Patricia Wolf can do no wrong. As the 3rd book in this series, this was once again sensational. Such a great setting and truly authentic with extremely vivid descriptions of outback Queensland. The plot twists had me questioning things at every turn and I was left right on the edge of my seat until the very end. Truly fantastic.

Opal by Patricia Wolf is the third novel featuring Australian Federal Police officer Lucas Walker. Due to developments in the previous novel, and for his protection, Walker now finds himself figuratively chained to a desk while only given the safest tasks to complete.

Walker, though missing the productive nature of day-to-day work, is awaiting the arrival of his sister, Grace, with plans to treat her to the finer parts of Australian life and to show her when it comes to the outback, not all is doom and gloom.

Walker’s plans include driving a good distance away with Grace to retrieve his cousin Blair from Kanpara. Blair has been working with another man mining opal in Kanpara. Kanpara is a very small town with tensions created between locals and opal miners.

Unbeknown to most, a torrential downpour has created massive flooding and after their arrival, because all roads have now been overtaken by water, Lucas and his sister must remain in Kanpara until flood waters recede.

While waiting for the roads to become passable in a town where no one can enter or leave, a horrible crime occurs, thrusting Walker into an investigation possibly including possible past foes, a collection of dangerous miners, and a town with people not always whom they seem to be.

Wolf then allows her tale of murder and deceit to lumber forward at just the right pace which allows each character to become relevant to an interesting story about a complex murder investigation. Wolf also provides a detailed explanation regarding opals, which adds depth to the story.

Wolf’s Walker novels also continue to capture the Australian environment so well that it makes it easy to become lost in her novels while providing interesting textures to her stories.

Readers of Australia’s Garry Disher and Shelley Burr should also be of interest in the Lucas Walker novels.

Netgalley provided an ARC of Opal for the return of a fair review.

Opal is the third novel by Patricia Wolf featuring DS Walker. Set within the opal mining community in a small town in the Australian outback, the atmospheric and claustrophobic environment increases the tension following a gruesome double murder. When DS Walker’s own cousin becomes the main suspect, he works hard to uncover the real perpetrator.
I have enjoyed all three novels but did feel this lacked some of the intrigue and pace of the previous two. I still recommend Opal and feel it could be read without first reading the previous books.

This is the third thriller in the DS Walker series and the first I have read. It works well as a stand alone and, whilst there are a number of references to DS Walker's story so far, not so much as to spoil the enjoyment of reading them out of order. I thoroughly enjoy Australian thrillers and this one did not disappoint.

DS Lucas Walker of the Australian Federal Police is taking a break from his office based role in the Organised Crime Unit to spend time with his half sister who is visiting from Boston. They soon re-kindle the sibling bond they had as children as they travel from Canberra to Caloodie where Lucas has settled. Shortly after arriving in Calcoodie Lucas offers to drive to Kanpara, an opal mining area in the north. His cousin Blair has been mining there and needs to get home. Keen to see as much of Australia as she can, Grace jumps at the opportunity to accompany Lucas and off they set. The intention was to stay just the one night in Kanpara, before returning with Blair, however Mother Nature has other ideas. Having witnessed the tensions and bad feeling, which seems widespread between the community and the miners, they wake the next morning to discover torrential rain has caused all roads in and out of Kanpara to be flooded to depths which make leaving impossible. To make matters worse a horrific, violent double murder is discovered. The town is without a local cop so Lucas takes responsibility to preserve the scene until DSS Jim Stones arrives. The two detectives have very different ideas as to who the perpetrator is, which quickly impacts on their relationship. The situation goes from bad to worse when another murder is discovered and DSS Stones decides Blair is the murderer. Certain his cousin is innocent, Lucas decides to try and find the truth so leaving Grace to more or less fend for herself. Many possible motives and as such, plenty of culprits are identified.

The plot is well paced, with periods of heightened tension balanced with a slower paced narrative that gives a good insight into the hostilities within the community. The dynamic between Lucas and Stones is interesting and well narrated. Patricia Wolf's description of the landscape and impact of the flood waters is superb. Within this plot is a clever sub-strand relating back to Lucas' investigation into organised crime and left me excited for the next book in the series.

With thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for providing an advanced reader copy in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Opal finds Australian Federal Police officer DS Lucas Walker on leave from his job in the Organised Crime Unit and escorting his young half-sister Grace, who is visiting from Boston, to his outback Queensland hometown of Caloodie. They are supposed to be visiting family, but a phone call sends them 400 kms further west to the tiny mining town of Kanpara to fetch Walker’s cousin Blair, who has been digging for boulder opals and is keen to escape the town. On their arrival, they find the atmosphere in the town tense with rumours of a life-changing opal discovery. The following day, they awake to find that Kanpara has been completely cut off by a flood and the roads closed. The discovery of the murdered bodies of a man and woman complicates things further, especially when Blair is taken in for questioning. Walker must now work with the police to uncover the killer in the community’s midst before the waters recede and the killer can escape.

This is a very enjoyable read. The story is well crafted, and Patricia has a good journalistic eye for capturing the essence of a scene and conveying it in simple sharp sentences. Whether it is a hot, overcrowded pub or a crowd of people on a river bank watching the water rising, she is very good at painting the scene and making you feel as though you are there. The mystery plot is also solid, and the main characters are well done, although some of the minor players have more interesting layers to them.

Patricia grew up in Australia, and returned from Berlin to research the book’s background, and there is a good authenticity to the story. The inclusion of Walker’s American step-sister, allows Patricia to smoothly weave in information as part of conversations and there is a good flow to the plot.

Opal may lack the depth and originality of some of the better Australian crime fiction, but it is an entertaining detective story that will have wide appeal locally and overseas.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Patricia Wolf’s “Opal” is the third installment in the DS Walker Thriller series, and it delivers a potent mix of suspense, mystery, and the rugged beauty of the Australian outback.

This novel continues to build on the strengths of its predecessors, offering readers a gripping and atmospheric tale that is hard to put down.

The plot is intricately woven, with each chapter revealing new clues and deepening the mystery, ensuring that readers are kept on the edge of their seats.

“Opal” explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life in isolated communities.

The novel also examines the bonds of family and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones. Through Walker’s investigation, Wolf highlights the moral ambiguities that often accompany the pursuit of justice in a world where right and wrong are not always clear-cut.

Her ability to create vivid, multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the narrative, making readers deeply invested in their fates. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, reflecting the tension and urgency of the situation. Wolf’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading.

“Opal” is a standout addition to the DS Walker Thriller series, offering a compelling blend of suspense, emotion, and intricate plotting. Patricia Wolf has crafted a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways.

This book is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers who enjoy delving into the darker aspects of human nature.

Patricia Wolf has once again proven her mastery of the thriller genre with “Opal.” This novel is a testament to her ability to weave complex, emotionally charged narratives that resonate long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a gripping, atmospheric read.

The first two DS Walker novels: Outback and Paradise were captivating not only for their crime thriller storylines, but also due to the tension created through the all pervading descriptions of the setting. Opal is just as superb using the isolated outback to build and create further tension. Das Walker is taking the opportunity to show his sister the outback during her visit from Boston when he grows concerned about his cousin Blair in small town Kanpara. He was mining for boulder opal, but the atmosphere in the town has become unbearably tense as poor weather threatened their find. Before the trio can escape the smothering town, floods pour in and cut off the roads for the foreseeable few days. A violent double murder occurs increasing tensions and anxiety to the maximum. Walker works alongside local police to try and uncover the murderer, which exposes him and his family to danger. The isolated location makes this such a nail biting thriller. The trios urge to escape is palpable. #opal #Patriciawolf #emblabooks #netgalley

Another must read author from the Australian outback crime genre. Moves along at pace with well rounded characters. You can almost feel the heat and dirt in the prose

