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Assassin (Makedde Vanderwall #6)

by Tara Moss (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 125 ratings · 28 reviews

Former model turned forensic psychologist and PI Mak Vanderwall is missing, presumed dead in Paris. By hiring a hit man to kill her, the powerful and corrupt Cavanagh family aimed to silence her for good. But after narrowly escaping death, Mak has taken over her would-be killer's world. She is very much alive. And transformed ...

Back in Sydney Mak's former flame, criminal...more

Paperback, 397 pages

Published September 1st 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

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Oct 13, 2012 Jacqueline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime-investigations, kickass-heroine, favourite-series, globe-trotting, hot-hero, action-packed

Wow. Tara Moss is a truly great writer. The best MV book out of them all. It's been a wild ride with MV, and I loved watching her grow and evolve. Most people would have probably crawled into the fetal position and never moved after all she's been through, but MV came back with a vengeance again and again. The ending of Siren left my mind exploding and even though I had fair idea of what was to come in Assassin, it still blew me away how fantastic it was. As I powered through the chapters I trie...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Trak rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, crime, australian, fiction, thriller

I think I read one of the early stories in this series and decided to read another.
I found the first quarter of this book, to be honest, a real struggle, Tara Moss knows her stuff but I did not need it all crammed my down my throat. I found myself wading through a great deal of detail and character internal feelings which just made things drag.
The story from the second half picks up and begins to become a page turner but again I just felt like it was lacking something. I found the character of...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Ross Hamilton rated it 4 of 5 stars

For me at least, one of the really interesting things about reading an extended series is in getting to see a character grow, develop and change in response to the obstacles placed before them. Tara Moss’s series about Makedde Vanderwall has been a prime example. It opened in Fetish with Vanderwall, a working model, arriving in Australia to meet up with a modelling friend, only to be dragged into a horrific encounter with a serial killer. Over the course of five books (Fetish, Split, Covert, Hit...more For me at least, one of the really interesting things about reading an extended series is in getting to see a character grow, develop and change in response to the obstacles placed before them. Tara Moss’s series about Makedde Vanderwall has been a prime example. It opened in Fetish with Vanderwall, a working model, arriving in Australia to meet up with a modelling friend, only to be dragged into a horrific encounter with a serial killer. Over the course of five books (Fetish, Split, Covert, Hit, Siren) we have seen Mak overcome a lot, changed and scarred by the experiences. And in Assassin, we see a more violent ending and a resolution. Looking back, it is hard to really see the original Mak in the character she has become over time but by doing so, Moss has managed to keep the story and the character fresh.

In tracking the course of these novels, it has also reflected the growth of Tara Moss as an author. Earlier in the series, Mak was a working model, reflecting Moss’s own experience and writing what you know. But just as the character developed, so did Moss, the author, extending into new experiences and environments.

Moss is well known for being an experiential author, personally experiencing things and places to aid her writing of her character’s story. Assassin was no different with Moss at one point exploring parts of Spain (it’s a dirty job, but hey - someone’s got to do it!). This came out in the details, helping me to readily visualise somewhere I have never been. And the rest of the novel has that same sense of development in detail.

This is not exactly a happy story. Mak has become a bitter and hard person which is hardly surprising given her experiences (a prime candidate for PTSD) and happiness seems to have become a foreign thing to her. Her on-again off-again lover, Andy, is similarly not a happy chappie. His work in law enforcement and becoming a profiler have made him increasingly disillusioned with everything. It is these similarities that have both drawn Mak and Andy together but then forcing them apart. Being a bit on the broken down side myself, I found myself empathising with Andy (apart from the lack of fashion models – former or otherwise – in my life).

Mak’s treatment of a serial killer who has been trying to emulate Mak's former nemesis, the Stiletto Killer, is brutal. The Mak we first met back in Fetish would have been incapable of that and demonstrates what a large character arc she has come through.

