Stage Fright (Tara Sharp, #3) in Aussie Readers

Mar 05, 2014 Robin rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, considering it is derivative of Janet Evanovich's novels about Stephanie Plum and there are so many similar books in the market now about quirky female private eyes who eat junk food, lead chaotic lives and who have at least two hunky guys hanging around to provide sexual tension.

Having said that, the heroine Tara Sharp does have a point of difference - she can see auras, which helps her to suss out someone's emotional state, quite a useful skill ...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: aussie-author, provided-by-publisher, arc-are

With it’s blend of humour, action, mystery and romance Marianne Delacourt's lighthearted crime series is always a fun read. Stage Fright is the third novel in the series featuring quasi professional sleuth and aura reader, Tara Sharp and begins a short time after the events of Sharp Turn.

When Wal asks Tara to help out a mate in Queensland, she is happy to escape Perth for a while, looking forward to a break from her complicated lack of love life, her mother and Johnny Viaspa's murderous attenti
With it’s blend of humour, action, mystery and romance Marianne Delacourt's lighthearted crime series is always a fun read. Stage Fright is the third novel in the series featuring quasi professional sleuth and aura reader, Tara Sharp and begins a short time after the events of Sharp Turn.

When Wal asks Tara to help out a mate in Queensland, she is happy to escape Perth for a while, looking forward to a break from her complicated lack of love life, her mother and Johnny Viaspa's murderous attention. The job seems straight forward enough, find out who is sabotaging Stuart Cooper's music promotion business and put a stop to it to ensure the successful tour of US rapper, Slim Sledge. But Tara ends up fitting in her investigative work around body guarding her client's neurotic celebrity with the help of a bikie she met on the plane, ducking Viaspa who turns up in Brissie, and hooking up with Ed, who is in town for a music video shoot.

Tara is proving to be a savvy investigator, able to talk herself into, and out of, almost any situation. She works hard for her client though still manages to find herself in the midst of absurd situations including wielding a Peking duck as a weapon and cooling the ardour of a young man during his first lap dance. Tara's blend of smarts and wit ensures she is an appealing character and I appreciate that Delacourt is really allowing Tara to mature and gain skills without losing her amusing quirks.

As always Tara is supported by a cast of great characters. Smitty is certain Henny is cheating on her, Aunt Liv is hysterical when Wal goes missing and Nick Tozzi is in a strange mood. In Brisbane, Tara contends with the bizarre behaviour of Slim, the odd appearance of Harvey, hippy dippy Inigo and bikie Sergeant-of-Arms Bon Jovi (Big Nuts) Ames.

Stage Fright is an entertaining, fast paced crime caper and this sharp (pun intended) series is a favourite of mine. Fans will definitely be intrigued by the romantic cliffhanger and I am already looking forward to the release of Sharp Edge in 2013.

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Aug 30, 2012 Christy rated it did not like it

Apparently I am not in the majority of those who gave this book 4 and 5 stars, because I think even giving it one star is a stretch!

This is NOT a good book! I can't believe that the cover of this would attempt to entice Janet Evanovich fans, because this book is nothing even close to the hugely popular Stephanie Plum series, which is fantastic!

I found the writing to be poor, the plot boring, and Tara's character absolutely ridiculous! I'm all for a fun easy read, but this book is not even enjo ...more

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