Karen Chisholm
REVIEW
STAGE FRIGHT - Marianne Delacourt
Reviewed By
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The HK Monaro wormed it's way into my heart in 1968. Bathurst, Bruce McPhee, Hardie-Ferodo, pole position and the race lap record at that time. A life-long love of those cars was started on the lino of the kitchen in South-West Victoria, shouting at a dodgy TV telecast, enthralled. Sure, my teenage years saw a shift in preference to the HG model, and I would always opt for the dark purple HG with the sidewinder stripes and, of course, the GTS 350, with the stiffened suspension and the power front disc brakes. Alas I suspect that passion is about the only thing that Tara Sharp and I would ever share. As far as STAGE FRIGHT was concerned, the Monaro had me at the very first book. The aura reading, the sense of humour and the madcap "antics" not so much.
STAGE FRIGHT fits right into that sub-genre of crime fiction that includes the Stephanie Plum books, and my particular favourite, the Grace Smith series. Whilst the best of that sub-genre can be hilarious and hugely entertaining, the worst is a tad too forced, often times a little overtly twee and predictable for my liking. They are undoubtedly books for readers who prefer their crime delivered with a hefty dose of dressing up. Chick lit with bodies and a bit of high camp fem-jep.
The Tara Sharp series is going to have it's fans, and if you happen to like the Plum books in particular, something that's got a similar feeling and tone set locally is a very good thing. You will have to have a tolerance for a lot of aura reading, and not mind the occasional bit of romantic tension and heavy-handed humour, but if that's you, then you really should give the local product a go.
STAGE FRIGHT is the third book in the Tara Sharp series. SHARP SHOOTER is the first, SHARP TURN the second.
BOOK DETAILS
BOOK INFORMATION
BLURB
Tara Sharp is back in this frightening foray into the music industry.
Things are a bit hot for Tara Sharp in her home town of Perth, so she jumps at the chance to leave town when a music promoter offers her a gig looking after a difficult musician who's touring Brisbane.
Though minding musicians isn't Tara's usual line of work, the money is good and she's a sucker for a backstage pass. Respite from her mother - with her not-so-subtle hints about 'eligible young men' and 'suitable jobs' - is also a plus, as is the time and distance to try to resolve her mixed up romantic life.
Arriving in 'BrisVegas', Tara finds her hands full dealing with the bizarre habits of the 'artist', not to mention his crazy fans. And it's not long before she discovers that the music industry can be more cut-throat than she imagined and it can be very dangerous messing with the big boys...
| Review | STAGE FRIGHT - Marianne Delacourt | Karen Chisholm
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012 |
| Blog | Currently Reading - Stage Fright, Marianne Delacourt | Karen Chisholm
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012 |