Although the third in the series, sufficient background is given to understand the characters. DS Walker is taking his younger sister around the family sites in the outback. She's a rather brash Bostonian and finds the whole visit hot, dusty, backward - not a good start. When they go to an opal town to collect a cousin, things really go pear-shaped. Two gruesome murders, the absence of the local police force and arrival of 'real detectives' from the Queensland Police who are not happy with Lucas interfering as they see it, unwelcoming miners set the scene but the descriptions of the trials and tribulations, landscape and horrendous circumstances of mining for opals makes a good read. Add to this ferocious storms up country that lead to flash floods and cutting the town off from anything remotely 'civilised' adds to the intensity. I admit that I didn't like the sister, not because she was brash and American but because she didn't even try to understand the huge differences between her life and that in the outback. she was basically annoying. Lucas is an honourable, good chap and dedicated to solving crimes through solid and persistent investigations. There are rather few suspects due to the flooding and many of the characters are violent, frustrated, jealous and/or are out for revenge. The isolation intensifies feelings. A good read which does seem slightly over the top at times when one is sitting in a comfy armchair in green and pleasant Scotland. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

4.5★s
Opal is the third book in the DS Walker Thriller series by Australian journalist and author, Patricia Wolf. DS Lucas Walker is looking forward to using a break from his AFP job to show his half-sister, Grace a bit of the outback he loves. But when they arrive at Caloodie, his cousin Blair is away working at an opal mining lease in Kanpara, rather desperate to return.

So he and Grace take what is meant to be a quick overnight trip to collect him. But their planned departure is delayed by floodwaters flowing down from the north, making all roads impassable, cutting off the town. In a place that already feels tinged with menace, the unique outback experience for Grace is marred by the discovery of a double murder: opal miner Mark Bailey and his secret (married) lover, Karen Mullins have been brutally attacked with an axe.

The local cop being absent, Lucas steps in to help preserve the scene until Queensland Police can send Detective Senior Sergeant Jim Stones from Longreach by chopper. Stones quickly concludes that Karen’s jealous husband has finished them off, but Lucas sees the situation as complicated by friction between the long-time residents and the opal miners, the bad feeling amongst some of the opal miners, and the presence of a member of the Vandals bikie gang.

When another opal miner dies, Stones sets his sights on Blair, even though there are plenty of other people in town with a motive to kill them. Blair is arrested on flimsy grounds and Lucas has to scramble to find the truth: he’s absolutely certain his cousin cannot be guilty. But in trying to prove that, Grace is left to fend for herself, facing danger from an unexpected quarter.

Setting her latest Aussie noir in outback Queensland, Wolf gives the reader the equivalent of a locked room mystery, at least until the floodwaters recede. Multiple narrators relate a story that includes threats at knifepoint in full view of pub patrons, vigilante patrols by gun-happy townspeople, and a case of arson.

Wolf’s depiction of outback Queensland feels truly authentic, not surprising as it comes from personal experience. The description of the heat, dust and flies, the mindset of the locals, all are a realistic representation.

Readers should be warned that there are major spoilers for the previous books within the story. There’s plenty to keep the reader guessing in the lead-up to a nail-biting climax and, with the bikie gang issue unresolved, more of this outstanding Aussie noir, perhaps including a reappearance of Lucas’s favourite German detective, looks likely. Recommended.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Embla Books

(3.5 stars)
Unusually for me, I have read all three of the DS Lucas Walker books, and in the intended order, so I picked up Opal with a solid understanding of the character, and what had happened in [book:Outback|61930362] and [book:Paradise|63045835]. Unfortunately I don't think this book would stand alone very well for a reader that hadn't done just that.

This is another small town murder investigation. Lucas is still smarting from what happened in Surfers Paradise, and missing his German love interest, Barbara from Outback. This means while the first chapter of Opal is exciting and dives straight into the new crime, the next chapter is a tedious telling of all the interconnections which totally destroys the book's pace. The other low point for me was I picked the perpetrators way before the characters did, so it didn't come as any sort of surprise.

What author Patricia Wolf does well is make the reader interested in opals and opal mining: "Out in the heat, among the dirt, the dust, the flies, comes this beautiful gem, this rainbow captured in stone." Wolf also creates a great picture of Australian countryside: "The sky opening up above them, pale grasslands shimmering in the sun, occasional farmhouses surrounded by trees: tiny verdant islands marooned in an ocean of grain fields." Opal also covers the frequent and extreme weather events rural folk are subjected to, with the slow-moving flood vividly described: "smelling the floodwaters – a bit gross now, the scent of mud and rotting vegetation and possibly some dead animal or bird floating on the air."

