The Stolen by Vikki Petraitis

Vikki Petraitis’s The Stolen is a gripping and timely crime novel featuring Senior Detective Antigone Pollard, a tough investigator with an unwavering sense of justice. 

Set against the backdrop of Deception Bay, the story plunges the reader into a mother’s nightmare when a baby goes missing. Every second counts in the desperate search for clues that may help the investigation.

What elevates this novel is its exploration of the pervasive influence of the manosphere and the everyday misogyny that undermines women’s safety and credibility. As Antigone and her loyal police dog race against time, they must also navigate entrenched gender bias within the community and the police force itself, challenging the very institutions they’re meant to protect. Vikki skillfully weaves these themes within a tight plot, using Antigone’s encounters with suspects and colleagues to expose the subtle and overt ways anti-feminist ideologies manifest. 

The arrival of Antigone’s mother and the revelation of a family secret add further intrigue and complexity, tying the search for truth in the case to Antigone’s own journey of self-discovery. Vikki balances the adrenaline of the investigation with Antigone’s personal reflections, resulting in a courageous and empathetic character. Meanwhile, the shifting dynamic at the Deception Bay police station, with its mix of hope and conflict, reflects broader questions about trust, power and who gets to be believed.

With its clever blend of social commentary and storytelling, Vikki delivers a must-read for fans of crime fiction that doesn’t shy away from the issues that matter.

Vikki Petraitis has written 18 books and was the inaugural winner of the Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize. Follow Vikki Petraitis online.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

Allen & Unwin