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I was enthralled. An absolutely great read. Vicki Tyley's characters are so real, with human failings that we can all relate to. In addition to her delicious and exciting mystery writing, is the added element of a nice touch of romance. Another triumph!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tim_Frost
Posted February 23, 2011
This is the third page-turner by Australian author Vicki Tyley that I have read, and I must say it's the best ever, in my opinion. Jemma Dalton flies to Melbourne to sort out the affairs of her sister Tanya, who has died in tragic circumstances. In a strange city, outside her comfort zone, pretty Jemma soon attracts attention. But who are these men who are taking such an interest in her? She's only recently separated from her boyfriend, and with her sister's death fresh in her memory she's certainly in no mood for romantic liaisons. Jemma becomes convinced that there is more to Tanya's death than has emerged. But no one seems to share her concerns. Then unpleasant and scary things start to happen, and she finds something sinister hidden in her sister's apartment that confirms her worst suspicions. Events then spiral quickly out of control, and soon Jemma is in fear of her own life. Can she get to the truth before someone gets to her? With 'Brittle Shadows', Ms Tyley shows that she has completely mastered her craft. Gone are the multiple viewpoints of earlier novels, to be replaced with a focused single third-person viewpoint. This is harder to write, but builds tension more effectively. I liked the Melbourne setting. What a great place it sounds. Everyone is always eating out at chic restaurants and wine bars, or strolling around in manicured parks. I want to go there! It makes a refreshing change from London, New York and the other usual urban haunts. Jemma is a likeable and dogged heroine. There were a couple of occasions when I wanted to take her aside, grab her by the shoulders and say, 'Just because a man turns up wearing a mossy-scented aftershave and carrying a picnic basket, it doesn't mean you have to go to the park with him!' But she does start to wise up in the second half, so I'll let her off. The book is a little grittier than the others of Ms Tyley's that I have read. That said, there's no need to hide it from your teenage daughter. I would give it a 13 rating. There's a totally unexpected twist at the end of the story that ties up all the loose ends. Vicki Tyley reigns supreme over a genre which she has practically invented, 'Urban Aussie Amateur Female Sleuth' (Amazon should introduce that as a category). I can highly recommend 'Brittle Shadows' to anyone looking for an exciting, fast paced read with a satisfying conclusion.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GraceKrispy
Posted January 20, 2011
A tragedy surrounded by controversy leads a devastated fiance to her own deadly act, and her shattered sister is left to pick up the pieces. Something just doesn't seem right about the circumstances surrounding her sister's death, and Jemma is determined to discover what that is. Despite veiled threats and mysterious events, Jemma persists in following the clues to their inevitable ending. If she trusts the wrong person along the way, she may not live long enough to put all the pieces together...
As with Vicki Tyley's other books, this book grips you from the very first scene, setting up a ride that twists and turns until the very end. New clues lead to potential suspects, and it's anyone's guess as to the who, what, and, most importantly for the reader, the why. As I read, I constantly formulated and dismissed perpetrators and motivations, as each page turn brought me closer to the surprise ending. Along the way, I fingered the right person, only to change my mind a few pages later. This book manages to get the reader to become an active participant in the story, and that always makes for an enjoyable read.
The characters were defined nicely, and I felt I really got to know each of them. I could genuinely relate to Jemma, and I felt liked her character. Through her eyes, I was able to get to know the other characters a little more, including the sister who was tragically lost. The writing style is fluid, for the most part, and very readable. The book has that "fun factor;" interesting and enjoyable, and difficult to put down before you've devoured every bit.
Although I really enjoyed the overall story, the jumps between many of the chapters was somewhat bothersome. I also noted this when I reviewed one of her previous releases, "Sleight Malice." Some chapters would end in a bit of a cliff-hanger, but the next chapter started hours after the cliff-hanger had been resolved. When this happens, the readers miss out on experiencing the anxiety and intensity along with the main characters, and it takes us away from that sense of being present. I'm present right up to the cliff-hanger, then I feel detached as I struggle to figure out what's happened. It's akin to having a brief blackout and then trying to recreate what you must have missed. An effective technique when used sparingly, but somewhat disconcerting when used with relative frequency.
Overall, a recommended read. A Vicki Tyley book is always a good bet, and I look forward to each new release!
@MotherLode blog
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GuidoHenkel
Posted December 14, 2010
From the get-go it is evident that Vicki Tyley's latest thriller, "Brittle Shadows" is a much edgier affair than her previous books. Diving right into the story, Tyley doesn't hold back any punches and goes straight for the jugular, and you can feel the tension that is building in every page.
Pulling back a little after the opening chapter to establish a frame of reference and to drop in some backstory, one could be fooled by thinking that the worst is over, and yet, steadily the plot thickens once more and Tyley hits the reader over the head with a remarkably sophisticated and intriguing murder mystery.
Making good use of her own high tech background, Tyley manages to weave a story that involves state of the art technology as the protagonist, Jemma Dalton, tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of her sister. Filled with surprises and unexpected developments, the story will always offer something that you did not quite expect, all the way to the end.
This is clearly another winner from Vicki Tyley. With every new book shoe proves that she has the prowess, the imagination and the chops to play with the biggest boys in the genre. Do not miss this truly effective and captivating thriller!
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Posted December 20, 2011
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Overview
"Tyley is a master at weaving a complex, multilayered plot." --BigAl's Books and Pals
When soon-to-be-wed Tanya Clark is confronted with her fiancé's naked corpse hanging from a wardrobe rail in the upmarket Melbourne apartment they share, her life is torn apart. Two months later, distraught and ...