Suspenseful and intriguing story of The Fragments of a long lost book on display at the museum bring out the people who are interested in finding out what really happened to the author of original book.

Toni Jordan builds suspense as the reader works along with Caddie Walker to uncover the mystery surrounding the last book written by her favorite author, Inga Karlson. After seeing the exhibit of the remaining burnt fragments from Inga's last book, The Days, The Minutes, which burned with her in a warehouse fire, Caddie searches for an elderly woman she saw at the exhibit. Working in a book store, Caddie reconnects with people from her past who were also interested in the author and her story.

Following the trend of other books I have loved this year, this story is told in alternating chapters between Inga's story in 1930's New York City and Caddie's life in 1980's Brisbane, Australia.

The story is tied to together by Rachel. She was a young girl fresh from a farm life with a happy family to a change in the family's fortune, and an angry violent father. Escaping to the big city, Rachel is working as a waitress and trying to make a life for herself when she meets Inga. Inga is living a dazzling lifestyle of glamour and fame, after her first novel was extremely successful. She takes Rachel along for the ride. Rachel is enamoured of Inga and cannot believe that anyone would look at her this way, "New York is a town powered by fame: most of the shop girls and waitresses and cigarette girls and busboys and delivery boys have travelled to this heaving city to become the person they know they can be. The thin skin between the life you have and the life you desire - this a good part of New York's charm."

Caddie also a fan of Inga Karlson's first novel, All Has An End, and hungry to know what happened to the author and her second novel all those years ago, works to solve the mystery that was never solved because of the war that soon the nation's attention. Caddie throws herself into discovering the secret which gives her a chance to shrug off the burden of her past and start off down a new path.

This book is part historical fiction, with a bit romance thrown in. It is not a mystery but there is a sense of suspense as we uncover the secrets at the core of the novel. All is tied up at the end in a neat package, but getting there is particularly enjoyable.

The Fragments is a clever and fast-paced book that shows so many aspects of life and family relationships. The writing was sharp at times and tender at others and I found myself absorbed in the story and the character's lives. I'll be keeping an eye on this author for future reads!

I quite enjoyed this dual-timeline, literary mystery. It was, perhaps, a bit slow at the beginning, and I (of course) did figure out the plot twist about 2/3 of the way in, but I would still recommend it.

Rachel is a waitress in 1939 New York who is friends (and more) with Inga Karlson, acclaimed author who wrote a life-changing book with a character whom 1986 bookseller Caddie is named for. The chapters go back and forth between the two characters.

I struggled a bit with the characters themselves, as Rachel and Caddie both seem to content to let others live their lives for them, "floating" with the current as Rachel's father taught her to do, but I was more frustrated with and less forgiving on Caddie (the more contemporary character) than Rachel. However, Caddie's character, at least, is strengthened in the later parts of this book, which did help her redeem herself somewhat, although I still wasn't completely satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. It has not influenced my review.

This book was a struggle for me, I had difficulty with the Australian lingo. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

There are 2 timelines 1935 and 1986 which moves back and forth. I found it difficult to move across the timelines and follow the story-its complicated. The main character Caddie Wilson follows the life and legacy of her favorite author, Inga Karlson. She as well as her publisher died and final book died in a fire. Fragments of the book were found and displayed at an art show in Brisbane 1986.

Then I was thoroughly confused, with the introduction of Rachel who was a waitress in NYC. I think the author should have focused on the main story line of the relationship between Caddie and Inga without bringing in Rachel and the Nazi drama. I thought it was unnecessary and confusing. I struggled to finish it.

Two different time periods and two seemingly different protagonists star in this historical mystery. The plot is unusual but the characters engaging and the outcome to be leaves the reader quickly turning the pages.

An enjoyable quick read, two narratives, one following the story of Rebecca, a girl growing up in a mill town in Allentown PA and the other 1980's Australia. After a chance meeting at the exhibition of fragments of lost novel, Caddie is caught up in a sentimental and academic adventure as she tries to prove that a long-dead author's second novel exists. One for all the English majors out there!

This is a gem of a book. Right up with my faves of the year. It is a literary mystery and I'm always up for one of those.

Inga Karlsen was a beloved author, she and her publisher and every copy of her second book were killed and destroyed in a warehouse fire in 1938. This was a tragedy, the country and the world mourned because her first novel, All Has An End has become one of the most read books of all time. The world had such high hopes for her second novel, The Days, The Minutes and now nothing remains except for some fragments of pages, which have become a travelling exhibition, visiting art galleries worldwide. People queue to see these fragments, scholars study Inga and her life she is beloved still, even in death.

We also have Caddy, a young woman in Brisbane in 1986, who loves All Has An End, she has studied it and it has become part of the fabric of her life. She is standing waiting to enter the exhibition of The Fragments when she strikes up a conversation with the woman next to her in the line. This woman quotes lines from the destroyed book which doesn't seem possible, how can she know these lines? Nobody knows them. Caddy is fascinated and begins to investigate. Along the way she meets Jamie, a rare book seller and he and she begin a love affair which I found just so lovely and heart-moving.

