Gus Green is a teenage detective and has already solved one case with his school friend, Shell, and neighbour, Kane. Six months after that first case, he receives an email telling him that his birth mother, Jane, can be found at an off-grid community called The Circle. He wants to leave immediately, and while his mum, Meg, is happy for Gus to meet his birth mother, she doesn’t want Gus to be deceived and disappointed.
The Circle is named after a close-by stone circle. The three friends don’t receive a friendly welcome. No-one they meet acknowledges knowing Jane. There’s also a confrontation at the entrance with a developer, Simon Walker, who wants to buy the community out. He leaves after telling each member that he knows all of their secrets. A wild storm is approaching and Cath, the community leader, reluctantly allows Gus, Shell and Kane to stay in a spare cabin. That night, Shell sees a fire on the adjacent lake. They find a boat burning and Simon Walker dead. Clues point to arson. The roads have been flooded and no outsiders could have come into The Circle, so someone within the community is responsible.
Cath founded The Circle and didn’t want to leave. Her son, Nash, has a history of pyromania. Their family friend, Greta, would do anything for Cath. Maxine, a flirty drunk, was seen burying something in the garden. Tobias is writing a book on stone circles but is secretive. The mysterious John is absent, and still no-one admits knowing Jane.
The stone circle adds to the eeriness and mystery. Tension escalates as the narrative progresses and secrets are revealed. Gus and the Burning Stones is great stuff.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
Age Guide 14+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Troy Hunter is a crime writer from Melbourne/Naarm.
His debut YA crime novel Gus and the Missing Boy was shortlisted for the 2024 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction and the 2025 BAD Sydney Danger Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction.
He is also the co-host of the Words and Nerds spin-off podcast Queer Writes Sessions with R.W.R. McDonald.
He runs writing workshops and am passionate about getting reluctant readers, especially boys, into reading books.
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