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The Stone Skimmers
This is the third novel in the series of crime thrillers set in Crete and featuring British protagonist Nick Fisher.
When fishermen find the body of a young African off the coast of Crete, local police are stumped. But Bel Saidi, an investigative journalist, thinks it validates her theory: migrant smugglers are using a new route.
Nick Fisher is recruited to an elite team tasked with verifying the route, identifying those involved and bringing them to justice. But, after more tragedy, things become complex and dangerous. They need to grasp the true motives of the shadowy figures operating from Turkey and Albania and the ruthless owners of that powerful motor yacht, ploughing its way across the Mediterranean.
Nick must watch himself with old flame Bel. And he needs to control his anger and sharpen those technology and firearms skills. They might get one chance to bring these guys down. Will intuition, a nose for a scam and good, old-fashioned guts be enough, this time?
When fishermen find the body of a young African off the coast of Crete, local police are stumped. But Bel Saidi, an investigative journalist, thinks it validates her theory: migrant smugglers are using a new route.
Nick Fisher is recruited to an elite team tasked with verifying the route, identifying those involved and bringing them to justice. But, after more tragedy, things become complex and dangerous. They need to grasp the true motives of the shadowy figures operating from Turkey and Albania and the ruthless owners of that powerful motor yacht, ploughing its way across the Mediterranean.
Nick must watch himself with old flame Bel. And he needs to control his anger and sharpen those technology and firearms skills. They might get one chance to bring these guys down. Will intuition, a nose for a scam and good, old-fashioned guts be enough, this time?
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2022
About the author
Alex Dunlevy
6 books4 followersAlex abandoned a career in finance at the age of forty-nine and spent a few years staring at the Mediterranean, contemplating life and loss. Finally, he accepted what his heart had always known. So, he joined some writing groups and he began to write.
He has now completed four novels in a series of crime thrillers set on the island of Crete and featuring British protagonist Nick Fisher. The Unforgiving Stone was the October 2020 debut. Beneath the Stone followed in 2021, The Stone Skimmers in 2022 and Tamarisk Bay in 2024. The first three have been awarded medallions of quality by B.R.A.G. (Book Readers Appreciation Group in the USA) and Amazon UK readers rate them 4.5 (out of 5) on average.
Alex has also published a collection of short stories, The Late Shift Specialist. These are quite different from his crime writing. Recently, he has been working on a darkly comic novel set in the world of 1990s corporate finance and a bitter-sweet coming-of-age story, set in the 1960s.
Born in Derbyshire, England, Alex now lives in The Apokóronas, a fertile region in the north-west Crete, between the White Mountains and the nearby Cretan Sea.
He has now completed four novels in a series of crime thrillers set on the island of Crete and featuring British protagonist Nick Fisher. The Unforgiving Stone was the October 2020 debut. Beneath the Stone followed in 2021, The Stone Skimmers in 2022 and Tamarisk Bay in 2024. The first three have been awarded medallions of quality by B.R.A.G. (Book Readers Appreciation Group in the USA) and Amazon UK readers rate them 4.5 (out of 5) on average.
Alex has also published a collection of short stories, The Late Shift Specialist. These are quite different from his crime writing. Recently, he has been working on a darkly comic novel set in the world of 1990s corporate finance and a bitter-sweet coming-of-age story, set in the 1960s.
Born in Derbyshire, England, Alex now lives in The Apokóronas, a fertile region in the north-west Crete, between the White Mountains and the nearby Cretan Sea.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 7, 2023
Suspense too the end
This is not a book you want to put down. I have read alongside in this series and hope there will be more.
This is not a book you want to put down. I have read alongside in this series and hope there will be more.
January 30, 2023
The third of author Alex Dunlevy’s crime novels set on Crete finds retired British policeman Nick Fisher recovering from the previous case, as well as from the debacle of the planned reunion with his son, which suffered from Nick’s involvement in said case. He doesn’t have much time to brood about it though, given that his assistance is once more requested by the local police force when a body is dredged from the depths by some local fishermen.
The author turns his attention here to the illegal trafficking of migrants into Europe, and it’s not the first story I’ve read which lays emphasis on the plight of these people and the abuse suffered by some at the hands of the people smugglers. Some balance of the issue is shown, although this is reserved for the ability of those who can raise the money to travel in far more style than the crowded and unseaworthy dinghies which are usually seen in TV footage. Having spent much time over many years on Lesvos, I’ve witnessed the generosity shown to the flow of migrants by the ordinary local people, themselves suffering considerable hardship through the near-collapse of the Greek economy. I find Nick’s comparative ignorance of Lesvos pretty outstanding therefore, given that it must figure in the Greek news as much as it does in the UK news. Maybe living on the largest Greek island means you can forget about the third largest.
