Customer Reviews

Fetish: Library Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Fetish" has a great cover and intriguing intro on the back cover, but the story is not original. I gave it a higher rating because of author Tara Moss's use of psychological terms and understanding of profilers and stalkers.

The romance is okay, though you see what's going to happen from a mile away. The killer is a bit formulaic - he would have been good in the early 90s, but today we are far more gripped by the ones that play with our heads. We get in his head some, certainly, but not to a degree that leaves goosebumps on the flesh.

It is a solid read, though, even with these problems. And I am curious to read the follow up to this, which I can so far only find on CD. I just want to know what happens to our intrepid heroine, Mak.

If you want something that's not too hard on your brain, get this one used.

FETISH is the first novel by Tara Moss, who was a 25-year old fashion model at the time of its publication. According to her website, Ms. Moss is apparently Australia's top selling crime writer, which is what led me to give her work a try.

This novel is readable, but it's pretty unoriginal. This is a typical serial killer story, and many of the scenes in this book are familiar and predictable. The characterization is pretty cardboard and much of the dialogue is pretty flat. I read a lot of crime fiction, and you can do much better than this -- early Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Harlan Coben, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly are all far superior choices.

What makes this novel interesting is that it takes place in Australia and provides some insight into the world of fashion modeling. If either of those subjects interest you, then you may want to give this novel a try. Otherwise, my advice is to skip FETISH, since there are far better books out there worth your time.

Mid level Canadian model and forensic psychology student Makedde "Mak" Vanderwall travels to Australia to strut down the runways. However, she receives bad news upon arrival that her close friend Catherine "Cat" Gerber, who she was looking forward to seeing after six months apart, was hideously killed with the police unable to find the culprit.

Unbeknownst to the police or to Mak, the culprit has the letter she sent to Cat that includes a picture of the newcomer. Unable to stay out although Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Flynn warns her off the case, Mak begins to investigate using what she has learned in school as a guide. While Mak and Flynn start seeing one another off duty, the killer hones in on her as his next target.

FETISH is a fine Australian amateur sleuth with strong police procedural elements. The story line is fast-paced especially when the heroine makes inquiries or when the villain takes center stage. Though the romance seems more like an unnecessary subplot that is tagged on to bring extra sexual tension between the cop and the model, Tara Moss writes an intriguing thriller that will hook her audience from the opening gamut when the killer murders Cat and never slows down until the final karma is settled.

Harriet Klausner

I could not put this book down. Moss has created an amazing and fast-paced debut novel that is full of suspense, mystery, romance, and blood, and it is funny at times too! This is not your typical serial killer story. I hope Moss keeps writing well-researched thrillers like this, because I want to keep reading them.

Mak Vanderwall, a fiesty, beautiful and smart young woman comes to Sydney to visit her best friend only to find her brutally murdered. The daughter of a cop, Mak soon finds herself embroiled in the case when the cops don't seem to be doing their jobs.

This bestselling debut is a page turner. Don't let the ex-model career of this author sway your judgement, she is a born writer. I look forward to more from this new talent.

Beautiful model and forensic psych student Makedde "Mak" Vanderwall travels to Australia for a photo shoot and to visit her best friend Catherine. When she arrives Catherine has been brutally murdered by the Stiletto Murderer - a sadistic killer with a penchant for stiletto shoes. Suspects are thin on the ground and Mak, the daughter of a cop, finds herself drawn into the case, and soon becomes the killer's next target...

Fetish is an excellent debut novel written by 25 year old Moss, who has gone on to become Australia's number one selling crime writer and has won a number of awards for her writing. Her style is pacy, sexy and modern, painting an authentic backdrop of both police investigation and the sometimes unglamorous world of modeling. Recommended.

Had high expectations for a fellow Canadian who has done well in Australia. For a first novel I could forgive the weak plot but what I have problem with is the spelling and grammar! Examples include "elude" when she means "allude" (38) "In tact" when it should be "intact"(42)."Hurled herself" and "dragged herself" is darn near impossible etc. etc. Without being too picky these are grammatical mistakes which I hope one loses by the time of high school graduation! Editing, script reading or whatever, someone could have improved this book. I will read Split just out of curiosity if this changes- but only from the library.Hope you check this Web site,Tara!!!

Mak, a model for the past 11 years (although not the waifish kind - Mak often has inner dialogues with herself about feeling almost guilty about the fact that she actually has curves) and a student of forensic psychology, has arrived in Australia to model for a few months and visit her friend Cat. Unfortunately, things don't work out quite as she has planned - Cat has been the victim of a serial killer who has now focused on Mak as his next victim.

This is a refreshing new idea and Mak is a different kind of heroine; I'm interested to see where Tara Moss takes Makedde Vanderwall.

Whether you are into Sherlock Holmes, Montaillou, metaphysics, library design or "The thing from the Crypt" - you will love it. The central character finds herself in frightening events and behind the crimes lie mystery which will leave you wanting more.