As with many seemingly straightforward missing persons cases, there’s a subversive subplot that makes itself known as Lucas begins digging deeper with his investigation. Drugs are involved (of course) as well as higher powers in the police force (inevitably) and the combination serves to create obstacles and greater danger to our protagonists. 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 stars 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.

Grogan's heartburn has been killing him. The whole last week he’s been chewing pink Pepto-Bismol squares like an addict but his chest is still burning.” However, Chief Inspector Rutherford who heads the Federal Police of Australia’s organized crime unit calls with an assignment for him. 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.

During her time there, she coved all manner of subjects from politics, design, culture, art, human interest, and political pieces from all over the world. Soon enough, he is made a deputy and requested to help in the investigation of a gang-style murder of Matt Monroe, a notorious drug dealer. It transpires that Stefan Markovich the organized crime kingpin and the detective sergeant’s sworn nemesis has now set up shop on the Gold Coast. I enjoyed both Lucas Walker's and Barbara's characters. They complemented one another. Walker is on compassionate leave as his grandmother is dying. I loved the close relationship he has with her. And I enjoyed the way the Walker family embraced and supported Barbara.

While the novel is not without minor flaws — notably, an age discrepancy in Rita and Barbara's parents and the potential confusion caused by Australian lingo — these do little to diminish the overall excellence of the work. The novel opens with a horrific home invasion involving two parents and their eight-year-old daughter, Gabby, in Gold Coast, Queensland. At the opening of the novel. Detective Sergeant Lucas Walker is in northwest Queensland at the home of his grandmother. As the novel progresses, the more information Walker discovers, the more suspicions he has that the two cases may be related, while others remain highly skeptical of such a link.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 As the number of days since the couple's disappearance climbs, Walker is joined by Rita's older sister. A detective herself with Berlin CID, she has flown to Australia - desperate to find her sister.

The language was real, and having a foreign character gave the opportunity to explain a few Aussie terms. The only real flaw I found was two references to Pepto-Bismol.

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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? 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. Rita’s sister Barbara works for the Berlin CID and is desperate to find her missing sister. Barbara arrives in Australia and takes an unofficial active role in investigating her sisters disappearance.