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DS Walker #4
Nemesis
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.
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.
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About the author
Patricia Wolf
10 books416 followersPatricia Wolf grew up in Queensland, Australia, and now lives in Berlin. She likes whisky and strong coffee, busy cities, surf beaches and wild places. Patricia has been a journalist for almost twenty years. She is a regular contributor to newspapers including the Guardian, the Financial Times and the Daily Telegraph, among others, and was formerly a design columnist at the Independent and the Lisbon correspondent for Monocle magazine. Outback is her fiction debut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 31, 2025
EXCERPT: The drive-by her colleagues are working on is a massive multi-agency case. It seems like the target was a senior member of a Balkan crime family who had been meeting associates in Kreuzberg. He survived, but one of his bodyguards and a man believed to be his second-in-command were killed. Two other men, also believed to be part of the clan, were seriously injured, and an eight-year-old girl, Mila Petrenko, was caught in the crossfire and is fighting for her life in hospital. The brazenness of the attack, the violence of it, has shocked the nation, and a major multi-force investigation has been launched. But, despite her record being one of the best in the department, Fischer didn't select her to be part of the operation.
As the only woman working for Fischer, she's beginning to feel that she's often given the raw end of the deal. At one level she understands it, particularly since she came back from Australia with some psychological struggles of her own. Still not sleeping well, still has nightmares and some physical symptoms too: her sense of vulnerability to violence is much keener, and she occasionally finds herself almost stricken into inaction by residual fear. She'd tried to hide it, push her way through, but perhaps some of it has leaked into her work and that's why Fischer has been allocating her the less important cases. As she takes in the details of the Mildersee assignment, she feels her nerves rising. A suspicious death, a possible murder, is an important case. This is her chance to prove to Fischer, and to herself, that she still has what it takes to do the job and do it well. She can't fail. She needs a result, now more than ever.
ABOUT 'NEMESIS': 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 to lure his nemesis out of hiding and into custody. And there is another draw for Walker in 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.
MY THOUGHTS: #4 in the DS Walker series, Nemesis moves out of Australia to Germany, where Walker is in pursuit of his nemesis, Stefan Markovich. There is a bonus to Walker's trip - he gets to reconnect with Barbara Guerra, a German detective introduced in Opal (DS Walker #3) when she travels to Australia, and into Lucas's orbit, looking for her sister, a missing person.
Lucas and Barbara are attracted to one another, but there are multiple barriers in the way of any relationship, not least the physical distance between their work lives. There's a lot of soul searching and lack of confidence to declare their feelings in both these characters.
With Walker busy trying to track Markovich down and Barbara involved in a murder investigation where the bodies are piling up there's not a lot of room for romance anyway, but I found often myself urging these two to 'open up' to one another or, more accurately, 'just get on with it, will you!'
Both threads in this crime thriller are compelling but very different. Lucas's involves a crime syndicate while Barbara's is an uncommon garden variety (pun intended) murder.
Wolf's writing is exciting and vividly descriptive. If you are looking for an action-packed thriller, Nemesis will fit the bill. Although this is #4 in a series it may easily be read as a stand-alone as the author provides enough background information to fill in the gaps.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#Nemesis #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: PATRICIA WOLF grew up in the mining town of Mount Isa and despite her love of the outback's indigo sky and wide horizons, Patricia left Australia to travel the world and became a journalist, she now lives in Berlin, Germany.
DS Lucas Walker and his stories came to be in 2019 when Patricia spent two months in northwest Queensland surrounded by the beauty and rugged harshness of the outback.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Embla books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Nemesis by Patricia Wolf for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
As the only woman working for Fischer, she's beginning to feel that she's often given the raw end of the deal. At one level she understands it, particularly since she came back from Australia with some psychological struggles of her own. Still not sleeping well, still has nightmares and some physical symptoms too: her sense of vulnerability to violence is much keener, and she occasionally finds herself almost stricken into inaction by residual fear. She'd tried to hide it, push her way through, but perhaps some of it has leaked into her work and that's why Fischer has been allocating her the less important cases. As she takes in the details of the Mildersee assignment, she feels her nerves rising. A suspicious death, a possible murder, is an important case. This is her chance to prove to Fischer, and to herself, that she still has what it takes to do the job and do it well. She can't fail. She needs a result, now more than ever.
ABOUT 'NEMESIS': 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 to lure his nemesis out of hiding and into custody. And there is another draw for Walker in 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.
MY THOUGHTS: #4 in the DS Walker series, Nemesis moves out of Australia to Germany, where Walker is in pursuit of his nemesis, Stefan Markovich. There is a bonus to Walker's trip - he gets to reconnect with Barbara Guerra, a German detective introduced in Opal (DS Walker #3) when she travels to Australia, and into Lucas's orbit, looking for her sister, a missing person.
