Hit

Makedde Vanderwall #4

by Tara Moss

She's beautiful, street-smart, and hoping to leave her troubled past behind her ... Makedde Vanderwall has finished her studies and is ready to start practising as a forensic psychologist. She's also starting a new life in Australia with her detective boyfriend Andy Flynn ... Hoping to scrape together some extra cash, Mak begins doing part-time work for an infamous Sydney PI. With a knack for investigation and bending the law, Mak might just have stumbled across her true calling ... and the career choice that could finally bust up her relationship once and for all. Then she is hired to investigate the murder of highflying PA Meaghan Wallace. The police believe it's an open and shut case: a junkie street-kid is guilty. But Mak discovers that the case is a lot more complicated ... and if the boy didn't kill Meaghan, then who set him up? And how far will they go to keep their guilt a secret?

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

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, plenty of action and intrigue but there is something about this author's writing which doesn't quite gel with me. I think it is partly the long paragraphs telling us how wonderful Makkede is. I generally skip those bits. She actually has any number of personality issues despite or even because of how beautiful and intelligent she is. I would like to see a good editor take a red pen to this book and then it could go from being a good book to being a brilliant one.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars.

This book was loaned to me by a neighbour who said that she could not put this book down. Knowing I am a big reader she gave it to me with a "you will love this" smile. When I realised this was book 4 in the series, my OCD kicked in and I went on a visit to my local library and borrowed book 1-3. They were painful to read. Horribly painful. However, I kept reading in hope that when I got to book 4 I would finally see the type of a book that could convert my non-reading neighbour into a gushing Moss fan.

Nope. I am at a total loss. This book was definitely better than the previous books but it was bland and just plain silly. I have no issues with Ms Moss's writing style. In fact, I find her writing style quite easy to read. The issues I have are with the implausible storylines and the characters. Actually the characters are something that drives me insane.

Let me be blunt. I HATE Makedde Vanderwall. This is an issue as she is the main character and if you can not connect with her in a positive way the book is over. I think Tara has tried too hard to create a character that is perfect but ends up just being annoying. She is beautiful. All men want her. She is brilliant. More brilliant than anyone else in the world. She knows everything about every topic (but not in a cute Sheldon way - more in a annoying Makedde way). Moss goes out of her way to convince us that Makedde (aka Tara) is not just a pretty model but is also brilliant and edgy and does all those things that boys do and has not realised that brilliant, beautiful, perfect is BORING. Then there are the cliches - the "I ride a motorbike" because I am so cool stuff. Ahhhh! At least she got the annoying cop boyfriend out of the picture and brought in a cool coffin-making guy (him I get!).

Reading other reviews, I see I am not alone in my feelings. Makedde as a PI? Seriously? Someone gave her stars for keeping the puppy alive. I like that. Ditto! Stars for the puppy it is oh and stars for finally breaking my OCD. I can not read another book in this series. Farewell Makedde!

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the last one. There is a reason why Mak is a psycho magnet - she keeps doing stupid things. There were some parts in this book where I thought "Really?? that sounds like a bad idea." It usually WAS a bad idea.

I feel like I am committed now and will keep reading the series.

[c a t h e y · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good to see Moss' writing skills improve. This made a nice, interesting read: the characterization is a lot better and broader; multiple plot lines are being balanced; and although it isn't a murder "mystery" as such, tension etc. has still been achieved.

I think there is a one or two year gap between Hit and the book before it, Covet. Makedde is living in Sydney with Andy, who unfortunately does not feature predominantly in Hit.

Makedde wasn't as annoying in this book as the others, I felt. She seemed too perfect, and what happened to her seemed too coincidental. Firstly, she models and is gorgeous, she's smart and doing a PhD in forensic psychology (which actually interests me very much) and is a psycho magnet. How many times can a girl be the target of serial killers? Hit seemed much more realistic, and Makedde is less perfect than the previous books portrayed her in this one, and I believe that this and others have made Hit Moss' best novel yet.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the new direction Tara Moss went with this book. The first three books showed how Mak transitioned from victim to learning how to defend herself, and they showed a lot of character development. However, we never really saw Mak working or doing anything productive, she was simply being chased by psychopaths.

In Hit, Mak was a very independent woman, without her boyfriend Andy around much, and she was now a private investigator with a PhD in Forensic Psychology. This shows how she has developed as a person, and we get to see a bit more of Mak being the chaser, trying to get to the bottom of a case.

She is working a very complicated case with many intersecting parts, and its fascinating to read as she begins to connect the dots between the cases and realize that everything is more than it seems.

[Nerida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally quite an enjoyable read. Another book that I have randomly picked up without reading any of the previous books in the series, but it didn't seem to be any issue, as the plot was stand alone and easy to follow. Multiple references were made to previous events so it was pretty easy to pick up at least the necessary back story.

I assume that Mak is at least physically a description of the author, Tara Moss, but it makes it more realistic when the "ex model with a brain" scenarios are described. The plot twists move along pretty quickly and did keep me turning the pages.

I read it in a few days on holidays, and it's the perfect kind of holiday read - pretty light but interesting and enough to keep you wanting to know the end result.

[Tatterededges · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was the worst book so far. Firstly, why does Mak keep reassuring everyone she not with the Feds? She does realise she's in Australia and the AFP neither refer to themselves as the Feds or concern themselves with routine criminal investigations right?

