Stone Town is captivating new rural crime drama from the author of the bestselling Cutters End.
With its gold-rush history long in the past, Stone Town has seen better days. And it’s now in the headlines for all the wrong reasons . . .
When three teenagers stumble upon a body in dense bushland one rainy Friday night, Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti’s hopes for a quiet posting in his old home town are shattered. The victim is Aidan Sleeth, a property developer, whose controversial plan to buy up local land means few are surprised he ended up dead.
However, his gruesome murder is overshadowed by a mystery consuming the entire nation: the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed.
Natalie had been investigating the celebrity wife of crime boss Tony ‘The Hook’ Scopelliti when she vanished. What did she uncover? Has it cost her her life? And why are the two Homicide detectives, sent from the city to run the Sleeth case, so obsessed with Natalie’s fate?
Following a late-night call from his former boss, Mark is sure of one thing: he’s now in the middle of a deadly game…
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
I’m a huge fan of Australian crime fiction, and Stone Town did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed Margaret Hickey’s writing, so much so that I was only halfway through reading it when I jumped online to order her previous novel ‘Cutters End’. There is no need to have read the previous novel however, Stone Town stands alone. The characters in Stone Town are well developed, with the just the right amount of depth to be engaging. The town and community are so well described that it makes it so easy to picture this storyline playing out anywhere in rural Australia. I can’t wait to read more of Margaret Hickey’s writing, her voice is a breath of fresh air in this genre! Maarit, ACT, 5 Stars
Stone Town by Margaret Hickey joins the growing number of gripping crime novels set in an Australian country town. The story evokes the atmosphere of a dusty, rural town, once thriving during the gold rush but now dependant on tourists and tree-changers. On a stormy night, three teenagers stumble on a body, shot through the head. The victim is Aidan Sleeth, a local property developer and not the most popular man in town. Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti investigates, but it’s not a simple case. The murder is overshadowed by the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed, a city cop who was investigating the wife of a notorious crime boss. As the story unfolds, the tension builds. City cops arrive to investigate the murder, but are they more concerned with their missing colleague to focus on the death of a local? Will the local detective connect the dots? This is a well written and engrossing read. Highly recommended. Louise, ACT, 5 Stars
When three kids stumble across a body in the bush at night, Detective Sargent Mark Ariti is called in. Alongside this, Detective Sargent Natalie Whitsed is missing who, until recently was following the wife of a crime boss Anthony ‘The Hook’ Scopelliti. Throughout Stone Town readers get a real sense of who Detective Mark Ariti is. Living in his dead mother’s house with memories of her throughout the story we get glimpses into his past and childhood which helps paint a really clear picture of who he is as a character. Set in an Australian small town community full of locals, lies and cover ups you get to know the other characters who pop up here and there, stick their noses in and do what they like. The bushland and Australian native animals are prominent and readers really get immersed in the setting and Hickey does such a fabulous job of setting the scene. This book is the second book with Detective Mark Ariti, following on from Cutter’s End and it is awesome. Could not put this down- hooked from the start, all the way through right to the very end. Cannot wait to read more of Margaret Hickey’s books! Sarah, VIC, 5 Stars
I was lucky enough to be chosen by Better Reading to preview Stone Town by Margaret Hickey. A crime drama set in a rural location of South Australia called Stone Town. Following along with Detective Mark Ariti; a rural cop from the area, we are plunged directly into a murder investigation. A well known member of the town, Aidan Sleeth has been shot. As the investigation continues, more strange revelations come to light. Cops from the city come in to assist the investigation and Mark must learn how to work alongside them. I was intrigued and drawn in from the get go. I do not want to reveal further information about the story in this review as I feel it’s best to read for yourself. It was a great read and held my attention the whole way through. I enjoyed the rural setting of this book and the knowledge of the native bird life was a nice touch. If you are a fan of the crime drama genre then you should definitely pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed! Amanda, VIC, 5 Stars