As for Assassin itself, it is well-paced, full action and introspection. And we get to finish Mak’s individual journey as well as Mak’s and Andy’s journey together. It is a fitting end to the series and an enjoyable read, even though I shall quite probably miss Mak in the future.

Highly recommended.(less)

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Sep 23, 2012 Helensvale Library rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sam

Tara Moss takes her research seriously for her novels and an authenticity shines through in her writing. The Makedde Vanderwall series (Fetish, Split, Covert, Hit & Siren) are action packed, unpredictable, emotional, romantic and include a lot of real life detail. Assassin is the final instalment and rewards fans of the series with a truly surprising and violent fatal ending.

It has been so long since the previous book but thanks to great writing I found it easy to pick up with the story. Ma...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Marcia - Book Muster Down Under rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-authors, aussie-author-spring-12

How far would you go for revenge? For Survival?

Former model turned forensic psychologist and PI Mak Vanderwall is missing, presumed dead in Paris. By hiring a hit man to kill her, the powerful and corrupt Cavanagh family aimed to silence her for good. But after narrowly escaping death, Mak has taken over her would-be killer’s world.
She is very much alive. And transformed …

Back in Sydney Mak’s former flame, criminal profiler Andy Flynn, is on the trail of a vicious rapist and murderer with possib...more

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Tyson Adams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Trying to read with a newborn in your arms is tricky. You try to get them to sleep and then realise you haven't been reading all of that time. You try to feed them and realise that Zaphoid was right, a third arm does come in handy. This all adds up to making it hard to enjoy a good book.

The fact that I did enjoy this book shows just how good it was, because my reading has been very interrupted. Mak is back in what appears to be the finale in the Vanderwall series. Since the last book, Mak has be...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Brenda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, aussie-authors, borrowed-from-library

Even though it’s a long time since the previous book in the Makedde Vanderwall series, it was easy to pick up. And this one would have to be the best of the lot!

Mak, former model, and now PI, is missing, presumed dead. She stirred up a whole HEAP of trouble with the Cavanagh’s in the previous book, Siren, and now they want her dead! The hit man the powerful head of the Cavanagh family, Jack, hired to kill Mak in Paris, has notified them the job is done, but hasn’t collected his final payment….

B...more Even though it’s a long time since the previous book in the Makedde Vanderwall series, it was easy to pick up. And this one would have to be the best of the lot!

Mak, former model, and now PI, is missing, presumed dead. She stirred up a whole HEAP of trouble with the Cavanagh’s in the previous book, Siren, and now they want her dead! The hit man the powerful head of the Cavanagh family, Jack, hired to kill Mak in Paris, has notified them the job is done, but hasn’t collected his final payment….

Back in Australia, Mak’s ex, criminal profiler Agent Andy Flynn, now based in Canberra, is on the trail of a vicious rapist and killer, and when contacted by his former boss in Sydney, Detective Inspector Kelley, with his request for Andy to come to Sydney to view a crime scene, as Kelley’s and Flynn’s cases appeared to have the same MO, he didn’t hesitate. Taking Agent Dana Harrison with him, and leaving his fledgling unit, Serial Violent Crime Profiling, (SVCP) in the hands of another team member, they headed for Sydney, and the horrors of perhaps finding a serial killer.

Andy’s good friend, and former partner in Sydney, Detective Senior Constable Jimmy Cassimatis was also on the case, and on contacting him, was invited to dinner that night, to catch up with his wife and finally meet the newest member of the family, as he hadn’t been to Sydney in some time. Andy was looking forward to it.

The novel goes between Mak in Paris (yes, she has survived, but at extremely great cost) and Andy in Sydney and Canberra. Mak has to stay one step ahead of her hunters, and cannot even let her father know she is alive, let alone Andy. So she is well and truly on her own. She finds she is able to do what she has to do to stay alive, and becomes tougher and stronger than ever before. The darkness and raw intensity hits her and the readers head on…..

Mak is a wonderful heroine, tough, loyal to those she cares for, but determined to do what she has to do to prevent the killers getting away with murder again. The conclusion to this powerful thriller is one I loved; shocking and dark, but brilliant! I’m sad the series is finished, but highly recommend this book, and her previous books, to all who haven’t read Tara Moss before!
(less)

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Sep 09, 2012 Balthazar Lawson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the last in the Makedde Vanderwall series and it's a bit of a murderous and violent conclusion. It wraps up a lot of things but it's clear that to fully appreciate this story you really do need to have read at least the previous two stories in the series, if not all of them. I come away feeling that we should not under estimate women on the level of violence that are able to perpetrate, not that I ever did. It was an enjoyable read, even if certain levels of detail were missing.

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Mar 16, 2013 P.J. Parker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tara Moss's final book in the Mak Vanderwall series was wonderful. Well written and paced and just a great read. Tara is one of those authors that takes words with confidence and twists them into a tale that can be painful and enjoyable at the same time. I doubt there could be another Mak, but then with Tara Moss's imagination I am certain there is another powerful female character not far over the horizon...

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Jan 27, 2013 Stephen Lawton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Even though Moss continues to repeat herself far too much, I found the evolution of the relationships portrayed engaging. Increasingly gruesome towards the end, the conversion of Vanderwall from vigilante to doting mother seemed too easy as did her relationship with the barely contained Flynn. Nonetheless I'm kind of sad that the series ended as it was a fun page turner.

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Apr 22, 2013 Bronwyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

The last book in the Makkede series. A bit of a vigilante turn of events, so very American despite it's Australian setting. A fitting finale to an interesting, light-weight thriller. I liked it because although it was a thriller it wasn't graphic and didn't dwell on the violence in any way. Well done, Tara. What next?

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Oct 13, 2012 Katrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the final book in the series written by former model Tara Moss.I really liked the characters Makedde and Andy and was hoping they'd get a happy ending.Not sure They got that exactly,but i found it quite satisfying.Just wish there was not an unanswered question left hanging.

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Sep 19, 2012 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is possibly my favourite from the Mak Vanderwall series. I love her as a vigilante and I love her little surprise. The ending has me thinking this is probably the last one in the series though which is upsetting. Tara Moss is a fantastic writer and I hope this isn't the last we see of Mak and Andy

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2012 Ann E rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-suspense, crime, fiction

Great story and have loved the series. Always grabs you at the start and does not let go until long after you have finished the story. Have been known to leave the light on after reading these ones.

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Oct 08, 2012 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - making the Makedde Vanderwall series one of my picks for the year, as a great series that helped pass the horrible winter days.

Read the full review at OurBookClub

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Sep 07, 2012 Cecilia rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a brilliant way to end our adventures with Mak! Darker and more dangerous than ever, this will leave your heart pumping and certain that this was the only way it could all end.....

1 like · like · see review

Apr 02, 2013 Gail rated it 3 of 5 stars

I always like a story where a woman can look after herself. This was a pleasant read. I see that it is the 6th of this series - not sure i could read all 5 predecessors...

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Oct 07, 2012 Eric rated it 3 of 5 stars

Well paced, undemanding and enjoyable. A small part here and there bordered on being a database dump of the author's research; I prefer the show not tell approach.

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Jan 29, 2013 Any Length rated it 3 of 5 stars

A fitting ending to the Makedde Vanderwall series. I wasn't a great fan of the books, but this one showed just how much research work has gone into the books. Well done Tara Moss.
One thing I didn't like. I listened to the audio book, and shame on the company that produced the audio book for using an american reader who didn't know how to pronounce australian words like Melbourne or Canberra.

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Dec 26, 2012 Danai Gearside rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this one in one day. I am totally addicted to Tara Moss' style of writing.

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Sep 27, 2012 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

amazing book amazing end to a great series i love tara moss!!

