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Stay Buried
The claustrophobia of Room meets the camaraderie of Yellowjackets with a touch of Picnic at Hanging Rock in this dark, immersive, psychological thriller debut with a speculative/lite-horror edge.
Christmas Eve, 1974.
As Cyclone Tracy tears through Darwin, four girls disappear into the heart of the outback. No tracks. No bodies. No answers.
Decades later, one returns.
She claims to be one of the missing. But is she? There is no proof of who she is, only a keepsake that once belonged to another missing woman - Sally, a teen mother whose disappearance never mattered to anyone but Von, the daughter she left behind. Sally's return rekindles the cold case, as desperate families plead for answers - and a dark mystery begins to surface.
A hidden bunker ... a ghost ... scratches on a concrete wall ... pictures inside a View-Master ... and the little girl who understood the darkness better than anyone.
Inspired by true events, Stay Buried is the darkly thrilling tale of secrets unearthed, the will to survive and a legend that refuses to die.
Christmas Eve, 1974.
As Cyclone Tracy tears through Darwin, four girls disappear into the heart of the outback. No tracks. No bodies. No answers.
Decades later, one returns.
She claims to be one of the missing. But is she? There is no proof of who she is, only a keepsake that once belonged to another missing woman - Sally, a teen mother whose disappearance never mattered to anyone but Von, the daughter she left behind. Sally's return rekindles the cold case, as desperate families plead for answers - and a dark mystery begins to surface.
A hidden bunker ... a ghost ... scratches on a concrete wall ... pictures inside a View-Master ... and the little girl who understood the darkness better than anyone.
Inspired by true events, Stay Buried is the darkly thrilling tale of secrets unearthed, the will to survive and a legend that refuses to die.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
About the author
Jane R. Miles
1 book19 followersJane R. Miles is a former Royal Australian Navy sailor turned writer, born in the suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. After travelling the world and working in top-secret roles within the Department of Defence, she now splits her time between Australia and the Netherlands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
September 28, 2026
I was intrigued by the decades old mystery surrounding Cyclone Tracy before opening the first page. This was an exciting advanced copy to receive.. Thank you HQ and the insiders program!
The Australian setting flicking between the events in the 1970s (the term numbskull made me smile) and long buried secrets created the perfect storm of tension and uncertainty, with an eerie atmosphere constantly hovering.
An intriguing slow burn debut that will appeal to readers who enjoy cold cases, psychological suspense and an Australian setting. Fiction inspired by real events always adds that extra layer, so I definitely recommend this debut to those readers who enjoy that vibe.
The Australian setting flicking between the events in the 1970s (the term numbskull made me smile) and long buried secrets created the perfect storm of tension and uncertainty, with an eerie atmosphere constantly hovering.
An intriguing slow burn debut that will appeal to readers who enjoy cold cases, psychological suspense and an Australian setting. Fiction inspired by real events always adds that extra layer, so I definitely recommend this debut to those readers who enjoy that vibe.
Read
September 15, 2026Not rating a bit slow for my taste pity as it was written about Cyclone Tracy Christmas 1974.
August 11, 2026
Stay Buried is a dark and gritty debut novel from Jane R Miles.
Set in the aftermath of Australia’s biggest cyclone in Darwin, we learn about the girls who also went missing at the time, never to be seen again. That is until a woman claiming to be Sally, Vons mother, comes to town, holding the necklace that Sally always wore. Von wants,ore than anything for this to be her mother, but not everyone is convinced.
I loved the dual timelines, of the girls trapped in the bunker in 1974, and almost 30 years later the mystery of who this woman is, which brings back memories from the past for the family of all the missing girls. The chapters with the girls trying to stay alive and sane in the bunker got incredibly dark and emotionally challenging. In the present, it was interesting to see how this woman was treated by the police, the press and the community.
This was certainly a page turner and had plenty of discussion points that would make it a great bookclub read. It is series and confronting and one fantastic read.
Thank you to HQ Australia for my copy of this book as part of the thriller book of the month campaign. Out now.
Set in the aftermath of Australia’s biggest cyclone in Darwin, we learn about the girls who also went missing at the time, never to be seen again. That is until a woman claiming to be Sally, Vons mother, comes to town, holding the necklace that Sally always wore. Von wants,ore than anything for this to be her mother, but not everyone is convinced.
I loved the dual timelines, of the girls trapped in the bunker in 1974, and almost 30 years later the mystery of who this woman is, which brings back memories from the past for the family of all the missing girls. The chapters with the girls trying to stay alive and sane in the bunker got incredibly dark and emotionally challenging. In the present, it was interesting to see how this woman was treated by the police, the press and the community.
This was certainly a page turner and had plenty of discussion points that would make it a great bookclub read. It is series and confronting and one fantastic read.
Thank you to HQ Australia for my copy of this book as part of the thriller book of the month campaign. Out now.
July 27, 2026
Stay Buried by Jane R Miles is a terrifying and eerie, psychological thriller that draws on a piece of Darwin history. Christmas Eve 1974 a catastrophic category 4 cyclone named Tracy hit the city and destroyed 80% of its buildings and killed 66 people. For this story, the author writes about four girls who disappear on a camping trip in the bush at the same time. Nobody knows what’s happened. Added to this event is another frightening occurrence. There has been a killer on the loose assumed to have killed two women whose bodies have been found. If that is not bad enough, this complex plot adds another disappearance: a teenage mother named Sally who went missing the same time. Is there a connection between all these missing women? With all these facts in the mix, a startling concoction of horror begins to unleash. Stay Buried is definitely an unsettling and dark tale of secrets and sorrow that involve a violent killer, a hidden bunker, a View Master, a ghost and some disturbing marks on a wall.
The tension progressively ramps up throughout the two storylines (1974 and thirty years later). The anxious atmosphere continues throughout both as events snowball in this creepy and sinister tale. The characterisation is well delivered as it delves deep into the psyches of those particularly trapped. The descriptions make it easy to imagine the surroundings and what it would be like to be imprisoned in a bunker, struggling for survival and trying to hold on to sanity through horrid conditions. As the girls attempt to cope with the situation, one of them named Miranda reminds the others of an essay they had to write in Social Studies class about what happened to the crew on the Endurance sailing to Antarctica. The men got trapped in ice and the severe isolation and hopelessness took over their minds. They saw things, did things and spoke about things that were odd. Miranda compares their circumstance but says it is worse for them as they have been plunged into darkness in a confined unhospitable space. Danger lurks in every nook and cranny and the potential for agitation, aggression, suspicion, forgetfulness, and seeing strange images becomes very real. We have to wonder how they will each react as they face the unreal trials before them. And when one of the girls swears she sees a ghost and carries on a correspondence with this entity, we cannot help but wonder if this is a coping mechanism. Is she being affected by her closed environment?
There are two narrators of this story. The first thread and point of view is by Von (Evelyn) in 2004. Her mother Sally disappeared around the cyclone time and she has never stopped hoping Sally will return. One day a woman is discovered near the location where two women’s bodies were found and Von cannot help but wonder if she is her mother. Suspicions heighten when they meet and Von discovers this woman is carrying something of her mother’s. Her hopes are lit but others caution her eagerness. We teeter back and forth with Von wondering if she is Sally. I won’t say more and all is revealed eventually but in the meantime lots of emotional upheaval occurs between characters in that timeline.
The second timeline of 1974 is narrated by Lisa-Marie, one of the four missing girls. She provides the eye witness accounts of events in the bunker and takes us through some emotional experiences. A number of unfortunate things happen to these girls and we see what each one endures (from Lisa-Marie’s perspective). We learn of their fears, sympathise with their plight and wonder how they can make such mammoth difficult decisions.
Stay Buried is a roller coaster of emotions. But when the two threads come together, we learn as much as we can about the fate of each. It is an incredibly compelling unsettling story that will keep the keen lover of psychological-thrillers in its clutches. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Insiders for a review copy.
The tension progressively ramps up throughout the two storylines (1974 and thirty years later). The anxious atmosphere continues throughout both as events snowball in this creepy and sinister tale. The characterisation is well delivered as it delves deep into the psyches of those particularly trapped. The descriptions make it easy to imagine the surroundings and what it would be like to be imprisoned in a bunker, struggling for survival and trying to hold on to sanity through horrid conditions. As the girls attempt to cope with the situation, one of them named Miranda reminds the others of an essay they had to write in Social Studies class about what happened to the crew on the Endurance sailing to Antarctica. The men got trapped in ice and the severe isolation and hopelessness took over their minds. They saw things, did things and spoke about things that were odd. Miranda compares their circumstance but says it is worse for them as they have been plunged into darkness in a confined unhospitable space. Danger lurks in every nook and cranny and the potential for agitation, aggression, suspicion, forgetfulness, and seeing strange images becomes very real. We have to wonder how they will each react as they face the unreal trials before them. And when one of the girls swears she sees a ghost and carries on a correspondence with this entity, we cannot help but wonder if this is a coping mechanism. Is she being affected by her closed environment?
There are two narrators of this story. The first thread and point of view is by Von (Evelyn) in 2004. Her mother Sally disappeared around the cyclone time and she has never stopped hoping Sally will return. One day a woman is discovered near the location where two women’s bodies were found and Von cannot help but wonder if she is her mother. Suspicions heighten when they meet and Von discovers this woman is carrying something of her mother’s. Her hopes are lit but others caution her eagerness. We teeter back and forth with Von wondering if she is Sally. I won’t say more and all is revealed eventually but in the meantime lots of emotional upheaval occurs between characters in that timeline.
The second timeline of 1974 is narrated by Lisa-Marie, one of the four missing girls. She provides the eye witness accounts of events in the bunker and takes us through some emotional experiences. A number of unfortunate things happen to these girls and we see what each one endures (from Lisa-Marie’s perspective). We learn of their fears, sympathise with their plight and wonder how they can make such mammoth difficult decisions.
Stay Buried is a roller coaster of emotions. But when the two threads come together, we learn as much as we can about the fate of each. It is an incredibly compelling unsettling story that will keep the keen lover of psychological-thrillers in its clutches. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Insiders for a review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don't think I'll ever get sick of Aussie Outback noir.
Stay Buried, a debut novel, is set in (and around) Darwin and I absolutely loved this setting. Miles has obviously lived in the region at some stage and her descriptions of the weather and wildlife were spot on.
The story has a dual timeline, one being 1974, during Cyclone Tracy, the most famous and destructive cyclone in Australian history. During the aftermath of the storm, many people in Darwin went missing and the premise of Stay Buried is that four young girls disappeared, becoming known by the general public as the 'Angels'. The alternate chapters are set thirty years later, in 2004, where a woman has been found, wandering naked and half-wild, and claiming she knows what happened to the Angels.
Miles built the tension nicely, especially in the 1974 scenes where the Angels are, literally as the title suggests, buried in the outback. However, I felt the climactic scenes and ending were a bit rushed, and a bit of tighter editing could have elevated the novel to something special.
Still, I would still recommend the book to those who enjoy this genre.
3 1/2 out of 5
*Thank you to HQ Insiders for my ARC
Stay Buried, a debut novel, is set in (and around) Darwin and I absolutely loved this setting. Miles has obviously lived in the region at some stage and her descriptions of the weather and wildlife were spot on.
The story has a dual timeline, one being 1974, during Cyclone Tracy, the most famous and destructive cyclone in Australian history. During the aftermath of the storm, many people in Darwin went missing and the premise of Stay Buried is that four young girls disappeared, becoming known by the general public as the 'Angels'. The alternate chapters are set thirty years later, in 2004, where a woman has been found, wandering naked and half-wild, and claiming she knows what happened to the Angels.
Miles built the tension nicely, especially in the 1974 scenes where the Angels are, literally as the title suggests, buried in the outback. However, I felt the climactic scenes and ending were a bit rushed, and a bit of tighter editing could have elevated the novel to something special.
Still, I would still recommend the book to those who enjoy this genre.
3 1/2 out of 5
*Thank you to HQ Insiders for my ARC
July 25, 2026
Happy Publication Eve to Stay Buried, the debut novel from Australian author Jane R. Miles. Based on true events, this was a tense and suspenseful read which opened with Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974 and four girls who disappeared without a trace. As the thirty year anniversary approaches, a woman returns claiming to be one of the missing. With no way to prove her story, apart from a locket that belonged to Sally, another woman who went missing around the same time. Unlike the four girls, Sally’s disappearance never mattered to anyone except her daughter Von. With Sally’s return, the case is again given priority, with the girls’ families desperate for answers. However, the truth that begins to surface is more terrible than anyone would have guessed and I was floored by the twists and compelled to keep turning the pages to uncover the whole story.
I loved that this mystery was set against the backdrop of Cyclone Tracy and the utter devastation that it wreaked. Having seen many photos and news reports from the time, I’ve always been shocked by how such a disaster could happen without warning and how some of the missing were never accounted for. It’s a terrifying part of Australian history. Jane weaved these events so well with the engaging characters and the cold case aspect. She also made me think about the public and media considering some people to be “worthier” victims of crime than others.
Jane R. Miles’ debut is dark and gritty with a gripping mystery at its core. Her characters had me completely hooked and eager to find out what had become of them.
Thank you to HQ Books for the ARC as part of HQ Insiders.
I loved that this mystery was set against the backdrop of Cyclone Tracy and the utter devastation that it wreaked. Having seen many photos and news reports from the time, I’ve always been shocked by how such a disaster could happen without warning and how some of the missing were never accounted for. It’s a terrifying part of Australian history. Jane weaved these events so well with the engaging characters and the cold case aspect. She also made me think about the public and media considering some people to be “worthier” victims of crime than others.
Jane R. Miles’ debut is dark and gritty with a gripping mystery at its core. Her characters had me completely hooked and eager to find out what had become of them.
Thank you to HQ Books for the ARC as part of HQ Insiders.
August 12, 2026
When Cyclone Tracy tears through Darwin in 1974, it does more than destroy buildings and claim lives. It swallows four young girls and a teen mum into the bowels of the earth, leaving no trace of them above ground and no answers for their devastated families. Thirty years later, a woman appears, claiming to be one of the missing girls. But is she who she says she is? And what happened to the others?
Oh boy. This is not a book to read before closing your eyes to sleep. That's how vivid and unsettling the writing is. (Admittedly, I am a bit soft.)
The story is dual timeline, with chapters alternating between 1974 and 2004. The 1974 timeline is told from the POV of Lisa-Marie, a nine-year-old girl and the youngest of the missing group. Trapped in an underground bunker, we observe the girls as they hatch a desperate plan to escape while dealing with clashing personalities, starvation and serious injury. Jump to 2004, and we're with Von, the daughter of the missing teen mum. News has dropped that there has been a development in the case and the families gather to find out if it's good or bad for one or all of them.
Talk about tension. This book has it in spades. It's a genre mash-up of psychological thriller and historical fiction, with a dash of horror and a sprinkle of the supernatural. Have you ever come across such a variety pack in one book? I haven't. There's so much about this story that feels refreshingly original, including the alternating POVs from a child to an adult, and the plot twist that goes somewhere completely unexpected.
If you like an atmospheric read that gives you the chills and will have your book club talking for hours, be sure to check out this exciting new debut. A dark read, literally and metaphorically, and a strong debut by @janermiles
Oh boy. This is not a book to read before closing your eyes to sleep. That's how vivid and unsettling the writing is. (Admittedly, I am a bit soft.)
The story is dual timeline, with chapters alternating between 1974 and 2004. The 1974 timeline is told from the POV of Lisa-Marie, a nine-year-old girl and the youngest of the missing group. Trapped in an underground bunker, we observe the girls as they hatch a desperate plan to escape while dealing with clashing personalities, starvation and serious injury. Jump to 2004, and we're with Von, the daughter of the missing teen mum. News has dropped that there has been a development in the case and the families gather to find out if it's good or bad for one or all of them.
Talk about tension. This book has it in spades. It's a genre mash-up of psychological thriller and historical fiction, with a dash of horror and a sprinkle of the supernatural. Have you ever come across such a variety pack in one book? I haven't. There's so much about this story that feels refreshingly original, including the alternating POVs from a child to an adult, and the plot twist that goes somewhere completely unexpected.