Margaret Hickey writes a superb rural crime story, taking the reader on a mysterious drama-filled journey! A fabulous read that reveals a country town with secrets! The descriptive prose gives an instant feeling of connection, with the town and its characters. The main character is a detective, his job is to uncover the mystery of a murder. There’s also the disappearance of a detective, who had been investigating the wife of a crime boss, there’s a lot going on in this town! I’m impressed by the ‘Australiana’, the setting is stunning, the feel throughout this amazing book is perfect, small town mayhem! Stone Town readers will love the locals, community busybodies and the reality of belonging in this environment. There is no doubt that you’re going to be hooked, from the start to the end, of this awesome book! Sincere thanks to Better Reading for sending me this wonderful book to read and review. Vikki, TAS, 5 Stars
I’m still dipping my toes into the crime thriller genre, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my Stone Town journey. I love how the mystery unfolds early into the novel: a murdered local man, a missing policewoman, and mishaps along the way. Through Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti, we not only follow the case but also get introduced to the community. Ariti’s observations can be cynical and funny as he gets reacquainted with his old hometown. Family and community are the standout themes for me, and it is impossible not to mention the strong women in this story. Their voices lend a unique touch to Stone Town. Agnes, NSW, 5 Stars
This story is a whodunnit with more crimes for Mark and his police friends to solve than I expected. What could possibly go wrong in a quiet Australian country setting, where the locals are mostly families who made this area home generations ago? One of the kids who grew up in Booralama, a short drive from Stone Town, has returned to his hometown as a divorced dad of two sons and as the local policeman. His name is Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti. Mark is enjoying catching up with old school mates, and happily settling into a quieter life than working as a cop in Adelaide. As the central character in this novel, Mark becomes likeable and plausible in a quiet country cop kinda way. His routines are interrupted by a shocking murder, a missing policewoman, unexpected signs of disloyalty among his colleagues, and more dramas than imaginable. Of course there are a few murders to solve, and more clues and lists of suspects to interview. How involved in the murder are the land co-op folks? What about Lola, her heavy drinking may signal more reasons to have suspicions about her, and motives to kill? This story is full of surprises till the very last page. I am on my way to pick up Cutter’s End, further dramas to keep Mark Ariti very busy and readers’ page turning! Katrina, NSW, 5 Stars
Margaret Hickey’s ‘Stone Town’ is an engrossing read. Set in rural South Australia, it’s a multilayered story weaving together disparate threads before reaching a satisfying conclusion. Stone Town and the surrounding area are vividly described as are the local residents. Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti, who returned to his childhood home to care for his dying mother and hasn’t left, has to investigate the murder of a well known property developer while the country is fixated on the disappearance of another detective, who was involved in an organised crime case. Hickey cleverly combines all the different elements into a satisfying read, with plenty of twists. As soon as I’d finished it, I started ‘Cutters End’ – the first book to feature Ariti – and I’m looking forward to the next title in the series. Penny, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved everything about this book, the storyline, Australian setting, book cover, and the characters. I especially liked the main character Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti. Margaret Hickey is a great author and the storyline flows beautifully and I devoured this story. First time reading this author and I definitely will track down her first book. Yvette, NSW, 5 Stars
Following on from Cutters End, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti is back in this second offering from Margaret Hickey. After a marriage breakdown and the death of his mother, Mark has left Adelaide and returned to Booralama, the small South Australian country town where he grew up. Adapting to life as a country copper, he expects a steady flow of the usual school safety visits, roadkill removal, graffiti and stolen bikes. However, local real estate agent Aiden Sleeth has been found by local teenagers, shot dead in bushland in neighbouring Stone Town. I loved Cutters End, the first in the series, and Stone Town didn’t disappoint. This second instalment can be read as a stand alone without spoiling the previous. The story grabs from the first page, and the characters, both human and the landscape itself, kept me reading past the time I should have turned out the light. Great read, thanks to Margaret Hickey and Better Reading! Juanita, NSW, 5 Stars
I just finished “Stone Town” by Margaret Hickey. I didn’t get much sleep last night, as I had to read it to the end. I love a good Homicide Mystery, and this was great. Mark Ariti was expecting a quiet time in his Hometown, but it wasn’t to be. Margaret Hickey is a great storyteller, and I look forward to reading more of her books. Bridget, VIC, 5 Stars
