ANNOUNCEMENT: Wakefield Press acquires Troy Hunter’s latest Gus mystery

Wakefield Press is delighted to announce the acquisition of world rights to Troy Hunter’s Gus and the Burning Stones, the sequel to his smash-hit debut Gus and the Missing Boy, via Jane Novak Literary Agency. Gus and the Burning Stones is slated for publication in July 2025.

Find out more about this exciting new acquisition below.

Author image credit: Tony Zara Photography

Fresh on the heels of solving a cold case kidnapping, Gus, Shell and Kane follow an anonymous tip-off, promising Gus can find his missing birth mother Jane. But when they arrive at an off-grid community called ‘The Circle’, based around an ancient stone circle, none of the strange people living there know Jane … or so they say.

A brutal storm traps the friends at The Circle and a burnt body is discovered. They realise that there’s a firebug – and a murderer – on the loose, and everyone has a motive. Can Gus, Shell and Kane get to the bottom of the mystery before they become targets themselves? What is the secret of the stone circle? And just how does this all connect to Gus’s mother?

Head of YA Maddy Sexton says, ‘I’m so excited to work with Troy on this brilliant follow up to Gus and the Missing Boy. Our amateur detectives again bring their snappy dialogue and big personalities to a brand-new mystery, building on the skills they picked up cracking their first case. Troy has such a brilliant knack for writing genuine, big-hearted characters, while also weaving an intriguing new mystery for the trio to solve.’

‘I am so chuffed to be able to share another Gus, Shell and Kane mystery – one that I hope will keep everyone guessing till the very end. And it’s a privilege to be able to work with Maddy and the Wakefield Press team again on this sequel!’ says Troy Hunter.

After the popularity of Gus and the Missing Boy, which was recently shortlisted for the Australian Crime Writers 2024 Ned Kelly Awards – Best Debut, Maddy and the Wakefield Press team are thrilled to be working with Troy on unleashing this exciting new mystery into the world.

Praise for Gus and the Missing Boy:

‘Page-turning mystery fun that is meta-AF, full of wit and self-discovery. Loved it!’ – R.W.R. McDonald

Gus and the Missing Boy brilliantly combines a twisty detective mystery with a moving coming-of-age message about found family and finding yourself. Troy Hunter’s prose crackles with sharp wit and youthful energy. A fantastic book that skilfully blends humour and heart with a plot so pacey I didn’t want to stop reading – I devoured it in a single day.’
– Holden Sheppard

‘This book made me late for a party. I know “I couldn’t put it down” is a cliche, but I don’t care – I couldn’t put it down. A gripping mystery, told with compassion and authenticity.’
– Amie Kaufman

Gus and the Missing Boy takes whodunnit stories up a notch, weaving the core tenets of young adult books in with the tropes of a detective novel, creating a great story that examines the mysteries of identity, family and friendship.’ – Michael Earp

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