If you like an atmospheric read that gives you the chills and will have your book club talking for hours, be sure to check out this exciting new debut. A dark read, literally and metaphorically, and a strong debut by @janermiles
August 4, 2026
Debut author Jane R. Miles has just unleashed her book Stay Buried into the universe.
A clever story set around the disastrous Cyclone Tracy that takes its inspiration loosely to another iconic tale, Picnic At Hanging Rock
It’s a dark, hypnotic and enticing psychological thriller.
1974, it’s Christmas Eve and Cyclone Tracy is wrecking havoc in Darwin.
Four girls are camping and during the vicious storm they disappear.
No trace of them at all.
Many, many years later in 2004, one of them returns.
A woman claiming to be one of the missing girls, has an item with her.
There’s no indication of who she is except for a necklace.
Secrets will be found until the truth is ultimately revealed…..
This is so good.
It’s sharp, addictive and totally immersive.
Full of tension, claustrophobia, courage, determination, emotions and family love.
There’s two timelines woven together giving the reader the past and the now aspects.
Very enjoyable and I look forward to see where Jane gets her next idea.
Inspired by real events, this survival story is one that will be remembered.
A clever story set around the disastrous Cyclone Tracy that takes its inspiration loosely to another iconic tale, Picnic At Hanging Rock
It’s a dark, hypnotic and enticing psychological thriller.
1974, it’s Christmas Eve and Cyclone Tracy is wrecking havoc in Darwin.
Four girls are camping and during the vicious storm they disappear.
No trace of them at all.
Many, many years later in 2004, one of them returns.
A woman claiming to be one of the missing girls, has an item with her.
There’s no indication of who she is except for a necklace.
Secrets will be found until the truth is ultimately revealed…..
This is so good.
It’s sharp, addictive and totally immersive.
Full of tension, claustrophobia, courage, determination, emotions and family love.
There’s two timelines woven together giving the reader the past and the now aspects.
Very enjoyable and I look forward to see where Jane gets her next idea.
Inspired by real events, this survival story is one that will be remembered.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to HQ Insider for the ARC
Sorry Jane but I just could not get into this book.
I struggled to follow the characters and how they were related. I felt like there were things said in the first few chapters that I should of known but didn't.
I also struggled to follow the time-line jumps. Trying to determine what era I was in.
Therefore this has gone on my 'did not finish' pile
Sorry Jane but I just could not get into this book.
I struggled to follow the characters and how they were related. I felt like there were things said in the first few chapters that I should of known but didn't.
I also struggled to follow the time-line jumps. Trying to determine what era I was in.
Therefore this has gone on my 'did not finish' pile
August 11, 2026
Any more Australian, and this book would be wearing budgies and thongs. In the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, four girls disappear into the outback (there’s a malevolent, although beautiful, creature if there was ever one), never to be seen again. This follows on from other disappearances of young women in the area, but with the attitudes towards women then (1970s), not a huge effort was made to find them.
Changing timelines between the girls and their fate in the confused aftermath of the cyclone, and current day, where Von, daughter of one of the disappeared women is trying to find answers. Then: a woman appears in town with vital information about what could have happened.
Changing from the 70s to the 2020s with ease, this is a great look into the - shall we say, unique -town of Darwin, and just reinforces why the remote parts of Australia are so dangerous - many have disappeared there, some with human intervention, others, we’ll never know.
Changing timelines between the girls and their fate in the confused aftermath of the cyclone, and current day, where Von, daughter of one of the disappeared women is trying to find answers. Then: a woman appears in town with vital information about what could have happened.
Changing from the 70s to the 2020s with ease, this is a great look into the - shall we say, unique -town of Darwin, and just reinforces why the remote parts of Australia are so dangerous - many have disappeared there, some with human intervention, others, we’ll never know.
Read
June 24, 2026This book, set in the Darwin outback, is one I couldn’t put down. It is chilling, dark, and based on a true story. Many people disappeared after Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, some by choice, but not all. The Angels were four girls who went camping on Christmas Eve never to return. Von’s mother Sally had also disappeared making her way to Alice Springs a few months before but no one considered her an Angel given her line of work. The story is told from the viewpoint of Von and also from Lisa-Marie, one of the girls who found themselves locked in a bunker in the middle of the outback. She is the intuitive one and the youngest who understands and is not afraid of the darkness. The bunker scenes are vivid, atmospheric and so very chilling. The revelations and what happens are shocking. The tension builds, and the twists and turns in the last few chapters are both so unexpected and riveting. The conclusion was unforeseen but was also totally understandable. Jane R Miles has written a debut novel that will leave you with a sense of unease. This is a book that ticks all the boxes for a psychological thriller.
July 7, 2026
Stay Buried by Jane R. Miles was a complete page turner and had me hooked from the very beginning. This was one of those books I genuinely struggled to put down and when real life responsibilities forced me to step away, I found myself itching to get back to it.
With dual POVs, dual timelines, a tight-lipped community, and small town secrets buried deep, this book had so many elements that instantly drew me in. Miles does an incredible job exploring the effects of captivity, forced proximity, trauma, and isolation, creating an atmosphere that feels tense, claustrophobic, and impossible to look away from.
The imagery throughout was so vivid that there were moments where I physically cringed and had goosebumps. The fear, uncertainty, and psychological impact of certain situations came through so strongly that I couldn’t help but wonder what I would have done if I found myself facing the same impossible choices.
The characters were brilliantly written and complicated in the best way. There were moments where I admired their strength and resilience, and others where I felt completely frustrated by their decisions. I would love to talk about who stood out to me the most, but honestly, even mentioning certain names feels like it could give too much away, and this is definitely a story best experienced by uncovering the secrets yourself.
I thought I had things figured out, but I absolutely did not see the twist coming. My attention was held right until the very end and I loved how everything unfolded.
What an impressive debut! Stay Buried is gripping, unsettling, emotional, and packed with suspense. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this one early.
Thank you to HQ Books and HarperCollins Australia for the early review copy.
With dual POVs, dual timelines, a tight-lipped community, and small town secrets buried deep, this book had so many elements that instantly drew me in. Miles does an incredible job exploring the effects of captivity, forced proximity, trauma, and isolation, creating an atmosphere that feels tense, claustrophobic, and impossible to look away from.
The imagery throughout was so vivid that there were moments where I physically cringed and had goosebumps. The fear, uncertainty, and psychological impact of certain situations came through so strongly that I couldn’t help but wonder what I would have done if I found myself facing the same impossible choices.
The characters were brilliantly written and complicated in the best way. There were moments where I admired their strength and resilience, and others where I felt completely frustrated by their decisions. I would love to talk about who stood out to me the most, but honestly, even mentioning certain names feels like it could give too much away, and this is definitely a story best experienced by uncovering the secrets yourself.
I thought I had things figured out, but I absolutely did not see the twist coming. My attention was held right until the very end and I loved how everything unfolded.
What an impressive debut! Stay Buried is gripping, unsettling, emotional, and packed with suspense. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this one early.
Thank you to HQ Books and HarperCollins Australia for the early review copy.
July 2, 2026
Thank you HQ Insiders for the advanced reader copy of this book. It’s my first ARC so this book will always have a soft spot with me.
“The right thing to do is not the same as having the nerve to do it.”
Hard to believe this is a debut novel with how gripping it was and how complete and real all the characters felt. I was hooked from the author’s note where Miles let readers know this story was inspired by a mysterious photo she had found of her own mother with coordinates on the back, leading to outback Australia.
I thought the dual-timeline was handled really well and kept me saying “one more chapter” during a few late-night reading stints.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the book while I was reading it and asked several close friends and family members what they would do if they were in the bunker situation our young characters found themselves in. To my surprise, the responses were quite varied.
I wonder how many young women declared missing slipped through the cracks of the regional Northern Territory, in times before technology might have been able to find them. In any case, the backdrop made for a chilling read that I couldn’t pull my mind from.
My one gripe with the book was that it felt quite obvious that Lisa-Marie was who re-appeared in 2004 and that the author maybe could have concealed that better, but it was still a great read and a strong debut.
Can’t wait to see what Miles writes next!
“The right thing to do is not the same as having the nerve to do it.”
Hard to believe this is a debut novel with how gripping it was and how complete and real all the characters felt. I was hooked from the author’s note where Miles let readers know this story was inspired by a mysterious photo she had found of her own mother with coordinates on the back, leading to outback Australia.
I thought the dual-timeline was handled really well and kept me saying “one more chapter” during a few late-night reading stints.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the book while I was reading it and asked several close friends and family members what they would do if they were in the bunker situation our young characters found themselves in. To my surprise, the responses were quite varied.
I wonder how many young women declared missing slipped through the cracks of the regional Northern Territory, in times before technology might have been able to find them. In any case, the backdrop made for a chilling read that I couldn’t pull my mind from.
My one gripe with the book was that it felt quite obvious that Lisa-Marie was who re-appeared in 2004 and that the author maybe could have concealed that better, but it was still a great read and a strong debut.
Can’t wait to see what Miles writes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
In 1974 Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, Australia. In the midst of the chaos three teenagers and a child went missing. Their case garnered a lot of attention with the media giving them the moniker “The Angels”. Despite everyone’s best efforts the girls were never found.
Von’s mother; a young sex worker, disappeared in similar circumstances just prior to The Angels. Von has spent years trying to convince people that her mother is also an Angel. Believing that her mother and the disappearance of the four missing girls are connected. However the families and the public don’t think so.
30 years later an emaciated, wild looking woman turns up claiming to be one of the missing women, but is she who she claims to be?
This is one of those easy to get sucked into books that alternates POV between Von in the present and eight year old Lisa-Marie the youngest of the Angels back in 1974. Each chapter brings you a little bit closer to learning what happened all those years ago. I did find I was absolutely hooked on Lisa-Marie’s story but wanted to rush through Von’s, this was probably because Lisa-Marie’s held all the answers and I was so keen to find out what happened to The Angels. Overall this was a solid debut novel. The story line was engaging and the setting atmospheric.
If this is Jane R. Mile’s starting point I’m really excited to see what she comes up with next!
In 1974 Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, Australia. In the midst of the chaos three teenagers and a child went missing. Their case garnered a lot of attention with the media giving them the moniker “The Angels”. Despite everyone’s best efforts the girls were never found.
Von’s mother; a young sex worker, disappeared in similar circumstances just prior to The Angels. Von has spent years trying to convince people that her mother is also an Angel. Believing that her mother and the disappearance of the four missing girls are connected. However the families and the public don’t think so.
30 years later an emaciated, wild looking woman turns up claiming to be one of the missing women, but is she who she claims to be?
This is one of those easy to get sucked into books that alternates POV between Von in the present and eight year old Lisa-Marie the youngest of the Angels back in 1974. Each chapter brings you a little bit closer to learning what happened all those years ago. I did find I was absolutely hooked on Lisa-Marie’s story but wanted to rush through Von’s, this was probably because Lisa-Marie’s held all the answers and I was so keen to find out what happened to The Angels. Overall this was a solid debut novel. The story line was engaging and the setting atmospheric.
If this is Jane R. Mile’s starting point I’m really excited to see what she comes up with next!
August 20, 2026
Wow. I did really stay up late to finish this book. I even downloaded in audio to take it with me to the hairdresser 🙈 Thrillers based on true events?? Sign me up! This was a mysterious, deeply emotional and thought provoking book. The dual timelines and one unreliable narrator really popped the book for me.
Set in a small-town in Tasmania, the real places gave a very spooky vibe! I love thrillers that leaves you with deeper questions about the world and society. And one of them is how women disappear on a daily basis with only few people who look for them and how if they return, they are treated so much worse than a perpetrator.
This book blends true stories with fiction which is basically my favourite concept in books. I loved the characters and even though at times they felt annoying, it was written in such a way to show how our minds work in different situations. The best parts of the book were definitely Lisa-Marie’s chapters when the girls were underground in the dark. I loved the twist at the end too! All in all a great read!
Von’s struggle with people believing her and Lisa-Marie with her own ghosts had me hooked from the start. This book raises a fundamental question, should be afraid of actual ghosts more than the ghosts of our own mind that haunt this society?
Thank you so much HQ Books Aus for a copy of this book!
Set in a small-town in Tasmania, the real places gave a very spooky vibe! I love thrillers that leaves you with deeper questions about the world and society. And one of them is how women disappear on a daily basis with only few people who look for them and how if they return, they are treated so much worse than a perpetrator.
This book blends true stories with fiction which is basically my favourite concept in books. I loved the characters and even though at times they felt annoying, it was written in such a way to show how our minds work in different situations. The best parts of the book were definitely Lisa-Marie’s chapters when the girls were underground in the dark. I loved the twist at the end too! All in all a great read!
Von’s struggle with people believing her and Lisa-Marie with her own ghosts had me hooked from the start. This book raises a fundamental question, should be afraid of actual ghosts more than the ghosts of our own mind that haunt this society?
Thank you so much HQ Books Aus for a copy of this book!
July 8, 2026
A gripping story that will have you captivated and intrigued until the very end….
This story is a dual timeline, the then and now. The ‘then’ starts Christmas Eve 1974 as Cyclone Tracy rips through Darwin told from the viewpoint of Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the angels, and the ‘now’ is thirty years later as we follow Von while she and the families are still trying to find answers.
The tension is a constant throughout, while the darkness fills the bunker and time starts to run out, and through the reactions and behaviour of the family members. This is evident with the stress and anxiety that is brought on by the hostility that the others have toward Von. It really does make you feel for her.
As the story progresses, more and more secrets are revealed. Some readers may have an idea of what secrets are coming, but with the well-timed twists and turns, you won’t see them all.
The ferocity of the cyclone and the fear and panic of being trapped, are perfectly depicted, really setting the scene and playing on the emotions of the reader, taking the story to the next level.
Stay Buried is the debut novel by Jane R Miles that showcases her writing skills, with the result being a powerful story that beckons you in and holds you until its surprising conclusion.
Thank you HQ Books for my fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 28 July 2026
#stayburied
#janermiles
#angelsecrets
#hqbooks
#harpercollinsaustralia
This story is a dual timeline, the then and now. The ‘then’ starts Christmas Eve 1974 as Cyclone Tracy rips through Darwin told from the viewpoint of Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the angels, and the ‘now’ is thirty years later as we follow Von while she and the families are still trying to find answers.
The tension is a constant throughout, while the darkness fills the bunker and time starts to run out, and through the reactions and behaviour of the family members. This is evident with the stress and anxiety that is brought on by the hostility that the others have toward Von. It really does make you feel for her.
As the story progresses, more and more secrets are revealed. Some readers may have an idea of what secrets are coming, but with the well-timed twists and turns, you won’t see them all.
The ferocity of the cyclone and the fear and panic of being trapped, are perfectly depicted, really setting the scene and playing on the emotions of the reader, taking the story to the next level.
Stay Buried is the debut novel by Jane R Miles that showcases her writing skills, with the result being a powerful story that beckons you in and holds you until its surprising conclusion.
Thank you HQ Books for my fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 28 July 2026
#stayburied
#janermiles
#angelsecrets
#hqbooks
#harpercollinsaustralia
August 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️’s* None of the characters in this book felt remotely real, not in the way they treated each other, the dialogue, not even in their internal thoughts, nothing! Yet it was completely entertaining! If I thought it was going one way it went the other. Such a strange story and one that almost proves that sometimes stories don’t need to feel believable to be entertaining 😂
August 4, 2026
This book is set during cyclone Tracey, for the Aussies here we know just how devastating it was. This was the worst cyclone in Australia’s history. It changed how houses were built in Darwin to make them more safe when cyclones crossed to the land.
Christmas Eve 1974 four teenage girls go camping, what they don’t know is it cyclone Tracey is on her way. In the aftermath of the cyclone the girls are nowhere to be found. Have they been kidknapped? Or are they the next victims of the cyclone?
30 years later on the anniversary of their disappearance, they are called or known as The Angels. Also, a woman who claims to be one of the missing girls has appeared out of nowhere. She is bearing a keepsake that belonged to another missing woman called Sally. Is she Sally or is she just someone who wants her 15 minutes of fame?
This will have you turning the pages to find out what happened to the girls and if the woman who has turned up has any connection to those that went missing.
Thanks to @hqbooks for a review copy of the book. It’s out now so make sure to grab a copy.
I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!
