What do you think?
Rate this book
Tara Sharp #4
Sharp Edge
Dead bodies, a complicated love life, and a conflict between the local drug cartels, and a favour owed to the local bikies have Tara scrambling to stay ahead of the game. Just another Tuesday for Tara.
295 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2017
31 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Delacourt
10 books96 followersMarianne Delacourt is the alter ego of internationally published SF writer Marianne de Pierres.
Marianne Delacourt writes humorous crime about Tara Sharp psychic investigator who can read auras.
You can read about Marianne's books at www.mariannedepierres.com and www.burnbright.com.au and www.tarasharp.com.au
Marianne Delacourt writes humorous crime about Tara Sharp psychic investigator who can read auras.
You can read about Marianne's books at www.mariannedepierres.com and www.burnbright.com.au and www.tarasharp.com.au
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 25, 2017
Loved it!
I am a huge fan of this series and loved this book. The story is always complex and well written, you’ll never want to put it down. The antics, action, mystery and early romantic entanglements make for a brilliant read!
I am a huge fan of this series and loved this book. The story is always complex and well written, you’ll never want to put it down. The antics, action, mystery and early romantic entanglements make for a brilliant read!
July 21, 2018
Love this series and can’t wait for the next book!
October 5, 2017
Sharp Edge is the fourth book in the series, and is every bit as good as the others. Chick lit crime at its best - if you like Evanovich then you will love this! Tara Sharp gets herself into another sticky situation with a complicated love life, a helpful teenage flatmate, and the many tentacles of Johnny Viaspa's business dealings. She's quick quick witted and feisty, whilst at the same time still learning how to adult like the rest of us! A great easy read that lets you escape without having to think too much, has your heart in your throat at times, and has a great variety of side characters. It is perfectly paced with a storyline that comes to a head, and leaves you wanting more. It’s a refreshing change to read a story where the landmarks are from my hometown of Perth instead of other more popular cities, which left me with a familiar comfort. I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every page-turning minute. Perfect for vacations, either on its own or read as part of the series.
October 12, 2017
Number 4 in the #tarasharp #sharpseries by #mariannedelacourt and an absolute cracker! It helps if you read the previous books, but it is still a great read if you don't. Tara is a smart talking, aura seeing, private detective with the middle name of 'trouble'. Caught up with helping out the local biker club, two gorgeous men who both want her in their lives, a sulky teen and an overprotective mother, she needs to solve the mystery, meet the deadline, rescue herself and avoid the bad guys for long enough to meet up with her date. Tara lives on the edge... The #sharpedge
This was a review for an ARC - book out soon!
#instabooks #instareview #instareads #readingaddict #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booksbooksbooks #aura #trouble #readingaddict #reading #mystery
This was a review for an ARC - book out soon!
#instabooks #instareview #instareads #readingaddict #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booksbooksbooks #aura #trouble #readingaddict #reading #mystery
December 11, 2017
I just love this fast paced series. Tara is fun, energetic and smart. The supporting characters are great.
January 6, 2018
This series is addictive; I can’t wait for more. Great characters, absorbing story and brilliant humour. I LOVED IT!
November 16, 2017
Happy to find this!
I was spellbound and couldn't stop reading....from book one to book four! I seriously hope to find a fifth coming out soon. These were very well written, held my interest and had very interesting characters. Definitely will recommend this series to all my friends.
I was spellbound and couldn't stop reading....from book one to book four! I seriously hope to find a fifth coming out soon. These were very well written, held my interest and had very interesting characters. Definitely will recommend this series to all my friends.
December 11, 2017
After her eventful trip to Brisbane, Tara Sharp is glad to be back home in Perth. Finally time for things to settle down – or so she hopes. Unfortunately, life has other plans, and soon Tara’s going to be in over her head in more ways than she can count.
Just when she commits to the dreamy Edouardo, Nick Tozzi leaves his wife – for Tara. Now she’s torn between two equally delightful men. And, if that’s not bad enough, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when she and Tozzi find a body washed up on the beach. Throw in the bikie gang calling in the favour Tara owes them, and her work and social life brushing up against the crime lord who wants her dead, and life is about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Sharp Edge brings back all the amazing aspects from previous novels in the series, but with more intensity. The stakes are higher, the threats darker, and the enemies are closing in on Tara despite her attempts to stay off their radar.
