3.5 Stars. This compelling novel featuring DS Walker should confirm Patricia Wolf's strong position among the best of the new Australian writers of crime thrillers. Walker returns after sustaining serious injuries in the line of duty. (Outback novel). We also meet some previous characters from the previous book, but Paradise works well as a stand-alone. This book is set in the oceanside city of Surfer's Paradise. Its author evokes a vivid sense of place, making the reader visualize the environment easily. It is a tourist mecca. The seaside city is known for its beautiful beaches, warm, sunny days, surfing, salty air, and the sound of pounding waves. It has a seldom-revealed dark, gritty side that includes violence, robbery, and the drug trade.

Lucas Walker has left the outback and is in Surfer's Paradise to recuperate from injuries sustained in the line of duty in the backcountry. He is awaiting a hearing for damaging his last case in the outback. He is pleased to be invited to stay at a place overlooking the scenic ocean, to rest, swim in the mornings, and attend a gym for physiotherapy for a painful leg injury. The pleasure of relaxing comes to an abrupt end.

Orders from headquarters request he helps to investigate a horrific crime in one of the lavish, upscale mansions. Some money and a costly watch were stolen. A mother was brutally murdered, her husband was injured, and their little daughter was found near death from strangulation. The child is in hospital, in and out of consciousness, calling out for her dead mother. A second attempt is made on her life. Walker guards and watches over her when her father isn't at her side. Walker vows to keep her safe and bring the attackers to justice.

People are dying from a lethal new drug trafficked by a gang of bikers. Some of the bikers target Walker for revenge following events in the outback. Walker was asked to monitor a young woman's well-being but she died from the drug. Now he wants to find the origin of the illegal substance and whether it is being manufactured nearby.

I enjoyed how unique Australian words and phrases made the narration and dialogue so authentic. I thought the characters were well-developed and that Walker was an engaging and likeable detective. I had a problem keeping all the characters straight in my mind. It was confusing when a person was referred to only by their first name and later by only their last name.
The story ended with a shocking, heart-pounding conclusion, intense violence and danger. I definitely would read another book featuring DS Walker, but I worry he is so prone to injury that he might not survive another case.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC. Publication is set for May 17.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Wolfe's debut novel, Outback, so I jumped on the chance to read Paradise as soon as it hit the shelf. Paradise is the second in the Lucas Walker series, set in Australia. After the events of Outback, Walker is recuperating on the Gold Coast when he gets pulled in to help work a local homicide related to the drugs op he stumbled in to before.

I found this installment to be a bit more tedious than the first - lots of characters and back and forth, but I still enjoyed the story. And I'll definitely read the next one.

This is the 2nd book of this series and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first book. DS Walker is a great character and I love that it is set in Australia. This is crime, the underworld, murder, mystery, suspense and everything you want from a great thriller of a book.

It wasn't at all predictable, had some twists and turns and really made me think. I loved the writing and the descriptions of the seediness of the area and the people. It flowed well and made it easy to read even through the tenseness of it all. Great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great suspense set in Australian holiday haven🌊🌇

Paradise had all the excitement and suspense I had hoped for. It's got several plot threads running simultaneously with the lead providing the connecting glue. The writing is good and straightforward; it kept me stuck in with rapt attention, just dreading the moment when Walker faces off with his criminal nemesis. I loved the constant action and the character of DS Lucas Walker, the Australian Federal Police investigator who is driven to "get his man" (or men!) and protect the vulnerable.

I read Outback, the earlier book featuring DS Walker, and this is the story of his hiatus on the Queensland coast in Surfers Paradise, a major hub for tourists, while awaiting injuries incurred in the earlier novel to heal. The two novels are clearly connected and several characters reappear, but Paradise can easily be read on its own.

And I really appreciated the moments when Walker is carefully watching over Gabby, the child who may know too much about her mother's murder; worrying about a young athlete friend of his sister who is partying too hard; and grieving the grandmother who raised him in a small Queensland Outback town. Walker is tough when necessary but he's also got a sensitive side. Just the way I like my heroes!

I would definitely recommend it and I'm hoping author Patricia Wolf keeps creating more DS Walker adventures.