Lucas and Barbara are attracted to one another, but there are multiple barriers in the way of any relationship, not least the physical distance between their work lives. There's a lot of soul searching and lack of confidence to declare their feelings in both these characters.
With Walker busy trying to track Markovich down and Barbara involved in a murder investigation where the bodies are piling up there's not a lot of room for romance anyway, but I found often myself urging these two to 'open up' to one another or, more accurately, 'just get on with it, will you!'
Both threads in this crime thriller are compelling but very different. Lucas's involves a crime syndicate while Barbara's is an uncommon garden variety (pun intended) murder.
Wolf's writing is exciting and vividly descriptive. If you are looking for an action-packed thriller, Nemesis will fit the bill. Although this is #4 in a series it may easily be read as a stand-alone as the author provides enough background information to fill in the gaps.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#Nemesis #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: PATRICIA WOLF grew up in the mining town of Mount Isa and despite her love of the outback's indigo sky and wide horizons, Patricia left Australia to travel the world and became a journalist, she now lives in Berlin, Germany.
DS Lucas Walker and his stories came to be in 2019 when Patricia spent two months in northwest Queensland surrounded by the beauty and rugged harshness of the outback.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Embla books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Nemesis by Patricia Wolf for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 12, 2025
Another fantastic DS Walker story and the first one not set in Queensland. I really enjoyed the Berlin setting and the hunt for old enemies.
Patricia Wolf remains an auto-read author for me.
Patricia Wolf remains an auto-read author for me.
July 11, 2025
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the previous DS Walker novels. I found that Barbara was constantly making unbelievably stupid mistakes, she is meant to be a shrewd and intelligent police officer so these mistakes really didn’t gel with her character. I cannot believe she would accept a drink from an active poisoning crime scene or constantly ignore an incessantly ringing phone.
The writing style seemed different too, the sentence structures were much shorter and less descriptive. It was more of a pro functionary - this happened. Then this happened. Then that happened - with little engagement from the characters or atmosphere from the scene.
I really enjoyed Wolf’s previous books, this one just fell a bit short of my expectations.
The writing style seemed different too, the sentence structures were much shorter and less descriptive. It was more of a pro functionary - this happened. Then this happened. Then that happened - with little engagement from the characters or atmosphere from the scene.
I really enjoyed Wolf’s previous books, this one just fell a bit short of my expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
Another awesome Lucas Walker novel this time set in Germany. Well paced. Great characters. Excellent plot.
June 11, 2025
This is the 4th book in the DS Lucas Walker series. It is the first one I've read. It works well as a standalone but I think if you'd read them all it would give you more depth to the relationship between Walker and his friend Barbara.
Walker is based in Australia but the book takes place in Germany as he tries to track down his old nemesis Stefan Markovich. Walker's good friend Barbara who lives in Germany, is working on her own case with multiple murders taking place. As they each try to deal with their own agenda, they grapple with their feelings for one another.
The narration really worked well for the story and I thought the characters had distinct personalities. The pacing is good and I liked that we get to switch between Walker and Barbara and each of their cases. I thought Barbara's case was interesting and well thought out. Their characters worked well together and they had an easy dynamic. The romance aspects did not take away from the story.
The story is well written and both cases worked well alongside each other with the tension ramping up throughout.
I am going to go back and read the series from the start as I found it an enjoyable read and I want to see how things play out in the other books. If you like crime/thriller and mystery reads then I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
Walker is based in Australia but the book takes place in Germany as he tries to track down his old nemesis Stefan Markovich. Walker's good friend Barbara who lives in Germany, is working on her own case with multiple murders taking place. As they each try to deal with their own agenda, they grapple with their feelings for one another.
The narration really worked well for the story and I thought the characters had distinct personalities. The pacing is good and I liked that we get to switch between Walker and Barbara and each of their cases. I thought Barbara's case was interesting and well thought out. Their characters worked well together and they had an easy dynamic. The romance aspects did not take away from the story.
The story is well written and both cases worked well alongside each other with the tension ramping up throughout.
I am going to go back and read the series from the start as I found it an enjoyable read and I want to see how things play out in the other books. If you like crime/thriller and mystery reads then I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
August 4, 2025
1.5 stars
Dear Lord what a boring book!!!!!!!
I love this series, but this book was a complete miss for me.
First off, there are 1 million details that are absolutely completely irrelevant to the story. The author insists on describing with incredible detail every single space where any character is found. It doesn't matter if they go in a restaurant or they enter a room in the building or they are on a boat or they are eating breakfast., there is a very thorough description of the walls, the colors, the carpet, the art, the architecture the... everything.
