Siren

Makedde Vanderwall #5

by Tara Moss

Enter a world of beauty and danger, of French cabaret and terrible revenge. Makedde Vanderwall - beautiful, street-wise daughter of a cop, graduate in forensic psychology, and now PI - is hired by a widowed mother to track down her missing nineteen-year-old son. Has he come to harm? Or has he run off with a bizarre troupe of shady French cabaret artists sweeping through Australia? And what of the rumours of violence and tragedy that have plagued the troupe for the past decade? Is their horrifying past fact or fiction? Meanwhile, Mak is increasingly obsessed with the powerful Cavanagh family, one of Australia's richest and most ruthless families, whom she believes has got away with murder. And it seems their security advisor Mr White, and his hit man, Luther Hand, may not have forgotten about Mak either ...

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Australia, Mystery Thriller

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Tara Moss is an internationally bestselling author, documentary host and human rights advocate. She is the author of 15 books, published in 19 countries and 13 languages. Her latest, The Italian Secret, follows on from the internationally bestselling historical thrillers The War Widow, and The Ghosts of Paris, both set in the postwar 1940s and featuring '‘staunchly feminist, champagne-swilling, fast-driving Nazi hunter’ investigator' PI Billie Walker.

Moss is an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and children, and people with disabilities, and has also published two best-selling non-fiction books, The Fictional Woman and Speaking Out - A 21st Century Guide for Women and Girls.

She has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2007 and as of 2013 is UNICEF Australia’s National Ambassador for Child Survival, and has visited Australian hospitals, maternity wards and schools as well as Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon in her UNICEF role. In 2015 she received an Edna Ryan Award for her significant contribution to feminist debate, speaking out for women and children and inspiring others to challenge the status quo.

Her in-depth novel research has seen her 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. She has hosted the true crime documentary series Tough Nuts – Australia’s Hardest Criminals on the Crime & Investigation Network, ‘Tara Moss Investigates’ on the National Geographic Channel and the author interview show Tara in Conversation on 13th Street Universal. In 2014 she was recognised for Outstanding Advocacy for her blog Manus Island: An insider’s report, which helped to break information to the public about the events surrounding the alleged murder of Reza Barati inside the Australian-run Manus Island Immigration Detention Centre.

She has earned her private investigator credentials (Cert III) from the Australian Security Academy.

Moss is a dual Australian/Canadian citizen. Visit her at TaraRaeMoss.com

Recent Awards and Accolades:

2012 Australia’s 20 Most Influential Female Voices

2013 Australia’s Most inspiring Women ‘who push boundaries, create change and motivate’

2014 Outstanding Advocacy Award for Manus Island: An insider’s report

2014 Cosmo’s The Women Who Made 2014 Better for The Fictional Woman

2014 Influential Women of 2014, alongside Malala, Laura Bates, Angelina Jolie and more

2014 The Hoopla‘s The Female Eunuch Award for The Fictional Woman

2015 Best Designed Non-Fiction Book Award, for The Fictional Woman designed by Tara Moss and Matt Stanton

2015 Part of the University of Sydney’s Leadership for Good

2015 Edna Ryan Award - ‘Grand Stirrer Award’ for making a feminist difference by speaking out for women and children, for a significant contribution to feminist debate and inciting others to challenge the status quo

2016 Champion of the West award for community service

2017 The Order of Lambrick Park

2018 International Top 50 Diversity Figures in Public Life ‘recognises the achievements of individuals who have used their position in public life, for example as a campaigner, politician or journalist to make an impact in diversity.’ Listed alongside Malala Yousufzai, Angelina Jolie, Bernie Sanders, Emma Watson, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet and more.

Reviews

[Kerryn (RatherBeReading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have enjoyed this series it does become increasingly far fetched as it goes on.


The main character Makedde is apparently Wonder Woman - she is not only ridiculously good looking (tall, blonde, ex-model) but is very smart and outwits everyone around her constantly - police, criminals, professional hitmen... Everyone. This, to me, becomes increasingly annoying.


Without giving anything away, I don't know if I'm happy with how the romance aspect has played out. Not necessarily her decisions but the reasoning behind them. It sometimes seems that the writer has purposefully jumped time period between books in order to contrive some reason for the characters to be at odds but these issues are never really explained properly and I find that extremely frustrating.


