ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Things get messy quickly in Tanya Scott’s debut novel. Luke goes from a benign day job to being sucked in by the undercurrent of his shady past. He has all manner of demons and skeletons to deal with, all the while trying to present a brave and ‘normal’ face to the world.
The situations and complications make for a captivating tale. There’s the odd red herring and a backstory that, whilst at times very confronting, informs the main character’s story and persona.
Scott’s characters feel very real, as does the menace. You believe in the damaged Luke and are fearful of his nemesis Gus. You find yourself holding your breath quite a bit, hoping for the best but dreading the worst. Scott
After years away from his home town of Melbourne, Luke Harris is back on track. All he wants is a normal job, his own house and a dog. A gritty Melbourne crime thriller where old secrets collide with deadly new threats.
'A thrilling Australian debut, full of heart and crackling with tension.' Jane Harper
'Packed with tension, twists, and heart, Stillwater is a thrilling read in every sense of the word. Tanya Scott expertly balances a page-turning, explosive plot with an intimate exploration of trauma and healing, while showing us just how fine the line between saint and sinner can be. What a remarkable debut!' Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Leave the Girls Behind
'Strap in for a high-octane ride through the seedy underbelly of Aussie crime led by a character with a huge heart. Stillwater is packed full of action and empathy. It's hard to read at anything less than a cracking pace.' Sarah Bailey, author of Body of Lies
'A propulsive, gritty thriller with compelling characters and edge of your seat action from a stunning new voice in Australian crime.' Mark Smith, author of Three Boys Gone
'Tanya Scott's debut, Stillwater, masterfully weaves together the past and present in a suspenseful, emotionally charged crime thriller...a gripping debut filled with moral ambiguity and unexpected twists, and will appeal to fans of Jane Harper and other thoughtful, character-driven crime fiction that explores how the past can resurface in unexpected and dangerous ways.' Australian Bookseller & Publisher
'Scott makes the life-or-death stakes of Jack's dilemma palpable, and the novel's terse prose and three-dimensional characters add depth. This gritty coming-of-age tale grabs readers' attention and doesn't let go.' US Publishers Weekly
Tanya Scott is a writer, doctor and medical educator. With years of experience working in mental health care, she has learned more from her patients than from any textbook - not just about physical and mental health, but about humanity, resilience and the absurdity of life. She is based on Wadawurrung Country, on the Victorian Surf Coast, with her family and pets. When not writing, she can be found with her head in a book or braving the wind at the beach. Stillwater is her first novel.
'A thrilling Australian debut, full of heart and crackling with tension.' Jane Harper 'Tanya Scott explodes onto the crime scene with this rip-roaring debut that I read in a single sitting. Stillwater is an instant classic of the genre.' Hayley Scrivenor, author of Girl, Falling 'Packed with tension, twists, and heart, Stillwater is a thrilling read in every sense of the word. Tanya Scott expertly balances a page-turning, explosive plot with an intimate exploration of trauma and healing, while showing us just how fine the line between saint and sinner can be. What a remarkable debut!' Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Leave the Girls Behind 'Strap in for a high-octane ride through the seedy underbelly of Aussie crime led by a character with a huge heart. Stillwater is packed full of action and empathy. It's hard to read at anything less than a cracking pace.' Sarah Bailey, author of Body of Lies 'A propulsive, gritty thriller with compelling characters and edge of your seat action from a stunning new voice in Australian crime.' Mark Smith, author of Three Boys Gone 'Tanya Scott's debut, Stillwater, masterfully weaves together the past and present in a suspenseful, emotionally charged crime thriller...a gripping debut filled with moral ambiguity and unexpected twists, and will appeal to fans of Jane Harper and other thoughtful, character-driven crime fiction that explores how the past can resurface in unexpected and dangerous ways.' Australian Bookseller & Publisher 'Scott makes the life-or-death stakes of Jack's dilemma palpable, and the novel's terse prose and three-dimensional characters add depth. This gritty coming-of-age tale grabs readers' attention and doesn't let go.' US Publishers Weekly