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A Bec Harpin Crime Series #1
Making Up Amanda
Making Up Amanda
A Cold Case
Ballarat, 1988. After a normal day of filming, movie star Amanda King got into a car outside her hotel and was never seen again.
A Cop Who Can’t Forget
DI Tom Burn was a young officer at the time King went missing. Burnt out and close to retirement, Burn finds himself drawn back into the case that has haunted him his whole career when hot shot police officer DS Rebecca Harpin arrives in town to head a new investigation.
A Daughter Who Can’t Let Go
Marianna Del Re has given up everything to find out why her mother vanished from the film-set all those years ago. She arrives in town looking for her own answers as the police begin to investigate three other cases involving missing women. When Marianna starts digging and exposes long held secrets about the night her mother disappeared, and when those secrets collide with the current investigation, Harpin and Burn must race against the clock to uncover the shocking truth before the killer strikes again.
A Cold Case
Ballarat, 1988. After a normal day of filming, movie star Amanda King got into a car outside her hotel and was never seen again.
A Cop Who Can’t Forget
DI Tom Burn was a young officer at the time King went missing. Burnt out and close to retirement, Burn finds himself drawn back into the case that has haunted him his whole career when hot shot police officer DS Rebecca Harpin arrives in town to head a new investigation.
A Daughter Who Can’t Let Go
Marianna Del Re has given up everything to find out why her mother vanished from the film-set all those years ago. She arrives in town looking for her own answers as the police begin to investigate three other cases involving missing women. When Marianna starts digging and exposes long held secrets about the night her mother disappeared, and when those secrets collide with the current investigation, Harpin and Burn must race against the clock to uncover the shocking truth before the killer strikes again.
- GenresCrime
343 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2023
37 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Rozzi Bazzani
4 books7 followersRozzi Bazzani is the award-winning author of ‘Hector,’ a biography about legendary TV producer Hector Crawford, the dual time line mystery "The Piano Woman" and now, her latest mystery, "Making Up Amanda".
After an early career as a singer, Rozzi graduated from Melbourne University, majoring in romance languages, linguistics and fine art. As a freelance Arts journalist, she has written for newspapers and non-fiction publications. She has hosted radio and television programs, and also co-wrote the libretto for a theatre production of ‘Gershwin: The Musical’.
She lives in Ballarat with her husband and two black poodles.
After an early career as a singer, Rozzi graduated from Melbourne University, majoring in romance languages, linguistics and fine art. As a freelance Arts journalist, she has written for newspapers and non-fiction publications. She has hosted radio and television programs, and also co-wrote the libretto for a theatre production of ‘Gershwin: The Musical’.
She lives in Ballarat with her husband and two black poodles.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 20, 2023
3.5★s
DS Rebecca Harpin arrived in Ballarat, Victoria, to look into the disappearances of two young women, some months prior, and on separate occasions. The third woman had disappeared a few days before, and she was their priority. Bec was teamed with DC Daniel Miller and Constable Megan Trathooey - it wasn't long before they were wading through paperwork of the previous cases while trying to determine what more needed to be followed through for the latest girl.
Marianna Del Re was a hair and make-up professional who catered for weddings in a highly successful business. But when she was asked to do six weeks work at a film location in Ballarat, the same company that her mother, Amanda King, had worked with as their leading lady thirty-one years ago, Marianna decided that now was the time to dig further into the disappearance of her mother. She would do her utmost to have her mother's case re-opened, as it was never determined what happened to Amanda, and Marianna's grandparents had died, not knowing. But after thirty one years, could it be done? She felt confident in DI Tom Burn, a man close to retirement, along with DS Rebecca Harpin. Would this be the catalyst to all those years of not knowing?
Making Up Amanda is my first read by Aussie author Rozzi Bazzani and I quite enjoyed it. Fast paced, especially toward the end, there were plenty of twists and frustrations for all concerned. I was disappointed by the amount of editing errors throughout the book though - a good editor would bring it up to scratch. A good crime novel, set in a city I know well, and one I can recommend.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
DS Rebecca Harpin arrived in Ballarat, Victoria, to look into the disappearances of two young women, some months prior, and on separate occasions. The third woman had disappeared a few days before, and she was their priority. Bec was teamed with DC Daniel Miller and Constable Megan Trathooey - it wasn't long before they were wading through paperwork of the previous cases while trying to determine what more needed to be followed through for the latest girl.
Marianna Del Re was a hair and make-up professional who catered for weddings in a highly successful business. But when she was asked to do six weeks work at a film location in Ballarat, the same company that her mother, Amanda King, had worked with as their leading lady thirty-one years ago, Marianna decided that now was the time to dig further into the disappearance of her mother. She would do her utmost to have her mother's case re-opened, as it was never determined what happened to Amanda, and Marianna's grandparents had died, not knowing. But after thirty one years, could it be done? She felt confident in DI Tom Burn, a man close to retirement, along with DS Rebecca Harpin. Would this be the catalyst to all those years of not knowing?
Making Up Amanda is my first read by Aussie author Rozzi Bazzani and I quite enjoyed it. Fast paced, especially toward the end, there were plenty of twists and frustrations for all concerned. I was disappointed by the amount of editing errors throughout the book though - a good editor would bring it up to scratch. A good crime novel, set in a city I know well, and one I can recommend.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last, it is a gripping and compelling story from start to finish, set in Ballarat, Victoria, Marianna Del Re has just been offered a job as make-up artist for a new film by Paradise Productions is it a strange coincidence considering this was the company her mother worked for and the same town she went missing thirty one years ago.
Ballarat 1988 and actress Amanda King goes missing without a trace, she leaves behind a baby daughter who she loved very much, that daughter has been pushing for years to get the case re-opened, she wants answers. Young police officer Tom Burn does everything he can investigating this case but before he gets the answers the case is closed but Tom never forgets.
Tom is now on leave before retiring happy with his plants, when DI Rebecca Harpin is sent to town to re-open the investigation there are also two other missing women and a young girl who has now been reported missing, with the same film production company that Amanda was working for back in town, is there a link between the past and the present?
Marianna is determined to finally discover what happened to her mother all of those years ago and will help in any way she can, she discovers secrets that should help and between the three of them will they find the answers before any more woman go missing?
Fast paced and so well written this is a story that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good police crime story and a mystery to uncover, filled with fabulous characters that the author brings alive for us to get to know things that have pushed them in their careers and lives that add to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more from MS Bazzani.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Ballarat 1988 and actress Amanda King goes missing without a trace, she leaves behind a baby daughter who she loved very much, that daughter has been pushing for years to get the case re-opened, she wants answers. Young police officer Tom Burn does everything he can investigating this case but before he gets the answers the case is closed but Tom never forgets.
Tom is now on leave before retiring happy with his plants, when DI Rebecca Harpin is sent to town to re-open the investigation there are also two other missing women and a young girl who has now been reported missing, with the same film production company that Amanda was working for back in town, is there a link between the past and the present?
Marianna is determined to finally discover what happened to her mother all of those years ago and will help in any way she can, she discovers secrets that should help and between the three of them will they find the answers before any more woman go missing?
Fast paced and so well written this is a story that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good police crime story and a mystery to uncover, filled with fabulous characters that the author brings alive for us to get to know things that have pushed them in their careers and lives that add to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more from MS Bazzani.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
June 13, 2023
Thank you Rossi for gifting us a copy to read and review.
Location Location Location is a catch cry term used in real estate but I am spruiking it as I’ve just read an awesome crime suspense set in my hometown of Ballarat and a hamlet only ten minutes from home.
It gave me such a buzz and had me wondering if our area would be implicated.
Amanda King disappeared from a film set in Ballarat in 1988.
The aspiring Hollywood actress had a star studded future.
Thirty one years later her daughter Marianna has been employed by the same film company to complete hair and make up on a film set in Ballarat.
Unanswered questions and mysteries about the disappearance are heightened when other women are reported missing from the area.
DI Tom Burn was on the case in 1988 and most likely frustrated that no resolve was achieved.
Although focused on growing and showing award winning Begonias he is drawn back into the case and works with the new investigator.
The pieces of the puzzle assemble as they all work through information and retrieve valuable information.
The marvellous mind of Teddy providing vital clues as he silently saw Amanda depart.
Location bias aside I really enjoyed this crime fuelled story and reflect it’s scary to say the 1980’s is now historical fiction but Rozzi has captured the cinematic history of the town beautifully.
Fast paced and well written with its criminal construct delivered seamlessly.
Location Location Location is a catch cry term used in real estate but I am spruiking it as I’ve just read an awesome crime suspense set in my hometown of Ballarat and a hamlet only ten minutes from home.
It gave me such a buzz and had me wondering if our area would be implicated.
Amanda King disappeared from a film set in Ballarat in 1988.
The aspiring Hollywood actress had a star studded future.
Thirty one years later her daughter Marianna has been employed by the same film company to complete hair and make up on a film set in Ballarat.
Unanswered questions and mysteries about the disappearance are heightened when other women are reported missing from the area.
DI Tom Burn was on the case in 1988 and most likely frustrated that no resolve was achieved.
Although focused on growing and showing award winning Begonias he is drawn back into the case and works with the new investigator.
The pieces of the puzzle assemble as they all work through information and retrieve valuable information.
The marvellous mind of Teddy providing vital clues as he silently saw Amanda depart.
Location bias aside I really enjoyed this crime fuelled story and reflect it’s scary to say the 1980’s is now historical fiction but Rozzi has captured the cinematic history of the town beautifully.
Fast paced and well written with its criminal construct delivered seamlessly.
June 3, 2024
Making up Amanda is the first Rozzi Bazzani book I've read and I really enjoyed it.
31 years ago Marianne's movie star Mum disappeared after a day of filming, leaving Marianna to grow up without a Mum. After much campaigning the cold case is finally reopened with DS Rebecca Harpin leading the case and being assisted by DI Tim Burn who originally led up the investigation.