I can forgive Nick for not having heard of Mersin in Turkey though, it’s only familiar to me because I have friends there. Leaving Andrea to find his way home from there—after putting himself in considerable danger, and without reassuring readers that he got back safely—was a bit unkind, I thought. His travels around the area, and his reasoning—which led him to what he sought—were shown in fine forensic detail which, if a bit tedious in the reading, served to show the level of work required by the police to get a result. There’s even a bit of love interest in the story, although who knows where that’s going? Probably into a fourth book.
The author turns his attention here to the illegal trafficking of migrants into Europe, and it’s not the first story I’ve read which lays emphasis on the plight of these people and the abuse suffered by some at the hands of the people smugglers. Some balance of the issue is shown, although this is reserved for the ability of those who can raise the money to travel in far more style than the crowded and unseaworthy dinghies which are usually seen in TV footage. Having spent much time over many years on Lesvos, I’ve witnessed the generosity shown to the flow of migrants by the ordinary local people, themselves suffering considerable hardship through the near-collapse of the Greek economy. I find Nick’s comparative ignorance of Lesvos pretty outstanding therefore, given that it must figure in the Greek news as much as it does in the UK news. Maybe living on the largest Greek island means you can forget about the third largest.
I can forgive Nick for not having heard of Mersin in Turkey though, it’s only familiar to me because I have friends there. Leaving Andrea to find his way home from there—after putting himself in considerable danger, and without reassuring readers that he got back safely—was a bit unkind, I thought. His travels around the area, and his reasoning—which led him to what he sought—were shown in fine forensic detail which, if a bit tedious in the reading, served to show the level of work required by the police to get a result. There’s even a bit of love interest in the story, although who knows where that’s going? Probably into a fourth book.
September 24, 2022
Since this is the third Nick Fisher novel I have read it is like visiting an old friend and hearing what new madness he has managed to get himself into. The writing is tight and flowing. That may sound like a contradiction, but it perfectly describes it for me. There are no wasted words, no "filler"; each word moves the story along. At the same time, the story seems to flow from one page to the next. The suspense and action are breathtaking and the reader can't seem to turn pages fast enough. (At least, that's the way it is with this reader.) I found the touch of compassion and empathy Nick displays to Yasir's father very touching and realistic. It wasn't heavy-handed or overdone but showed a touch of class and authenticity that moved me.
My only criticism, and it's not really a criticism, is that I wish Mr. Dunlevy had set his stories somewhere other than Greece. I'm wearing out my phone trying to find out the correct pronunciation of all these Greek names. Then again, the descriptions of the locale make me really want to visit the Greek Isles.
My only criticism, and it's not really a criticism, is that I wish Mr. Dunlevy had set his stories somewhere other than Greece. I'm wearing out my phone trying to find out the correct pronunciation of all these Greek names. Then again, the descriptions of the locale make me really want to visit the Greek Isles.
October 3, 2023
Just read this this book. I wish my geography was better. Really should have got a map out while reading. Well researched, clearly good personal knowledge of his setting and the beautiful island of Crete. Lots of long Greek names and characters but just went with the flow if a bit muddled. Great story. Again well researched Subject. Clearly a lot of work put in before even putting the proverbial pen to paper.
August 2, 2024
I enjoyed the first 2 books of this series. Really loved the descriptions of Crete, so evocative! This third installations, for me, seemed to be rushed and preachy. There was a definite agenda that was clumsily hammered home repeatedly, and the writing felt wooden and not at all typical of the characters we had gotten to know in the 1st and 2nd books. The repeated descriptions of food did not flow well and seemed forced. I would love to see more from these characters, and return to Crete!
November 2, 2022
We are proud to announce that THE STONE SKIMMERS (Nick Fisher Novels Book 3) by Alex Dunlevy has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
May 29, 2022
Fabulous Trilogy
Three great reads. Can be read separately. Can't wait to read Alex's next book.
Hoping Nick Fisher returns.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Three great reads. Can be read separately. Can't wait to read Alex's next book.
Hoping Nick Fisher returns.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
December 8, 2022
I have read all three books in this series and enjoyed them immensely. sorry that Nick Fisher is so sad, maybe there will be another story in the series in the near future
November 8, 2023
Story of intrigue
I really enjoyed this story but the places and food names completely overwhelmed me. I really didn't know any of the names.
I really enjoyed this story but the places and food names completely overwhelmed me. I really didn't know any of the names.
July 8, 2024
Another excellent Nick Fisher novel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews