The chilling new mystery novel from the award-winning author of bestsellers Cutters End, Stone Town and Broken Bay.
Victim … or killer?
For the last decade, the small mountain town of Edenville in Victoria’s high country has been haunted by the horrific murders of five hikers up on Jagged Ridge.
Also found dead near the scene was Bill ‘Creeper’ Durant, a bushland loner, expert deer-hunter, and a man with a known reputation for stalking campers . . .
Conclusion: murder-suicide. Case closed.
But as the ten-year anniversary of the massacre draws near, Detective Constable Sally White – the only officer at Edenville’s modest police station – finds herself drawn into the dark world of the notorious Durant family.
Lex Durant, in particular, has started to publicly protest his brother’s innocence and accuse the police of persecution.
As Sally combs the investigation to prove him wrong, it becomes all too clear that each murdered hiker had skeletons in their closet – and possible enemies in their past…
Buy a copy of The Creeper here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Margaret Hickey has written another amazing crime thriller book. Her depiction of the Victorian countryside is amazing. Margaret sets the scene well and her descriptions got caught up in the scenes of the bush. It is the tenth anniversary of murders that took place on the Jagged Ridge. Constable Sally white gets caught up in an investigation when the killers family claims his innocence. this is entwined with the families of those murdered being involved in an anniversary documentary. The Creeper is a real page turner with a great plot and kept me guessing until the end. Teresa, VIC, 5 stars
A riveting read, unputdownable! There are so many twists in plot of this novel. The main character, Sally, is a police officer in a small town and the ten year anniversary of an old crime is coming up. The original crime all seemed very neatly tied up – too neat? There are lots of potential suspects, a new one at every turn and as she starts to experience incidents designed to put her off the trail it gets more and more interesting. The novel highlights small town life and the secrets that locals hold close to their chest are hard to penetrate when you’re new to town which I could relate to having grown up in a country town. Sally is young but very smart and will not be deterred by anything. My heart was racing as I got towards the end and I could not stop reading until the end with my guesses changing several times. I have read Margaret Hickey before but this is absolutely one of her best. I was totally invested in what happens to the main characters, and who the real ‘creeper’ is surprised me. I would highly recommend this book! Debra, NSW, 5 stars
I really enjoyed the many layers of the story and found that once I got in to it, I couldn’t put it down until I knew how it would end! Well done, I’m off now to read the authors other books! Terin, QLD, 5 stars
The writing of this story is so very Australian. It isn’t often I get to read words like bandaid in books and them be the language I hear in my day to day. It was a pleasure to read. The story has you intrigued from the beginning, wanting to solve the case along side the main character. As the story develops you are left questioning and trying to puzzle out how it will end and when you think you have, a twist reveals itself that you never saw coming. I loved this book and the characters within it. I will definitely be seeking out more from this author. Melissa, VIC, 5 stars
It’s the tenth anniversary of the murders of five hikers just outside the small town of Edenville in Victoria’s High Country. Found nearby is the body of Bill Durant, known as “The Creeper” who has been known to stalk campers, and he is also part of the infamous and troublesome local Durant family. If you haven’t read one of Margaret Hickey’s books and you enjoy reading the Crime/Murder genre, do yourself a favour and grab one. All four books are fabulous reads, with the last two, “Broken Bay” and “The Creeper” stepping up to the next level, with excellent storylines that draw you in from the first chapter to the very end. They have strong interesting characters with lots of action, suspense and excitement along the way. Vicki, VIC, 5 stars
A book that had me engrossed from the first page. A murder mystery that had closed 10 years ago is reopened with a new female policewoman in a small town. Living in a small town myself where we have had two unsolved murders I could relate to the locals and their feelings for new blood in town digging up an old case. The Creeper had many twists I did not see coming. I highly recommend this as a read. I will be now reading some other of Margaret Hickey’s books. Helen, TAS, 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this fictional crime story set in the small mountain town of Edenville, Victoria. Ten years ago, five hikers were murdered up on Jagged Ridge. The murderer suspect, Bill ‘Creeper’ Durrant also found dead near the scene. The case was closed. The sole survivor, Laura Wynter, plans to revisit the scene for the tenth anniversary. Senior Constable Sally White stationed in Edenville, also received protest from Lex Durrant, brother of Bill Durrant, who claimed his brother was innocent. Sally started the investigation. Will Sally be able to reveal the reason for the murderer or find a new suspect? Margaret, NSW, 5 stars
I absolutely adored this book. Although at first this glance this novel may seem like a traditional crime investigation, it quickly become clear it’s more than just a murder mystery. A side plotline of the main character and her personal back story adds to the mystery and intrigue. Kept me guessing right til the end and loved getting to know the characters during the journey. Five stars for me and highly recommend it to Jane Harper fans. Justine, NSW, 5 stars
