As ultimately becomes apparent, Stone Angels by Michael Hartigan not only begins with a passage in the night, a surreal passage by a group of college student friends – two guys and two girls – involving an unplanned stop at a rural gas station, but the scene becomes a kind of metaphor for the entire story. This introductory chapter inclines the reader to expect one of those teen horror scenarios with a twisted, demonic killer. Yet the chapter serves a better purpose by taking you deep into the psychological reality of the main character, who narrates you through a history of events meant to explain his disturbing if intriguing current state of near collapse, and why he himself just might be that psychotic killer. The book moves among artful counterpoints of character revelations, creating an entourage and plot line cleverly constructed of group friendships well-defined by collegiate activities and other high jinks, comprised of some who have grown up together, and others formed in high school. This all makes for a complex set of relationships that in turn makes this a deeply engrossing story.

Michael Hartigan in Stone Angels pulls the reader in from the start. He continues to contrast the surreal and the mundane while piecing together his psychological puzzle – a highly effective technique for revealing the emotional depth behind some really strange associations - and he deftly keeps you guessing at what the final diagnosis is to be. The symbolic representation most cogent to his purpose is the good and evil contrast between Shaw, the narrator, and his nemesis, Duncan, although the counterpoint is nuanced and authentic, with plenty of psychological explanation for a believable foundation. Important to a proper appreciation of this well-written book is the reality of what has really taken place prior to that introductory nighttime passage. Finding out is the genuine pleasure of reading Mr. Hartigan’s book.

Stone Angels by Michael Hartigan is a gripping thriller and an award-winning story. Augustine Shaw didn’t have the happiest of times during college and he has to live with everything he did, including killing two friends. He heads off on a break up to Key West, a place where he can try to forget about everything through sun, alcohol and sex, but the relief isn’t going to last long. On the way home, he relives everything that shaped his life and ended the lives of other people. He has to make a decision – does he bury everything once and for all, or does he confess and take the consequences?

Stone Angels by Michel Hartigan is a thriller of epic proportions, a real edge of your seat read. The way Mr. Hartigan writes allows the reader to get to know Shaw very well; very descriptive writing but straight to the point. The main protagonist goes through quite a time of things and you almost feel as though you are living every minute of it with him, walking beside him with each step. The plot is well thought out and entertaining, and there is more than just a simple story here. There are a number of real-life experiences dealt with throughout the plot, including guilt and jealousy. The story is a mixture of crime, humor and sex and, yes, in parts you will laugh, not something you expect in a tough thriller. This is an excellent first novel and it will really put Mr. Hartigan on the map. I hope there will be more like this in the future.