Christmas Eve 1974 four teenage girls go camping, what they don’t know is it cyclone Tracey is on her way. In the aftermath of the cyclone the girls are nowhere to be found. Have they been kidknapped? Or are they the next victims of the cyclone?
30 years later on the anniversary of their disappearance, they are called or known as The Angels. Also, a woman who claims to be one of the missing girls has appeared out of nowhere. She is bearing a keepsake that belonged to another missing woman called Sally. Is she Sally or is she just someone who wants her 15 minutes of fame?
This will have you turning the pages to find out what happened to the girls and if the woman who has turned up has any connection to those that went missing.
Thanks to @hqbooks for a review copy of the book. It’s out now so make sure to grab a copy.
I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stay Buried is an intriguing Australian outback thriller by debut author Jane R. Miles. This dual timeline story takes place in Darwin during December 1974 and 30 years later, during the Summer of 2004. Brenda, Miranda, Angela and Lisa-Marie go on a camping trip on the eve of Cyclone Tracy (1974) and are never heard from again. Meanwhile, Evelyn (Von) still holds out hope for the return of her mother Sally, who disappeared around the same time as the four girls, now referred to by the media as the Angels. Rumours surrounding their disappearance question whether they were all taken by the Roadside Butcher. The earlier storyline is narrated by the youngest girl, Lisa-Marie and documents their disappearance, while the more recent timeline involves Von’s search for answers. Thank you to HQ insiders for an ARC of Stay Buried. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys suspenseful stories.
July 18, 2026
This Dark and Haunting psychological thriller is a gripping debut
Set in Darwin, in 2004, Von has never known her mother Sally, who went missing in 1974 trying to make her way to Alice Springs looking for work
She had always hoped for answers, but Sally’s hard life and upbringing meant little investigation from the police when she disappeared and now 30 years later, no leads to follow
Around the same time there was a destructive cyclone, known as cyclone Tracy that tore through Darwin. As the anniversary of the cyclone comes around, locals are still mourning four missing girls known as ‘The Angels’ who went camping in the outback before the storm and haven’t never been seen again. No bodies discovered, no answers, and decades of wondering
When a confused and troubled woman comes forward claiming to be one of the angels, the cold case is reopened with the families desperate for answers.
Who is this woman, and how does she have a keep sake that belonged to Von’s missing mother Sally ?
Part outback thriller, part ghost story , I had chills up my spine
The story flows between two timelines of Von (in 2004) and Lisa-Marie, one of the missing angels (in 1974) giving you an up close and at times haunting account of what the girls went through
So well written, I was completely immersed in the story and desperate for the answers.
Inspired by true events, Stay Buried tells a haunting tale of what one will do to survive
Thank you so much @hqbooks for my gifted arc as part of the #HQInsiders and my finished copy for the #thrillerBOTM
💭 What book are you starting th
Set in Darwin, in 2004, Von has never known her mother Sally, who went missing in 1974 trying to make her way to Alice Springs looking for work
She had always hoped for answers, but Sally’s hard life and upbringing meant little investigation from the police when she disappeared and now 30 years later, no leads to follow
Around the same time there was a destructive cyclone, known as cyclone Tracy that tore through Darwin. As the anniversary of the cyclone comes around, locals are still mourning four missing girls known as ‘The Angels’ who went camping in the outback before the storm and haven’t never been seen again. No bodies discovered, no answers, and decades of wondering
When a confused and troubled woman comes forward claiming to be one of the angels, the cold case is reopened with the families desperate for answers.
Who is this woman, and how does she have a keep sake that belonged to Von’s missing mother Sally ?
Part outback thriller, part ghost story , I had chills up my spine
The story flows between two timelines of Von (in 2004) and Lisa-Marie, one of the missing angels (in 1974) giving you an up close and at times haunting account of what the girls went through
So well written, I was completely immersed in the story and desperate for the answers.
Inspired by true events, Stay Buried tells a haunting tale of what one will do to survive
Thank you so much @hqbooks for my gifted arc as part of the #HQInsiders and my finished copy for the #thrillerBOTM
💭 What book are you starting th
August 15, 2026
Stay Buried genuinely haunting from the opening pages — the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there. Jane R. Miles's writing is sharp and confident for a first novel, pulling you into the mystery without ever letting go.Creepy and atmospheric in a way that feels distinctly Australian, that particular unease of the outback and its silences.Really impressive first book.If you enjoy psychological thrillers and richly atmospheric Australian fiction then I recommend Stay Buried.
Thank you to HQ Australia for providing an advance reading copy
Stay Buried
Thank you to HQ Australia for providing an advance reading copy
Stay Buried
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a cracker of a thriller, with a compelling and driven narrative and a haunting ending. It’s hard to stop reading when you’re in it, and hard to stop thinking about it when you’re finished. This is a top notch debut.
There’s a lot in this novel, and Miles resists the impulse to set it out directly. You really need to sink into this novel and think about what you’re reading to fully appreciate it. There are layers on layers, and your perception of events will shape your feelings about how many of the questions are fully answered.
This is a great novel – more of a thriller than a crime novel. It’s carefully structured, and has a lot of emotional depth. Both timelines are a little distant to today, and Miles has used that to shape the response to the return of the missing woman. The public, press, relatives and police would all likely respond very differently if this was a fully contemporary novel. I think this was important to the atmosphere of the novel, although there wasn’t a strong sense of time overall.
Not all the characters are immediately sympathetic, but they feel very real and human. And it’s hard not to care about what will happen to them. In one timeline we’re tensely engaged with the missing girls. In the other we’re equally engaged with the families, particularly a daughter, who want answers. This emotional engagement is compelling and drives the novel as much as readers’ desire for answers.
I found this a novel that was immediately exciting and engaging, but which also had a lingering thoughtful after life. It works on multiple levels. Most importantly, perhaps, it’s an absorbing read which you will find memorable.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
There’s a lot in this novel, and Miles resists the impulse to set it out directly. You really need to sink into this novel and think about what you’re reading to fully appreciate it. There are layers on layers, and your perception of events will shape your feelings about how many of the questions are fully answered.
This is a great novel – more of a thriller than a crime novel. It’s carefully structured, and has a lot of emotional depth. Both timelines are a little distant to today, and Miles has used that to shape the response to the return of the missing woman. The public, press, relatives and police would all likely respond very differently if this was a fully contemporary novel. I think this was important to the atmosphere of the novel, although there wasn’t a strong sense of time overall.
Not all the characters are immediately sympathetic, but they feel very real and human. And it’s hard not to care about what will happen to them. In one timeline we’re tensely engaged with the missing girls. In the other we’re equally engaged with the families, particularly a daughter, who want answers. This emotional engagement is compelling and drives the novel as much as readers’ desire for answers.
I found this a novel that was immediately exciting and engaging, but which also had a lingering thoughtful after life. It works on multiple levels. Most importantly, perhaps, it’s an absorbing read which you will find memorable.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
September 19, 2026
ARC Copy
I liked the setting (I did start reading it while in Darwin which was a fun immersive vibe) and the concept but I found I couldn’t really track or distinguish the Angels from each other so lost focus/interest and it took a while to actually finish the last 50 pages!
I liked the setting (I did start reading it while in Darwin which was a fun immersive vibe) and the concept but I found I couldn’t really track or distinguish the Angels from each other so lost focus/interest and it took a while to actually finish the last 50 pages!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Okayyyy this book was genuinely unsettling and I mean that as a compliment because I finished it and still couldn’t stop thinking about that damn bunker.
The story jumps between Christmas Eve 1974 when cyclone tracy is about to destroy darwin and four girls disappear during a camping trip and 2004 when a woman suddenly walks out of the outback claiming to be Sally, Von’s mum who vanished around the same time.
Von has spent basically her whole life tryingg to convince people that her mum matteredddd. Everyone remembers the four missing girls as the Angels but Sally never received that same attention and the Angels’ families clearly do not want Von involving herself in their story. Then this woman appears with info about the girls and claims she is Sally and suddenly Von might finally get the answers she has wanted for thirty years. Except there is no actual proof she is telling the truth.
But the bunker chapters??? Absolutely notttttt :((((((( (written brilliantly though!)
They’re told through Lisa-marie, who is only nine and the youngest of the missing girls. Having a child tell that part of the story made everything feel even stranger because she notices things differently from the older girls and seems to understand the darkness in the bunker before anyone else does.