I think the next book is the final one in the series and I do like the direction it seems to be heading in so I will finish off the series. Particularly as I am five books in so I would like to see how it plays out.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 5th in the Makedde Vanderwall series. I am persisting with it but I find her really frustrating at times. There is a reason why people keep coming after her.

I actually felt empathy for the hit man in this book. I am not sure if that was supposed to be the case but that is how it ended up for me.

I am going to go for the last book just to finish off the series

[Dayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I preface this with the disclaimer that I do not like crime fiction. Why do I continue to read them? Who knows.
Makkede Vanderwall is an international model turned PhD in forensic psychology turned private investigator and somehow is only 30 years old. This is the fifth of her novels so I appreciate I have landed in the middle of her story. It is likely also where I will depart from her story.
I found it often overly descriptive and a little too unrealistic on a number of fronts. The novel jumps POV without much reason which may make sense in the broader context of the series.

I think if you like crime fiction, this would spark joy. If you don’t, maybe pick up something else.

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but somehow not as much as I did Fetish. It seemed to go just a little too far and become just a little far fetched especially towards the end. And since the ending is what stays with you after you finish a book it is also what influences your review and how many stars you give it. I did really enjoy the setting because I live in Sydney too and there is nothing better than being able to actually see where your heroine is because you have been there yourself. ( although not to the outrageous night club or the weird theater.) A good book but not an outstanding one.

[Tatterededges · Rating 1 out of 5]

This might have been an alright book if only it had ended with the non-sensical Adam Hart case but instead the reader has to endure the excruciating kidnap/hostage sex/escape tripe. I call bullshit on the whole thing.

Honestly by around the halfway point I was just reading in the hope that Luther would kill her in the end.

[Kseniya Fyodorova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sooo excited to read this book because I loved Mak and Tara’s writing. I met some troubles because I read first Mak’s stories many years ago and after that I didn’t have any opportunity to buy new Tara’s books because there weren’t none in Russia, and no one couldn’t buy it for me somewhere else. So it was long time ago and my connection to amazing Makedde was lost. That’s why reading this book was hard. Sometimes I felt what I needed to drown myself into this book but the central story about the theatre didn’t echo in me. I loved all parts about my sweet Mak (“outside” her case) though. The final chapters were superb! I finally remembered why I loved it so much! Now I need to find the next book and buy it. No doubt it’s what I will love and read in 2-3 days.

[Eleni Konstantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Mak is back in Sydney after breaking up with her in-off again partner. She’s back to PI work and wants to tackle a past case which she has been warned off. Instead she tracks down a missing young adult and tries to restart her life.

I think the series has gotten better even with the dramatic plot points. I’d accidentally read the blurb for the last book in the series so the ending of this book wasn’t a surprise. But it definitely is a shock.

It’s the first time I read the book rather than listening to the audio so that felt strange but had Moss’ narration voice in my head. I look forward to reading the last book in the series.

[Lyddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters in the fifth installment of the Makedde Vanderwall series seemed one dimensional and lackluster. However, the crazy ending made up for all of the romantic preoccupations and stiff dialogue. Reminded me of superhero mythology, or the beginnings of a Femme Fatale like Nikita. A truly shocking ending, and that alone deserves the 3 stars. Not sure if I want to read the last book, Assassin, but I'm definitely curious.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this was a pretty corny story. I accept it is well written but the story line did not wash with me. I enjoyed the background of the streets of Pigalle in Paris and Surry Hills in Sydney but the cliche trained killer story who suddenly falls in love with his intended victim just did not work.

[Rachel Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have love all the Makedde books so far and they are one of my favourite book series but I did not understand the addition of Bogey. Maybe I am biased as I have loved Makedde and Andy’s will they/won’t they love affair or perhaps Bogey is just not my type. I still enjoyed the book in spite of this

[Richard Warlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, previous books were better

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Rob Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am a fan of this series but Siren is not Tara Moss’s best

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touch of Fantasy and excellent mystery.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very long winded. Skipped pages and still got the gist.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Enjoyed knowing the settings as they are places I know.

[lynae · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75🌟

[Jenny Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm weird ending . I enjoyed reading it but the end was kind of weird , like there needs to be another book . A bit unfinished ?