Thanks to Embla Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Paradise is the second novel in the series featuring detective Lucas Walker. Recovering from injuries sustained during events in the previous novel, he is temporarily working in the vibrant Surfers Paradise, a bright contrast to the dry landscape of Outback. Characters reappear from the first novel and I was very engaged with the narrative. Walker is a competent, intelligent and caring officer and I look forward to the next novel in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I recently smashed out the audio book of Patricia’s debut novel - outback and when I finished I was instantly searching for the next instalment. How delighted I was, when thanks to Netgalley I could read the sequel before it was even realised!!

Another story of Lucas walker and his antics. Somehow, finding almost the same trouble that got him seriously injured last time, in a completely new city!!

We seen the return of some characters from Colludy as well as some characters. I also sense Barbara Guerra may become a regular character 😏

I devoured this book again in a couple of days and it had me staying up until stupid o’clock to make sure the bad guys received the justice they deserved!


I smell this won’t be the end of Lucas Walker. Patricia wolf cleverly weaved in enough clues and the ending makes me sure there is a 3rd book in the works!! And I’ll be eagerly waiting.

Patricia Wolf transported me to the bleak and unfamiliar Outback with her last novel - and now it’s time to return to Oz to a completely different location.

Recovering from his injuries, DS Walker has found himself a nice desk job delivering training in the tourist hub of Surfer’s Paradise. Staying in a plush apartment with sea views and swimming every morning - what could possibly go wrong?

Of course - before long he gets embroiled in a whole new mystery. Why has a seemingly routine burglary turned into a horrific crime - and can he solve it before it’s too late for the 8 year old victim?

A tense and gripping story with plenty of twists as you go along - transports you fully to the ambience of Surfer’s Paradise and the heat and tension of the Aussie coast.

I picked up the first Lucas Walker book on a whim, in the midst of an Aussie crime kick, so its sequel was always going to be high on my to read list. While it didn’t disappoint, as such, it was definitely one I enjoyed less, although that doesn’t stop me from wanting to continue the series (because there will be a book 3 after all that, right? Right??).

The story continues on from the end of Outback, with Lucas now recovering from his injury on the Gold Coast, invited there by an old friend of his father’s. It is, unfortunately for him as it will turn out, coincidentally exactly where the Vandals have ended up too, including Stefan, who has a particular grudge against Lucas. This is entirely unknown to Lucas though, who ends up helping solve an apparent violent home invasion instead.

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.

I think where this one worked less well than the first one was the balance between Lucas’s case and the drug cartel aspect of it. In the first, you were pretty unaware of the drug cartel, just as Lucas was when he went stumbling into an investigation, but here, because of that, you’re very much aware of it (where Lucas is not). As such, that and the sheer number of POVs mean that the investigation that Lucas is heading doesn’t get as much page time and becomes condensed. It’s also pretty easy to see where it’s heading, since there aren’t really many actual suspects introduced into the equation. In fact, there’s barely any questioning about it going on, mostly just thinking.

That on its own would have been fine, I suppose, but the more egregious part was relating to the finale. I’ll try keep this vague, but the police have an informant in a high level position in the cartel. Now, somehow, this informant has failed for a book and a half to keep apprised of the cartel’s Telegram channel, in which they have shared Lucas’s police credentials and called for a hit on him. This guy’s one job is to keep tabs on the cartel’s activities and he’s apparently doing an alright job until now, but somehow I have to believe he completely checks out when it comes to this. Out of the chat, out of any discussion with his boss (of which, I’m sure there were a few on the sodding page where this came up and he was present), he basically has to be hiding under a rock at this point. This kind of thing is his job! And yet!

Really, that last part is why I settled on a 3 star rating. I can deal with some suspension of disbelief, of course, but it just felt so contrived in this case. However, that’s not going to stop me from continuing the series, I think. I’ll just have to work on that suspension beforehand.

Another well written, exciting read from the author, set in Australia and featuring DS Walker. I really liked the plotting, characterisation and the story is told with two threads. The opening scene is violent and the theme is drugs, coercive abuse and domestic violence. There's a lot going on and plenty tension, suspense and a twist to keep the reader occupied. I would definitely recommend to thriller lovers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Embla Books for an advance copy of Paradise, the second novel to feature DS Lucas Walker of the Australian Federal Police.

Lucas is in the town of Surfers Beach on the Gold Coast, recovering from his injuries and filling in time teaching a course while waiting to hear about his disciplinary review board. While there he gets involved in a local investigation into the murder of a young mother. At the same time he has come to the attention of the biker gang, The Vandals, and after their last entanglement gang leader, Stefan Markovich, is out for revenge.

I thoroughly enjoyed Paradise, which is an engrossing read with two full plot lines, plenty of action and some disturbing events. It is tense in parts and emotional in others, but above all there is never a dull moment.

The novel opens with two separate murders, one by an unidentified perpetrator and the other an open book on who did what and why, and that sets the scene for the two plot lines, one is a relatively standard murder investigation with the uncovering of facts leading to the murderer, the other is more to illustrate what Lucas is up against with the Vandals and is only the reader’s initial contact with them as the point of view switches frequently to Stefan Markovich and his thinking. I was surprised by how many twists the author manages to introduce into what is seemingly a full disclosure narrative. It’s great stuff and if the final encounter seems overly serendipitous, well so what? It’s fiction and highly entertaining. The murder of Siobhan Owen, the young mother brutally stabbed to death in her own home is a different proposition. There is no hint to the reader of who or why, but it gradually becomes apparent as the novel progresses. I was very impressed by how the author handles such a difficult subject, not just the subtle hints about Siobhan’s life but also spending time giving the perspective of her ten year old daughter, Gabby, who was injured in the attack. It brings the reality of murder to life.

Lucas Walker is a great protagonist. He’s not perfect and is sometimes reckless, but that comes from caring rather than adrenaline, so it’s easily understandable. It’s so pleasant to have a protagonist with no major hang ups and an easy personality. Let’s hope that we see more of him soon.

Paradise is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

The follow up to the superb Outback, we're back in Australia with Lucas Walker investigating.
This book could either be read as a standalone thriller or as the follow up to Outback and I think it would work either way. Ms Wolf reels you in early doors and keeps thew tension going throughout. Fast becoming one of my favourite author's writing Australian crime novels. Already looking forward to the third installment.
Huge thanks to NetGally and the publishers for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.

With Jane Harper's "Aaron Falk" series coming to an end, Patricia Wolf's DS Walker series is the perfect replacement if you enjoy Australian crime fiction. The second novel in the series picks up immediately after the end of book #1, continuing a subplot from the first novel, so it's best to read these books in order. We see main character DS Lucas Walker continuing his physical and mental recovery from the events of book #1. He is temporarily on the Gold Coast of Australia, a stark difference from the dusty bush setting of Caloodie, to teach a training course while also investigating a motorcycle gang murder, while also assisting with a brutal home invasion. There's a lot going on in the story, with returning characters from the first book, as well as new characters who Lucas befriends, but the author handles all of the plotlines thoroughly, without any abrupt solutions or loose ends. An excellent sophomore effort from Patricia Wolf! Looking forward to book #3 in this series.

Although this continues on from Outback it is only the main character that links them and they both easily can be read as standalone stories. DS Lucas Walker is allegedly having a respite from his last harrowing case and the death of his beloved grandmother. Supposedly having fun in the sun and on the beach in North Queensland. He becomes involved in a horrible murder but finds links to old drug dealers and old scores. Old friends turn out not to be. Well written and described, believable characters and a likeable main character. Rather more action and, at times, gore than in Outback and certainly dealing with modern crimes - against people and the environment. A good read, keeps one engrossed even if a little predictable but there you are. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Having read Outback and throughly enjoyed it, I was keen to request the second Lucas Walker book Paradise. This book leads on from the events of book one. Walker is recuperating from a serious leg injury and on administrative leave from his job. An offer from his boss to train fellow police officers takes Walker to Surfer’s Paradise, but investigative work soon follows with an unexpected link to his previous case.
Great read and I really hope there will be more of these!

I received this eARC from Netgalley.com and am providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book from this author to follow the tale of DS Lucas Walker, and takes place just a short period after the first. He is sent off to the Gold Coast on a 'desk job' type assignment to provide some further training for the local police force there, while recovering from his injuries incurred in the first book. While there, he comes across some other characters from the first book, that relate back to the drug case that got him injured. Also, he hears some stories about the father he didn't know so well, and his father's best friend.

I have really enjoyed both books in this series, and look forward to Wolf continuing the tale of DS Walker in future installments. Being based in Australia, and me knowing pretty much nothing about the places there, it is nice to learn some of the local language ('Yeah, nah') and scenery. Most of the police procedure seems pretty common amongst all countries, but there are still some differences. Good realistic story and writing.

Really strong Aussie crime, well written, good plot, rounded characters, I enjoyed this one more than the first one, perhaps the character of Luke Walker is more developed. I did guess the perpetrator but that didn’t detract from a very good read.

Let’s hope there are more books to come in this brilliant Australian crime series. Outback (the first) was a stunner and this one is even better. Detective Lucas Walker is in Australia’s Gold Coast and still recovering from his injuries when a murder is committed. As he knows many of the main players from his home town of Caloodie, he is asked to join the investigation team. The plot is seriously twisty and each and every one of the characters immaculately drawn and believable. The descriptions of place are stunning (it’s an area this reviewer knows well) and the book is so satisfying overall that if there were six stars to give, this one would get them from me!

Solid sophomore entry in the DS Walker series which finds him on the mend after the injuries suffered in the first book and getting involved in a case of the murder of a doctor's wife and attempted murder of their young daughter and the expansion of the operations of the druggies from the first book. Much more action in this one than the first, which helps move the story along and keeps it from dragging. Not much mystery or surprise in two parallel stories but they are gripping enough to keep you interested in how they are resolved. Wolf writes well (when she isn't lecturing about "climate crisis") and Walker is well-developed enough as a character, so the story's deficiencies are not a big deal. It's not the best series out there but it's definitely worth a read. 3.5 stars bumped to 4 for the quality of writing and overall likability of the main character and setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Patricia Wolf's Paradise picks up basically where Outback left off. DS Lucas Walker is in Surfers Paradise trying to recover from his injuries, subsequent workplace dramas and the death of his beloved Grandmother: "Walker isn't ready for Caloodie without his grandmother yet - can't face the big empty hole that her death has left in his heart."

The setting of Paradise is quite the contrast from the usual Aussie noir outback setting "with its big waterside mansions, quiet cul-de-sacs and wealthy residents" and not known as a crime hot spot. However money and drunk school leavers do tend attract a drug trade, and some familiar characters from the last novel are ready and willing to up the ante on supply. So while this would work as a standalone novel, it does gain a richness garnered from reading the books in order.

The book begins with a violent murder in a "big mansion in the swanky Macintosh Island neighbourhood" and sets up a dual crime with the aforementioned bikie-driven drug trade. While you know the two crimes are going to interrelate at some point, Wolf manages to interest you in both stories by using Walker's interest in both crimes. Like Matthew Spencer's [book:Black River|60588672][book:Black River|60588672], this book emphasises the lack of safety for the rich generated by their closeness to the water: "It's difficult to fully secure a canalside home". And the rich really don't come up smelling roses in this book.

This book has domestic violence themes including financial abuse: "She's had as little financial autonomy as a child." It's nice to see the recognition of these behaviours that form part of patterns of coercive control weaving their way into police procedurals, particularly in Queensland where police training is underway to cement pattern-based policing. The book emphasises the importance of being the first officer on the scene because "It's a breathing space, everything is still in motion, not set in aspic like it is now." I also liked the connection to contemporary weather events happening in Australia, like a "rain bomb... sitting above South-East Queensland" that is "dumping unprecedented amounts of rain onto the state capital and southern coastal areas". It's a long way from the outback, but the land and effects climate change are no less central to this second story from Patricia Wolf.

Paradise opens with a shocking, brutal crime, and from there on in there’s mystery, murder, suspense, and intrigue. Plenty to keep the crime thriller lover happy! I’m a big fan of Australian noir, although this one isn’t set in the outback, you really get a sense of place. This book follows on from Outback, but it can be read as a standalone. Gritty and sometimes brutal Paradise is a tightly plotted page-turner that kept me reading well into the night.

DS Lucas Walker heads to the Gold Coast. Surfer’s Paradise: Before long, Walker is part of a team trying to solve a murder that has claimed the life of a young mother and left her nine-year-old daughter fighting for her life. Can he help them find the perpetrators and keep the young girl safe? Can Walker solve a case that is more shocking than anyone expected, and survive the dark underbelly of Australia’s Surfer’s Paradise?

I loved the setting of Surfer’s beach by day. It’s a seaside city with its sparkling surf beaches, tourists and sunny days. But there’s also a seedier side hidden from the tourist, where violence, drugs and criminal activities thrive. Wolf’s setting is so vividly described you can practically smell the suntan lotion and salty air!

I 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.
My thanks to @EmblaBooks #AustralianNoir

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