They’re trapped underground with barely any food, a broken radio, scratches in the concrete and no idea whether anyone is even searching for them after the cyclone. Then Lisa-marie starts seeing another little girl through her view master and I spent those chapters constantly wondering whether something supernatural was happening, if fear was affecting her mind orrrrr if the truth was worse.
The bunker felt disgusting and airless and every time the story returned there I felt genuinely stressed. The girls are scared, hungry and trapped together for who knows how long so their relationships start changing and everything becomes more desperate and uncomfortable. There were times I wanted to stop reading because of how uneasy it made me but I also needed to know what happened to them.
Von’s chapters have a completely different kind of tension. She has spent years being ignored, judged and treated like she is trying to steal attention from the Angels when she really just wants someone to admit that Sally disappearing mattered as well. I felt so frustrated for her especially when the families immediately became hostile instead of considering what this woman’s return might mean for everyone.
I did guess one of the major reveals pretty early which is why this stayed at four stars for me, but there were still details I didn’t work out and I wanted answers badly enough that I flew through the ending. it's still an incredible book.
It’s dark, weird and honestly pretty disturbing in places. The bunker scenes are definitely what I’ll remember most because the thought of being stuck down there during and after cyclone Tracy is actual nightmare fuel.
There are references to sa, murder and cannibalism sooo please check the content warnings because this is absolutelyyyy not a cosy little mystery.
📅 dual timeline
👥 dual POV
🌪️ Cyclone Tracy backdrop
🔍 decades old disappearances
🚪 underground captivity
🤫 buried secrets
👭 girls trapped together
👻 possible supernatural elements
🌀 reality becoming unclear
🇦🇺 Australian psychological thriller
😳 twisty ending
Thank you so much to HQ Insiders for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
The story jumps between Christmas Eve 1974 when cyclone tracy is about to destroy darwin and four girls disappear during a camping trip and 2004 when a woman suddenly walks out of the outback claiming to be Sally, Von’s mum who vanished around the same time.
Von has spent basically her whole life tryingg to convince people that her mum matteredddd. Everyone remembers the four missing girls as the Angels but Sally never received that same attention and the Angels’ families clearly do not want Von involving herself in their story. Then this woman appears with info about the girls and claims she is Sally and suddenly Von might finally get the answers she has wanted for thirty years. Except there is no actual proof she is telling the truth.
But the bunker chapters??? Absolutely notttttt :((((((( (written brilliantly though!)
They’re told through Lisa-marie, who is only nine and the youngest of the missing girls. Having a child tell that part of the story made everything feel even stranger because she notices things differently from the older girls and seems to understand the darkness in the bunker before anyone else does.
They’re trapped underground with barely any food, a broken radio, scratches in the concrete and no idea whether anyone is even searching for them after the cyclone. Then Lisa-marie starts seeing another little girl through her view master and I spent those chapters constantly wondering whether something supernatural was happening, if fear was affecting her mind orrrrr if the truth was worse.
The bunker felt disgusting and airless and every time the story returned there I felt genuinely stressed. The girls are scared, hungry and trapped together for who knows how long so their relationships start changing and everything becomes more desperate and uncomfortable. There were times I wanted to stop reading because of how uneasy it made me but I also needed to know what happened to them.
Von’s chapters have a completely different kind of tension. She has spent years being ignored, judged and treated like she is trying to steal attention from the Angels when she really just wants someone to admit that Sally disappearing mattered as well. I felt so frustrated for her especially when the families immediately became hostile instead of considering what this woman’s return might mean for everyone.
I did guess one of the major reveals pretty early which is why this stayed at four stars for me, but there were still details I didn’t work out and I wanted answers badly enough that I flew through the ending. it's still an incredible book.
It’s dark, weird and honestly pretty disturbing in places. The bunker scenes are definitely what I’ll remember most because the thought of being stuck down there during and after cyclone Tracy is actual nightmare fuel.
There are references to sa, murder and cannibalism sooo please check the content warnings because this is absolutelyyyy not a cosy little mystery.
📅 dual timeline
👥 dual POV
🌪️ Cyclone Tracy backdrop
🔍 decades old disappearances
🚪 underground captivity
🤫 buried secrets
👭 girls trapped together
👻 possible supernatural elements
🌀 reality becoming unclear
🇦🇺 Australian psychological thriller
😳 twisty ending
Thank you so much to HQ Insiders for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It is Christmas Eve 1974, and a group of young women decide to go camping, unaware that Cyclone Tracy is about to descend on Darwin and decimate the territory. These four women go missing and become local lore being termed the Angels. Moving into 2004 we meet Von, who has been trying to raise the profile of her missing mother Sally who disappeared some months before the Angels. Her attempts have riled up the families of the Angels and put her at odds with the local police. Von and the families of the Angels are invited to receive a briefing from the Police Commissioner who advises that a woman has been located who has information about the Angels. That woman is Von’s mother Sally, and no one is sure of what the truth is anymore.
This is an intriguing read, and the story is told through dual timelines, and you can switch between the two with ease. The plight of four young women is the central focus of the story. They find themselves out in the middle of nowhere, with a cyclone bearing down on them. Looking for shelter, they come across a bunker and upon prising the door open, they soon realise something sinister is going on. For they discover a bedraggled woman, who is scared and been there for some time. As the cyclone creates mayhem, they find themselves trapped as their exit is blocked by debris. What evolves from is here a psychological thriller. The women must contend with the darkness, the reality of the situation, their own sanity and the ghosts they create. In trying to determine reality from imagination is when the women begin to unravel and turn on each other. The scenes in the bunker are fantastically vivid, and you get are sense of the darkness, the claustrophobia and never-ending hope for a rescue.
Von is seeking validation, that her mother Sally mattered and her disappearance is tied into a bigger mystery than the Angels. The lack of progress of past police investigations has resulted in Von taking her plight to the mainstream media. This results in backlash from the families of the Angels, who perceive Von as trying to associate and usurp their position of importance. Things become complicated for Von when the woman who was found out wandering around in the outback is identified as her missing mother, Sally. For Sally knows the fate of the Angels and Von desperately tries to discover the truth.
Why I really liked was you think you know where there is going, but there are subtle little twists and turns. As you discover the truth it makes you think about those who are left behind, how they deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to loved ones and how protection of a legacy becomes paramount.
Miles has deftly crafted a thriller that grips you from the outset. You are quickly thrust into unravelling the mystery of what has happened to the Angels, and you will be racing to the end.
This is an intriguing read, and the story is told through dual timelines, and you can switch between the two with ease. The plight of four young women is the central focus of the story. They find themselves out in the middle of nowhere, with a cyclone bearing down on them. Looking for shelter, they come across a bunker and upon prising the door open, they soon realise something sinister is going on. For they discover a bedraggled woman, who is scared and been there for some time. As the cyclone creates mayhem, they find themselves trapped as their exit is blocked by debris. What evolves from is here a psychological thriller. The women must contend with the darkness, the reality of the situation, their own sanity and the ghosts they create. In trying to determine reality from imagination is when the women begin to unravel and turn on each other. The scenes in the bunker are fantastically vivid, and you get are sense of the darkness, the claustrophobia and never-ending hope for a rescue.
Von is seeking validation, that her mother Sally mattered and her disappearance is tied into a bigger mystery than the Angels. The lack of progress of past police investigations has resulted in Von taking her plight to the mainstream media. This results in backlash from the families of the Angels, who perceive Von as trying to associate and usurp their position of importance. Things become complicated for Von when the woman who was found out wandering around in the outback is identified as her missing mother, Sally. For Sally knows the fate of the Angels and Von desperately tries to discover the truth.
Why I really liked was you think you know where there is going, but there are subtle little twists and turns. As you discover the truth it makes you think about those who are left behind, how they deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to loved ones and how protection of a legacy becomes paramount.
Miles has deftly crafted a thriller that grips you from the outset. You are quickly thrust into unravelling the mystery of what has happened to the Angels, and you will be racing to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stay Buried is a suspenseful thriller inspired by true events. In 1974, on Christmas Eve, Cyclone Tracey hit Darwin. It is on this fateful day that four girls, Brenda, Miranda, Angela and Lisa-Marie, set off on a camping adventure. The weather started to become windy so the girls took shelter inside an old bunker and climbed down into a shaft, thinking they would be safe there. As the cyclone moved over them the shaft above them collapsed and they were trapped. They discovered they were not alone as there was another girl, Sally, who said she had been taken and left in the bunker by a man.
The story was full of twists and turns and was very tense. I found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I wondered what was about to happen.
The girls planned what they could do to keep themselves alive. They went through desperate attempts to work out how they could leave the bunker. They found a small amount of food that they needed to ration between themselves and a broken radio which they fixed however no one could hear them.
I liked the character of Lisa-Marie, the youngest in the group, she was determined to help them escape. Using her viewfinder, she said she could see another girl who had been in the bunker years before them. She said this girl was helping them to escape. “Before the bunker, no one would ever have listened to Lisa-Marie. They didn’t ask her when she wanted to go to bed, or if she wanted to go camping. Angie, Mum, Lorry, even Dad, made decisions for her. Not anymore. The bunker was the only place in the world where she was someone other than Angie’s little sister and she liked it. “
The girls tried not to think about what would happen to them if they couldn’t escape. They even had a party and got drunk.
I enjoyed reading the story through two timelines. One told through Lisa-Marie of what happened to the missing girls. The second timeline through Von, the daughter of Sally and of the girl’s families who never gave up on finding what happened that fateful night.
There were many themes in this story including suspenseful thriller, family secrets, mystery, hidden rooms, ghosts and hope.
Mary, one of the mothers of the girls who went missing said, “Sometimes the truth should stay buried.” You need to read the book to find out why she said this.
I loved the ending.
I highly recommend reading this debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and give it four stars. Thank you to HQ Insiders for allowing me to read this ARC of Stay Buried. I look forward to reading Jane’s next story.
The story was full of twists and turns and was very tense. I found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I wondered what was about to happen.
The girls planned what they could do to keep themselves alive. They went through desperate attempts to work out how they could leave the bunker. They found a small amount of food that they needed to ration between themselves and a broken radio which they fixed however no one could hear them.
I liked the character of Lisa-Marie, the youngest in the group, she was determined to help them escape. Using her viewfinder, she said she could see another girl who had been in the bunker years before them. She said this girl was helping them to escape. “Before the bunker, no one would ever have listened to Lisa-Marie. They didn’t ask her when she wanted to go to bed, or if she wanted to go camping. Angie, Mum, Lorry, even Dad, made decisions for her. Not anymore. The bunker was the only place in the world where she was someone other than Angie’s little sister and she liked it. “
The girls tried not to think about what would happen to them if they couldn’t escape. They even had a party and got drunk.
I enjoyed reading the story through two timelines. One told through Lisa-Marie of what happened to the missing girls. The second timeline through Von, the daughter of Sally and of the girl’s families who never gave up on finding what happened that fateful night.
There were many themes in this story including suspenseful thriller, family secrets, mystery, hidden rooms, ghosts and hope.
Mary, one of the mothers of the girls who went missing said, “Sometimes the truth should stay buried.” You need to read the book to find out why she said this.
I loved the ending.
I highly recommend reading this debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and give it four stars. Thank you to HQ Insiders for allowing me to read this ARC of Stay Buried. I look forward to reading Jane’s next story.
September 18, 2026
This book was provided courtesy of HQ/HarperCollins Australia, with an accompanying interview with Jane R. Miles featured on the literary podcast Date With A Debut in July 2026. All views and opinions are my own, the reviewer.
Mild spoilers below.
Okay, no hyperbole. This debut by Jane R. Miles is one of my favourite books of the year. If you are looking for a terrifying, brooding and challenging psychological thriller, this is it.
The year is 1974, and Cyclone Tracey is about to hit Darwin. That fateful night, four women go missing and are never found again, entering into a strange legend that their families still acknowledge thirty years later. However, in 2004, one of them returns. Where has she been? What happened to the others? Should the truth be told, or stay buried?
Thriller fans, rejoice. This is the tense, chilling, white-knuckled novel you’ve been waiting for.
To be honest, this is closer to horror than anything else, but for the love of god, don’t let that deter you from an incredible story.
Miles brilliantly weaves together two storylines, and they are sorely needed: we follow 2004 with Von, who is looking to get justice and recognition for her own mother, Sally, who disappeared the same night as the four ‘angels of Darwin’ but has been frequently shunted by history.
Her story is the much-needed moments of light that contrast with the 1974 timeline, following the young Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the four missing girls who find themselves trapped in a bunker, with no one knowing where they are, the outside world picking up the pieces after Darwin, and forced to take increasingly desperate measures to survive.
Miles’ writing makes you feel this world: every emotion, every ratchet of tension, the dread, especially as this group of women begin to lose their sanity, sense of time, and more. This is not a book about Tracey; it’s about what happened afterwards. Like Tracey left people behind, the bunker leaves people behind.
This is an atmospheric, confrontational debut from Miles, one that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. We may have just witnessed the birth of a brilliant new voice in the world of Australian psychological thrillers.
5/5
Booktopia: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/MK26qq
Date With A Debut Podcast episode:
https://dwad.podpixels.com/ep/series-...
Mild spoilers below.
Okay, no hyperbole. This debut by Jane R. Miles is one of my favourite books of the year. If you are looking for a terrifying, brooding and challenging psychological thriller, this is it.
The year is 1974, and Cyclone Tracey is about to hit Darwin. That fateful night, four women go missing and are never found again, entering into a strange legend that their families still acknowledge thirty years later. However, in 2004, one of them returns. Where has she been? What happened to the others? Should the truth be told, or stay buried?
Thriller fans, rejoice. This is the tense, chilling, white-knuckled novel you’ve been waiting for.
To be honest, this is closer to horror than anything else, but for the love of god, don’t let that deter you from an incredible story.
Miles brilliantly weaves together two storylines, and they are sorely needed: we follow 2004 with Von, who is looking to get justice and recognition for her own mother, Sally, who disappeared the same night as the four ‘angels of Darwin’ but has been frequently shunted by history.
Her story is the much-needed moments of light that contrast with the 1974 timeline, following the young Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the four missing girls who find themselves trapped in a bunker, with no one knowing where they are, the outside world picking up the pieces after Darwin, and forced to take increasingly desperate measures to survive.
Miles’ writing makes you feel this world: every emotion, every ratchet of tension, the dread, especially as this group of women begin to lose their sanity, sense of time, and more. This is not a book about Tracey; it’s about what happened afterwards. Like Tracey left people behind, the bunker leaves people behind.
This is an atmospheric, confrontational debut from Miles, one that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. We may have just witnessed the birth of a brilliant new voice in the world of Australian psychological thrillers.
5/5
Booktopia: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/MK26qq
Date With A Debut Podcast episode:
https://dwad.podpixels.com/ep/series-...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An excellent debut. This was one of those books that I once I started, I couldn’t put down.
In the present day, Von is searching for answers about the disappearance of her mother fifty years earlier. She is convinced that her mother’s disappearance is linked to that of four young girls who went missing in 1974 following Cyclone Tracy. Alongside Von's story, we follow nine-year-old Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the missing girls, through the cyclone and the aftermath. The dual timelines gradually converge to reveal the truth of what happened to the girls all those years ago.
Using Lisa Marie, an imaginative 9 year old, as a narrator was an excellent choice. Her naivety shields us from some of the more disturbing elements of the story but still gave Miles room to explore the psychological impact of what is happening to the girls. I was left unsure if Lisa-Marie has an over active imagination, if her mind is playing tricks on her as a method of self preservation or if it was something more.
I also appreciated the way the novel explored the aftermath of what happened. Through Von, we see how the trauma of not knowing affected those nearest the girls. Each family coped differently but for all, including Von, the effects have been life long. It was interesting how one tragedy impacted decisions so many years later.
Von doesn't necessarily get the fairytale ending she hoped for, she does get closure. It gives both her and the reader a way to come to terms with the darker aspects of the story.
An impressive debut from Jane R. Miles. I'll definitely be looking out for whatever she writes next.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for providing an advance reading copy through the HQ Insiders program. This review reflects my honest opinion.
