When Jack Quinlan’s mother dies of a drug overdose, it’s not his father that raises him, but Gus—a ruthless crime boss who sees Jack for what he is: a whip-smart kid with untapped potential. It doesn’t take long for Gus to forge Jack into a weapon.

But Jack was also self-aware enough to know where this sort of life was going to lead him. When the time was right, he got out. Or so he thought.

Seven years later, Jack is now Luke Harris, a regular guy putting himself through college and aiming for a real job and a real future. Falling in love. But Jack’s past isn’t so easily forgotten, and the bodies in his closet won’t forgive him.

When Luke’s newfound life collides with Gus’s underworld, survival becomes a deadly game. Luke must resurrect his dormant skills and confront the demons that threaten to consume him.

Praise for Stillwater:

“Intense . . . Luke is an immensely appealing protagonist whose intelligence and hard-won code of honor keep readers grounded in Scott’s assured, page-turning debut. Recommended for those who love Jack Reacher and King Oliver.”—Jane Jorgenson, Library Journal (starred review)

“Readers will get caught up with this tough but scrupulously ethical antihero as he plots his escape from the criminal world and dispenses some satisfying justice along the way. Recommend this Australia-based debut thriller to fans of gritty, action-filled suspense stories like Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series.”—Jane Harper, Booklist

“Impressive . . . Scott makes the life-or-death stakes of Jack’s dilemma palpable, and the novel’s terse prose and three-dimensional characters add depth. This gritty coming-of-age tale grabs readers’ attention and doesn’t let go.”—Publishers Weekly

“Scott invites us deep into the tangles of a coming-of-age story that’s fraught with complicated loyalties, love, and desperation. A great read for those who enjoyed T. Jefferson Parker’s A Thousand Steps.” —Henrietta Thornton, firstCLUE

“Tanya Scott explodes onto the crime scene with this rip-roaring debut that I read in a single sitting. Stillwater is an instant classic of the genre.”—Hayley Scrivenor, USA Today bestselling author of Dirt Creek

“Packed with tension, twists, and heart, Stillwater is a thrilling read in every sense of the word. Tanya Scott expertly balances a page-turning, explosive plot with an intimate exploration of trauma and healing, while showing us just how fine the line between saint and sinner can be. What a remarkable debut!”—Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Leave the Girls Behind

“Strap in for a high-octane ride through the seedy underbelly of Aussie crime led by a character with a huge heart. Stillwater is packed full of action and empathy. It’s hard to read at anything less than a cracking pace.” —Sarah Bailey, author of Body of Lies

“A propulsive, gritty thriller with compelling characters and edge of your seat action from a stunning new voice in Australian crime.” —Mark Smith, author of Three Boys Gone