Post by JM on Sept 8, 2009 2:59:50 GMT
Sharp Shooter: The first thing I want to say about this book is that it is the kind of book every author wishes they could write, something that reflects who the author really is but is still written so well that the story holds itself up. I've been following Marianne's career for what's coming up to five years now and I'm getting to know her pretty well both from chatting with her online and in person and because I've seen her style evolve in real time. This book is Marianne (De Pierres/Delacourt, whatever she chooses to go by at the time) and it contains the same kind of energy and real world cynicism along with a few of her favorite activities.
Sharp shooter is a mystery set in modern-day Perth. It deals with some of the seedier sides of Australian culture and often with our multicultural heritage; Crime bosses, disturbing relationships and some rather imaginative notions about body language included.
This novel is completely Australian in every way, the characters are varied and usually gritty in some way, the settings are familiar to any Aussie (even those not from Perth, where the book is based), and the dialogue is punchy with a mesh of random ethnic backgrounds.
The main character, Tara, is somewhat typical of Marianne's earlier work with the Nylon Angel series. That is she is a strong and unconventional female lead thrust into rather complicated issues. The secondary characters each demand meaures of sympathy and laughter, providing Tara with a range of support skills that assist in the story but don't go so far as to be the solution themselves. Even the bit characters are well written enough to eliccit reactions, some being aggressive and cunning, and others just providing amusing little side details and occasional sub-plots following the story along.
Now this book does have a paranormal element to it, as this is the first book in what will hopefully be a long running series that element is not so much a crutial factor but more of a narrative device to give the story a very intresting push in the right direction, so don't let that turn you away from what is truly a very fun read.
The book is fast paced and offers substantial enjoyment throughout. Little is wasted and by the end you can just feel the potential for a sequal, which I know from experience will prove to be at least as good as this one.
Sharp shooter is a mystery set in modern-day Perth. It deals with some of the seedier sides of Australian culture and often with our multicultural heritage; Crime bosses, disturbing relationships and some rather imaginative notions about body language included.
This novel is completely Australian in every way, the characters are varied and usually gritty in some way, the settings are familiar to any Aussie (even those not from Perth, where the book is based), and the dialogue is punchy with a mesh of random ethnic backgrounds.
The main character, Tara, is somewhat typical of Marianne's earlier work with the Nylon Angel series. That is she is a strong and unconventional female lead thrust into rather complicated issues. The secondary characters each demand meaures of sympathy and laughter, providing Tara with a range of support skills that assist in the story but don't go so far as to be the solution themselves. Even the bit characters are well written enough to eliccit reactions, some being aggressive and cunning, and others just providing amusing little side details and occasional sub-plots following the story along.
Now this book does have a paranormal element to it, as this is the first book in what will hopefully be a long running series that element is not so much a crutial factor but more of a narrative device to give the story a very intresting push in the right direction, so don't let that turn you away from what is truly a very fun read.
The book is fast paced and offers substantial enjoyment throughout. Little is wasted and by the end you can just feel the potential for a sequal, which I know from experience will prove to be at least as good as this one.