The Waterhole

** For readers who enjoy Jane Harper's, The Dry

** Sisters In Crime Davitt Awards short-listed 2022

When a backyard dare to discover the source of a fabled waterhole uncovers human bones, small town detective, Marley West, leaps at the chance to kickstart his stalled career. But it's more than two decades since developers filled the Cowaramup creek. The woman who owned the land-the Ross family matriarch-has passed away. Relations between her sons, Jack and Bill, are colder than the case.

Then the Ross family learn Marley is the grandson of notorious police sergeant, Alan West, the corrupt cop who once ruled the town with an iron fist. 

To solve the case, Marley must gain the trust of three people with no reason to trust each other and less reason to trust him: Bill, who left the love of his life to fight in Vietnam; charismatic Jack, who could always catch the eye of a pretty girl; and city school teacher, Annette, whose move to Cowaramup in 1966 would change the Ross brothers' lives forever.

As he navigates a tangled web of lies and betrayals, jealousies and murder, Marley has to ask himself: are these bones better left buried?

Praise for The Waterhole

"The Waterhole is a captivating Australian crime thriller, right up there with Jane Harper and Chris Hammer. Intelligent, suspenseful, articulate, and very hard to put down." Greg Barron, author of Rotten Gods.

"A clever and polished foray into the world of mystery and crime." All The Books I Can Read 

"Quintessentially Australian, Lily Malone takes us into the heart of a family ravaged by secrets." Fiona Lowe, author of Home Fires.

"Lily Malone serves up addictive small town stories with a twist." Jenn J McLeod, author of House Of Wishes and The Seasons' Collection.

"With an intriguing, often disquieting ensemble of characters, The Waterhole sets a cracking pace from the outset." Monique Mulligan, author of Wherever You Go.