Crocodile Beat

by Christoffer Petersen

A chance discovery of a dead police Sergeant from the city in a tiny creek in the MacDonnell Ranges attracts the attention of the Australian Federal Police and the media. But when the case goes cold and the media lose interest, Detective Braidyn Clancy is left alone to solve the mystery of the dead policeman, and deal with the growing number of missing persons cases piling up on her dusty desk. When new evidence and rumours begin to link the investigations, Braidyn enlists the help of the local Aboriginal Police Officer to interview the community. Each step of the investigation adds to the mystery surrounding the dead policeman, and as Braidyn digs deeper she uncovers links to her own Aboriginal past. While Braidyn explores her own identity, her superiors begin to question her loyalty as new evidence surrounding the murder points to local involvement. Under the scrutiny of her superiors, and with her every move tracked and observed by the community, Braidyn’s lonely and isolated position, pushes her to the limit, until another body is discovered, and the investigation takes a chilling and dangerous turn. Crocodile Beat drags the reader through the heat, flies and dust of the Australian Outback, with no chance to cool down as the investigation heats up and the action intensifies, all the way to the dramatic climax. Crocodile Beat is the first in a series of gritty police procedurals firmly rooted in the genre of Outback Noir. Pick up Crocodile Beat and explore the darker side of Australia today!

Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2022

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crocodile Beat is another entertaining, fast paced and exciting, novel length installment in the Greenland Missing Persons series.  Constable Petra is supposed to be on a work-conference-holiday in Darwin, Australia, but things don't work out that way.  Especially when Petra stumbles onto the Southern half of a criminal gang that her fellow officers are dealing with in Greenland and Amsterdam.  As always, the Greenland escapades with sled-dogs and Maratse were entertaining and much better than any car chases.  While Petra doesn't do quite as much detecting as usual, her intelligence and empathy are important contributions.    

[Leslie Lovejoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the Petra Jensen books but this one was initially interesting, but then it became a story of the cruelty of women being kidnapped and trafficked. It was good to see some of the main characters being their complex selves but Petra's usual abilities were lost in the fog of story telling in odd locations. I guess the author needed to expand the universal reach of Petra solving mysteries. I will continue to follow Petra and her friends in future adventures.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crocodile Beat

I have enjoyed every book of Chris’s I have read but this one more so than most, due to the combination of having my 2 favourite characters (the irascible David Maratse and the ever surprising Petra Jensen. A well crafted plot with some neat surprises and being part set in Australia added something extra.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty; fast paced storytelling - almost like two stories in one that interlinked between the Artic and The vast Australian Northern Territory..There's something special about this writing as Christoffer Petersen blends the coldness of a killer with the beauty of good souls ...Qujang Mr Petersen ..Another great standalone ..

[Sandra L · Rating 5 out of 5]

great adventure tale

This book is Christoffer at his best. I loved all the characters and they propelled the non stop action. Petra has been my favorite heroine. I have read all the authors books and this is a stand out!

[Teri Heyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I've been to Australia and have wandered through Kakadu, so I have to say Crocodile Beat is spot on. Kudos for author Christoffer Petersen.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Petra goes postal and wins

Interesting read. I've been to both Greenland and Australia a few times and the authors rendition of both locations is surprisingly accurate.