Angel Rock

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Angel Rock (ISBN 0007128479) is a 2002 crime novel written by Darren Williams. The book is mostly set against the backdrop of the Australian bush during the late 1960s, and tells the story of what happens when the small rural community of the title is struck by two tragedies in quick succession.

Plot Summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In the Summer of 1969, 13-year-old Tom Ferry and his younger half brother, Flynn Gunn, go missing in the bush after getting lost on their way home. Several days later, Tom returns to Angel Rock alone, with no recollection of the intervening time or what has happened to Flynn. Shortly afterwards, police in Sydney discover the body of a teenage girl in a derelict house, who turns out to be Darcy Steele, the daughter of a local farmer.

When Gibson, the detective assigned to Darcy's case, sees that she has committed suicide, the discovery triggers unhappy memories from his childhood when his sister died in similar circumstances. He has always struggled to understand the reasons behind her actions, and sets about trying to piece together the events surrounding Darcy's death in the hope that it might help him to come to terms with his own loss. He travels to Angel Rock, where his investigations soon lead him to believe that Darcy's death and Flynn's disappearance might be connected in some way.

Eventually, both Gibson and Tom are forced to confront their demons in a town which they discover is crawling with spectres and secrets.