Opal by Patricia Wolf

The third in the DS Walker series following Outback and Paradise has Walker showing his sister Grace outback Australia. His cousin Blair has been prospecting for opal in Kanpara, and wants to get out of town so Walker and Grace go to bring him home. But Kanpara is in the Channel Country and a major floods locks them into the town. When two bodies are found, Walker finds himself investigating the brutal murders. His cousin is on the list of suspects. Can he prove Blair's innocence while keeping Grace safe? There had been a rumour of a large opal being found. Was this a motive for the murders?

The descriptions of an opal mining town, the Channel Country and the flood bring the Australian outback to life for the reader, who will learn about life in a country town as well as opal mining. Walker is an engaging character and his investigative powers will entrall lovers of mysteries as he unravels the reasons for the murders.

Fans of Wolf's previous books are sure to enjoy Opal, which is a quick, easy read.

Themes: Murder, Rural noir, Detectives, Opal mining.

Pat Pledger