X-Book

Dirt Town

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now £{{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

*Winner of the CWA New Blood Dagger 2023*

'A heart-wrenching mystery' – Jane Harper, author of The Dry

Twelve year-old Esther Bianchi disappears on her way home from school in the small town of Durton – and the truth will not come easily. Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor is an atmospheric crime novel set in rural Australia.

Dirt town. Dirt and hurt – that’s what others would remember about our town . . .

The Detective

As the community is thrown into a state of grief and suspicion, Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels begins her investigation into the disappearance of Esther Bianchi. She questions those who knew the girl, attempting to unpick the secrets which bind them together.

The Mother

The girl’s mother believes that her daughter going missing is the worst thing that can happen to her. But as the search for Esther develops, she learns that things can always get worse.

The Friends

Ronnie is Esther’s best friend and is determined to bring her home. So when her classmate Lewis tells her that he saw Esther with a strange man at the creek the afternoon she went missing, Ronnie feels she is one step closer to finding her. But why is Lewis refusing to speak to the police?

And who else is keeping quiet about what happened to Esther?

'I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough' - Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End

'A stunning debut' - Ann Cleeves

Critics Review

A heart-wrenching mystery, Hayley Scrivenor’s remarkable sense of place brings Dirt Town to life. A stellar debut
Jane Harper, bestselling author of The Dry
A stunning debut. Achingly atmospheric, thrilling and heartfelt, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough
Chris Whitaker, internationally bestselling author of We Begin at the End
Beautifully written, compassionate, with an entirely credible but heart-breaking ending. A stunning debut
Ann Cleeves, The Sunday Times bestselling author
Dirt Town deserves its praise. It is an intelligent novel, one that grapples with complex social and political dynamics, and brings a fresh voice to familiar narratives
Guardian
[A] deeply impressive first novel . . . It is a powerful story, shot through with moments of horror and tenderness, and another devastating indictment of the outback mentality
The Times
Best crime debut in ages, Hayley Scrivenor is a major new talent. Page-turning, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching stuff. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a book so much
Erin Kelly, The Sunday Times bestselling author of He Said/She Said
Masterful. Australian crime has a new star. The characters of Dirt Town are rich, raw and beautifully realized. One of the crime books of the year. Intelligent, nuanced and compassionate
Chris Hammer, bestselling author of Scrublands
A chilling and darkly atmospheric novel. I literally couldn’t put it down.
Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
Raw and intimate, Hayley Scrivenor unpacks small town life and its tragedies with heart and prowess
Anna Bailey
Highly doubt I will read a better debut in 2022. Evocative, immersive, heart-breaking and ultimately hopeful. In a word, brilliant
Sarah Hilary, author of Fragile
A gripping mystery told in authentic and innovative fashion, Dirt Town will keep you engrossed. Hayley Scrivenor is an exciting new voice and an author to watch
Adam Hamdy, The Sunday Times bestselling author

Dirt Town is a remarkable debut, Hayley Scrivenor is masterful in her deft handling of the tensions underpinning a small, regional town, and the complex characters that populate it. You will not be able to put it down

Hannah Kent
I loved it. Brilliantly written, evocative and touching
Charlotte Levin
Broadchurch but in a scorched, dying town in rural Australia. Immersive, sweeping and superb
Catherine Ryan Howard
[An] exceptional slice of outback noir
i online

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag and the x-book®

Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.

Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.