While each of the novels can be read alone, they’re best read in order. Everything in the series accrues as it goes on, so starting in the middle means missing some excellent plot and character development. The first novel, Sharp Shooter, is a quirky, fun adventure involving stubborn galahs, oddball characters and a surfeit of decadent desserts. It’s the kind of book that feels like time spent with good friends. So coming back for the second round is a given. By the time Sharp Edge, the fourth book in the series, rolls around, there are so many more layers to the characters and situations than I would have dreamed of in those early heady days.
In Sharp Edge, Tara’s still disorganised and prone to getting herself into unfathomable situations – but she’s grown a lot too. While her business isn’t quite on solid ground; she’s taking more responsibility for things and has a much better grasp on her aura-reading ability. She’s also much more capable of holding her own in this high-stakes game she’s stuck in. And I love how she uses the resources at her disposal to get herself out of sticky situations – even if those resources don’t seem like much at first glance.
That said – for all of her growth and new-found maturity – there are still an abundance of facepalm moments at her antics. Between her and her friends, it’s mystifying that any of them have made it this far.
After turning the last page of Sharp Edge, I’m hoping that the next in the series doesn’t keep me waiting too long.
Just when she commits to the dreamy Edouardo, Nick Tozzi leaves his wife – for Tara. Now she’s torn between two equally delightful men. And, if that’s not bad enough, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when she and Tozzi find a body washed up on the beach. Throw in the bikie gang calling in the favour Tara owes them, and her work and social life brushing up against the crime lord who wants her dead, and life is about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Sharp Edge brings back all the amazing aspects from previous novels in the series, but with more intensity. The stakes are higher, the threats darker, and the enemies are closing in on Tara despite her attempts to stay off their radar.
While each of the novels can be read alone, they’re best read in order. Everything in the series accrues as it goes on, so starting in the middle means missing some excellent plot and character development. The first novel, Sharp Shooter, is a quirky, fun adventure involving stubborn galahs, oddball characters and a surfeit of decadent desserts. It’s the kind of book that feels like time spent with good friends. So coming back for the second round is a given. By the time Sharp Edge, the fourth book in the series, rolls around, there are so many more layers to the characters and situations than I would have dreamed of in those early heady days.
In Sharp Edge, Tara’s still disorganised and prone to getting herself into unfathomable situations – but she’s grown a lot too. While her business isn’t quite on solid ground; she’s taking more responsibility for things and has a much better grasp on her aura-reading ability. She’s also much more capable of holding her own in this high-stakes game she’s stuck in. And I love how she uses the resources at her disposal to get herself out of sticky situations – even if those resources don’t seem like much at first glance.
That said – for all of her growth and new-found maturity – there are still an abundance of facepalm moments at her antics. Between her and her friends, it’s mystifying that any of them have made it this far.
After turning the last page of Sharp Edge, I’m hoping that the next in the series doesn’t keep me waiting too long.
November 28, 2017
I've love the Tara Sharp books for their easy flow, great pace and plucky main character; Sharp Edge is yet another brilliant installment in the series! What I love most is how Marianne Delacourt develops the series, you get to find out a host more about the secondary characters, in the case of Sharp Edge, her ex-fiance Garth and her teenage charge.
The stakes, though much larger with each book released, never seem to get absurd, and always keeps the books in the right place - more about the character's relationship with her life and career than with obsessing about men (which is such a breath of fresh air in chick-lit mix genres like this series).
In saying that though, I was a bit annoyed that the cliffhanger for the book was (in my mind) a stupid relationship one, with one of the male character's being incredibly disrespectful in trying to hem in Tara in a way that many view as romantic but I see as quite manipulative and controlling (and problematic for young readers looking for role models). However this was my only problem with the book.
I couldn't put it down as I was reading it and I recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries, crime and a great, light-hearted chick-lit.
The stakes, though much larger with each book released, never seem to get absurd, and always keeps the books in the right place - more about the character's relationship with her life and career than with obsessing about men (which is such a breath of fresh air in chick-lit mix genres like this series).
In saying that though, I was a bit annoyed that the cliffhanger for the book was (in my mind) a stupid relationship one, with one of the male character's being incredibly disrespectful in trying to hem in Tara in a way that many view as romantic but I see as quite manipulative and controlling (and problematic for young readers looking for role models). However this was my only problem with the book.
I couldn't put it down as I was reading it and I recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries, crime and a great, light-hearted chick-lit.