I would probably pick up another book because I like the character and the writing, and because I understand the interconnected plot. If I was a first-time Wolf reader with this book, I think it would have annoyed me.

The 3rd book in the Lucas Walker series, Opal by Patricia Wolf is a small town thriller set in outback Queensland. Although the title of the book suggests that we’re going to be treated to the ins and outs of the opal mining game, this is actually a murder mystery hampered by an enforced period of isolation.

Australian Federal Police officer DS Lucas Walker’s sister is visiting from Boston and he wants to give her a visit to remember, keen for her to meet his family and the town of Caloodie. Things start off very well and their trip from Canberra to Caloodie allows them to catch up after years of being apart. But on their arrival at Caloodie, they discover that Blair Mitchell, Lucas’ cousin, is opal mining up north in the tiny town of Kanpara and needs to get home.

Ever the helpful one, Lucas offers to make the trip and Grace, eager to see more of Australia, decides she’ll go too. So, after a day’s rest in Caloodie they set off for another long drive through the outback to Kanpara where they meet up with Blair.

The pick up was only meant to be an overnighter, but before they can head for home the next morning they wake to find the roads in and out of town have been flooded. It seems that torrential rains in the north of the country have caused massive runoff floods through Kanpara which is part of the so-called Channel Country.

They’ve barely resigned themselves to being cut off in Kanpara when the chilling discovery of a double murder rocks the tiny community. The murder is brutal, one of the murder victims was Blair’s boss and, most concerning, the murderer must still be in town thanks to the floodwaters cutting off any escape.

Walker’s policing instincts kick in and can’t help but get himself involved in the murder investigation. This is something that’s not exactly appreciated by the Queensland police detective who’s been flown in to take over the case.

Motives are plentiful. Miners are a jealous bunch and there was word that the murdered man had recently found a massive opal. Could someone have murdered him to get their hands on it? He and the murdered woman, not his wife, were killed in her bed. Jealous husband? And then there’s Blair, who had been overheard arguing vehemently with the murdered man the night before. Did he lose his cool in a big way?

An atmospheric thriller, personal dislikes and irritations between the local population is intensified by being trapped in a small town. The inclusion of a killer among them simply creates even greater tension.

Although there are periods where very little happens, the pace of the story is solid thanks to the determination of Walker to track down the killer. The fact that the detective doesn’t particularly like him and has his own ideas over who the murderer might be ensures that the action is consistent. My only little gripe about Walker is his blinkered attitude when it comes to investigating crime. Once he makes his mind up it seems there’s no reasoning with him, even when I (and any reasonable person) could see that his reasoning was flawed.

As the floodwaters begin to recede the identity of the killer becomes clear, the intensity ramps up and we’re drawn to an exciting conclusion.

My thanks to Embla Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC which has allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.

Lucas Walker is having some time off. His half sister is arriving from the US and they are going to drive up to Caloodie to see family and relax. When they get there, they're asked to drive to Kanpara, a mining town, to pick up his cousin Blair.. During the night, his boss,Mark, is murdered alongside his lover. When her husband who was staying at Blairs, dies in a fire the local police decide that Blair did it. What make it worse, is the flood waters have arrived and there is no way in or out of the town without a boat or helicopter.
Walker is convinced of his cousin's innocence and sets out to prove it, alienating the DSS investigating it. All of this makes a twisting, turning tale of jealousy, malice and greed in a small town. The road to the climax of the story builds well and you can almost taste the red dust of the outback.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this thrilling and chilling early copy of Opal. This is the 3rd book in the series featuring DS Lucas Walker, an Australian federal police officer. I was pleased to receive a copy as I enjoyed the previous two books in the series. The first book had Lucas investigating crime in and around his hometown of Caloodie, situated in the Queensland Outback. The second book was set in Surfers Paradise, beloved by beachgoers. Now, Lucas plans to return to Caloodie. His much younger sister, Grace, is visiting from Boston, and he plans to introduce her to his side of the family.

Patricia Wolf continues in top form as an author of Australian Noir. She is a great storyteller with a complex plot and well-defined characters. The book has a vivid sense of place and an overall sinister feeling. We are immersed in the remote Outback's heat, dust, beauty, and isolation. A flash flood strands our characters in a tiny settlement (population about 150) where opals are found.

On his way to Caloodie with Grace, Lucas learns that his cousin Blair wants to return home from prospecting for opals. He takes a detour to the mining town of Kanpara, 400 km away, to fetch Blair. While in Kanpara, there is tension and excitement over rumours that a huge, rare opal has been found, which would make the finder very wealthy. The owner is said to be the hard-working Mark.

Lucas, Blair, and Grace find themselves stranded in desolate Kanpara, with all roads flooded and impassable and no way out. Mark, rumoured to have the priceless opal, is having a fling with Karen while her husband Todd is absent. Mark is unhappily married and planning to tell his wife he is divorcing her. While they are in bed together, someone brutally murders Mark and Karen with an axe.
Karen's husband, Todd, comes home from the tavern in a drunken stupor and wakes up in his truck with bloody clothing after finding the two murder victims. He worries that he may have killed them through anger but has no memory of the deed. He is the leading suspect, but no charges are laid for good reason. There are plenty of suspects in this tiny settlement. Was there jealousy and resentment about the affair? Was the killing about Mark's rumoured possession of the opal? Which one was the targeted victim? With Todd no longer a suspect, Blair becomes the principal suspect due to his close working relationship with Mark. Blair is arrested, and Lucus is determined to do anything to free Blair by proving his innocence. He becomes deeply involved with the case. In such a small settlement, almost anyone could be the murderer. My one problem with the story is that characters were sometimes called by their first names or last names only. This can be very confusing when trying to keep them sorted.

Lucas is banned from investigating because his cousin is believed to be the perpetrator. The Queensland police and forensic team are assigned to the case. Two brothers were high on the list of suspects because they were bitter after Mark bought their land, blaming him for cheating them. One brother already did ten years in prison, so were they getting revenge on Mark? Lucas is so involved in getting his cousin released that he leaves Grace alone or in the care of people he trusts but does not know very well. Grace has gone missing, and with three people already murdered, this makes Lucas regretful and guilt-stricken for not taking better care of her.

There is a harrowing, tension-filled, and action-packed climax. Lucas and the Queensland officer in charge are on a cliff and being shot at from the bush. Who could be aiming at them? Two more people almost die. Where is Grace? There are many unexpected twists and shocking turns. I never anticipated the identity of the killer (or killers) and the motive.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys Australian mysteries or any well-written, exciting crime story. Publication date is September 30 (tomorrow).

DS Lucas Walker's sister, Grace, is visiting from Boston, so he has taken a week off to take her to Caloodie to meet her Australian family. When they arrive, he hears that his cousin Blair is looking for a ride home from Kanpara, where he has been opal mining, so he and Grace head up on what is supposed to be an overnight trip to bring Blair home. As they go to leave the next morning, however, they find themselves trapped in town by a flood that turned the highway into a river, and their extended stay turns even more complicated when a brutal double murder is discovered and Blair becomes a person of interest. Walker finds himself immersed in the case so he can clear his cousin's name, but will his involvement endanger him and Grace? Wolf's descriptive prose brings the Australian outback to life and, as with the first two books in the series, the setting plays a key role in the story. Walker is intelligent and caring, a workaholic with strong ties to his family even though he doesn't see them often. I found the story line engaging and twisty, fast-paced enough that I read the book in 1 day. While this is 3rd in a series and starting at the beginning gives you background on the characters and the full backstory, I think it could easily be read as a standalone.

Very well-written and suspenseful entry to the DS Lucas Walker series. Almost a locked room mystery...everyone is trapped by flooding in a small town, and three murders occur. The likeliest suspects include Walker's cousin, Blair. Lots of twists and turns before the true perpetrators are revealed!

The third thriller with Detective Sergeant Lucas Walker of the Australian Federal Police by Patricia Wolf is due to be released at the end of September.

