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Outback cover art

Outback

By: Patricia Wolf
Narrated by: Adam Fitzgerald
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Publisher's Summary

The Number 1 Internationally Bestselling Ebook, perfect for fans of The Dry by Jane Harper.

Longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger Award 2023

TWO MISSING BACKPACKERS. ONE VAST OUTBACK.

DS Lucas Walker is on leave in his hometown, Caloodie, taking care of his dying grandmother. When two young German backpackers, Berndt and Rita, vanish from the area, he finds himself unofficially on the case. 

But why all the interest from the Federal Police when they have probably just ditched the heat and dust of the outback for the coast? Working in the organised crime unit has opened Walker's eyes to the growing drug trade in Australia's remote interior - and he becomes convinced there is more at play.

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.

Their search becomes ever more urgent as temperatures soar. Even if Walker does find the young couple, will it be too late?

This deeply atmospheric thriller is the gripping opening of a new crime series for fans of Cara Hunter and Chris Whitaker.

Longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger Award 2023.

©2022 Patricia Wolf (P)2022 Bonnier Books UK

Critic Reviews

'Tense, gripping and atmospheric' - CHRIS WHITAKER

'Gripped me from its shocking start' - SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT 

'I highly recommend it' - LYNDA LA PLANTE CBE

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What listeners say about Outback

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ok story but tired old tropes

The Author hails from outback Queensland yet uses the one stereo type to describe and provide any depth to outback persons and Characters, being suspicious, anti authoritarian, gruff and generally dumb. Yet hailing from this area myself they are actually generally friendly, educated and highly approving and supporting of police. It’s a given that when writing a crime story that some people should be described as the former, but all of them? The story is frustratingly shallow on occasions and the police decidedly wanting. The worst is that the research is shallow to the most basic of police terminology and structure. Either way it gets you to the end but not really wanting more.

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Good thriller for a 12year old.

Jeepers I nodded off more times than I’d like too admit. That German accent for Babs made my ears bleed. Not a fan of this author.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Australian outback read

I really enjoyed this book, couldn’t put it down at the end. I like the fact that it will probably follow with a continuation of elements of the story in the next book.
Fans of Jane Harper will probably enjoy it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Aussie Story and fantastic narration

I really enjoyed this book and could relate to the descriptions of the Aussie outback. Great story - I look forward to reading more books by Patricia and definitely more narration by Adam

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loved it, brilliant, edge of your seat.

Brilliant, edge of your seat, couldn't wait to find out what was happening next.
The story had me right from the start.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed Outback very much

Loved setting very authentic of Out back Australia
Very well narrated byAdam
Fitzgerald
Story 4.5 performance 4.5

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    4 out of 5 stars
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An easy listen

I quite enjoyed this & although not a new concept, was still well written. The narration of the German accent wasn’t great but you get used to it.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The idea was there but the story failed

Very basic book. Good for those looking for a simple story. I’m Australian so all the Australian references felt forced and corny but might be good for other countries to read. This book is good if you want to understand the true harsh reality of Australia.
I was drawn to the fact that no one talks about missing people in the outback, it’s eerie and frightening and it could happen to anyone, but unfortunately this was a bit too simple to hit the mark.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, terrible accents

Great story that keeps you on edge but the attempt of a German accent by the narrator is just horrendous

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping story

Really loved it, stayed up late last night to find out what happens in the end!
The only criticism I have is that as an Australian the constant use of the cliché Aussie culture got a bit tiring, for example the types of biscuits and the sausage rolls, we don’t all eat like that all the time! But someone who’s not Australian might find that aspect more interesting.

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  • Jay
  • 21-01-2023

Ok I guess…

Ok listen. Way too long and just ok story. Got good last 2 hours! I’d skip if I had it over to do… save your credit!

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Amanda
  • 08-10-2023

Flat

The characters and the story are really one dimensional to me. This feels like the author picked a very generic crime novel outline, then filled in the details as if it were a writing assignment. None of the characters are very complex. As they are presented in the story, their identities and motivations are summarized, leaving no room for interpretation. Even the bad guy gets a corny little summary about how his childhood made him the way he is. The cheap references to the impacts of climate change and the unfair treatment of indigenous peoples seem tacked on and insincere. It all just fell flat for me.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Jane H.
  • 26-10-2023

Loved this one


Suspense is excellent It kept me up almost all night. The characters were well developed, and the story was original.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 24-10-2023

Captivating

Captivating from start to finish! The end had me hanging on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to read the next one!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Stacey C.
  • 02-10-2023

Great listen

Really enjoyed this book and I am going to download the next book in this series!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Linda Woodard
  • 26-06-2023

An enjoyable read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have been to Australia, and that gave an extra bonus because I could relate to the setting. I like the main character and I look forward to reading more about Lucas Walker.

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  • Melissa
  • 08-12-2022

Disappointing

An ok story with competent narration. I’d just finished listening to Wake so I was in the mood for another book set in the Australian outback. I would highly recommend Wake. If you want a book to help you pass a few hours then Outback will do that but it drags on and is quite tedious in parts. By the end I really didn’t care what happened to the characters. It’s sounds like the beginning of a series but I won’t be wasting my credits with another book by this author.

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16 people found this helpful

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  • Rubyrose
  • 28-02-2023

Gripped

This was such a good book. It's strong on all the areas I look for. It's a story that happens within the strong context of a landscape that is a power in its own right. The characters either belong there or are the visitors and tourists who don't realise what it takes to live in such a climate and landscape. The characters are strong and pull the reader into the story. Family and community are themes through out and I found the plot engrossing.

One review mentioned that the story lost momentum in the middle part. I think there is a part where there seem to be no leads in the investigation. For me it seemed to bring out how hard life can be in the Australian Outback after a decade of drought and it made the story stronger.

The narration is excellent. So I'm very satisfied and waiting for the next book in the series.

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  • Flossie_Chick
  • 15-03-2023

Great story and excellent narration

I loved this story - twisty plot with a lot going on but very believable. One of the best narrators I’ve heard, brilliant at setting a good pace and making all the characters’ voices sound just right.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Mariush
  • 24-06-2023

Really good listening!

I have selected it randomly, as I was looking for something different from non-fiction things, I am usually listening to. Good choice and several hours of enjoyable audiobook. I will probably try to find something more from this author.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Joan
  • 21-06-2023

Excellent.

My husband and I both enjoyed listening to Outback. And Patricia Wolf vividly painted the Australian outback and its people. Highly recommend this book. Joan.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-06-2023

Thrilling all the way

It was a good story which kept my attention throughout. Tense very often and certainly towards the end. Got a real good idea of what an outback town is like!! Not the violent bit, but the dry/dusty/remote/local elements. Might look at other books by thus author now.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 27-05-2023

Note to self

This engaged me enough to read the next book in the series. Likeable characters although the story was pushing the boundaries of realism.

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  • SuzReads
  • 13-04-2023

A gripping debut!

Listened to this book while unwell and was pleased to be whisked away by the atmospheric and descriptive writing to the relentless heat and red dust of the Outback. The audiobook played out in my head like a film and it was easy to imagine the small town life, and the secrets and covert operations that can slip under the radar and go undetected in such a landscape. The story built to a satisfyingly intense crescendo and the narration was excellent. Well done to the author with this gripping debut.

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  • JP
  • 13-02-2023

Good ending but flags a bit in the middle

Chose this because it was one of the recommended titles when I finished my last book.
Reasonable story with vivid feeling of the Outback. Climax was riveting. Pace in the middle section was a bit slow, mostly because the characters weren't fully fleshed out as real people.
Notice that this is a first novel. Maybe needs better editing.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 29-10-2023

Good story with a gripping last few chapter

Enjoyable listening. Soon become invested in the characters. Reader has a listenable voice. Would recommend.

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