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One of the recent reads in our ‘Book Blokes’ book group is titled The Stoning, by Greek Australian author Peter Papathanasiou. It is another Australian book offering along the lines of Jane Harper and Sarah Barrie. The genre is crime fiction, set in the Australian outback, in rural, sometimes insular communities where everyone seems to know everyone else. This is set in the outback NSW town of Cobb where a woman, a local school teacher, has been stoned to death.
It is a small town, with a population of maybe a thousand or less, with two pubs, an asylum seeker detention compound, a group of Indigenous Australians with a smattering of white Australians. The stoning prompts the powers that be in the capital city to send a former child resident, now a detective based in Sydney, to investigate the murder. He happens to be a Greek Australian, Detective Sergeant George Maniolis. He is confronted with a police presence who a) has had little experience investigating a murder and b) has a laconic, cynical and unfair approach to crime.
Despite these constraints, the lack of resources, being targeted by whoever, in the form of somebody burning his prized Valiant, and other intimidating tactics, George does with difficulty eventually solve the case. I will not however comment further, because I don't want to spoil what is a great read with several twists.
Even so, the relationship he develops with the younger police constables, along with his belief that the simple answer is not as simple as it might appear, creates an interesting narrative (storyline) and a belief in the reader that justice will prevail. The novel addresses themes of discrimination, the veracity of placing legitimate asylum seekers in the outback for detention (interesting topic given current events) and the search for power. All in all, an enjoyable read, the outcome is not predictable, so you will want to read through to the end to find out who the perpetrator is.
Papathanasiou's writing is accessible to all readers, as it is engaging and relatable.
The Ron Barwin Prison library in Tasmania has a copy of this book on the shelves, or alternatively you can join the book club to receive a copy. Jane Harper and Sarah Barrie's books are also on the shelves.
One of the recent reads in our ‘Book Blokes’ book group is titled The Stoning, by Greek Australian author Peter Papathanasiou. It is another Australian book offering along the lines of Jane Harper and Sarah Barrie. The genre is crime fiction, set in the Australian outback, in rural, sometimes insular communities where everyone seems to know everyone else. This is set in the outback NSW town of Cobb where a woman, a local school teacher, has been stoned to death.
It is a small town, with a population of maybe a thousand or less, with two pubs, an asylum seeker detention compound, a group of Indigenous Australians with a smattering of white Australians. The stoning prompts the powers that be in the capital city to send a former child resident, now a detective based in Sydney, to investigate the murder. He happens to be a Greek Australian, Detective Sergeant George Maniolis. He is confronted with a police presence who a) has had little experience investigating a murder and b) has a laconic, cynical and unfair approach to crime.
Despite these constraints, the lack of resources, being targeted by whoever, in the form of somebody burning his prized Valiant, and other intimidating tactics, George does with difficulty eventually solve the case. I will not however comment further, because I don't want to spoil what is a great read with several twists.
Even so, the relationship he develops with the younger police constables, along with his belief that the simple answer is not as simple as it might appear, creates an interesting narrative (storyline) and a belief in the reader that justice will prevail. The novel addresses themes of discrimination, the veracity of placing legitimate asylum seekers in the outback for detention (interesting topic given current events) and the search for power. All in all, an enjoyable read, the outcome is not predictable, so you will want to read through to the end to find out who the perpetrator is.
Papathanasiou's writing is accessible to all readers, as it is engaging and relatable.
The Ron Barwin Prison library in Tasmania has a copy of this book on the shelves, or alternatively you can join the book club to receive a copy. Jane Harper and Sarah Barrie's books are also on the shelves.
This month, we’re reading Archer’s Voice, featuring our very own interview with the author, Mia Sheridan. Archer’s Voice is a New York Times bestselling romance novel. The novel centres on Archer Hale, a reclusive and mute young man with a troubled past, and Bree Prescott, a woman trying to escape her own traumatic history.
A new art exhibition in Melbourne calls attention to Indigenous incarceration in Australia. It’s on from April to July 2025 at Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne.
Songs Inside received the Audience Award at the Adelaide Film Festival and Documentary Australia Award at the Sydney Film Festival. It’s touring around the country.
A collection of sports news from the past month, including Brisbane possibly being our new sporting capital, Aussie women finding lots of wins in Cricket and loutish crowd behaviour marring the Ryder Cup.
A collection of sports news from the past month, including Brisbane possibly being our new sporting capital, Aussie women finding lots of wins in Cricket and loutish crowd behaviour marring the Ryder Cup.
We’re Bull Press. We make games – conversational tabletop games – for a prison environment. Most of us have spent time in prison, and we’re based in the USA.
Prison is a noisy place, yet at Risdon Prison, in Tasmania – nestled near bushland and close to the Risdon Brook Dam – the sounds of nature still break through. Despite the din, the calls of native birds are unmistakable.
A new children’s book addresses the incarceration of parents. It’s titled My Dad’s Gone Away and was written by Andrew Krakouer and Jacqueline Dinan.
Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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