Awards

• Long-listed for Best Debut Fiction 2026 (Australia)

Overview

He came home for peace. Melbourne's underworld has other plans. Luke Harris has worked hard to bury his violent past. Now he's back in Melbourne, chasing a quiet life, a normal job, his own house and a dog. But Luke's old life isn't done with him. When he crosses paths with Gus Alberici, the ruthless crime boss he once served as a teenager, he's pulled back into the dark world of his past. Luke's father has vanished, along with a bag of Gus's cash, and his new girlfriend's father is acting strangely. As secrets surface and danger closes in, Luke must outsmart a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Fans of Chris Hammer, Jane Harper and Lee Child will love this thrilling and full of heart debut. 'A thrilling Australian debut, full of heart and crackling with tension.' Jane Harper

Full Product Details

9781761471391

Table of Contents

Reviews

'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

'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 'Stillwater is a gritty Australian crime thriller with plenty of action and suspense. It's artfully paced, written in a muscular style, and the fortunes of its flawed (anti-) hero should keep readers on the edge of their seats.' Sydney Morning Herald '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

Author Information

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.

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