Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Papathanasiou's writing is accessible to all readers, as it is engaging and relatable.

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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.