Nemesis by Patricia WolfSynopsis: “A DANGEROUS CHASE. A SADISTIC KILLER. DS Lucas Walker is on assignment for the AFP, and it couldn’t be more personal. This is his last chance to take down Stefan Markovich – the Vandals leader who tried to have him killed after Walker uncovered his drug operation, and has evaded justice for years. Having tracked Markovich to Berlin, Walker heads to Germany lure his nemesis out of hiding and into custody. And there is another draw for Walker in Berlin: he finally gets to see Barbara again. Still dealing with the trauma of her sister’s ordeal in outback Australia, Barbara is working her own case – a suspicious death that casts a dark shadow over a peaceful lake colony. Everything about the horrific scene tells Barbara it’s murder, and when a second body emerges she realises she is hunting a killer who is watching their victims die in agony. As Walker and Barbara grapple with their cases, they must also face their feelings for each other – amid the constant threats of the world they inhabit. The fourth gripping instalment in the bestselling, atmospheric DS Lucas Walker series is full of shocking twists and thrilling turns – for fans of Jane Harper, Cara Hunter and Chris Whitaker.”

My Review

I binge listened to loved the first three books in this Australian crime series last year, and I’ve loved listening to this latest one.

This book is set in Berlin this time, with DS Walker going undercover to find Markovich, the gang leader from the previous books, who’s moved there to join a Baltic gang that he has family connections to.

Barbara, DS Walker’s German police friend is working a suspected murder case, and is very happy to have Lucas around to chat about different aspects of the case, and the feeling is mutual. However as they both get more involved in their individual cases they wonder if their friendship is something more.

I loved the descriptions of Berlin, seen through Lucas’ eyes and it definitely makes me want to visit again sometime.

Barbara’s case was really creepy and there were some shocking twists and turns. I guessed what was going on and kept shouting at my phone when I knew that bad things were going to happen.

Lucas’ undercover operation was slow going for him, as he failed to make contact with Markovich, and then became frustrated when they German police were reluctant to get involved and arrest the gang leader. Whereas Markovich was bored of being a dogsbody, instead of the leader of his gang back home in Australia.

It ended on a interesting note, so I really hope there’s going to be another book, as I love this series, and want to find out what happens between Lucas and Barbara! 

Adam Fitzgerald’s narration was superb again, bringing all the different characters to life!

Highly recommended on audio, especially if you enjoy crime novels set in Australia and Germany. 

Book 5 of 20 Books of summer 2025