The Stillwater Murders: A gripping serial killer thriller from the New York Times bestselling author

by Victoria Twead

When a string of unexplained deaths shatters the calm of Stillwater Cove, Detective Lara Lennox is sent from Sydney to investigate. Each victim is found carefully posed, a small paper star left behind. As Lara begins to uncover the truth, the hunt becomes personal.
The Stillwater Murders is an edge-of-your-seat Australian psychological thriller where being noticed may get you killed. Perfect for fans of Rylie Dark, Karin Slaughter and Angela Marsons.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Victoria Twead is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author. Eleven years living in a tiny, remote, mountain village in Spain and owning probably the most dangerous cockerel in Europe, inspired Victoria to write “Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools”. Subsequent books in the Old Fools’ series continue to pop up.

So far, her husband has utterly failed to wrestle the laptop from Victoria’s vice-like grip and she continues to write and publish other authors' books in Australia. Another joyous life-chapter has begun for the pair.

Reviews

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the first in what I hope will be a long-lasting series, I was really impressed with this murder mystery by Victoria Twead. What I loved most was the atmosphere and sense of place. Stillwater is a rather unsettling town where fog clings to everything, its tendrils twining round the buildings reluctant to let go. There is also a drowned forest, wreathed in the same mist. It is in this rather weird setting that the feisty Lara Lennox, a Sydney detective with her own unsettling baggage, has to try and solve a series of murders that seem to be committed right under her nose. This is a compelling story with local characters as odd as the place itself, barring the young local detective assigned to help her. The tension was very well built, the book moved at a perfect pace and the ending was, well, you’ll have to find that out yourself. All I will say is it was a real page-turner and I’m now looking forward to book 2. Well done, Victoria Twead! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing author Victoria is. Best selling memoir author. Fiction. Children's books. And now she's branched out into crime fiction, and what a wonderful debut novel this is. Mysterious deaths are occurring in Stillwater Cove, and Lara is sent from Sydney to investigate. Is a serial killer on the loose in this sleepy seaside town? The characters are believable, and the setting is incredible. I've never been to Australia, but I'm totally intrigued by Stillwater Cove and its environs - and its inhabitants. Victoria ramps up the tension, and keeps you on edge until the final chapters. There's no gore: it's very psychological, and I had no idea who the killer would turn out to be. I hope she's intending to continue writing this series.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously read and loved the Two Old Fools series, I was both curious and a little unsure stepping into The Stillwater Murders—her first venture into crime fiction. I needn’t have worried…what a brilliant surprise this turned out to be.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere pulls you in—dark, tense, and just a little unsettling in the best way. The story builds steadily, layering mystery with just enough unease to keep the pages turning. And then, when it truly takes hold, it doesn’t let go.
What impressed me most is how seamlessly Victoria Twead transitions from memoir to thriller. Her storytelling remains strong and engaging, but here it’s sharpened with suspense, twists, and a chilling edge. The pacing feels just right—never rushed, yet never dragging—and the tension lingers long after you’ve put the book down
If you’re already a fan of her memoirs, this will show you a whole new side of her talent. And if you enjoy a gripping serial killer thriller, this is absolutely worth the read.
A bold and successful step into a new genre—and I sincerely hope there’s more to come.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was gripped from the start and read this in two sittings. Set in the quiet town of Stillwater it's wonderfully atmospheric, the drowned forest and the mist hiding secrets. When an elderly lady is found dead, her body posed carefully, Senior Constable Lara Lennox is sent from the homicide department in Sydney to investigate.
It seems that everyone in the town has something to hide. However when other deaths occur it's clear that there's a murderer among them. Everyone is under suspicion. The tension builds with every
chapter. The body count rises. The voice of the quiet killer is particularly effective in creating suspense.
I had an idea of who the killer was - I was totally wrong! It gradually builds to a very frightening climax. A terrific nail biting ending.
Having read all of Victoria Twead's other books, I knew she is a very talented writer. However, a Crime novel is a new genre for her. It's brilliant. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read.

This was so good! Fast-moving, easy to read, easy to follow.  It kept me guessing all the time.  Set in a small seaside resort in Australia, it was intriguing, and atmospheric.

I analysed everything as I read. Made so many notes. Questioned everything, and everyone. I was exhausted-but loved every minute of it! 

I love Victoria Twead's Two Old Fools memoirs, I loved her Sixpenny Cross fiction series too, but I wasn't sure what to expect here. I thought it'd be OK though. I knew it'd be OK. I didn't expect to be totally wowed with it!

Very cleverly structured. The author made me think it was him, or him, or her, I just didn't know how it was going to turn out. A brilliant edge-of-your-seat read.

Totally and utterly gripping. I got nothing done while reading this, I just had to keep going with it to find out who would be responsible.

At one point I was going: "Nooooo! Don't go out, lock your door, don't let anyone in!" If this was TV I would be shouting at the screen. Builds to a pounding conclusion.

Can't wait to read more in the series. 

[Shirley Read-Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read many detective stories but do watch the BBC's ones on TV. I can imagine Victoria Twead's would do very well on TV, too. I was glued to it and read it in a couple of hours, wondering page by page whodunnit! She kept me guessing. I was intrigued by the drowned forest...Much look forward to the next one, Victoria.

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead of Night Series is very entertaining. I absolutely loved trying to figure out who the killer was in book one of this series, and I’m already eagerly awaiting more. This page-turner kept me up two hours past my bedtime because I just couldn’t put the book down. Well done, Victoria Twead.

[Susan Franey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. The story had my interest from the first chapter.
Such descriptive writing. I really felt the peace that came with each carefully calculated demise.
An unusual murder mystery that kept me guessing right to the end.
I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Lorrilyn J. Bove · Rating 4 out of 5]

subtle clues

An easy read with many possible solutions.
The clues layer up, and it’s not hard to ascertain the culprit.
Some suspects are short lived while others receive repeat attention. There’s not a lot of depth to the characters, but an enjoyable read all the same.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what a fun, quick suspense read this book was! I love the Two Old Fools books and thought I should give this a try to be supportive - so glad I did! It's great! I am heading to Amazon to buy #2 in the series right now!

[carrie compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stillwater

Quite a. Ha he for this Author. Keeps you on the edge. Who's next??? prepare to read all night long

[Heather Thorsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Now ready for the next one.