Walker remains convinced there is more at play. Working in the organised crime unit has opened his eyes to the growing drug trade in Australia's remote interior. Could this be connected to that dark and violent world?

Outback by Patricia Wolf - Australian Crime Fiction HQ Outback by Patricia Wolf - Australian Crime Fiction HQ

With multiple new and previously introduced characters, Wolf then delivers a satisfying, way above-average police procedural full of interesting characters and plots and does well in breathing life into her characters – even the villains. Not only that, Wolf’s writing again exhibits a wonderfully smooth style that clearly feeds the anticipation of the arrival of her future work. Paradise is recommended to those that enjoy police procedurals with humanly developed characters and the novels of writers like Garry Disher. Paradise was provided by Embala Books through Netgalley upon the promise of a fair review and is set to be published on May 17, 2023. If you're looking for something that hooks you in from the start and you can't wait to finish. This is worth a shot! The start of this one is a little slow, I found, but mostly in a setting the scene kind of way. Obviously too, we as readers know more than Lucas does (on account of the number of POVs this book gets), so I was sat waiting for Lucas to get with it, while having more knowledge than he did. Not necessarily a good thing for a detective novel, although it did work in raising tension towards the end. Barbara was a peripheral character here, I didn't realize how much I missed her until she was just some infrequent text messages, and I hope she'll make it into the next book in a more substantial way.This time Lucas is staying in a swanky flat in Surfers Paradise on the coast of Australia, I cannot give you the reason why without spoiling the plot! But all becomes clear after reading book 1!

DS Walker Series by Patricia Wolf - Goodreads

To me, the most appealing aspect of these books is Walker himself. He’s someone who is strong enough to carry off the role he’s assigned but with enough frailties and worries to hold a reader’s interest. Aside from my regard for the lead man, the tale itself bumps along at a decent pace but without ever really introducing anyone or anything that piqued my interest to the same degree. It's all fairly routine and really offers up few surprises, as Walker helps the local cops investigate a brutal home invasion murder. Their search becomes ever more urgent as temperatures soar. Even if Walker does find the young couple, will it be too late? As a visiting lecturer for a serious crime and drugs training program for police officers in Queensland, he is sent to Queensland Gold Coast-based Surfer’s Paradise on a temporary basis. Patricia Wolf’s novel “Paradise” continues to follow the life and times of DS Sergeant Lucas Walker who is recovering from injuries he got while dealing with a killer about three months earlier.But it looks like trouble has followed him with the Vandal bike gang moving their drug operation to the sunny Gold Coast. Meanwhile, Lucas has also been drawn into the case of murdered mum Siobhan Owen who was left brutally murdered and her young daughter left in a coma after a home invasion. However, Chief Inspector Rutherford who heads the Federal Police of Australia’s organized crime unit calls with an assignment for him. DS Lucas Walker of the Australia Federal Police is running a training course on the Gold Coast not yet able to return to active duty after his leg was shattered while in his hometown of Caloodie where he got involved with a case. However, he decides he will take the job just so that he can get something to do even though he does not expect so much from it. But once he starts the investigation, he suddenly starts thinking that there is much more to the story than his boss had let on.

Outback ebook by Patricia Wolf - Rakuten Kobo Outback ebook by Patricia Wolf - Rakuten Kobo

All across the USA, people are showing up dead. The deaths don't appear to be connected in any way until one particular death occurs and gets the Secretary of Defense's attention. He arranges for a task force to investigate. Nail-biting thriller!... From the beginning I was hooked!... A thrilling ride that had me holding my breath through its finale. Highly recommended' Reader review, 5 stars Finished this book within a day... I honestly loved it, really had you guessing who the murderer was 'til the last minute' Reader review, 5 starsI liked the fact there are basically two threads to this story. I enjoyed guessing how the stories converge. Dual plots can be hit and miss, but in this case I thought it worked really well, also it ensures that ‘all important’ suspense and tension never waivers. Paradise is an evocative novel that excels in its characterisations and depictions of the seedier and violent side of the Gold Coast. Highly recommend. I really like Lucas as a character. While normally a desk investigator he has no hesitation in jumping into an investigation that could put him in the firing line. This deeply atmospheric thriller is the gripping opening of a new crime series for fans of Cara Hunter and Chris Whitaker. Walker’s taciturn boss has strongly suggested to him that he act solely as that advisor, keep his head down, and avoid any sort of controversy. Wolf gives the reader another fast-paced Aussie crime thriller: a wholly credible tale with that requires virtually no suspension of disbelief, and builds up to a nail-biting climax. The dialogue is convincing, with a generous helping of the Australian vernacular, and her depiction of coastal Queensland feels truly authentic.