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The Oz Files #1

Broometime Serenade

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When authorities fail to identify human remains uncovered after a cyclone ravages the Western Australian coastline, Martin and Claire are sent to Broome, a popular holiday destination, far from major population centres. Posing as new arrivals, the SOC agents (offshoot of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) attempt to merge with the locals in an effort to solve the baffling case and bring the killer to justice. ~ Lulled by the soporific influences of the sun, sand and surf-known by the locals as the 'Serenade of Broome'-time seems to have no meaning for the two agents, and the investigation drifts from one location to another as they follow a trail of bodies designed to confuse and distract them from their real business in this tropical paradise. ~ Little do they know their every move is being watched by an enemy who is both ruthless and deadly, a powerful, sadistic enemy who enjoys toying with others' lives before despatching them in the most horrifying manner imaginable. As the clues lead them first one way then the other, they fall deeper and deeper into the trap set for them. ~ By the time they uncover the truth, they will begin to doubt everything they know and face their greatest challenge to date.

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First published December 1, 2014

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About the author

Barry Metcalf

6 books10 followers
Born in 1943 to a working class family with middle class aspirations, I began writing stories while at school, finally venturing into novels when I retired from teaching in 1997. The result was a series of mystery/thriller novels set in Australia and featuring two unorthodox investigators who work for the fictional Strange & Obscure Cases (SOC) Unit, an autonomous offshoot of ASIO.

Encouraged by positive feedback, the stories flow freely and usually reflect my bizarre sense of reality and weird humour. When the muse's ego is bruised, I bide my time, reworking old short stories into Sci-Fi novels and waiting for new ideas to evolve. The longest time I've gone without writing anything new was eighteen months, but when the drought broke, the words flowed thick and fast.

Three times married with four children, I live in Morwell, Victoria, Australia.

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5 stars
11 (39%)
4 stars
7 (25%)
3 stars
6 (21%)
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1 (3%)
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3 (10%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Rabid Reader.
959 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2019
Set in Australia, this paranormal murder mystery will keep you entertained with an unusual mix of suspense and the supernatural. When a hurricane reveals an unidentified skeletal body, Claire and Martin (x-file type undercover agents) are sent in to investigate and become caught up in a much more complicated plot.
This is an entertaining story with suspense, murder, red herrings, magic and romance. The descriptive writing and the good narration give you visual images and the use of colloquialisms paired with the accent the narrator used, all added to the Australia feel of the story. Claire and Martin are interesting characters, but their romance seemed a little contrived to me. I also got the feeling that there was past history between the two of them and the antagonist, which, I found it a bit confusing as this is labeled as the first book in the series. Overall, this is an entertaining supernatural murder mystery that has also gives some interesting descriptions of the history, geography and culture of the area.
Profile Image for C.L..
Author 12 books196 followers
August 3, 2015
Want an unconventional adventure that will keep you reading and waving off people with, "Just one more chapter!"? Then you want to read anything by Mr. Metcalf, but rather specifically "Broomtime Serenade"!

Follow Martin and Claire as they find themselves smack dab in the middle of a peculiar mystery with bad ass villians like Wanda! No spoilers, but definitely pick it up today! Think X-Files with an amazing Aussie twist!
Profile Image for Mishael.
Author 20 books48 followers
February 27, 2019
This was a great book. A well-written thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat ... and reading it really makes you feel like you're Down Under.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,880 reviews1,675 followers
July 17, 2015
This book takes place in Northern Australia .... someplace I've always wanted to visit. The book is very descriptive and I can see in my mind's eye exactly what the author was going for. The dialogue is very clear, even with unique Australian colloquialisms.

The story itself is well written and thought out. There were a few moments when reading that the descriptions seemed to have taken over the suspense, but since I actually enjoyed reading about the culture, history, etc., the overlong descriptions did not bother me.

Not having read the first in the series, I was surprised by the arrival of a mysterious witch who possesses magical powers. I'm still not sure how I feel about witch Wanda.

The back and forth between the two protagonists, Martin and Claire, are a little muddled. They seem to be quite intelligent, and even funny at times during their investigation of a killer, but the personal relationship didn't ring quite true for me. Maybe that's a male author trying to write a woman's point of view without having a woman guide him, somewhat.

Not a bad book at all. I may check out the next in the series, to see if some of these things have been improved upon.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
596 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2015
Wonderful story; mystery, suspense and some romance portrayed by captivating characters in a tropical paradise. Very well written, I could easily place myself in the story along with Martin and Claire as they pieced together the puzzle and once again foiled the witch Wanda Jean attempt at world domination. Highly recommend reading, I’m planning on going back and reading the first one now! Martin and Claire are agents for a government sect similar to the X-Files (yeah they get the REALLY weird stuff), they are sent to Broome undercover to investigate skeletons that were found after a strange cyclone (one they suspect may have been influenced by a witch they have encountered before). At first clues are few and far between but as things start to come together they come to the conclusion they are again up against the witch Wanda Jean and the chase is on.
73 reviews3 followers
September 7, 2015
This book was brilliant. It had a fantastic plot that just kept me turning the pages, it made me frustrated that real life had to interfere with my reading time! The characters were believable, and I liked how the story was told from the point of view of both the good guys and the bad guys, it put an interesting perspective on a thriller for me, where I had always enjoyed a good who dunnit where you find out who the bad guy is at the end rather than knowing all along. I can't wait to pick up another book by Barry Metcalfe.
Profile Image for Hannah.
215 reviews1 follower
September 18, 2015
Broometime serenade was a very well written book. I loved it! If you like mystery then I would definitely recommend it. This book is set in Australia and though I have never been there, the description of everything made me want to visit. The main characters, Claire and Martin, travel to Broome where they search for a murderer and fall into a trap set by the witch, Wanda Jean. Also the name and the fact there was a witch cracked me up (Broome - broom)not sure if that was on purpose. It's so much fun to read this book and try to figure out what will happen next. Great book and well written.
Profile Image for Barry.
Author 6 books10 followers
December 10, 2014
If you love Australia but can't afford the airfare, you'll adore my latest murder/mystery/suspense thriller.

Let Martin and Claire take you on the journey of a lifetime as they search for a killer in the tropical paradise of Broome, located on the isolated coastline of Western Australia. Meet local identities, visit famous tourist attractions and enjoy the sun, surf, sand and laid-back lifestyle.

After reading this you might just want to save your pennies and visit.
Profile Image for Hannah.
215 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2015
Broometime serenade was a very well written book. I loved it! If you like mystery then I would definitely recommend it. This book is set in Australia and though I have never been there, the description of everything made me want to visit. The main characters, Claire and Martin, travel to Broome where they search for a murderer and fall into a trap set by the witch Wanda Jean. It's so much fun to read this book and try to figure out what will happen next. Great book and well written.
5,700 reviews36 followers
August 19, 2015
I enjoyed this. The mystery, the adventure all of it was very interesting. The descriptions were amazing and made me feel as if I was there even though I've never been. I am very glad I got to review this one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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