In the first part of the book Barbara keeps complaining and playing the victim card that she's always bypassed by her superior and she's not given important cases. By the end of this book we can see why. She's absolutely useless. Clearly half of that community was dying and she had no clue who the criminal was. Actually, she was about to be murdered herself because everything she was doing was dumb.
I also did not enjoy the way the Berlin police was portrayed. Corrupt, dirty, duiscusting.
And the second mystery where DS Wlaker was working undercover was a wash.
This whole book could have been condensed in two chapters.
I absolutely know that the next one is gonna be better, therefore, I'm looking forward to read that one.
Dear Lord what a boring book!!!!!!!
I love this series, but this book was a complete miss for me.
First off, there are 1 million details that are absolutely completely irrelevant to the story. The author insists on describing with incredible detail every single space where any character is found. It doesn't matter if they go in a restaurant or they enter a room in the building or they are on a boat or they are eating breakfast., there is a very thorough description of the walls, the colors, the carpet, the art, the architecture the... everything.
In the first part of the book Barbara keeps complaining and playing the victim card that she's always bypassed by her superior and she's not given important cases. By the end of this book we can see why. She's absolutely useless. Clearly half of that community was dying and she had no clue who the criminal was. Actually, she was about to be murdered herself because everything she was doing was dumb.
I also did not enjoy the way the Berlin police was portrayed. Corrupt, dirty, duiscusting.
And the second mystery where DS Wlaker was working undercover was a wash.
This whole book could have been condensed in two chapters.
I absolutely know that the next one is gonna be better, therefore, I'm looking forward to read that one.
August 27, 2025
This book felt like Lucas finally closed the cycle he started in
Outback
, both with Markovich and Barbara.
The Mildersee case was interesting, even if the culprit was a bit obvious. And since I’m currently watching Spy x Family, I got super excited when I saw the term "Ossi", I didn’t even know that was a thing! It immediately made me think of Westalis and Ostania, LOL.
Can't wait to see what more happens with my 2nd favourite fictional AFP officer.
The Mildersee case was interesting, even if the culprit was a bit obvious. And since I’m currently watching Spy x Family, I got super excited when I saw the term "Ossi", I didn’t even know that was a thing! It immediately made me think of Westalis and Ostania, LOL.
Can't wait to see what more happens with my 2nd favourite fictional AFP officer.
July 7, 2025
3 is generous. It was a struggle to finish this book. Of the previous books I really liked the way Wolf describes the Australian outback. She unfortunately is unable to do the same for Berlin. I also found some aspects of the story line infuriating. Barbara knows she is dealing with a poisoner but yet she accepts a drink from someone connected to the crime scene. She also refuses to answer her phone which would have warned her of imminent physical danger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
Mediocre
I have read all of Patricia Wolf's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, however Nemesis didn't hold my attention, I could take it or leave it to be honest, I read why the author decided to move Walker to Berlin, but the will they, won't they, between him and Barbara irritated me, clearly I'm not a romantic and couldn't care less! Lots of the book seemed just words unnecessarily filling pages, with police officers taking risks that were unbelievable, so I will probably give the next episode a miss.
I have read all of Patricia Wolf's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, however Nemesis didn't hold my attention, I could take it or leave it to be honest, I read why the author decided to move Walker to Berlin, but the will they, won't they, between him and Barbara irritated me, clearly I'm not a romantic and couldn't care less! Lots of the book seemed just words unnecessarily filling pages, with police officers taking risks that were unbelievable, so I will probably give the next episode a miss.
July 1, 2025
3.5 stars really - It wasn’t unreadable but I wouldn’t say to anyone that “you must read this”. I found some of the situations the characters found themselves in a bit ridiculous- if you are an intelligent cop why put yourself In dangerous situations without back up, access to a phone or your gun? Why if you are undercover as a “bad guy” would you be seen associating with police? A bit far fetched unfortunately
November 5, 2025
Review to follow
June 19, 2025
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.
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.
October 15, 2025
Nemesis by Patricia Wolf
I have read two of her previous books, ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’. I found both books to be easy reads with believable characters. The protagonist is police officer Lucas Walker. The story is somewhat unsurprising and contrived after ‘Outback’, where German police officer, Barbara meets up with Walker and Barbara from afar (Germany) plays a significant role in the solving of the crime in ‘Paradise’, then with the knowledge that the author lives in Germany. We have Walker traveling to Germany in search of a villian from two previous books, Stephan Marcovich who has evaded police capture and is now known to be in hiding in Germany.
Walker has doppelgänger in the form of Hal Challis, Joe Cashin, Mark Mariti, Ivan Lucic, Aaron Faulk, and Paul Hirschhausen. There are streaks of similarity in these police characters across the field of Australian crime fiction novels. They are respectful, men with a degree of good looks, integrity and men who treat women well.