March 5, 2019
I'm not always the biggest fan of starting in the middle of a series – I usually like to go on the ride with the character from the very beginning of their journey – but I had no problem adjusting to Tara Sharp's world of combating crime with her psychic powers, living the high life, and trying to juggle a bevy of men. In a lot of ways, the Tara Sharp series reminds me of another two favorite series of mine, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series in content, but with the tone of Ms. Evanovich's Fox and O'Hare series, co-authored with Lee Goldberg. While Tara Sharp has plenty of sarcasm up her sleeve, this novel is less laugh-out-loud slapstick and more of a quiet chuckle when she manages to get herself into (and out of) some tricky situations.
Set in Perth, Australia, the book follows psychic private investigator Tara Sharp as she gets hired to solve a couple of high stakes crimes. The main crime revolves around the death of Bernard Romeo, whose body washes ashore with its arms removed. She owes a favor to the Western Cheaters – a rough, tough motorcycle gang who saved her when she got in trouble previously with drug kingpin Johnny Viaspa. The Cheaters want to find out who killed Bernard and why.
But there are a number of factors getting in Tara's way. First, she has to deal with Johnny Viaspa, who's had a hit out on her since she crossed him when solving another crime. Then there's Phoebe, her old school mate, the secret ex-lover of Bernard and also the Premier's daughter. Alternately, there's Garth, Tara's ex-fiancé who comes to her for advice on how to help his new girlfriend extricate herself from a toxic business partnership—a partnership that turns out to be connected to Viaspa's family. Finally, there's Jake Stranger, the President of the Western Cheaters, who alternately hits on Tara and threatens her life.
At the same time, Tara is juggling a number of personal issues. For starters, she just became intimately involved with a younger man, Ed. He's a male model and uncomplicated, and the guy she turns to for comfort when work and personal issues are stressing her out. Then there's Nick Tozzi, the exact opposite – he presses all her buttons, but he's just getting out of a toxic marriage. The consequences of his breakup with his wife follow him, and not in a good way, when he's trying to start a new relationship with Tara. Tara can't choose between these two men, and there are one or two close calls where all three run into each other and Tara has to cover her butt, sometimes literally, to avoid getting caught dating two guys at once.
Tara's family life is also complicated. She takes care of a runaway teen, Cass, who helps Tara with her business in between attending school and working a paying job. Then there's Tara's mom, a member of the socialite set in town. Tara and Cass live in Tara's mom's guest house, and there is an uneasy truce between them so that they can exist in close proximity to each other. Finally, there's Tara's Aunt Liv, who's fulfilled the role of the mother she never had—understanding, compassionate, and supportive. Liv has an episode with her health and ends up in the hospital. Although it's just a scare, it's one more stress to add to Tara's plate.
With one group of gangsters trying to kill her, and the other threatening to do the same, Tara must find a way to solve the crimes, cheat death, avoid the scrutiny of the cops, handle her stressful home life, and pick the perfect guy.
What struck me first when reading this book was the voice. It's humorous, self-deprecating and instantly likeable. The tone reminds me of a rom-com, although without the resolved happily ever after part of the romance. It also contains elements of a thriller, with chase scenes, shootouts and a mystery to solve. I think the smallest element of the mix is the paranormal aspect. While Tara does possess the ability to read auras and she does have a mentor to help her with it, I feel that this part of the story doesn't play a big part of the plot. Tara reads auras, but they seldom seem to help her determine a course of action or even give her a lot of information that couldn't be obtained another way. Since this is supposed to be the reason why she's a P.I., I wanted to see more of this aspect of her ability and see it used more during her investigations. I sometimes forgot she even had this ability, since she doesn't use it/remark about it in a consistent manner when interacting with others. And there is only one time when she does more than read an aura, but actually tries to use her ability to cause an upset person to calm down. I would've liked to see more active uses of her power, and to make it a more central aspect of solving the mystery.
But that is just one genre-lover's opinion, and others might find that the balance of paranormal to mystery is a good fit. Overall, the book is a fun, light read, perfect for when you have a free afternoon and perhaps a mimosa or two waiting. Tara Sharp is a likable and flawed character who is struggling to figure out her personal life as much as she is struggling to solve crimes. Even if you're not starting out with book one in the series like me, I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did.
This review was originally published in the magazine Bewildering Stories, Issue # 744.
Set in Perth, Australia, the book follows psychic private investigator Tara Sharp as she gets hired to solve a couple of high stakes crimes. The main crime revolves around the death of Bernard Romeo, whose body washes ashore with its arms removed. She owes a favor to the Western Cheaters – a rough, tough motorcycle gang who saved her when she got in trouble previously with drug kingpin Johnny Viaspa. The Cheaters want to find out who killed Bernard and why.
