Aussie Book Review: Stage Fright by Marianne Delacourt #aww2012
Stage Fright (Tara Sharp #3) by Marianne Delacourt Paperback Review copy provided by publisher Allen & Unwin, September 2012 Synopsis- 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 is the third explosive installment in the Tara Sharp P.I series by Australian author, Marianne Delacourt. Stage Fright may stray from the bright fun covers of the former two titles but it does not disappoint with the aura reading Tara Sharp getting up to more ridiculous antics and getting on the radar of Australia’s most powerful men.In an attempt to escape the attention of Viaspa (who tried to have Tara killed in the last book) in Perth, Tara accepts an investigative job in Brisbane (“BrisVegas”) consulting for a music promoter who is hosting Slim Sledge- a big U.S rapper. She befriends a bikie on the plane and manages to dodge Viaspa at the airport just in time- he just happens to be on the same flight to Brisbane!Tozzi isn’t far from her mind, the married man she’s had her eye on in the first two books but vows he is dedicated to his marriage to his coke-addicted wife- Tara hopes to stay out of his way for a while- Brisbane is the perfect excuse. Plus, her young on again off again model boyfriend Ed is working in the sunny state and Tara has to decide whether to move their relationship forward or not.In classic Tara Sharp fashion she ends up in the most ridiculous situations in Brisbane- boarding with a clairescent (a clairvoyant whose skill is reading smells), getting beat up while holding a skinned duck in her hand, taking a job as a hostess in a strip club, befriending an emotionally fragile rapper- plus avoiding the one of a list long of enemies that want her out of the way, permanently.I really enjoyed Stage Fright, despite the outrageous situations Tara ends up in she always pulls through and shows everyone she’s not as flippant as she seems. I like that Delacourt mixed up the setting a bit by jetting Tara off to Brisbane and it was fun seeing the differences between her lifestyle in Perth and that of Brisbane. Though I do hope Tara is back in Perth for the next book as I’d like to see more of Cass and Wal and Tozzi.I think her romance with Ed is sweet, but I do feel sorry for him at times because Tara’s heart isn’t really in it (it’s with Tozzi) and she always seems to leave Ed hanging. The cliffhanger ending pertaining to Tara’s love life was just plain mean… because now I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next!A fast-paced, laugh out loud Australian mystery series that will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.Read my review for Sharp Shooter (#1) and Sharp Turn (#2).
Overall Rating
4/5
“I loved this book!”
Stage Fright can be purchased from Fishpond and other leading book retailers
About the author: Marianne Delacourt is the alter ego of internationally published SF writer Marianne de Pierres.Marianne Delacourt is the lighter, funnier naughtier side of Marianne de Pierres who is renowned for the dark satire in her SF writing.You can read about Marianne's books at www.mariannedepierres.com and www.burnbright.com.auand www.tarasharp.com
More titles in the Tara Sharp series:
This book was read as part of the AWW2012 challenge: