Croc Country in Aussie Readers

Jul 12, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2020-release, reviewing-by-request, contemporary-fiction, own-read, arc, mystery

It had been two years since Tilly had lost her husband and two-year-old daughter Francie; two years of grief and heartache which wouldn’t leave her. She worked at Binboona Wildlife Sanctuary in the Gulf Country, where the campsite and its tourists kept her busy. Tilly loved working with the orphaned wildlife and the beauty of the stark, isolated wilderness was a balm to her soul. Her aunt Sophie was the boss at Binboona, while Luke was a ranger and Matt the handyman. Tilly worked in the house ma ...more

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Jul 20, 2020 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: provided-by-publisher, aussie-author, arc-are

Croc Country is an engaging novel blending romance and suspense from Kerry McGinnis.

After the tragic drowning of her husband and toddler daughter, Tilly left Queensland to become the house manager for the rangers of Binboona Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Northern Territory’s Gulf country. She finds solace in her routine, but when two policeman arrive and suggest not only that her husband may still be alive but possibly near by, Tilly is stunned. While refusing to believe such a betrayal possible, w Croc Country is an engaging novel blending romance and suspense from Kerry McGinnis.

After the tragic drowning of her husband and toddler daughter, Tilly left Queensland to become the house manager for the rangers of Binboona Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Northern Territory’s Gulf country. She finds solace in her routine, but when two policeman arrive and suggest not only that her husband may still be alive but possibly near by, Tilly is stunned. While refusing to believe such a betrayal possible, when Tilly and ranger Luke discover evidence of wildlife smuggling, and visiting botanist Connor makes a confession, she is forced to face the ghosts of her past.

McGinnis develops a strong and interesting plot of intrigue in Croc Country involving smuggling, corruption and murder. I thought the intersection of various agencies was quite unique and the the action was well paced, tense, and exciting. While honestly Tilly’s husbands involvement is a bit of a stretch, it’s a minor flaw.

I liked the mix of characters, particularly non nonsense Sophie and enthusiastic ranger, and twitcher, Luke. The romance that develops between Tilly and Connor is a pleasant, low key element of the story. As they are quite a young couple, I found the old fashioned endearments between them a little awkward though.

Though Binboona Wildlife Sanctuary is fictional, McGinnis places it in the east of the Gulf, near The Lost City, the site of ancient sandstone pillars. While vivid description from the author brings the beautiful landscape to life, she also details the work of the rangers in preserving it. They are kept busy with numerous tasks including land maintenance, wildlife protection, and hosting a seasonal influx of tourists, which I liked learning more about.

I was waiting for a crocodile to make an appearance in truth, but instead we meet a canny butcherbird, an injured brolga, a trio of orphaned joey’s, a sweet sugar glider, and a rare bat, along with the odd snake which slithers by.

Croc Country is my favourite of McGinnis’s bestselling novels so far
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Oct 21, 2020 Helen rated it it was amazing

I do love a good romantic suspense and the title pulled me in and I do love reading new to me authors and I loved this one, action with packed lots going on, fabulous characters and the setting is fabulous and it is set on a wildlife sanctuary in the gulf country. It had me turning the pages to find out what was happening and really liked Tilly and the strength she shows after what she has been through, this is a book to pick clear the decks though because you won’t want to put it down.

Tilly has I do love a good romantic suspense and the title pulled me in and I do love reading new to me authors and I loved this one, action with packed lots going on, fabulous characters and the setting is fabulous and it is set on a wildlife sanctuary in the gulf country. It had me turning the pages to find out what was happening and really liked Tilly and the strength she shows after what she has been through, this is a book to pick clear the decks though because you won’t want to put it down.

Tilly has been working as housekeeper at Binboona Wildlife Sanctuary, looking after the rangers and the wildlife that is bought in after being injured, she arrived two years before after a terrible tragedy in which she lost her husband and daughter at sea. All is well until the police come to see her asking about her husband Gerry and then everything seems to be turned upside down, then botanist Conner Doyle arrives Tilly gets more confused wondering who she can trust and who not too trust.

Tilly is training to be a ranger now and spends a lot of time with Conner out and about checking for plants and weeds, Conner asks a lot of questions about the other people who are living there which doesn’t sit well with her and then when Luke one of the other rangers and Tilly are out checking the caves they find evidence of wildlife smuggling and now nothings seems to be safe for Tilly, danger is lurking around every corner and she finds out more about Conner as they get to know each other and Tilly is right in the mix of things while trying to end the wildlife smuggling as well as a few other non- legal operations.

I really loved this story Kerry McGuiness has taken me on a trip to gulf country and shown me how beautiful it can be and how dangerous when you have evil people doing things that they should not, I was on the edge of my seat reading this one. As Tilly and Conner get closer and their feelings became clear it was really good to see them both get a beautiful HEA against the backdrop and murder and mayhem, Tilly showed such strength with everything that was going on and the other characters added so much to the story. This is the first of MS McGinnis’s books that I have read but it won’t be the last. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for my copy to read. ...more

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Nov 28, 2020 Kellie Schache marked it as to-read

Shelves: own

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Aug 19, 2022 Joanie rated it it was ok

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