I do not think is essential to have read ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’ but it would give you an insight into the backstory of several personalities in this book.
When Walker arrives in Germany his part of the story centres around his pursuit of bikie bad guy Stephan Marcovich, an evil bad guy from both ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’. At the same time Barbara has her hands full with one, two and then three murders. Deaths, where the weapon of choice was poison. Interestingly one character, in a back story met his fate through the infamous Death cap fungi.
For most of the story Barbara’s investigation gets greater air play than Walker’s pursuit. Naturally both lines of enquiry come together like a +ve and -ve electrical cables and that’s where the fireworks, action and excitement start and once again Walker saves Barbara, ahhh what a hero!!
There is what I would call an emotional rather than sexual tension in the story.
The story is set in Berlin and a village of rustic cabins along a lake foreshore some kilometres out of Berlin. Wolf did not spend much time or descriptions to capture the feel of Berlin or the countryside. Being a resident of that part of the world I thought she would have introduced the reader into greater depth of Berlin and Berliners.
Woolf includes the execution style murder of a family who had betrayed Markovich in the previous story. It is rather gruesome and I have no idea why it was included because it contributed nothing to the overall pattern of the story. It happened and there was no follow up or resolution.
Wolf’s writing is simple and straightforward. There are few metaphors, smilies or descriptive language. The German characters are all plain, simple and unengaging to the reader. But, it was a story that kept my interest. Not sure where Lucas and Barbara’s relationship is going to take them. A couple torn between two continents.
When I get the chance I will read her third novel ‘Opal’.
I have read two of her previous books, ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’. I found both books to be easy reads with believable characters. The protagonist is police officer Lucas Walker. The story is somewhat unsurprising and contrived after ‘Outback’, where German police officer, Barbara meets up with Walker and Barbara from afar (Germany) plays a significant role in the solving of the crime in ‘Paradise’, then with the knowledge that the author lives in Germany. We have Walker traveling to Germany in search of a villian from two previous books, Stephan Marcovich who has evaded police capture and is now known to be in hiding in Germany.
Walker has doppelgänger in the form of Hal Challis, Joe Cashin, Mark Mariti, Ivan Lucic, Aaron Faulk, and Paul Hirschhausen. There are streaks of similarity in these police characters across the field of Australian crime fiction novels. They are respectful, men with a degree of good looks, integrity and men who treat women well.
I do not think is essential to have read ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’ but it would give you an insight into the backstory of several personalities in this book.
When Walker arrives in Germany his part of the story centres around his pursuit of bikie bad guy Stephan Marcovich, an evil bad guy from both ‘Outback’ and ‘Paradise’. At the same time Barbara has her hands full with one, two and then three murders. Deaths, where the weapon of choice was poison. Interestingly one character, in a back story met his fate through the infamous Death cap fungi.
For most of the story Barbara’s investigation gets greater air play than Walker’s pursuit. Naturally both lines of enquiry come together like a +ve and -ve electrical cables and that’s where the fireworks, action and excitement start and once again Walker saves Barbara, ahhh what a hero!!
There is what I would call an emotional rather than sexual tension in the story.
The story is set in Berlin and a village of rustic cabins along a lake foreshore some kilometres out of Berlin. Wolf did not spend much time or descriptions to capture the feel of Berlin or the countryside. Being a resident of that part of the world I thought she would have introduced the reader into greater depth of Berlin and Berliners.
Woolf includes the execution style murder of a family who had betrayed Markovich in the previous story. It is rather gruesome and I have no idea why it was included because it contributed nothing to the overall pattern of the story. It happened and there was no follow up or resolution.
Wolf’s writing is simple and straightforward. There are few metaphors, smilies or descriptive language. The German characters are all plain, simple and unengaging to the reader. But, it was a story that kept my interest. Not sure where Lucas and Barbara’s relationship is going to take them. A couple torn between two continents.
When I get the chance I will read her third novel ‘Opal’.
April 16, 2025
I was excited to read this fresh instalment of Patricia Wolf’s exquisitely written Lucas Walker series. I particularly like the social conscience that infuses her writing, her world-building and the overarching storyline of the series. In Nemesis, Lucas is in Berlin, once again trying to track down his nemesis, Markovich. Of course, this means a welcome reconnection with Barbara. We readers are following two cases as alongside Lucas's investigation, Barbara is investigating a spate of poisonings at a schrebergarten outside of Berlin. Patricia Wolf is fabulous with setting - her descriptions of Berlin's inner suburbs are vividly rendered. There’s so much romantic longing too. It takes your breath away at moments in the book. For all that Lucas and Barbara are risk takers in their professional lives, they find romantic courage more difficult .
I am so sad I have already finished this book and hope Patricia is writing another one.
I am so sad I have already finished this book and hope Patricia is writing another one.
November 23, 2025
In "Nemesis", the fourth installment in the gripping DS Walker crime series, Walker is sent to Berlin to take down the Vandals leader Stefan Markovich, who nearly killed him back in Australia. In Berlin he meets Barbara again, who we know from the first book in the series, when Walker had to track down Barbara's sister in the Outback. Even then they felt drawn to each other and have kept in touch ever since. So I was very curious about how their relationship would develop.
But Barbara has her own case to deal with. She's desperately trying to find a murderer who poisons their victims. Walker supports her whenever he can, and Barbara appreciates his help since they both understand each other almost blindly, without many words. I found both cases very interesting and thrilling, I loved the way the tension and suspense slowly increased until it culminated in a shocking ending. There were lots of twists and turns, and the ending was really surprising.
As in the books before, Patricia Wolf again succeeded in creating complex and authentic characters I could identify with. The readers get to know the inner lives of the two main characters Lucas and Barbara, their fears, hopes and personal struggles. Both are very likeable characters with depth. There is also action and suspense from page one, although Walker is forced to remain more in the background and just assist his German colleagues.
The ending made me curious as to how Barbara's and Lucas' relationship will evolve in the future. Book five will be published in May, and I really can't wait to join Walker on his next case again.
But Barbara has her own case to deal with. She's desperately trying to find a murderer who poisons their victims. Walker supports her whenever he can, and Barbara appreciates his help since they both understand each other almost blindly, without many words. I found both cases very interesting and thrilling, I loved the way the tension and suspense slowly increased until it culminated in a shocking ending. There were lots of twists and turns, and the ending was really surprising.
As in the books before, Patricia Wolf again succeeded in creating complex and authentic characters I could identify with. The readers get to know the inner lives of the two main characters Lucas and Barbara, their fears, hopes and personal struggles. Both are very likeable characters with depth. There is also action and suspense from page one, although Walker is forced to remain more in the background and just assist his German colleagues.
The ending made me curious as to how Barbara's and Lucas' relationship will evolve in the future. Book five will be published in May, and I really can't wait to join Walker on his next case again.
December 13, 2025
Four stars for enjoyment, two stars for plausibility but hey, wherever DS Lucas Walker goes next I’ll likely read the book (or in this case listen to the audio version). On the trail of his nemesis, the bikie gang leader Markovich, Walker goes to Berlin, conveniently also the home of Barbara whose sister he saved in the first book. Barbara is also a detective and Walker thinks she’s a very good one but she makes some rookie errors solving a case this time that nearly get her killed. They fancy each other but in a very awkward way. Wolf has left the door wide open for future adventures in this series.
June 30, 2025
3.5 stars, not the best one in the series by far. I could have done without the Markovich storyline, I found it boring and I've never really been into the organised bikie crime part of her books. My interests laid with Barbara's case, which I did enjoy and I like Barbara as a character as well, she could do with her own spin off series. The romance simmers but goes nowhere, but if a let down ending.
June 14, 2025
Nemesis is the fourth novel in Patricia Wolf’s Detective Lucas Walker series, and Wolf shows no sign of slowing down or producing a novel unworthy of attention. Nemesis also reintroduces characters and plot points from earlier entries in the series.
In Nemesis, Walker has gathered intelligence that Stefan Markovich, a member of the Vandals motorcycle gang, is believed to be in Berlin, Germany. Walker arranges a trip to Germany under the guise of attending a professional conference, though his true aim is to bring Markovich to justice.
The trip also allows Walker to reconnect with Berlin Detective Barbara Guerra, introduced in Opal. The two share a genuine attraction that deepens with each encounter.
Upon his arrival, Berlin police officers are skeptical of Walker’s claim that Markovich is in the city. They treat him with condescension and dismiss his concerns—even when he suggests that Markovich is responsible for a violent, drive-by shooting that injured innocent bystanders.
Meanwhile, Guerra is conducting a murder investigation of her own. A body has been discovered in an unmoored boat at a rundown lakeside cabin retreat. As she follows the clues, Guerra encounters a cast of distinctive individuals—some of whom may be dangerous—expanding her list of suspects.
Soon, more bodies turn up, and the case grows increasingly complex and perilous.
With two compelling investigations unfolding in tandem, Wolf keeps readers engaged—even though the story has moved beyond Australia—without missing a beat in her signature storytelling style.
Nemesis is a finely crafted novel, highly recommended not only for fans of Wolf’s previous work, but also for readers who appreciate smooth, suspenseful storytelling with well-developed characters. Fans of Garry Disher, Chris Hammer, and Jane Harper will find much to admire here.
Nemesis is scheduled for publication on June 10, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspence.com.