I’m a big fan of Margaret Hickey’s Mark Ariti books so was eager to read her new book ‘The Creeper’. I was not disappointed as I really warmed to her new character Senior Constable Sally White. She’s tough and good at her job but still finding her way as the only officer in a small high county town. Hickey is great at creating small communities and the characters that fill them – they felt authentic and I was really felt immersed in the mountain setting. Tension builds as the narrative alternates between the circumstances of the 10 year old crime involving murdered hikers, and the present where Sally delves into the old investigation and all who were involved. As the layers are slowly peeled back, themes of small town prejudices and old style police investigating are brought to light as Sally is determined to uncover the truth. Fans of her previous books, and of writers such as Jane Harper, should enjoy this one – I was so absorbed I read it in one sitting. Margaret, VIC, 5 stars
Without doubt one of the best reads of my year. I was enthralled from page one as the story and characters captivated my imagination. Like making a cake, layer upon layer of suspense, turns, U turns and straight-out deception made me want to keep reading without a break. I loved the characters, their realness and the way they combined to make the storyline so real. At times I actually felt like I was where the story occurred and enjoyed the brilliant descriptions of the countryside. Roll on the next book, this one was a cracker. Thank you for bring us the The Creeper Mark, SA, 5 stars
The Creeper (Margaret Hickey) tells the story of a terrible massacre that happened in a small mountain town and its 10th anniversary. The new cop in town, Sally, starts investigating it for the press pressure and finds herself being attack in the process. The police at the time of the attack had no doubt that the murder was a local known as “the creeper” for scaring hikers and taking pictures of them. They were also sure that he killed himself after the massacre. Case close. Sally starts following her instincts and finds a connection between the victims that didn’t know themselves before the tragic hiking. The end is full of action and the true came to light. Cintia, VIC, 5 stars
Stories based in small rural towns as outsiders visit stirring up past bad deeds always deliver a solid and layered reading experience. Tasked with solving an assumed ‘easy’ case, Sally an excellent protagonist with modest resources, digs deep to find out what really happened ten years prior. Engaging reading paired with an interesting plot and unexpected happenings, this was an excellent read. The outsider is always hit with resistance, strong and well-drawn Constable Sally White was a very likeable and real part of this story, working toward solving the victim or killer phenomenon believably. Rylee, NSW, 5 stars
“The Creeper” by Margaret Hickey is a haunting exploration of psychological suspense. Set in a remote Australian town, it weaves a gripping narrative around the disappearance of a young girl and the community’s unraveling secrets. Hickey’s prose is atmospheric, drawing readers into a tense web of suspicion and fear. The characters are vividly portrayed, each harbouring dark motives and hidden agendas. With its evocative descriptions and steadily building tension, “The Creeper” keeps readers on edge until its chilling conclusion. A compelling read for fans of atmospheric thrillers and psychological mysteries. Melissa, VIC, 5 stars
So didn’t see that coming! I was expecting a surprise regarding the actual murderer but the identity of The Creeper was totally unexpected… Ayesha, NSW, 4 stars
‘The Creeper’ is a well-paced crime drama that had me not wanting to put the book down. Set in a small yet thriving town in the Victorian High Country, the story skilfully unearths old prejudices as a decade-old mass murder is commemorated and reinvestigated. Hickey’s vivid descriptions beautifully capture this spectacular region; Its beauty, isolation, vastness, and the eerie closed-in feeling all resonated with me. The well-developed characters – ranging from likeable to unlikable, many with something to hide – coupled with believable dialogue and interactions, enhanced the plot. As someone who often predicts the ending or the culprit of mysteries well in advance, I was pleasantly surprised to only be half right this time, earning the book extra cred for its unpredictability and suspense. Kylie, VIC, 4 stars
Her books just get better and better, strong characters who keep you guessing, hard to put down. Not a book to read a bedtime, it keeps you awake. Lynette, NSW, 4 stars
An atmospheric rural noir which steadily builds to a nail-biting final third. I really became invested when the significance of the title began to dawn on me. I really liked the imperfection of police officer Sally White and her determination to solve a ten year old mass murder. I am not, however, keen to go hiking in the setting of this book. (Although Jim would certainly be good company!) Recommended for readers who enjoyed Jane Harper’s “Force of nature”, in this book the harsh alpine environment also becomes a character. It’s very hard to say more without spoiling a clever and surprising reveal. Heidi, VIC, 4 stars
It is 10 years since the bodies of five hikers plus the suspected murderer Bill ‘Creeper’ Durrant were found on Jagged Ridge in the Victorian high country near the small town of Edenville. The case has been closed as at the time it was treated as a murder-suicide. However there had been a lot going on in the lives of the deceased people along with a police history of the suspected murderer. When the sole survivor plans a revisit to the area with a film crew to make a documentary, Bill Durrant’s brother protests to the police still claiming his brother’s innocence. Constable Sally White is rather new to Edenville and starts looking into the case with fresh eyes. There are many twists and turns throughout this fast-paced book and will keep you guessing right until the end. I found the descriptions of the high country very well written along with the small town and their characters. I enjoyed this book and will certainly look forward to reading more books by Margaret Hickey, another great Australian author. Marg, VIC, 4 stars
Senior Constable Sally White is the only officer in Edenville, a small Victorian town, known famously for the brutal murders of five hikers, ten years ago. Sally is beginning to feel settled in her new home, she enjoys her job, is in an relationship and is getting to know the locals. As the tenth anniversary of the murder draws closer, Sally’s interest in the case piques, and she begins looking closer into the details of the murder. The more she talks to the townsfolk, the more she questions the events she’s been told took place. The truth is there somewhere, but to get to it, Sally is going to have to dig deep, questioning those she should trust, trusting people she probably shouldn’t trust, and having to trust the evidence will speak for itself. Sally is a likeable character and the story is set in a familiar setting. The pace of events picked up two thirds of the way into the book, which had me hooked, desperate to put all of the puzzle pieces together. There were quite a few false trails throughout the book, some more subtle than others, with the final twist being difficult to predict. Priscilla, ACT, 4 stars
A really good page turner. The case of 5 dead hikers was solved when the “Creeper” was also found dead. Everyone knew he did it. Case closed. 10 years later things are not as they seem and new Senior Constable Sally is looking at the case with fresh eyes. The characters are very well written and the scenery is portrayed so well you can almost feel the chill in your bones as you are transported to the Razor Track. Fairly convinced I knew who the killer was – it turns out I was wrong but what was especially enjoyable was the slow dawning of who the killer was – it wasn’t a sudden reveal like so many other thrillers. 4.5 stars Katrina, VIC, 4 stars
The Creeper is a fast paced crime mystery set around isolated hiking trails in Victoria. It manages to capture the tension that is felt when you think you are alone but feel something is off and these moments occur at the right times that kept me engaged. I also liked that the story has chapters going back to the original incident that occurred 10 years prior to the book taking place to help give context to the characters and the fear they felt. I think this book would be good for readers who like fast paced mysteries and also stories where every major character has flaws that impact their role in the story. Elyce, VIC, 4 stars
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Margaret hickeys books and this one did not disappoint. It started off slow but then drew me in and I wanted to know what was going to happen. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to review this book. Joel, VIC, 4 stars
This is an exciting and fast paced addition to the growing collection of Australian noir crime/thriller story. Great depiction of the Victorian high country… it really is spectacular country but does lend itself to these depictions of creepy, remote and harsh vertiginous landscape. The characters of this small town are well written and realistic. The long term residents and the tree changers provide plenty of inspiration and opportunity for motives and backstories. I think there were sufficient hints and clues to help you build a picture of who might be involved in the crimes, which allows the reader to participate in solving the events with the final reveal being to far fetched. Tundra, ACT, 4 stars
Another great Aussie crime novelist leading us through a small town murder mystery. Margaret Hickey sets a scene so well, if you know Australia and the bush setting you can really be enveloped by sights, sounds and smells. If you are not familiar with the landscapes I am sure her descriptions are real for you too. Also enjoyed the intertwined lives of this towns past and present residents, and yes everyone has a story to tell, if you can just get them to reveal it. The plot keeps you guessing and twists and turns as you try to fathom who did what to whom??? The ending is real and believable, a great read! Caroline, NSW, 4 stars
A great read that had me guessing until the end. I’ve read all of Margaret Hickeys books and this one was as enjoyable. It was a slow burn that ended with a punch. I loved the subtle acknowledgement of a character from her other books. It left me wanting more and left it open to sequels. So hopefully that’s in the pipeline as Sally has growth and potential as a main character. Highly recommend to crime novel lovers. Michelle, NSW, 4 stars
Margaret Hickey’s portrayal of a Victorian country town was perfect. I had pretty good images in mind of all of the characters from the great descriptive writing. I didn’t really love the “Sally” character but all were believable. I enjoyed the book and read it in a few sittings. I thought I had worked out early on who was responsible for the murders, but an unpredictable twist at the end proved me wrong. This was the first book I have read by Margaret Hickey and I will seek out others as I quite like her style of writing. Amanda, NSW, 3 stars
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