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Sep 15, 2012 Funkybamboozle rated it 5 of 5 stars

I finished this novel overwhelmed..... Noooooo!!!!!! I want more. Don't end it there!

As usual, Moss lures me in and takes me on an exhilarating ride of emotions: one moment I'm holding my breathe, moments later rage builds and then.....tears.

Mak is pure Amazonian. Beauty and brains.....and now wealth. A lethal combination......

1 like · like · see review

Nov 23, 2012 Kaz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it! Just sad that it is finished but all good things must come to an end eventually. Makedde Vanderwall delved in to the depths of the dark side in this novel and Tara Moss did not disappoint. I will treasure my signed book for all the thrills and spills it gave me.

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Oct 05, 2012 K.l. Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yet again Tara moss brings the character of Mak Vanderwall to life in this stunning final piece of the six book puzzle.

Thank you for your worlds, your world and your passion.

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Dec 27, 2012 Natarsha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Probably my least favourite of the books in the Makkede series but still a good read. A small part of me wishes Tara left the series off with Siren though.

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Oct 22, 2012 Aleasha rated it 4 of 5 stars

A dramatic ending to a long loved series. Sad to see the end of Mak's story but glad it was closed off in such a great way. Well written to the end.

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Mar 03, 2013 Mary Detlefsen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent but sad its the end of the series

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May 20, 2013 Angela Petty rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 17, 2013 Amanda Hoey marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Aleksandra marked it as to-read

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About Tara Moss

Tara Moss is a novelist, TV presenter, blogger and journalist.

Since 1999 she has written and published nine bestselling novels including Fetish, Split, Covet, Hit, Siren, Assassin, The Blood Countess and The Spider Goddess, and been published in 18 countries in 12 languages. Her 9th novel, The Skeleton Key, has just been published.

Her non-fiction writing has appeared in Australian Literary Review,...more Tara Moss is a novelist, TV presenter, blogger and journalist.

Since 1999 she has written and published nine bestselling novels including Fetish, Split, Covet, Hit, Siren, Assassin, The Blood Countess and The Spider Goddess, and been published in 18 countries in 12 languages. Her 9th novel, The Skeleton Key, has just been published.

Her non-fiction writing has appeared in Australian Literary Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Sun Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The Hoopla, Vogue, Madison and more.

Writing has been a lifelong passion for Moss, who began penning gruesome "Stephen King-inspired" stories for her classmates at 10. She went on to an international career as a fashion model before pursuing professional writing. Her novels have been short-listed for both the Davitt and the Ned Kelly crime writing awards, hit #1 on numerous bestseller lists, and made her Australia's #1 selling crime writer several years running. Her in-depth research has seen her earn her private investigator credentials (Cert III) from the Australian Security Academy, tour the FBI Academy at Quantico, spend time in squad cars, morgues, prisons, the Hare Psychopathy Lab, the Supreme Court and criminology conferences, take polygraph tests, shoot weapons, conduct surveillance, pass the Firearms Training Simulator (FATSII) with the LAPD, pull 4.2 G's doing loops over the Sydney Opera House flying with the RAAF, and acquire her CAMS race driver licence. Stopping at nothing to research and 'experience' scenes for her novel Siren, Moss was set on fire by Hollywood stunt company West EFX, and choked unconscious by Ultimate Fighter 'Big' John McCarthy.

Tara is a mum, self-professed geek and 'forensic tourist'. She has been an ambassador for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children since 2000, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2007 and UNICEF Patron for Breastfeeding for the Baby Friendly Heath Initiative (BFHI) since 2011, advocating for better support for breastfeeding mums in hospitals, the workforce and general community. Moss is a dual Australian/Canadian citizen. (less)

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“The reflex of fear was soon replaced with another, more useful emotion.
Rage.” — 2 people liked it

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Assassin (Makedde Vanderwall #6)

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