Reviews & Quotes

Sharp Shooter

“At times absolutely hilarious, this book [Sharp Shooter] is a fantastic escapist easy read – perfect for a rainy Sunday or a long day at the beach. I read it in a day. Really enjoyable.” Gloss Magazine.

“Sharp Shooter is the first Australian crime novel to successfully venture into Janet Evanovich territory and is a good fun read from beginning to end.” The Canberra Times.

“Tara Sharp is a welcome addition to the pantheon of smart female protagonists. Tara can read people’s auras which occasionally reveal information the owners would rather keep mum. When a new job links Tara to mob boss JohnnyVogue, she enters a dangerous underworld. In a word: feisty.” Gold Coast Bulletin.

“Wonderful, fast moving and laugh out loud, this is a read to get away from the real world.” Manly Daily.

“Sharp Shooter… a fast paced, easy, entertaining read… and positions Delacourt as a female version of Carl Hiassen.” Australian Bookseller and Publisher.

“It’s a lot of fun for a holiday read. In a word: Energetic.”  Townsville Bulletin Top Read.

“Sharp Shooter is the first story featuring Tara, a sassy twenty-something with a knack of landing herself in trouble. Filled with humour, this action packed thriller set in the suburbs of Perth, is billed as targeting fans of Janet Evanovich, and is a satisfying blend of action, mystery and laughs.” aussiereviews.com

“OK, so I have to say upfront that Crime isn’t my usual thing. But Brisbane writer, Marianne Delacourt’s Sharp Shooter was a breezy fun read and about as fast-paced as the Monaro the novel’s heroine, Tara Sharp drives. They’ve packaged the first book to appeal to Janet Evanovich readers, but I found it better written than Evanovich’s stuff, and, well, fresher. Maybe it’s the Perth setting, lovingly drawn, or Tara’s combination of enthusiasm and twenty-something ennui. Tara’s a great character, kick-arse, yes, but also sensitive enough to be compelling. She also has a tendency to get into deeper and deeper trouble, despite, or maybe because of, her almost supernatural gift for reading people. The supporting characters are fun too, the villains are slick and dangerous, the love interest is gorgeous. And the stakes keep on rising. Perth has never looked as sexy – who’d have thought. So, a fast-paced crime thriller with a strong Australian voice, what more could you want heading into the Summer? Fans of Janet Evanovich will quickly become fans of Tara Sharp, the rest of us, can just jump into Mona the Monaro, slip on our seatbelts, and crash along for the ride. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of Tara Sharp in the future.” Avid Reader Bookshop.

Sharp Shooter is the first adventure (but hopefully not the last) of aura-reading, crime-fighting Aussie chick Tara Sharp, who manages to get herself in all sorts of trouble despite the fact she lives at home with her parents & a couple of crazy pet galahs. This genre isn’t my usual read (the cover says for fans of Evanovich – I’ve never read one of her books) but the fast-paced action, humour and cast of nutty characters make reading this book an absolute hoot! It’s set in the author’s home town of Perth, and there are lots of great little Aussie touches. I loved the way the author, Marianne Delacourt, brought all the threads of this crime-fighting mystery together at the end, while, I’m hoping, paving the way for more adventures for this feisty Perth chick. A fun read, perfect for the beach.” We Read

Ticon4 said… “I enoyed reading about Tara’s exploits. She’s not a stereotypical heroine, and doesn’t subscribe to those outdated notions of femininity, no matter what her parents may wish for her! There’s a lot of action, a hint of spicy romance here and there, and more than once I had to apologise to my fellow passengers for snorting with laughter.”

Unley Libraries list Sharp Shooter as a Great Summer Read.

“This book is fast-paced and funny with very likable characters and a good story. The Australian setting and references are an added bonus. I think it could be the first of many Tara Sharp adventures from Marianne Delacourt, pseudonym of science fiction author Marianne de Pierres.” Sunshine Coast Libraries Great Read.

‘Perth-ite Tara Sharp is going through a mid-twenties life crisis, unemployed,  living in the family granny flat, the owner of a Monaro. One other thing - she can see people’s auras.  Naturally she decides to start a self-help group, become a private investigator and take on Perth’s villains. She’s feisty and sassy, and ideal for fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum.’ Gold Coast Libraries.

“This has plenty of humour, real people and action galore. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.” The Southland Times

Sharp Turn

“Light, fast-paced, humorous, and yes, sharp, this Perth-based series is a lot of fun to read.  As the cover declares, Delacourt has created a heroine Janet Evanovich fans will love – only this lanky lady is pure Aussie.  You’ve not met anyone quite like her.’ Tara Moss’s Book Club – 13th Street

‘I’d recommend reading this extract if you’ve never read any of Marianne’s books before and reckon you’ll want to rush out and pick up a copy shortly after.’ The Fringe magazine

Australia’s Marianne Delacourt delivers the laughs and action with her sassy, unorthodox PI Tara Sharp in her novel Sharp Turn.” The Herald Sun.

“Delacourt has invented a Stephanie Plum character who is just as ballsy and loveable but this one lives in Perth and has 2 pet Galahs instead of a hamster. An easy read with multiple story layers, Sharp Turn will keep you guessing till the end, pick it up this summer if you like Janet Evanovich and Val McDermid’s, Blue Genes.” She Said.

“Tara Sharp is a gust of fresh air in the local crime fiction scene. While it is wonderful that our more literary crime writers are finally getting the attention they deserve, there’s still plenty of room for fast-paced commercial female-oriented Australian crime fiction. And Marianne Delacourt (aka sci-fi writer Marianne de Pierres) has certainly nailed that brief.

“Sharp Turn is the second book in this amusing crime/romance series (after Sharp Shooter). Tara is a heroine very much in the tradition of Janet Evanovich—as the cover line points out in very bold type—with a hint of the paranormal. She has an ‘unusual gift’ that allows her to read auras, making the series a good recommendation for readers of paranormal romance looking to move on.

“Tara’s ability is as much a liability as an asset in her unorthodox PI business though—she’s still learning to control her unusual power and it gets her into as much trouble as it gets her out of. Likeably self deprecating and full of spunk, Tara is convincing enough if you don’t try to analyse her too deeply. And who wants to analyse deeply a book that sets out to be funny, fast and furious? This is an ideal beach read.” The Australian Bookseller and Publisher.

“It is as funny, if not more so, than it’s prequel but more enjoyable in some aspects as we see more of Tara’s personality blossom. All the characters are well developed and all have at least one quirk of their personalities we can all relate, and in some cases sympathise with. My only complaint I had trouble putting it down!! If you can lay your hands on a copy, go for it and enjoy a little taste of Tara’s world.” The Booky Monster

“This fast, funny, light read follows on from Sharp Shooter. The main character, Tara, is likeable and engaging, as is her sidekick, Wal, who takes medication for narcolepsy and seems to be simultaneously clumsy and switched on. There’s an amusing knitting of personal and professional, with nothing too deep. An entertainment for lovers of comic crime.” The Courier Mail