• "Fast, lean and morally ambiguous. The Crack simmers with unease and will have you questioning the lines you would cross for the people you love."

    Candice Fox — Red Belly Crossing

  • "A sharp and compelling debut, The Crack is a gripping race against time, featuring a morally complex protagonist, a missing child, and the lingering trauma of a sister’s unsolved disappearance."

    Kate Horan — On the Edge

  • "Stephens’ wordcraft absolutely sings in this slow-burn mystery with a flawed heroine at its centre."

    Michelle Prak — The Rush

  • "Tense, vivid, with a devastating resolution. If you only read one book this summer, make sure it’s The Crack."

    Inessa Jackson — Devil Mountain

  • "A gripping, evocative and deeply-felt mystery, The Crack combines a propulsive missing-person investigation with a powerful exploration of family, grief and guilt, keeping you turning the pages right to the very end."

    Anna Downes — Red River Road

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The setting for The Crack

Michelle has spent most of her adult life splitting her time between Melbourne and the Surf Coast — a beautiful and rugged coastline in western Victoria, which directly inspired the fictional setting of Crackerly Bay in her debut novel, The Crack.

The small coastal town where she lives may have grown and changed significantly over the years, but she still finds the wild beauty of the place — and the tight-knit, insular community that calls it home — provide the perfect backdrop and inspiration for her crime fiction.

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The Crack Playlist

Prefer an audio sample of The Crack’s vibe?

Michelle creates playlists for every book she writes to capture the mood and inspiration behind the story. You can listen to this one now on Spotify via the link below.

Spotify Playlist

Book Club Questions

Discussing The Crack with your book/wine club?

Michelle has prepared a list of questions you might like to chat about. Download a pdf version via the link below.

Coming soon