The story flits between these three perspectives, keeping it interesting, with clues slowly coming to light.
The first chapter was a bit of information overload I had trouble keeping up with who was who but once I got into the book it was a very engaging read. I have a feeling DS Harpin might feature in another book!
Thank you Rozzi for the copy to read and review.
31 years ago Marianne's movie star Mum disappeared after a day of filming, leaving Marianna to grow up without a Mum. After much campaigning the cold case is finally reopened with DS Rebecca Harpin leading the case and being assisted by DI Tim Burn who originally led up the investigation.
The story flits between these three perspectives, keeping it interesting, with clues slowly coming to light.
The first chapter was a bit of information overload I had trouble keeping up with who was who but once I got into the book it was a very engaging read. I have a feeling DS Harpin might feature in another book!
Thank you Rozzi for the copy to read and review.
November 6, 2023
This is an Australian crime novel with a new and refreshingly different setting: the town of Ballarat in Victoria which is being used as the location for a movie, and it’s not in the outback!
Marianna Del Re has taken the job as makeup artist for the movie. Marianna has grown up knowing that her mother, Amanda King, disappeared from this same site while starring in a movie in 1988 when Marianna was a baby, and Marianna has started looking for answers about Amanda now that her grandparents who raised her have died. She is hoping that some of the cast and/or crew members from 1988 might still be around.
DS Rebecca Harpin and soon-to-be-retired DI Tom Burn are in Ballarat investigating the disappearances of three young women and also the cold case of Amanda King. Is it a coincidence that the same film company is in town now while Sharney Smith is missing?
Marianna is learning more about her mother now than she ever did from her loving, though over-protective grandparents who never gave up hoping that their daughter might one day come back to them.
The plot of the story is very well thought out with side issues which don’t stray from the path, and tie in with the main stories. I would like to have seen more of Rebecca and Josh’s budding relationship, if that is what it was. Maybe a new book will take up that particular thread. I’m also wondering if Tom will put off his retirement for a while, or perhaps take on a consulting role, if his begonias don’t take up too much of his time.
This was a most satisfying read and I hope Rozzi Bazzani is already thinking of where she would like to take readers next. I’m all packed and ready to go!
Published by S & B Books
August 22, 2023
✍️ Actor and mother Amanda King vanished without a trace over thirty years ago on a film set in Ballarat after last being seen getting into a car. Detective Tom Burn who was part of the investigation has never forgotten the case and is now nearing retirement when the case reopens with the support of Amanda's daughter Marianna who has arrived to work at the same film set as a hair and makeup artist and will do all in her power to find out what happened to her mother.
After reading The Piano Woman and absolutely Relishing It, I was very excited to hear that @rozzibazzani was releasing her next book. Upon starting the Prologue I was Instantly Obsessed and couldn't put it down. A satisfying read. REMARKABLE!
I was transported to the Colonial-Era City of Ballarat where a Cold Case Disappearance more than thirty years ago was being reopened. The Eloquent writing had me Enthralled in the cleverness of the investigative reporting of the case and the way it was presented by the multiple narratives.
I SIMPLY RELISHED this story and the wonderful attention to detail it contained. A mesmerising and addictive read that I couldn't put down and which featured all the elements of what a crime story is all about.
The more I read the more I was in complete suspense and surprise at the unfolding of the plot and the wonderfully developed characters that were portrayed.
I LOVED it! Highly recommend!!
After reading The Piano Woman and absolutely Relishing It, I was very excited to hear that @rozzibazzani was releasing her next book. Upon starting the Prologue I was Instantly Obsessed and couldn't put it down. A satisfying read. REMARKABLE!
I was transported to the Colonial-Era City of Ballarat where a Cold Case Disappearance more than thirty years ago was being reopened. The Eloquent writing had me Enthralled in the cleverness of the investigative reporting of the case and the way it was presented by the multiple narratives.
I SIMPLY RELISHED this story and the wonderful attention to detail it contained. A mesmerising and addictive read that I couldn't put down and which featured all the elements of what a crime story is all about.
The more I read the more I was in complete suspense and surprise at the unfolding of the plot and the wonderfully developed characters that were portrayed.
I LOVED it! Highly recommend!!
June 23, 2023
A soon to be retired policeman hanging onto a cold case that has obsessed him for over 30 years befriends the daughter of the missing women, who has never stopped searching for answers about what happened to her mother. With the case now reopened, and the help of a new cop in town, they set out to uncover the truth. This story had many interesting characters and had me enthralled from the very beginning. I love an edge of your seat crime story and this book was one I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for the next instalment from this brilliant new Aussie crime author.
May 22, 2025
Set in historic Ballarat, this twisty crime story was so much fun as it unfolded, it really kept me guessing. I loved the characters, they really drove the story and added so much depth and heart. And the ending! One of my favourite crime endings, so exciting. That’s what happens when an author makes you love her characters and them puts them in danger, you start sweating! The start of a new series, I can’t wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews