Stay Buried: a terrifying new psychological thriller, with a touch of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’, THE must-read debut for 2026. by Jane R. Miles

The claustrophobia of Room meets the camaraderie of Yellowjackets with a touch of Picnic at Hanging Rock in this dark, immersive, psychological thriller debut with a speculative/lite-horror edge.

Christmas Eve, 1974.

As Cyclone Tracy tears through Darwin, four girls disappear into the heart of the outback. No tracks. No bodies. No answers.

Decades later, one returns.

She claims to be one of the missing. But is she? There is no proof of who she is, only a keepsake that once belonged to another missing woman – Sally, a teen mother whose disappearance never mattered to anyone but Von, the daughter she left behind. Sally’s return rekindles the cold case, as desperate families plead for answers – and a dark mystery begins to surface.

A hidden bunker … a ghost … scratches on a concrete wall … pictures inside a View-Master … and the little girl who understood the darkness better than anyone.

Inspired by true events, Stay Buried is the darkly thrilling tale of secrets unearthed, the will to survive and a legend that refuses to die.

‘In this intriguing debut, Jane R. Miles weaves a dark and tragic mystery that navigates the difficult space between those who are missing and those who are left behind to ponder, grieve and hold on tight to the thinnest threads of hope. Stay Buried is a fraught, chilling yet compassionate novel that will leave its readers guessing right up until the end.’ — Kirstyn McDermott, Australian author of WHAT THE BONES KNOW

‘Dark, unsettling and atmospheric, Jane R. Miles’s debut is an intriguing psychological thriller. Set against the evocative backdrop of Darwin and the legendary Stuart Highway, this is a story of darkness, survival and lies that refuse to stay buried.’ — Kate Horan, Australian author of ON THE EDGE

About the Author: Jane R. Miles is a former Royal Australian Navy sailor turned writer, born in the suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. After travelling the world and working in top-secret roles within the Department of Defence, she now splits her time between Australia and the Netherlands.

28 Jul 2026
 

Stay Buried: a terrifying new psychological thriller, with a touch of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’, THE must-read debut for 2026. by Jane R. Miles ISBN 9781038943521