I like a good mystery, crime novel and Stone Town has it all. A quiet rural town is sent into a spin when it finds itself the centre of attention with a body, a missing police woman, a hit and run, with all incidents appearing to be connected to an imprisoned crime boss. If it was a movie you would be on the edge of your seat, but since it’s a book, you just keep flipping those pages. The story is immersive and very descriptive allowing for connection with the characters. I liked Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti, as do the members of the community. It’s an interesting plot with a number of twists and a number of unfortunate events that unfold quite quickly in the last few chapters. Margaret Hickey excels at descriptive prose and drawing the reader into the environment. I really enjoyed it. Samantha, QLD, 5 Stars
What can I say but that I absolutely loved it. I was hooked from the first chapter and with the various twists it made for a riveting read. Going back to read Cutters End. Very worthwhile. Andrea, VIC, 5 Stars
I’m sitting in the winter sunshine with a green tea at my side and I’ve just finished the last page of Stone Town by Margaret Hickey. What an enjoyable book! Loved the storyline. Novels about murders in the bush just have a different feel than one based on cities. The characters and use of expressive language I visualised the towns….wide streets, the obligatory country IGA, the local pub and staff with the locals on bar stools leaning on the bar looking into a half full pint. The main character in the story Mark Ariti, I loved! Local boy moving to the city and then coming back. Trying to fit back in after time away. The other local characters you feel as if you know them. So believable. I will be looking forward to reading the next book featuring Mark Ariti. Julie, WA, 5 Stars
In a small outback town of Booralama in South Australia, is a smaller town of Stone Town, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti is notified by the parents of some young teens as to the death of a man, Aiden Sleeth, 40-45 in the woods. Mark has been brought to the town to get to the bottom of one of their own going missing in the area, Detective Natalie Whitsed, who is there following up on investigations with socialite Charlene Scopelliti. Charlene is the wife of Tony “The Hook” Scopelliti who is in prison for drug trafficking, extortion and smuggling stolen goods. Then current kingpin in organised crime. Now you wonder how these three are mixed up together. Then we bring in Homicide Detective Clare Randall and Finn Turner and find out there is a snitch within the force getting back to Tony Scopelliti. I was on the edge of my seat reading this fantastic page turner, waiting for the next twist and turn. I am sure you too will enjoy this book from the first page you start till the end. Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
This book is a real winner. Combining the mystery of a murdered local man and a missing police officer there are plenty of twists and turns to provide a compelling read. This one fits into the growing genre of Australian murder mystery books and as an Aussie you feel that you are out in the bush with Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti as he tries to unravel the tangled threads. I loved this book and believe fans of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer will enjoy this second offering from Margaret Hickey. Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin Books for a copy to review. Karan, VIC, 5 Stars
Could not put it down.. Stone Town is a fantastic read, just when you think you know who the murder is, Margaret throws in a massive twist that makes your mouth drop. Margaret is able to give the reader a true an accurate depiction of what it is like to live in a small rural town. Anne, NSW, 5 Stars
If you have read the first book, Cutters End, you will notice that Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti returns to his home town of Booralama, running the local police station after inheriting his mother’s house. The novel starts with plenty of action with three teenagers finding a body in bushland late at night. It turns out that Aidan Sleeth is the victim and is a property developer who has controversially bought up a large amount of local land. On top of the Sleeth case, Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed has been investigating Charlene Scopelliti, the celebrity wife of Tony Scopelliti, a jailed crime boss. Whilst tailing Charlene, Natalie goes missing. As Mark trails Natalie’s movements he begins to wonder if both cases are related. There is a lot of investigation work involved in tracking the killer, and also in finding Natalie, with lots of surprises and twists and turns as the story plot evolves. A mind-blowing thriller that captivates your mind and takes you along for the ride. Well worth the read if you like reading Crime Drama titles. Vicki, VIC, 5 Stars
From the very beginning this novel draws you in. An Australian small town is the perfect backdrop for this crime novel with a range of players. There are twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end. A page turner for lovers of Australian crime fiction. Tayla, VIC, 5 Stars
I love outback noir – it’s fast becoming my favourite genre. And this one didn’t disappoint. Going in, I didn’t know this was a series, but I think it can be read as a standalone. I love all the landscape descriptions. Highly recommend. Lauren, QLD, 4 Stars
Another great Aussie rural crime drama, my favourite kinda books. Margaret Hickey has managed to write a great read that I couldn’t put down. I now have to go get her first book to read “Cutter’s End” and give it a go. ‘Stone Town’ follows Senior Detective Mark Ariti to his new postings to his home town which he is looking forward to being a nice quite stay. And you guessed it…..it’s not quite when a body is found in bushland by a bunch of teenagers out one night. Ariti is called in to solve the case. The body is a local developer Aiden Sleeth which many locals do not like. Only problem is that at the same time as his death there is a missing persons case of a Detective Sergeant Natalie Whisted. All eyes are on the missing person. While reading I was asking myself questions like – are both cases related? – why did Auden die? – is Natalie missing due to her investigating the mafia wife? and many more ….. Having these thoughts in my head kept me reading and guessing. I also loved reading about the people who lived in Stone Town and everyone interacted with which other. All I can say is I have a new favourite author and looking forward to reading more of her books. Maria, SA, 4 Stars
Stone town commences with the discovery of a body in dense bushland leading to Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti investigating this gruesome murder on returning to his home town while also investigating the disappearance of Detective Sergeant Natalie Whitsed ….. many twists and turns in this gripping novel. Ruby, QLD, 4 Stars
Channelling her deep interest in rural communities and outback lives, Margaret Hickey has produced another scintillating crime drama with Stone Town, her encore piece to last year’s success story Cutters End. A story of a quintessential ex gold mining town that sees a murder play out and a perplexing disappearance, Stone Town is a convulsive read. When Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti becomes involved, this law enforcement officer’s hopes of an easy country posting are dashed by a high-profile mystery case and a shocking disappearance. A captivating crime case unfolds with plenty of drama, secrets and uprising connections. Hickey ramps up the pace and tension level as Stone Town builds to a propulsive end point. The pressure is on this seasoned Detective Sergeant to put it all together and solve the problems plaguing Stone Town. Detective Mark is a solid character, providing plenty of interest and appeal to readers. It is easy to cheer this abiding and hardworking Detective on as he works to crack the code of Stone Town. Margaret Hickey’s follow up piece to Cutters End presents readers with an Aussie crime noir tale that is captivating, unpredictable and strategic. Stone Town is a typical and original crime noir, which slots very easily into this genre. Stone Town holds you in a vice like grip from beginning to end. Seasoned Aussie crime fiction fans will converge on this one! Amanda, WA, 4 Stars
Not having read Cutter’s End, this was my first introduction to Mark Ariti and I was not disappointed. Mark is, on the surface, an easy going bloke who also happens to be the local copper just trying to navigate life post divorce. Being back in Booralama isn’t exciting, with the local grafitti problem and occasional bike theft usually being the worst crimes. Add in a few tree changers (I had to Google what they were!), a murdered local business man and a missing Detective who was investigating the Mob and Booralama is about to get a whole lot more interesting. If you have ever lived or stayed in a small outback town long enough, you will appreciate the CWA ladies who, lets face it, know everything that is happening in their town. From rare bird sightings and abandoned mine shafts to crooked cops and the local pub, Stone Town will have you guessing at every turn. Tammy, QLD, 4 Stars
A rural murder, crime, mystery, this book has it all. A small town, a body found, a missing police woman and the investigation of a crime boss and his celebrity wife. What more do you need? Margaret Hickey has written a book that will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole story. I loved the setting of the Gold Rush town and the fact that the main character Detective Mark Ariti has returned to his home town and is using his local knowledge to help solve the crimes. This story builds with intense excitement, fear of what will happen next and throwing in the details of the scrubland and mine shafts you can feel that anyone could disappear without a trace in this harsh but beautiful landscape. I love that the two cases are linked and it builds more interest and mystery. I love that this book flows well with enough description of the surroundings to enhance the story. And I like all the secrets, the local gossip and the twists and turns the story provides. A great book and a compelling read. Donna, TAS, 4 Stars
Thanks to Better Reading for giving me the opportunity to read Stone Town. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was totally engaged from beginning to end. This book is a well constructed crime drama full of rich characters set in a small rural town where everyone knows everyone. I have read Margaret Hickey’s previous book Cutter’s End and therefore knew the main character Senior Detective Mark Ariti. The story is set in a quiet rural town where the status quo has been upset by a controversial property development plan. There is a dual storyline of a local murder and the investigation of a missing Detective Sergeant who had been investigating organised crime links. Margaret Hickey does a great job of throwing in a number of twists and turns along the way to drawing these storylines together. There was nothing rushed in the telling, the progress of the investigations and unveiling of the pieces of the story were all delivered very well. I do recommend this book as a top example of a rural crime drama and rate it 4 stars out of 5. Grahame, NSW, 4 Stars
Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti is the local cop in his old hometown. A local land developer is found dead by some teenagers. Land is gold in Stonetown and the dead man Aidan Sleeth is not liked by most people, including the local conservationists. His death also coincides with the state wide search for a missing Detective Natalie Whitsed. Sergeant Ariti using his local knowledge of the locals and places to solve both cases. This was a great read. My favourite line is “if you want a job done you ask a Nana” Margaret Hickey describes the landscape and people so well the role of the CWA in the community, Marks divorce and why he is back in his hometown and the conflict between developers and conservationists. Vanessa, NSW, 4 Stars
Thank you for the preview copy Better Reading. Not having read Cutters End Margaret Hickey’s first book in the series with the cop Mark Ariti, I was concerned before starting this book. But Stone Town is a great stand alone book, any references to his past personal life and work colleagues was easily shared and understood. Clever plot with two cases ultimately blending into one. The plot was intriguing and kept you guessing till the conclusion. I really enjoyed the book and will now read Cutters End. I found this book in a similar vein to a Jane Harper novel and would recommend to any Jane Harper enthusiasts. Julie, QLD, 4 Stars
Stone Town had an interesting plot with a number of twists and turns to keep me engaged. I found the writing style easy flowing and it kept a good pace throughout the book. The rural setting was beautifully described. I was pleased that the final chapters tied up everything nicely and didn’t leave me wondering about anything. Overall a great read. Natalie, NSW, 4 Stars
The second in the series featuring Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti. I’ve not read the first, but enough details are slotted throughout the story to make it read well as a stand alone novel. I was hooked from the beginning. It’s the middle of a rainy night in bushland bordering Stone Town, an ex-mining community. Eerie screams cause three teenagers to bolt for safety, but in their panic to escape, they stumble over a body. Police are called. D.S. Ariti’s hopes for a quiet life are about to be shattered. He’d returned from the city to live in his deceased mother’s house in the nearby town of Booralama, where he runs a one man police station. The author evokes a good sense of place and small town life, with its characters, gossip, secrets and occasional humour – love how Squirrel got his name. Two city cops arrive to assist Mark investigate the murder, while continuing investigations into the disappearance of a missing police officer who had been investigating a notorious crime boss. Plenty of twists are added along the way. A page turner and great crime read. Thank you to Better Reading and Penguin for the ARC. Pam, QLD, 4 Stars
Stone Town is a suspenseful crime novel, set in the Aussie outback. With a surprising twist, Hickey’s writing leaves you guessing until the very end. I’m not often a fan of crime novels, but this one was happily devoured. Alexandra, TAS, 4 Stars
A small town with big secrets is the setting for Stone Town, the second book by Margaret Hickey featuring Senior Sergeant Mark Ariti who has returned to his home town to care for his dying mother following the breakup of his marriage. Melding the stories of a local murder and a missing city police detective who had been investigating the wife of a jailed crime boss takes on a more sinister feel. The quiet, rural town is soon the focus of attention when two city homicide detectives are sent to run the investigation but seem more obsessed with the missing detective. This book should appeal to all lovers of crime fiction. Set in the heart of Australia the descriptions evoke life in small country towns with their annual Shows, the CWA and the easy-going lifestyle where everyone knows everyone else’s business and whose doors are never locked yet still manage to hide their biggest secrets. I look forward to the ongoing story of Senior Sergeant Ariti. Robyn, NSW, 4 Stars
After reading Cutters End, I was pleased to have the opportunity to read another Detective Sergeant Mark Ariti book. Thank you Better Reading. In this novel, Ariti’s situation has changed both personally and professionally. He has been posted back to his home town where he grew up. Separated from his wife and his two sons and living in his deceased mother’s house, life is now very different for him. Stone Town moves along at a slowish pace but full of details about the surroundings, families and life.Town characters are wonderful. Ariti has changed from Cutters End. I liked him more this time around. Though he was likeable then, he has aged well here. Loved his colleague, Jagdeep. Of course there has to be a murder and after the murder of a prominent town citizen and the disappearance of a policewoman, he has his hands full. There are a few twists and turns, some predictable, but there are enough to keep the reader interested. A good read. Thank you, Margaret. Sharon, ACT, 4 Stars
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