But there are a number of factors getting in Tara's way. First, she has to deal with Johnny Viaspa, who's had a hit out on her since she crossed him when solving another crime. Then there's Phoebe, her old school mate, the secret ex-lover of Bernard and also the Premier's daughter. Alternately, there's Garth, Tara's ex-fiancé who comes to her for advice on how to help his new girlfriend extricate herself from a toxic business partnership—a partnership that turns out to be connected to Viaspa's family. Finally, there's Jake Stranger, the President of the Western Cheaters, who alternately hits on Tara and threatens her life.
At the same time, Tara is juggling a number of personal issues. For starters, she just became intimately involved with a younger man, Ed. He's a male model and uncomplicated, and the guy she turns to for comfort when work and personal issues are stressing her out. Then there's Nick Tozzi, the exact opposite – he presses all her buttons, but he's just getting out of a toxic marriage. The consequences of his breakup with his wife follow him, and not in a good way, when he's trying to start a new relationship with Tara. Tara can't choose between these two men, and there are one or two close calls where all three run into each other and Tara has to cover her butt, sometimes literally, to avoid getting caught dating two guys at once.
Tara's family life is also complicated. She takes care of a runaway teen, Cass, who helps Tara with her business in between attending school and working a paying job. Then there's Tara's mom, a member of the socialite set in town. Tara and Cass live in Tara's mom's guest house, and there is an uneasy truce between them so that they can exist in close proximity to each other. Finally, there's Tara's Aunt Liv, who's fulfilled the role of the mother she never had—understanding, compassionate, and supportive. Liv has an episode with her health and ends up in the hospital. Although it's just a scare, it's one more stress to add to Tara's plate.
With one group of gangsters trying to kill her, and the other threatening to do the same, Tara must find a way to solve the crimes, cheat death, avoid the scrutiny of the cops, handle her stressful home life, and pick the perfect guy.
What struck me first when reading this book was the voice. It's humorous, self-deprecating and instantly likeable. The tone reminds me of a rom-com, although without the resolved happily ever after part of the romance. It also contains elements of a thriller, with chase scenes, shootouts and a mystery to solve. I think the smallest element of the mix is the paranormal aspect. While Tara does possess the ability to read auras and she does have a mentor to help her with it, I feel that this part of the story doesn't play a big part of the plot. Tara reads auras, but they seldom seem to help her determine a course of action or even give her a lot of information that couldn't be obtained another way. Since this is supposed to be the reason why she's a P.I., I wanted to see more of this aspect of her ability and see it used more during her investigations. I sometimes forgot she even had this ability, since she doesn't use it/remark about it in a consistent manner when interacting with others. And there is only one time when she does more than read an aura, but actually tries to use her ability to cause an upset person to calm down. I would've liked to see more active uses of her power, and to make it a more central aspect of solving the mystery.
But that is just one genre-lover's opinion, and others might find that the balance of paranormal to mystery is a good fit. Overall, the book is a fun, light read, perfect for when you have a free afternoon and perhaps a mimosa or two waiting. Tara Sharp is a likable and flawed character who is struggling to figure out her personal life as much as she is struggling to solve crimes. Even if you're not starting out with book one in the series like me, I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did.
This review was originally published in the magazine Bewildering Stories, Issue # 744.
March 30, 2019
Amother murder in Australia.
I liked this story because she knows good friends and very bad people. She is always being rescued by very handsome men.
Always at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I liked this story because she knows good friends and very bad people. She is always being rescued by very handsome men.
Always at the wrong place at the wrong time.
November 24, 2018
The edge of reason
This last book of the series? , was one crisis after another with requited romance and gunplay. An honest ending.
This last book of the series? , was one crisis after another with requited romance and gunplay. An honest ending.
July 27, 2021
I didn't always get the idioms, but it still had me laughing and totally sucked into the story. an excellent series
April 12, 2020
Another roller coaster of a ride around the leafy suburbs of Perth with Tara Sharp and her band of lovable misfits that are ex’s, family or friends. Once again Tara is on the radar of the local kingpin by default if her ex and his new gf, added to her and Nick Tozzi finding a floater at the beach, with a dash of owing the local MC gang a favour - you know it’s going to be a wild ride! Then as the dust starts to settle you are left on a precipice - WTF cliffhanger! I need the next installment of this series - where and when can I get my hands on this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2019
Laugh out loud funny! The perfect read when you have been working too hard and want something light and fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews