I’m delighted to let everyone know that I will be a guest at CRIMESCENE in Perth in October. Linda Deegan the con convenor had this to say:

I am so excited by our announcements! We’ve been hard at work signing up more shiny wonderful people to add to our already spectacular lineup. Firstly, adding to our author line-up, may I introduce Marianne Delacourt (alter ego of the gorgeously wonderful Marianne de Pierres). Marianne’s Tara Sharp books are a fun, feisty romp into the lighter side of crime and make for excellent light reading. I’m very excited to have Marianne on board and hope you will all join me in making her welcome!

The con runs across the 19th and 20th of October at the Rydges. When the website is live, I’ll post the link. In the meantime, you can join the open Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimescenewa/ 

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So thrilled to see this review up at wonderful website SassiSam, who recommend it as a entertaining crime fiction. You can read the review over here. Check it out and leave them a message.

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Reprinted from Scoop Magazine:

“Marianne Delacourt’s heroine – Perth PI Tara Sharp - invites comparison with Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, and there’s no doubt if you’re an Evanovich fan you’ll enjoy this. Sharp, however, has the added wrinkle of being able to read peoples auras, as much a curse as a blessing. Stage Fright is the third outing for this character, and with the recent announcement of an impending Tara Sharp TV series, this is a good time to see what the fuss is about.”

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The Rock Pit reviews STAGE FRIGHT and had this to say, amongst other things, ‘Stage Fright is old school PI pulp fiction dragged into the now by it’s high heels and stylish skirt, deliberately designed to be easily readable – presumably by the busy chick on the go who wants a literary release without descending into the dross of a romance novel, the contrived smut of 50 Shades Of Grey, or the over-testosteroned field of blokey literature, and on that remit it succeeds with a gold star.’

Samelia’s Mum lists it as one of her Five Friday Finds.

Stage Fright also got a neat mention in TV Week. And a funny review from a Queensland reader:

‘Tara Sharp packs a punch. Literally. Private school girl turned sleuth, she flies into a Brisbane underworld to mind musican Slim Sledge, and find out the real reasons he needs minding. Hired by music promoter, Stuart, she is aided by a cast of bizarre personages  – such as Inigo (In I go and Indigo?)  -  a psychic who can “smell” danger, and the burly Bon Ames (good aim or good friend? – you can keep guessing), man of few words, whom she conscripts as a body guard after meeting him on the flight. Throw in Tara’s mixed feelings about which man in her life to love, and there’s mystery, adventure, thrills AND romance.

Stage Fright works as a title because there [really] were moments which were frightening. These are more than countered by comedy – like interrupting a would-be arsonist on his mobile phone, and a memorable incident with a Peking Duck. Tara’s ability to read auras and body language is a neat device to move the plot along in an original way: clues as to where Tara needs to head next.  While there are lots of characters to get to know, if this is your first “Tara Sharp”,  you won’t be “clue-less”: periodic recaps, which Tara uses to analyze the situation, are also great for readers who – darn! -  had to put the book down to go back to work.

The denouement occurs in Fortitude Valley where Tara gets to show her “fortitude”, and maybe others need to “duck”. If you want some escapist fun without having to don high heels and totter down to Brunswick Street then start with this book. It’s fun and a bit frightening, all at the same time. And until Tara finds the time and place to solve the mystery of whom she really loves, we’ll all be buying the next book.’ A Deborde, Queensland.

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We’re excited to share the first review for Stage Fright. The book will be in shops in about three weeks!

“I loved this book. What a fantastic story, and being set in Australia, using Aussie terminology made it seem that much more real. Tara getting dragged through some of Australia’s worst kind of underbelly experiences, makes for a fascinating and often amusing read.

Tara’s character is fun and quirky and relateable and I love the relationships she has with her “friends”. I love how she can see auras so she can also tell whether people are being dishonest or hiding things and it really helps with her line of work.

Tara is such a real down to earth character, everything she does is just like anyone else, complete with misfortune in love and all sorts of misshaps in her job.

I love the different types of people involved in making this story work so well, Bon Ames the big scarey biker, Johnny Viaspa and even Smitty and Ed. I love them all.

The story weaves a tangled web through the dark belly of Australian organised crime and the 6 degrees of gangs and mobsters, it is so believable for a story of fiction. I would definitely recommend the book to all my friends I loved it that much. I can’t wait to read more from Tara Sharp.” Taken from Kelly Geeves Jones on GoodReads

And thanks to the Crime City, the Allen and Unwin site, I discovered these early reviews as well:

Reader reviews

‘What a delicious tangle! Lots of twists – some I “got” beforehand, some I didn’t – which is how I like it. 
 
‘I’ve only read one Stephanie Plum and I wasn’t much impressed. Tara Sharp is much better!’ - J. Clark, QLD

‘Another delightful, fast paced, action filled foray into the chaotic, colourful, investigative world of Tara Sharp; psychic detective. Delacourt writes this enjoyable romp into the world of psychic auras and strange predictions, of career criminals, bikies, rock stars and music promoters of “BrisVegas ” with wit, humour and fun; a combination of elements that is bound to enthral  as you race through the pages to the totally unexpected conclusion that leaves the reader begging for more. Bring on the next adventure!’ - C. Seeley, WA

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