The remarkable new novel from a rising star of Australian fiction

‘Snake Island takes you to the limits of human emotion. A vivid, consuming dive into family loyalty, violence, and the hearts broken when the two collide.’ Candice Fox, bestselling author of Crimson Lake

Vernon and Penelope Moore never want to see their son Caleb again. Not after he hit his wife and ended up in gaol. A lifetime of careful parental love wiped out in a moment.

But when retired teacher Vernon hears that Caleb is being regularly visited and savagely bashed by a local criminal as the police stand by, he knows he has to act. What has his life been as a father if he turns his back on his son in his hour of desperate need? He realises with shame that he has failed Caleb. But no longer.

The father of the man bashing Caleb is head of a violent crime family. The town lives in fear of him but Vernon is determined to fix things in a civilised way, father to father. If he shows respect, he reasons, it will be reciprocated. But how wrong he is.

And what hell has he brought down on his family?

Reading like a morality tale Western but in a starkly beautiful Australian setting, Snake Island is a propulsive literary thriller written with great clarity and power. It will take you to the edge and keep you there long after the final page is turned.

‘A rollicking tale of crime, corruption, and vengeance.’ Mark Brandi, bestselling author of Wimmera

‘Remarkable. Ben Hobson’s characters are deeply flawed, deeply human and beautifully realised. Part Western, part Greek tragedy, part morality tale – yet wholly original.’ Chris Hammer, bestselling author of Scrublands