I don't think much of her PI skills. What kind of private investigator uses their own car when doing surveillance? And how corrupt are the police?

Also how is it possible that Andy and Mak haven't got their relationship shit together by now? Andy is gone one day and telling her not to wait for him and she's getting intimate with a coffin maker. Why are they even together at all.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't always enjoy this kind of violent killer mystery, but I do enjoy Tara Moss. Maybe it's because of the strong female characters. After reading 4 books in this series now, they are sharing to feel a bit too formulaic, but still very enjoyable.

In this one, Makedde has moved to Sydney to live with Andy and has become a private investigator. She is tasked to look into the murder of a young woman, which takes her into some of the richest circles of Sydney as well as the seediest and a quick look at Melbourne as well.

[Edna Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as part of our book club list of books. I did not think it the 'thriller' novel it was pointed out to be. I was not impressed with main character Mak, in fact the author bored me with constant references to how beautiful, how smart, how everything this character was. I thought the plot was very amateurish.

[Jasmine Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine - a little too long maybe? I started to lag about 2/3 through, but it picked up again. I really didn’t mind when the boyfriend went overseas for most of the book, because honestly the way they don’t bother even talking to each other annoys me. But I like the rest of the plot enough I’ll read the rest of the series.

[Heather Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm definitely becoming more invested in this series. The writing is better, the story more intense, and the character of Makedde has become a sort of kickass "sick of all your shit" woman that is inspiring and empowering to read. Now I'm just hoping she can kick douchey misogynist boyfriend out the door and I'll be completely happy.

[Mikayla Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, this book was super boring and predictable. I liked the main female lead at times and I understand that this is part of a series but legit. Nothing. Happened.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Mak! Enjoyed.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and really good story telling. Loved it.

[Kathy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to investigate the books of Tara Moss after seeing her on Ang Doh’s show. An easy read. The end was a bit too ‘tidy’.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.

[Carol Kilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so good and well written it makes me keep watching for more of her books.

[Ros]

DNF @30% on second read

[Michelle Macky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story line, but felt the ending was rushed.

[Gail Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good, my first murder mystery & set in Oz. Well written & hard to put down

[Fernanda Assis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[lynae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25🌟

[Bryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay audio book.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept reading it but it was a little meh. A bit like a filler book . Hopefully the next in the series is better

[Maggie Kerdel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story until the end. I would enjoyed a better ending.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me years to finally finish this book. Not as good as the first 3 in the series.

[Cass A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light reading. The best part was visualising Sydney as described.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meaghan Wallace is invited to one of the "must be at" social events in Sydney - a party at the very very rich Cavanagh household. When her escort (and boss) finally passes out, she stumbles across Damien, the very spoilt son of the family, arguing with other men in the same room as a bed, and a very young, dead Asian girl. Meaghan uses her phone camera to videotape the event, amazed at the famous faces she's encountering at this party, but is caught by Damien's friend Simon who smashes the phone and quietly removes Meaghan from the party. When Meaghan is found dead in her own apartment a few days later, a young drug-addled junkie who is also there is assumed guilty by the police, but Meaghan's boss is not so sure.

Makedde Vanderwall is working freelance for the PI firm he hires, saving up the money to open her own forensic psychology practice, and she is assigned the case. It also seems that Simon is not such a great minder for his friend after all and Damien's father - Jack - is forced to step in to clean up after his son and protect the family reputation and business.

HIT is not a who or why done it - it's a thriller. You know that there are two main threads converging - Makedde's investigation and the Cavanagh family tidying up. HIT is all about how and when these elements collide. The book changes perspective with each chapter - from Makedde's investigation to the family and the activities of their hired help.

The good thing about HIT is the "bad guys". Whilst the action swirls around Damien, he is a very one dimensional character, but Simon is a classic leached on friend. He is Damien's minder and pimp, for the money he can redirect his way, but mostly because of the influence that being the "friend of Damien" gives him. Jack Cavanagh has a "minder" of his own - an enigmatic character known as "The American" who sorts out problems. There is a hired killer, bought in from India, an Australian with a Sydney based history, an unforgettable appearance and a big reputation as an efficient killer.

The bad thing about HIT is the Makedde chapters which frequently slow the pace to snails crawl, with extraneous padding and repetitive elements that become hard work. The major sex scene, albeit short, between Makedde and her boyfriend Andy, would probably qualify for the Literary Review Bad Sex Awards. There is also way too much made of the fact that everyone underestimates Makedde because of the way she looks, and too many pointless references to Makedde's blissful unawareness of how her stunning good looks stop conversation in restaurants and create murmurings in shopping centres. And why the push up bra and skimpy singlet "that she felt might come in handy"? Did it come in handy? This reader is still wondering.

Ultimately HIT will please fans of Tara Moss, and could well find a market in those looking for pure entertainment.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Makedde Vanderwall story as the character had developed greatly since her first appearance in Fetish. She is more rounded and more in charge of her life, less of the victim. Unfortunately, when I think of Makedde, or Mak as she likes to be called, I can't help but picture the author who like her character is an ex model and has moved from Canada to Australia. I'm sure there are many differences, the least of which is that Mak has blonde hair and the author doesn't.

One negative about the writing style is the way conversations are drawn out. One character will say something and then there are a couple paragraphs of narrative and before a few words from the other character before you have another couple of paragraphs of narrative. These drawn out conversations kind of put a brake on the story, usually when you are about to find out something interesting.

I look forward to the next book in the series.