P.S One note for readers who follow my reviews: As you know, I read a lot of cosy crime, and would like to caution that this is **not** a cosy crime novel. It is dark, realistic and sometimes disturbing. Without giving too much away, I would recommend caution for those who have difficulty with descriptions of injuries and medical procedures. In addition, there are allusions to off-page sexual assault, cannibalism and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
In the present day, Von is searching for answers about the disappearance of her mother fifty years earlier. She is convinced that her mother’s disappearance is linked to that of four young girls who went missing in 1974 following Cyclone Tracy. Alongside Von's story, we follow nine-year-old Lisa-Marie, the youngest of the missing girls, through the cyclone and the aftermath. The dual timelines gradually converge to reveal the truth of what happened to the girls all those years ago.
Using Lisa Marie, an imaginative 9 year old, as a narrator was an excellent choice. Her naivety shields us from some of the more disturbing elements of the story but still gave Miles room to explore the psychological impact of what is happening to the girls. I was left unsure if Lisa-Marie has an over active imagination, if her mind is playing tricks on her as a method of self preservation or if it was something more.
I also appreciated the way the novel explored the aftermath of what happened. Through Von, we see how the trauma of not knowing affected those nearest the girls. Each family coped differently but for all, including Von, the effects have been life long. It was interesting how one tragedy impacted decisions so many years later.
Von doesn't necessarily get the fairytale ending she hoped for, she does get closure. It gives both her and the reader a way to come to terms with the darker aspects of the story.
An impressive debut from Jane R. Miles. I'll definitely be looking out for whatever she writes next.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for providing an advance reading copy through the HQ Insiders program. This review reflects my honest opinion.
P.S One note for readers who follow my reviews: As you know, I read a lot of cosy crime, and would like to caution that this is **not** a cosy crime novel. It is dark, realistic and sometimes disturbing. Without giving too much away, I would recommend caution for those who have difficulty with descriptions of injuries and medical procedures. In addition, there are allusions to off-page sexual assault, cannibalism and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
August 4, 2026
Spoilers ahead.
Jane Miles’ debut novel, set in Darwin and shaped by the long aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, had me hooked from the start. The disappearance of five young girls, with four going missing during a camping trip, creates an immediate tension that carries through the whole book. Each chapter moves between Lisa‑Marie and Von in the present day, and their perspectives kept me wanting to know what happened next. It was genuinely hard to put down because every page pulled me deeper into the mystery.
Miles captures how much the community still feels the impact of Tracy and how time seems to freeze at the moment the girls go missing. The town becomes stuck, unable to move forward until the truth is finally revealed. The story also shows how easy it is for grieving families to shift blame and turn on each other in moments of desperation, especially in an era where fear, reputation and community standing carried enormous weight. The pressure of the time is woven through the narrative, shaping how people react, who they trust and how quickly suspicion can spread.
Alongside the vast and unsettling beauty of the outback, the novel explores the weight of service and the psychological effects of confinement with quiet realism. The girls’ chapters reveal how rationing food slowly becomes rationing courage, leadership and sanity, and how perspectives can fracture under pressure. Their shifting thoughts, their fear and their attempts to stay grounded while trapped in a bunker add a haunting layer to the story.
I’m still thinking about the girls and the solitude they endured, and how the community around them tries to find peace while navigating stigma and the extremes people go to in order to protect family and reputation until the truth is finally revealed. Von’s final decision, choosing whether to stay or leave after accepting she may never know everything, adds a powerful note. Her peace comes from understanding that her mother did love her, and that sometimes letting go of the past is the only way to move forward.
A gentle reminder that healing starts when you choose to step forward, even without all the answers. This story will stay with me for a while.
Jane Miles’ debut novel, set in Darwin and shaped by the long aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, had me hooked from the start. The disappearance of five young girls, with four going missing during a camping trip, creates an immediate tension that carries through the whole book. Each chapter moves between Lisa‑Marie and Von in the present day, and their perspectives kept me wanting to know what happened next. It was genuinely hard to put down because every page pulled me deeper into the mystery.
Miles captures how much the community still feels the impact of Tracy and how time seems to freeze at the moment the girls go missing. The town becomes stuck, unable to move forward until the truth is finally revealed. The story also shows how easy it is for grieving families to shift blame and turn on each other in moments of desperation, especially in an era where fear, reputation and community standing carried enormous weight. The pressure of the time is woven through the narrative, shaping how people react, who they trust and how quickly suspicion can spread.
Alongside the vast and unsettling beauty of the outback, the novel explores the weight of service and the psychological effects of confinement with quiet realism. The girls’ chapters reveal how rationing food slowly becomes rationing courage, leadership and sanity, and how perspectives can fracture under pressure. Their shifting thoughts, their fear and their attempts to stay grounded while trapped in a bunker add a haunting layer to the story.
I’m still thinking about the girls and the solitude they endured, and how the community around them tries to find peace while navigating stigma and the extremes people go to in order to protect family and reputation until the truth is finally revealed. Von’s final decision, choosing whether to stay or leave after accepting she may never know everything, adds a powerful note. Her peace comes from understanding that her mother did love her, and that sometimes letting go of the past is the only way to move forward.
A gentle reminder that healing starts when you choose to step forward, even without all the answers. This story will stay with me for a while.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stay Buried is the first novel by Australian author, Jane R. Miles. When Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974, there was widespread destruction of property, and more than sixty lives were lost. But four girls who went missing, three teens and a nine-year-old, were dubbed the Angels of Darwin, and should have been well out of Tracy’s reach. Were they taken by the Roadside Butcher?
Evelyn Munst, known to friends as Von, was just four when her mother, Sally went missing some weeks before Tracy hit, but the police and media never recognised her, or two other young women missing around that time, as connected to the Angels.
Thirty years on, a woman steps out of the bush, into the path of a road train driver, who takes her to a Darwin Police station. She claims to be Sally Munst, and a witness to the Angels’ disappearance. She insists she will talk only to Von. Von’s journalist friend, Peter advises caution: a rusty locket is no proof of identity.
In 1974, Lisa-Marie is nine, and usually feels left out of her sister Angie’s group of friends, but on Christmas Eve, has been allowed to tag along for their camping trip. It’s she who discovers the orange door leading to an underground bunker, a place to shelter when the storm hits.
Von’s perspective, one of two alternating narratives, succinctly illustrates the experience of those left behind when someone close goes missing, always anxious for any scrap of news, and frustrated by the lack of progress. It certainly has the ring of authenticity.
Lisa-Marie’s narrative, describing the experience of the girls in the bunker, requires a generous suspension of disbelief: what are perhaps hallucinations are easy enough to believe, but the lack of detail and the vagueness about the time frame and resources introduce doubt.
There are a few twists and surprises in the plot that rekindle waning interest in the bunker story, while some of the choices that family members make in the 2004 narrative are puzzling. Dark and chilling, this is an impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley, HQ Insiders and HQ Fiction.
Evelyn Munst, known to friends as Von, was just four when her mother, Sally went missing some weeks before Tracy hit, but the police and media never recognised her, or two other young women missing around that time, as connected to the Angels.
Thirty years on, a woman steps out of the bush, into the path of a road train driver, who takes her to a Darwin Police station. She claims to be Sally Munst, and a witness to the Angels’ disappearance. She insists she will talk only to Von. Von’s journalist friend, Peter advises caution: a rusty locket is no proof of identity.
In 1974, Lisa-Marie is nine, and usually feels left out of her sister Angie’s group of friends, but on Christmas Eve, has been allowed to tag along for their camping trip. It’s she who discovers the orange door leading to an underground bunker, a place to shelter when the storm hits.
Von’s perspective, one of two alternating narratives, succinctly illustrates the experience of those left behind when someone close goes missing, always anxious for any scrap of news, and frustrated by the lack of progress. It certainly has the ring of authenticity.
Lisa-Marie’s narrative, describing the experience of the girls in the bunker, requires a generous suspension of disbelief: what are perhaps hallucinations are easy enough to believe, but the lack of detail and the vagueness about the time frame and resources introduce doubt.
There are a few twists and surprises in the plot that rekindle waning interest in the bunker story, while some of the choices that family members make in the 2004 narrative are puzzling. Dark and chilling, this is an impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley, HQ Insiders and HQ Fiction.
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