Edmund (Ed) J.A. Stone

A cult-classic legend returns! with his greatest masterpiece finally unveiled.

Missing, Murder Suspected: A True Crime Trilogy.

Step into the shadows of 1920s–1940s Britain with Missing, Murder Suspected: A True Crime Trilogy. Written by Austin Stone, the classic crime writer whose novels captivated a generation during the 1930’s through 1950’s, this masterpiece written in 1975, was at the height of his career and is finally unveiled.

With forensic precision and haunting detail, Stone reconstructs three forgotten cases of love, betrayal, and vengeance, reminding readers why his name once stood alongside Britain’s finest crime voices.

About the Book

Missing, Murder Suspected is more than true crime

Missing, Murder Suspected is more than true crime, it is history brought to life with a novelist’s eye and a reporter’s discipline.

The trilogy opens with Love and Hate Amongst the Chickens, the infamous 1924 “Chicken Run Murder,” where John Norman Thorne killed and buried his fiancée, Elsie Cameron, beneath the floor of a poultry farm. Next comes A House of Horror, the notorious 1935 “Buck Ruxton Jig-Saw Murders,” where a respected doctor’s townhouse concealed an unspeakable double crime of murdering both his wife and her nursemaid! Finally, Four Sacks for a Shroud revisits wartime Britain in 1943, when fireman Bertie Manton’s fury ended in the brutal killing of his wife, leaving the victim’s remains hidden in sacks.

These are not just stories of crime. They are testaments to human frailty, obsession, and the thinveil between order and chaos. Conceived in the golden era of Austin’s career, this trilogy now emerges posthumously to enthrall a new generation of readers.

From the Archives of Edmund (Ed) J.A. Stone

More Chilling Mysteries Await

A Glimpse into Missing, Murder Suspected

Missing, Murder Suspected: A True Crime Trilogy

5.00 About Author

Austin Stone

Austin Stone was a cult-classic icon of Bri sh true crime, whose novels and plays captivated readers and listeners, during his extensive literary career. Known for his unflinching realism, meticulous research, and chilling a en on to detail, Stone transformed court transcripts, autopsy reports, and historical records into narratives that were as gripping as they were precise.

Orphaned by the Spanish Flu and shaped by early hardships, Stone explored the dark corners of human nature with unmatched insight. By his thirties, he was a celebrated crime novelist and in the 1950’s also as a BBC playwright. Moving in circles that included movie stars Billie Whitelaw (played in :“An Affair of Honour” & “Beautiful for Ever”) and Donald Pleasence (“A Crime on the Sands”) and with novelists Barbara Cartland and Daphne du Maurier. His influence extended beyond the page as chairman of the Malvern Writers Circle and organizer of the Malvern Writers Festival, in 1953.

Missing, Murder Suspected: A True Crime Trilogy; a masterpiece wri en at the height of his career, now finally unveiled that demonstrates Stone at his boldest and most unforgettable, a writer whose work continues to haunt, fascinate, and inspire.

To read Stone is to stand at the crime scene, to feel the weight of a judge’s gavel, and to question the very fabric of justice.

The Revival – Edmund Stone

The brilliance of Austin Stone needs no saving. It only needed revealing. Decades after its creation, Missing, Murder Suspected has finally reached readers through the work of his son Ed Stone, who since semi-retiring , has taken on the role of curator and editor.

This unreleased gem from Austin’s most prolific years now takes its rightful place among his classics, allowing the full power of his storytelling to speak as clearly today as it would have in the 1970s.

This is not a reinvention, nor a restoration. It is a meticulous continuation and chance for readers to experience Austin Stone as Ed had always intended.

Through Edmund’s efforts, audiences can now step into the shadowed corridors of Britain’s most notorious crimes and rediscover a writer whose work was destined to endure.

What Our Readers Say

Missing, Murder Suspected pulls you right into the lives of everyone involved—the victims, the accused, and even the investigators. It’s not just about the crime; it’s about the people behind it. The way Edmund (Ed) J.A. Stone brings these real-life cases to life makes you feel like you’re living through the events. It’s gripping without being overly dramatic, which I really appreciated.

I love true crime, but what stood out to me about this book is how detailed it is without feeling like a dry history lesson. It really gives you a sense of how investigations worked back then and how forensic science was evolving. Some of the details are chilling, but they’re never sensationalized. It’s a well-researched, thoughtful take on some fascinating cases.

Most true crime books just focus on the case, but this one makes sure you really understand the people involved. You get to know the victims before they become just another name in a court report. That made the book more emotional for me—these aren’t just stories; they were real lives. It’s rare to find a true crime book that feels this personal.

Even though it’s nonfiction, the writing flows like a novel. I kept forgetting I was reading about actual events because the storytelling was that smooth. There’s no unnecessary filler or over-the-top dramatization—just a well-told, true story that keeps you turning the pages. If you like crime novels but want something real, Missing, Murder Suspected is a great pick.

What I liked most about Missing, Murder Suspected is that it doesn’t just tell you what happened—it makes you think. Some of these cases aren’t straightforward, and it really makes you question things like justice, guilt, and how people’s lives can change in an instant. It’s not just about murder; it’s about human nature. Definitely one of the more thought-provoking true crime books I’ve read.

It’s interesting to see how these cases were handled back in the day, before modern forensic technology. The way the police pieced things together, sometimes making mistakes along the way, is fascinating. The book does a great job of showing how investigations unfolded and how even small details made a big difference. It’s a great read if you’re into classic detective work.

Some true crime books are too heavy or gruesome, but Missing, Murder Suspected strikes a good balance. The cases are definitely dark, but the way they’re written doesn’t feel overly graphic or disturbing. It’s more about the investigation and the people involved than just the crime itself. If you like true crime but don’t want something too gory, this is a solid choice.