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

On par with the previous book. Not the best.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok....probably didn't find this story line as thrilling as all the others in this series so far but still found it to be a great read. I loved the pairing of Mak and Bogey and thought they would have made a cute couple.

The ending was the heart wrencher for me. Here I was starting to actually feel sorry for Luther and wondering if maybe Mak could have saved him and made him a better man and then she tricked him and had him believing she truly wanted him. I couldn't believe Mak had it in her to treat him that way even though he was a hitman and was there for all intense purposes of killing her. Well that feeling didn't last long.....probably up to the part where Mak found those black shoes. I actually cried, Luther did it, he murdered Bogey, for what purposes who knows but he did and it made me sad. I really hoped for things to work out for Mak and Bogey. I thought she had finally found some one that could love her and be there for her to look after her. Wow....didn't see that one coming. So so sad. My heart broke for Mak. I can see where the next story is going now and can't wait to read it.

[Helensvale Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siren is the 5th instalment in the series in which Makedde Vanderwall gets thrust into a world of deadly innocence. The first book, Fetish introduces the readers to model and forensic psychology student Mak Vanderwall as she travels to Australia to strut down the fashion runways. However, Mak receives bad news upon her arrival that her close friend Catherine Gerber, has been hideously killed and the police are unable to find the killer. Mak then begins to investigate using what she has learned in school, unaware that the killer is honing in on her as his next target! The story line is fast-paced especially when Mak begins to make inquires or when the villain takes centre stage. All of the books in the series, Split, Covet and now Siren carry on at an intriguing thrilling pace set by the first book. The reader will be hooked from the very first chapter of this series.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story in this series, with a much darker ending than the previous ones. This is the first I read as a book, the previous ones I listened to as audiobook. I am surprised that it doesn't feel very different although I expected it to.

In this story, Makadde has broken up with Andy and moved to Sydney. She has a case where she is searching for a young man who has disappeared. She follows him across states and eventually across continents. While this is happening, she is still obsessed with the billionaire Cavenagh family from the last book, and getting into trouble trying to keep track of them.

[Tyson Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not the ending I was expecting. Mak has moved back to Sydney and has picked up more PI work. This time a young man has gone missing and she has been asked to find him. But her recent experiences with a very powerful family are still looming in her life, much more ominously than she realises.

Tara still ranks as one of my favourite crime thriller authors and Siren's ending left me wanting the next instalment now. The good news for me is that all of her books have just been launched on Kindle. The bad news is that the next Makede Vanderwall novel is still a while away yet.

[Josh Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not often that I reach the end of a movie and think "Holy Crap! What just happened? That's one epically shocking finish that'll take a while to recover from. Bring on the sequel!"
Congrats to Tara Moss because I just got that from a book. I'm referring to the kind of event depicted on screen that in the first half hour of a movie or the end of a pilot episode that lets you know it's all action packed epic from this point on and the bad guys better run.

I'm only giving a 4 out 5 because I have a feeling that if I give it the 5 it deserves I'll want to give the next book a 6 out of 5.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the most gripping Makkede Vanderwall adventure to date. There were just so many unexpected twists and turns in this story. I couldn't wait to see where here adventures next led Mak.

Moss is a talented writer and I have come to love the Makkede Vanderwall character. I was enraptured by this story, so much so I have already started Assassin, the next book in the Mak series.....cant wait to see where Moss takes us to next!

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Makadee Vanderwall series and a continuation of the story. Some book series just feature the same characters, but this one is the same story and to fully appreciate it, one should really read the books in order. The ending of this book is rather sad in many ways but sets up the next book nicely.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting much from this book having read The Blood Countess and not enjoyed it. However this was fantastic and I now feel like going and buying the other books in the series. It's all not ur typical happy go lucky book you would expect from a model author. It shows the dirt and grit with an ending that is not what you would call happily ever after.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much to say about this book except poor poor (won't ruin the story). By this book I don't know who I was rooting for Andy to make a come back, mr hand to find some shred of happiness, or Makedde and her new love to run away forever after. Of course none of this happens and there is a great set up for the final book.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren is Tara Moss' fifth book in the Makedde Vanderwall series. It is a fast paced story about a private detective who has some issues of her own to resolve while solving a case. Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?

The story is well worth reading, or listening to. It does, however, end rather abruptly leaving us with twist in the tale and the possibility of a sequel.