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Gemma Lincoln #4
Shattered
A nine-year-old boy witnesses the slaying of two of his family. His eyes lock on those of the killer…until three shots tear into his body. PI Gemma Lincoln and her best friend detective Sergeant Angie McDonald are on the case—tracking down a cold-blooded killer and piecing together evidence that hints that the murderer may have been a cop. All the while Gemma is dealing with a runaway girl, searching for a missing young woman, and trying to deal with the biggest question of her life—will she keep her baby?
Gabrielle Lord draws on all her skills to weave a story that is bloody and unpredictable, yet at the same time personal, warm and very thoughtful. She stands alone as a writer who can bring together a brutal, complex crime plot with a very modern relationship story and make both threads thrilling and compelling.
Gabrielle Lord draws on all her skills to weave a story that is bloody and unpredictable, yet at the same time personal, warm and very thoughtful. She stands alone as a writer who can bring together a brutal, complex crime plot with a very modern relationship story and make both threads thrilling and compelling.
First published January 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Lord
108 books238 followersGabrielle Craig Lord is an Australian writer who has been described as Australia's first lady of crime.
She survived being ‘razed’ by the nuns, acquired an education despite this, and after working in many different areas, sales, teaching, brick-cleaning, peach-picking and packing, and in the Public Service as an employment officer, started writing seriously aged 30.
Her first two manuscripts ended up composting the tomatoes at her market garden – another attempt to make a living – but the third one FORTRESS was picked up internationally and made into a feature film starring Rachel Ward. A later novel WHIPPING BOY was made into a telemovie starring Sigrid Thornton. The film rights money, coinciding with her daughter leaving school, allowed Gabrielle to resign and instead of getting up at 4.30am and writing for several hours before heading off for work, she could write full-time and lead a more ‘normal’ writer’s life – hanging around with scientists and detectives, badgering forensic anthropologists (she studied some Anatomy at Sydney university) and doing work experience with a busy private security business and of course, writing.
Research is everything, she says. ‘Out of my contacts with experts (who are always far too modest to describe themselves that way) I get not only the fine-tuning necessary for today’s savvy readers, but also wonderful incidents and images that enrich and enlarge my books.’
Gabrielle’s interests are very simple. ‘After a misspent youth, I don’t have many brain cells left so I enjoy walking, meditation, singing, gardening, chatting with close friends, being with my family and grandkids, feeding my goldfish and keeping up to date with bodywork and enlightened psychotherapy.’
Gabrielle has now written fourteen adult novels and a novel for young adults. Once the 12 books of Conspiracy 365 are completed, this tally will be a tad bigger! Following this mammoth endeavour she already has plans for another three adult novels and two more YAs.
2013
She survived being ‘razed’ by the nuns, acquired an education despite this, and after working in many different areas, sales, teaching, brick-cleaning, peach-picking and packing, and in the Public Service as an employment officer, started writing seriously aged 30.
Her first two manuscripts ended up composting the tomatoes at her market garden – another attempt to make a living – but the third one FORTRESS was picked up internationally and made into a feature film starring Rachel Ward. A later novel WHIPPING BOY was made into a telemovie starring Sigrid Thornton. The film rights money, coinciding with her daughter leaving school, allowed Gabrielle to resign and instead of getting up at 4.30am and writing for several hours before heading off for work, she could write full-time and lead a more ‘normal’ writer’s life – hanging around with scientists and detectives, badgering forensic anthropologists (she studied some Anatomy at Sydney university) and doing work experience with a busy private security business and of course, writing.
Research is everything, she says. ‘Out of my contacts with experts (who are always far too modest to describe themselves that way) I get not only the fine-tuning necessary for today’s savvy readers, but also wonderful incidents and images that enrich and enlarge my books.’
Gabrielle’s interests are very simple. ‘After a misspent youth, I don’t have many brain cells left so I enjoy walking, meditation, singing, gardening, chatting with close friends, being with my family and grandkids, feeding my goldfish and keeping up to date with bodywork and enlightened psychotherapy.’
Gabrielle has now written fourteen adult novels and a novel for young adults. Once the 12 books of Conspiracy 365 are completed, this tally will be a tad bigger! Following this mammoth endeavour she already has plans for another three adult novels and two more YAs.
2013
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 8, 2019
Very enjoyable.
July 27, 2008
This was a bit of a second rate Australian mystery. Gemma Lincoln is a private detective who seems to be able to assist in police investigations with complete impunity, examining crime scenes and interviewing suspects. I had a hard time believing in her involvement in the matter, let alone the other unorthodox things she does to solve peripheral mysteries, and the eventual solving of the crime. I also found the love story and the will-I-won't-I keep the baby debate a bit irritating. It gets a couple of stars because there were some parts I quite enjoyed, but overall it wasn't great, and I don't think I'll be picking up another Lord book.
March 28, 2012
I don't read a lot of crime fiction, but I wanted to include this genre for the AWW Challenge. Gemma Lincoln is a likeable main character - strong, kind, intelligent, vulnerable. The sub-plots were intriguing, and the murder mystery kept me up late at night to find out whodunit. I also enjoyed the familiar Sydney settings.
June 26, 2019
Picking up this book from a book sale, I was unfamiliar with the author. What started out as an intriguing murder mystery with a whirlwind of characters and suspects sadly turned into a daft romance novel. Not my cup of tea!
August 25, 2018
Was ok. A lot going on. Not a favorite. Still prefer Tami Hoag
August 28, 2018
A new mystery author. I enjoyed the story and trying to figure out Who done it. Very enjoyable. But really had to pay attention to all the characters and story-lines.
January 15, 2022
It started well but it should have stayed a Murder mystery rather than a romance. But it was generally ok
May 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this one - like others, I was thrown by the level of involvement/interference that Gemma has in the police investigations, and I made the mistake of listening to this, the final instalment of the series without having read the rest of the series, which was probably less than helpful. But those quibbles aside, I thought that the story was good, credible and with enough strands to make the story interesting and plausible. I picked the culprit early in the piece, but it didn't detract - there were times when I thought I had to be wrong about my guess. Set in a likeable Sydney context - not too self conscious about its Sydney-ness. I was looking forward to getting into the car for the drive to or from work, and that is always a good sign about any book I am listening to!
June 6, 2013
Quite a good thriller/mystery. I like the protagonist and her new love interest. A couple of times I felt the dialogue was forced to show what a great guy this was, and I lost track of a character who turned out to be part of the big reveal. I can't be sure this wasn't due to my own poor memory. Most of all, I liked Hugo, Hugo was cool. Definitely worth a read.
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March 25, 2012This book was very enjoyable especially if the reader has already read any of the previous Gemma Lincoln series. It's a wonder why there has not been another sequel written to chronicle the further exploits of the main character.
October 31, 2016
I liked the idea of the storyline but there were a few things that were a little annoying.
The "will I won't I" part stretched on a little too long and just seemed like it was padding out the book.
I'm going to have to think on it a little more.
The "will I won't I" part stretched on a little too long and just seemed like it was padding out the book.
I'm going to have to think on it a little more.
January 1, 2013
Enjoyable, but a civilian being able to assist in police business is a bit weird
September 25, 2019
really like this author !
September 30, 2015
This was a good mystery with lots of scandal and a happy ending. I kind of wish the killer turned out to be someone mentioned more in the story but it was still entertaining.
December 11, 2015
Excellent - lots of twists and turns.
November 8, 2014
Great book
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews