A haunting new mystery novel based in the Hawkesbury and blending mystery, atmosphere and psychological suspense has been launched by local author and award-winning journalist Tony Bosworth, marking another milestone in the writer’s growing body of work.
The Astrakhan’s Feather was officially released this week, introducing readers to a darkly atmospheric story set against the backdrop of the Hawkesbury and is the first in a series of planned thrillers called The Hawkesbury Mysteries which will range far and wide across the region.
The thriller follows characters drawn into a world where memory, guilt and obsession intertwine, building towards revelations that challenge everything they believe to be true.
Bosworth, already known locally for his journalism and storytelling – he was the founder of Hawkesbury Post and has also written for and appeared on ABC radio, the BBC, News Corp and Fairfax, among other publishers – said the book had been years in the making.
“This was a story that stayed with me for a very long time,” he said and was born out of a local legend. “I wanted to create something immersive – a novel where atmosphere is almost another character.”
Bosworth said he drew inspiration from Hawkesbury legends, plus classic gothic fiction and psychological thrillers.
“Australia has these incredible locations where beauty and unease sit side by side. I wanted to capture that feeling in the Hawkesbury.”
Early feedback has praised the book’s prose and vivid scene-setting, with readers comparing parts of the novel to a cinematic thriller.
Bosworth said writing fiction offered a very different challenge from his work as a journalist.
“Journalism teaches discipline, structure and clarity,” he said. “But fiction allows you to explore emotion, ambiguity and atmosphere in a much deeper way. It’s a completely different creative experience.”
Despite the darker themes explored in the novel, Bosworth said the heart of the story is ultimately about resilience and confronting the past.
“At its core, it’s about the things people carry with them – memories, regrets, unresolved grief,” he said. “Those are universal themes.”
The release of The Astrakhan’s Feather comes amid a growing resurgence of independently produced fiction and local authors building audiences through online platforms and community support.
Tony is already working on future projects, including additional fiction ideas and ongoing writing work.
For now, however, he hopes readers simply allow themselves to become absorbed in the strange and shadowy world of The Astrakhan’s Feather.
“I wanted it to feel like stepping into another place for a while,” he said. “If readers come away still thinking about the story afterwards, then I’ve done my job.”
The Astrakhan’s Feather by Tony Bosworth is available through Amazon as an ebook, paperback or hardback. Just search using the book title and author name.