulnerability that I feel sorry for. And the cameo of Tomek right at the end. I can’t wait for the next one.

[MIKE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I say this every time I read a book by this author, but this is his best one in this series yet! Just when you think Jack cannot do better than what you have just read, he writes another and it is in fact better than the previous.

With the team still reeling from the death of their leader, a truly diabolical killer emerges in the community baffling the experts and the professionals. While dealing with the online abuse that she is receiving, DI Broadbent leads her team as she always does in the right direction.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and will be difficult to put down until you get to the ultimate conclusion. If you haven’t read the first four books in this series, I highly recommend it!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sticks and Stones carries on from Noughts and Crosses, with the team fractured following the loss of a key officer. They are all experiencing grief and this is a good theme throughout the book.

A killer is targeting people who are perceived to have done something wrong; sticks and stones may break my bones….. and he yet again pulls it out of the bag! A fresh idea - and quite an unpleasant one! That kept me hooked. I had no clue who the killer was until the reveal. Nice to have a link up with Tomek (albeit briefly) as I’m desperately waiting for the next instalment in the series. Jack is improving with each book, in my opinion, and is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with!

ARC copy.

[Lindy Protzek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really really good read. I enjoy DI Stephanie Broadbent more with each book. She has a great group of cohorts and the typical messed up backstory. One thing I miss in so many crime series is more of a personal life for our main heroes. I get that they have crazy busy careers but too many of them are loners outside of work and I think we need more of work personal life mix. Maybe even a halfway happy one would be nice lol. I love that in most of books Tomek comes into it in some small way. He is such a cool guy. I would absolutely recommend starting this series as well as the Tomek Bowen series...they are both brilliant series. Keep em coming Jack!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in a reading slump but this book got me out of it!! Opening with a gory scene of a man attacked, sliced open and sewn together with a few extra things added in! Stephanie and her team are still reeling from events in the previous book but must work out what is happening and who is committing these acts.