In Nemesis, Walker has gathered intelligence that Stefan Markovich, a member of the Vandals motorcycle gang, is believed to be in Berlin, Germany. Walker arranges a trip to Germany under the guise of attending a professional conference, though his true aim is to bring Markovich to justice.
The trip also allows Walker to reconnect with Berlin Detective Barbara Guerra, introduced in Opal. The two share a genuine attraction that deepens with each encounter.
Upon his arrival, Berlin police officers are skeptical of Walker’s claim that Markovich is in the city. They treat him with condescension and dismiss his concerns—even when he suggests that Markovich is responsible for a violent, drive-by shooting that injured innocent bystanders.
Meanwhile, Guerra is conducting a murder investigation of her own. A body has been discovered in an unmoored boat at a rundown lakeside cabin retreat. As she follows the clues, Guerra encounters a cast of distinctive individuals—some of whom may be dangerous—expanding her list of suspects.
Soon, more bodies turn up, and the case grows increasingly complex and perilous.
With two compelling investigations unfolding in tandem, Wolf keeps readers engaged—even though the story has moved beyond Australia—without missing a beat in her signature storytelling style.
Nemesis is a finely crafted novel, highly recommended not only for fans of Wolf’s previous work, but also for readers who appreciate smooth, suspenseful storytelling with well-developed characters. Fans of Garry Disher, Chris Hammer, and Jane Harper will find much to admire here.
Nemesis is scheduled for publication on June 10, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspence.com.
October 4, 2025
Nemesis is another great instalment in the DS Walker series. The writing is always sharp and nothing is overwritten.
In this book DS Lucas Walker is heading to Berlin Germany to try to apprehend his nemesis, Stefan Markovich, currently on the run. Of course this is where Barbara Guerra, the German detective we met in Outback, also lives.
Lucas is hoping to get assistance from the local German gang squad detectives, knowing he can't bring Markovich in without their help. Barbara is working on a possible murder case and she is feeling the need to prove herself to her superior officer.
The clever melding of Lucas' work and the case Barbara is currently working on was so well done. There was always something happening that kept the story flowing. I enjoyed seeing both Lucas and Barbara realise the depth of their feelings for each other as well.
The conclusion to both cases had some heartstopping moments and one case had a startling similarity to a very recent case in Australia.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and I am very happy to see that book five will be out in February 2026. Sign me up!
In this book DS Lucas Walker is heading to Berlin Germany to try to apprehend his nemesis, Stefan Markovich, currently on the run. Of course this is where Barbara Guerra, the German detective we met in Outback, also lives.
Lucas is hoping to get assistance from the local German gang squad detectives, knowing he can't bring Markovich in without their help. Barbara is working on a possible murder case and she is feeling the need to prove herself to her superior officer.
The clever melding of Lucas' work and the case Barbara is currently working on was so well done. There was always something happening that kept the story flowing. I enjoyed seeing both Lucas and Barbara realise the depth of their feelings for each other as well.
The conclusion to both cases had some heartstopping moments and one case had a startling similarity to a very recent case in Australia.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and I am very happy to see that book five will be out in February 2026. Sign me up!
July 11, 2025
I so enjoyed this book. Having read all 4 of the series consecutively I "feel" the pain and conflict between Lucas and Barbara, our Aussie and German detectives.
I loved the weaving of the plots/subplots in major league drug cartels and suburban lakeside community as well as the back story seeping between the two. Wolf is a very pacy writer and I found it difficult to pause my reading. I am seeing that as a great thing!
I loved the weaving of the plots/subplots in major league drug cartels and suburban lakeside community as well as the back story seeping between the two. Wolf is a very pacy writer and I found it difficult to pause my reading. I am seeing that as a great thing!
August 6, 2025
The last one of the series, though book 5 is coming. Here is a review for my brother.
Nemesis is set in Berlin. I believe this is where Wolf now resides and she captured the wonderful beauty and diversity of Berlin so effortlessly. Though set in Berlin, the book also has a huge plotline in a former East Berlin compound set aound a lake that has fallen into neglect after the wall came down. I'm so impressed with how Wolf brings history and societal change into her stories. She is able to capture so much of the experience of visiting Berlin. A friend lived in Berlin for many years and he loved how it reminded him of the diversity and multicultural vibes of Berlin, but also the long lingering after effects of the divide.
Barbara is front and centre. Rita's previous experiences are not glossed over and her family are dealing with the aftermath, 2+ years later.
It finished some outstanding plotlines, whilst leaving others still hanging.
Roll on book 5!
Nemesis is set in Berlin. I believe this is where Wolf now resides and she captured the wonderful beauty and diversity of Berlin so effortlessly. Though set in Berlin, the book also has a huge plotline in a former East Berlin compound set aound a lake that has fallen into neglect after the wall came down. I'm so impressed with how Wolf brings history and societal change into her stories. She is able to capture so much of the experience of visiting Berlin. A friend lived in Berlin for many years and he loved how it reminded him of the diversity and multicultural vibes of Berlin, but also the long lingering after effects of the divide.
Barbara is front and centre. Rita's previous experiences are not glossed over and her family are dealing with the aftermath, 2+ years later.
It finished some outstanding plotlines, whilst leaving others still hanging.
Roll on book 5!
September 12, 2025
The DS Walker series is just fantastic, highly recommend Patricia Wolf
July 30, 2025
I started this fourth book as wanting a conclusion to the bikie gang plot, but ended up finding that storyline boring compared to the poisoning storyline. I’ve never really liked Barbara and was glad she wasn’t really in book 2/3. But now with book 4 she seems unrealistically idiotic, getting into dangerous situations not once but twice (cops gon cop I guess). The ‘will they won’t they’ nonsense between Lucas and Barbara not resulting in anything was a let down. I don’t think there is anything motivating me to continue with this series now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
The 4th instalment of the DS Walker series, and another enjoyable read! Lucas heads to Germany for a case, with the story set mainly in and around Berlin. Barbara, a local friend of his, also has an intriguing case unfolding in fictional lakeside community Mildersee, not far away. It was great to dig into these cases from multiple perspectives throughout the novel. I enjoyed getting to see Barbara's world a little more. I can't wait for the next book in this series, expected early in 2026. This has been a great series. If you start reading it now, you'll be just in time for Book 5's release!
October 8, 2025
feels like lots of loose ends are left, hope the next book doesn't take too long to come out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2025
**SPOILERS**
How absolutely ridiculous. I have previously really, really enjoyed this series. I think Lucas and Barbara are both well-developed, likeable characters, with tight plot lines, so I was delighted to see them reunited! But my goodness - two massively ridiculous plot points ruined this for me.
1) Lucas being ‘undercover’ in Berlin and yet exclusively hanging out with cops. What in the world?? He used his real name 90% of the time and visited crime scenes, socialised with more than one police officer, visited the police HQ… could he have been more obvious?
2) Barbara is on the lookout for someone who has extensive knowledge of plants, and is suspected of three murders, two of them with laced drinks - and yet when she comes across someone who has dried herbs everywhere, an extensive garden, a greenhouse, etc SHE GLADLY ACCEPTS A HOMEMADE DRINK?!?! No. I refuse to believe Barbara is that abundantly idiotic. I feel so let down.
Both main characters, previously so smart and adept at their jobs, making incredibly stupid choices just really detracted from this otherwise well-written book.
How absolutely ridiculous. I have previously really, really enjoyed this series. I think Lucas and Barbara are both well-developed, likeable characters, with tight plot lines, so I was delighted to see them reunited! But my goodness - two massively ridiculous plot points ruined this for me.
1) Lucas being ‘undercover’ in Berlin and yet exclusively hanging out with cops. What in the world?? He used his real name 90% of the time and visited crime scenes, socialised with more than one police officer, visited the police HQ… could he have been more obvious?
2) Barbara is on the lookout for someone who has extensive knowledge of plants, and is suspected of three murders, two of them with laced drinks - and yet when she comes across someone who has dried herbs everywhere, an extensive garden, a greenhouse, etc SHE GLADLY ACCEPTS A HOMEMADE DRINK?!?! No. I refuse to believe Barbara is that abundantly idiotic. I feel so let down.
Both main characters, previously so smart and adept at their jobs, making incredibly stupid choices just really detracted from this otherwise well-written book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
I feel like the author missed a great opportunity here... There could have been so much more to the romance between Lucas and Barbara, but somehow it was totally tame and not how I expect adults to behave.
And how Barbara got herself into trouble towards the end of the book... made me laugh out loud! No way, never ever!!!
And how Barbara got herself into trouble towards the end of the book... made me laugh out loud! No way, never ever!!!
April 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – Nemesis, the fourth book in Patricia Wolf’s DS Lucas Walker series, delivers another high-stakes pursuit with emotional weight, but doesn’t quite reach the same atmospheric heights as the earlier instalments.
Lucas is on assignment with the AFP in Berlin, chasing down his longtime enemy Stefan Markovich—the drug kingpin who nearly had him killed. It's personal, and it's possibly Lucas’s last chance to bring him to justice. Meanwhile, Barbara is drawn into a chilling murder investigation at a lakeside colony, where victims suffer a slow, torturous death. As their cases collide, so do their unresolved feelings for each other, in a story that’s equal parts procedural and emotional reckoning.
I’ve loved this series since the beginning, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC—Nemesis is absolutely one I would’ve bought myself. We finally get a long-awaited reunion between Lucas and Barbara (since the end of Book 1!), but it didn’t quite deliver the closure I’d hoped for. There’s undeniable romantic longing—some of it breathtaking—but the “will they/won’t they” dynamic is still frustratingly unresolved.
One of my favourite aspects of the series has always been the vivid settings. That felt missing here. I struggled to visualise the lakeside colony, and the German setting as a whole lacked the immersive detail we saw in previous books. A bit of context around the German legal system (like formal accusations, the prosecutor’s role, etc.) would’ve helped deepen the narrative.
The Stasi angle was a fascinating touch—but only briefly explored—and I really wish it had been given more weight. A refresher on the Lucas/Markovich backstory would’ve been useful too. It’s been a while since Book 1, and the details felt a little fuzzy.
Also, things fell a bit too neatly into place: Markovich just happens to be in Berlin, just happens to be connected to Barbara’s case, and Lucas conveniently gets the green light to go investigate. That said, I’m always happy to read about Lucas—though I missed Ginger’s presence! I’m also intrigued to see where the new counterterrorism angle leads in future books.
📚 Thank you to Patricia Wolf, Embla Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Lucas is on assignment with the AFP in Berlin, chasing down his longtime enemy Stefan Markovich—the drug kingpin who nearly had him killed. It's personal, and it's possibly Lucas’s last chance to bring him to justice. Meanwhile, Barbara is drawn into a chilling murder investigation at a lakeside colony, where victims suffer a slow, torturous death. As their cases collide, so do their unresolved feelings for each other, in a story that’s equal parts procedural and emotional reckoning.
I’ve loved this series since the beginning, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC—Nemesis is absolutely one I would’ve bought myself. We finally get a long-awaited reunion between Lucas and Barbara (since the end of Book 1!), but it didn’t quite deliver the closure I’d hoped for. There’s undeniable romantic longing—some of it breathtaking—but the “will they/won’t they” dynamic is still frustratingly unresolved.
One of my favourite aspects of the series has always been the vivid settings. That felt missing here. I struggled to visualise the lakeside colony, and the German setting as a whole lacked the immersive detail we saw in previous books. A bit of context around the German legal system (like formal accusations, the prosecutor’s role, etc.) would’ve helped deepen the narrative.
The Stasi angle was a fascinating touch—but only briefly explored—and I really wish it had been given more weight. A refresher on the Lucas/Markovich backstory would’ve been useful too. It’s been a while since Book 1, and the details felt a little fuzzy.
Also, things fell a bit too neatly into place: Markovich just happens to be in Berlin, just happens to be connected to Barbara’s case, and Lucas conveniently gets the green light to go investigate. That said, I’m always happy to read about Lucas—though I missed Ginger’s presence! I’m also intrigued to see where the new counterterrorism angle leads in future books.
📚 Thank you to Patricia Wolf, Embla Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
May 13, 2025
This eARC was received from Netgalley.com, and I am providing an unbiased review.
This is the fourth book in the DS Walker series, and there is a bit of a twist. Walker is working on doing a transfer within the force, but before he can work it all out, he receives information on the Vandals leader he has been searching for. Turns out he is in Germany, and whilst working out a deal between his current boss, and the new one, Walker manages to get a trip to Germany to assist with the capture of the Vandals leader. This brings in to play the lady Barbara, whom he had happened to help locate her sister in a previous book.
Though the romance seems to go no where throughout the story, it moves along. The German police don't seem to want to assist, Barbara (also an officer) is working her own murder case, and somehow it gets to where they are sharing the details with each other as if with only Walker's help could she solve it.
Truthfully, I enjoyed there being another DS Walker book, but this one seemed pretty boring. I felt it just stagnated and the ending was not as impressive as it may have been. Still would like to see if this series could go farther, now that Walker has transferred depts.
This is the fourth book in the DS Walker series, and there is a bit of a twist. Walker is working on doing a transfer within the force, but before he can work it all out, he receives information on the Vandals leader he has been searching for. Turns out he is in Germany, and whilst working out a deal between his current boss, and the new one, Walker manages to get a trip to Germany to assist with the capture of the Vandals leader. This brings in to play the lady Barbara, whom he had happened to help locate her sister in a previous book.
Though the romance seems to go no where throughout the story, it moves along. The German police don't seem to want to assist, Barbara (also an officer) is working her own murder case, and somehow it gets to where they are sharing the details with each other as if with only Walker's help could she solve it.
Truthfully, I enjoyed there being another DS Walker book, but this one seemed pretty boring. I felt it just stagnated and the ending was not as impressive as it may have been. Still would like to see if this series could go farther, now that Walker has transferred depts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
I'm a fan of this series but this one just didn't do it for me. It wasn't the change of setting, and I liked Barbara back in the books but it was a leap too far to think a detective would go undercover then spend half his time hanging around with another detective and be surprised that anyone followed him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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