Piece by Piece the Fragments make a Whole or do they?


Thank you to the author, Toni Jordan, the publisher, Text Publishing, and to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I have to be honest the cover is what pulled me into this book but the cover is not why I stayed. The Fragments was a slight departure from what I am normally reading. I love my mystery but the historical aspects of this are not my cup of tea. That being said this read so much like the DaVinci Code that it made it enjoyable. The book is essentially about a sequel to a bestselling book which was destroyed when the author died in a warehouse fire. Caddie sets off on a quest to solve the mystery of what happened all those years ago and if a copy of the book has actually survived. The book bounces between present day perspective of Caddie and the past of Rachel – a lady cloaked in mystery as to her identity and relationship to the case. I loved how the chapters alternated and gave good descriptions of the past and found it somewhat predictable by the end. Overall a three-star rating from me with the hopes that the next book is more interesting.
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Oh dear, if you can get past the premise of this novel that a single book from an author in the late 1930's is able to attract the same amount of attention and fervour as visiting royalty/superstar then it is quite a light and enjoyable read..... ( )

The Fragments by Toni Jordan

Publisher: Text Publishing
Pub date: September 20,2019
Genre: fiction, women’s fiction
Rating: 4/5

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review from NetGalley and publisher.

Caddie Walker, a Brisbane bookseller, is one of many standing in line to see the exhibit on display showcasing the life and work of author Inga Karlson. It has been 50 years since her tragic untimely death in a 1930‘s New York fire. There was a lot of mystery and controversy regarding the fire and the destruction of her long waited second novel. They were only able to save burned “fragments” of her novel which have been included in the display. While at the exhibit, Caddie has a few chance interactions with other visitors with whom she crosses path with later.

The circumstances regarding the warehouse fire which was deemed an act of arson still remained an unsolved mystery. There are several characters who are invested in uncovering the truth each their own motive. The story is told through alternating chapters from the present and the past. It tells the story of Inga Karlson and her journey to fame.

There are many stories being told which both create mystery and then eventually reveal the truths of the past. It’s a story of survival and redemption of the human soul. The struggle between wanting to achieve our greatest goals yet fearing the changes that ultimate success might bring. ( )

Review in three words: Read. This. Book.

And if you need more persuading.... The Fragments is an absolute delight of a book that functions on multiple levels. It's built around a compelling literary mystery. It looks at fascism in pre-WWII America. It explores two very different romances (without getting sappy). It offers fully drawn characters for whom the reader comes to care deeply. It alternates two narratives, resulting in an intensified "just-one-more-chapter" reading experience. And it offers surprises right through to the very end. ( )

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Wow. Just wow. Once I started reading this, I couldn't stop. I enjoyed the third person point of view changes, and how well-researched the book is in terms of cultural and regional aspects of the times depicted here. This honestly was a whirl-wind of emotions. I started falling for Inga and Jamie, felt uncomfortable with Phillip. I sympathized heavily with Rachel and Caddie and I was definitely crying a little at the very end. An author who can make me feel that much in 320 pages is a powerful person, indeed. ( )