This adventure finds Walker with his half-sister Grace from Boston showing her the sights of the outback where Walker’s family lives and where he escapes at every opportunity. Their cousin Blair has been working in an opal mining operation even further inland. Blair wants to leave the job early and Walker volunteers to make the long drive to pick him up. He takes Grace with him, expecting to be gone no more than 48 hours at most. But a torrential downpour creates a massive flood, washing away crops, livestock, and bridges and closing roads. Walker, Grace, and Blair are stranded in a small town that suddenly turns violent.

A philandering couple is murdered in her bed and her jealous and brutal husband is the immediate suspect, then when he is ruled out Blair becomes the target of the investigating officer. A double murder is a great way to create doubt as to the motive since it is never clear who the intended victim was and Wolf maximizes the benefit of this plot device. The flooding means the killer can not have escaped and the fear among the townspeople becomes palpable.

As always the detail about rural Australia is fascinating. (I didn’t know there was a large inland sea within Australia at one time.) Plus the description of the mechanics of opal mining adds to the rich local color Wolf brings to this series. Apparently Australian opals are considered more valuable than others because of their high quality.

Walker’s single-mindedness about his work can be annoying. He brought his naïve city slicker sister with him to the rural outback and then more or less left her to the care of strangers while he investigated murders he had been told to stay away from. This intense focus seems to be typical, though I can see how it could backfire in some situations.

I have noticed how some books are fast reads and others require me to look at every single word in order not to miss anything. This series definitely falls into the latter category. The depth of detail cannot be skimmed and the text is dense with it.

A good entry in a really good series about the Australian outback. I am hoping this author is developing a strong following so that more books follow.

DS Lucas Walker's young sister Grace had arrived from Boston to spend some time with him, meeting his family and having a holiday. Lucas had time off from his Australian Federal Police position, so the two of them headed off on the long, thirteen hour drive to Caloodie from Canberra. Chatting about their lives, Lucas enjoyed Grace's company and on arriving at Caloodie, Lucas found that Blair, his cousin, was opal mining up in the small Queensland Channel country town of Kanpara and needed to get home. Lucas and Grace headed off the following day to bring him home.

But the unexpected flood after their arrival at the isolated mining town set off a series of events that kept the three of them trapped there, along with murder victims and a murderer. Walker's cop instincts had immediately taken over, although when the local cop took Blair in for questioning, the investigation suddenly became personal for Walker. He needed to solve the case and get Grace and Blair away from Kanpara - but how long would it take? And would the water drop enough for them to leave the area?

Opal is the 3rd in the DS Walker series by Aussie author Patricia Wolf and I really like Walker's character. Strong, determined to do the right thing, and steadfast in his beliefs; Grace was a sweetheart but a little naïve; the plot was a good one although I picked the perpetrator just before the characters did. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Embla Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

Warning: Offensive language and some graphic content

DS Lucas Walker is back but this time with his younger sister Grace who is on holiday from Boston. Lucas wants to show Grace outback Qld but becomes embroiled in a small town double murder that he needs to help solve.

It was great to be back with Lucas as the main character. I was a little disappointed Barbara wasn’t a big part of this book but maybe in the next?!

Patricia Wolf as always writes in such a wonderful tone and uses great detail when discussing the opals and outback. The second half of the book ran at such a pace and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what happened. Top marks on the twist too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC to review in advance of publication.

Rated 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

In Opal, the third installment of the DS Lucas Walker series, we find Lucas taking a break in an opal mining town in Queensland's Australian outback. This time, he’s on holiday with his sister Grace when they get caught up in a double murder investigation. The setup is reminiscent of the first book, Outback, where Lucas was also on holidays when he became involved in a case. Intended to show his 21-year-old sister from Boston, the wonders of the outback, Lucas is sidelined by a massive flood that traps them in the town where they went to pick up their cousin, Blair.

The story is engaging, though it unfolds at a slower pace. It provides a vivid portrayal of life in a small mining town. I really like DS Lucas Walker and his cousin Blair, and I’m eager to see where the series goes next. Lucas's dog, Ginger, also adds a fun touch to the story.

While there are some references to characters from previous books, such as the Bikkies gang and Barbara, I think Opal can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.