I can't really put my finger on why this book appealed to me so much. Both storylines are glorious. Caddy with her quiet life, her observations of everyone around her, the steel beneath her quiet demeanour. And Rachel, whose life has ended up to be so completely different from where she started or thought it could be. This is a story full of tragedy and sadness but with moments of clear light and hope. It is written with a light touch about big feelings. I wanted it to go on and on and I want everyone to read it.

Thanks to Text Publishing and to Netgalley for approving me for this gorgeous book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book, in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available to purchase on September 10th.

There were many things that I liked about this book, and a few things that I didn’t. Being a voracious reader, I understand bookish obsession, but I still had a hard time believing that Caddie would go through so much effort based on a few words that a stranger muttered at an exhibit. The reaction most people would have, I think, would be to think the older woman had simply misquoted the author. However, if you are able to suspend disbelief, the story moves along nicely.

It is a slower paced book than I expected, but I think that actually worked in its favor, giving the reader time to get to know the characters. The book had two storylines: that of Caddie, the zealous bookseller, whose storyline takes place in the late 80’s, and Rachel, whose storyline starts in the early 1920’s.

I preferred the parts about Rachel more, and from time to time I really wanted to tell Caddie to grow a spine. I loved how important Inga Karlson’s book was to Caddie, though. I can absolutely relate to that feeling of a book being such an important part in someone’s life.

A simple literary mystery which kept me turning the pages until I reached the final reveal. Although it wasn’t difficult to guess many of the upcoming plot twists early on in the book, it still held my interest.
Caddie’s story seemed a little bit far fetched to me and there were parts, early on in Rachels story, which I fail to see where they fit within the whole.
I did, however, enjoy the writing style and it was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. (3.5)

Unfortunately I found The Fragments wasn't really for me. The writing didn't captivate me. I wouldn't say it's bad by any means, just wasn't what I was expecting.

I did not end up finishing this book. I made it almost 50% through and was rather confused and not invested in the story. While I find the writing beautiful and lyrical, I found the plot difficult to follow in this style. I also found the switching back and forth of timelines to be slightly confusing with how it was applied here. I’m disappointed since I absolutely loved the concept of book fragments!

Absorbing and clever story with a great ending which I really hadn't expected. I really enjoyed this book and would read the author again, thank you.

Mysterious Fragments of a book lost through time. Pieces of story past and current that wrap you up because, for goodness sakes, it's a book about a book! How could you not love it?
Lovely characters, despicable acts, circumstances that leave you in awe. This book speaks to the times of the past story. It brings it alive and makes you understand a little more of what was hidden and what was shown to the outside world.
The current story is timeless, good people not so good people. How some reach back to understand the past and others use it for their own benefit.
The Fragments kept me up reading past my bedtime and waking to want to know more. It was quite disappointing to close the last page and leave these characters behind.
It was a great adventure offered by Text Publishing to read #TheFragments #NetGalley. I highly recommend it for any book lover, book club or writer.

Compelling story with a fine twist at the end. I loved the two different perspectives and time difference and the way it all linked up at the end.

A bit disappointing as I expected a little more mystery, more to pull me into the story. This was a miss for me and unfortunately, I gave up about a quarter of the way through. Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a digital arc of The Fragments by Toni Jordan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Author Inga Karlson died in a fire in New York in the 1930s. Caddie Walker lives in Brisbane in the 1980s. Fragments of Inga’s second novel and a who dunnit mystery are all that’s left. A chance encounter with an elderly lady (Rachel) at Inga’s museum display sees Caddie and her new friend Jamie following the clues to solve Inga’s murder and finding the story behind the fragments before Phillip (Caddie’s evil ex) does.

This was my first Toni Jordan novel. Told in alternating chapters for Caddie in the 80s and Rachel in the 30s this was a well written read. The writing progressed well and I enjoyed it, though I also didn’t find anything outstanding about it.

A solid 3 star read.

“The Fragments” by Toni Jordan revolves around a lost/damaged manuscript and the death of its author. Alternating between present day and flashbacks it’s an interesting read but can be a bit slow at times. I enjoyed the flashback story of Rachel and Inga much more than the present day sections of Caddie trying to solve the mystery, which I thought could have been tighter and more enticing. I was very invested in the story of Rachel and Inga and enjoyed wondering how the elderly woman in the beginning of the novel came to know a line from the manuscript that was destroyed in a fire. I was drawn to the premise of the book, enjoyed the mystery, and really loved Rachel & Inga’s storyline. 3 stars. Disclaimer— I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. #TheFragments #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book! The premise reminded me a bit of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, with elements of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt as well. Overalll, it was paced well, and I really enjoyed being inside the head of the main character. Would definitely recommend!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was spellbinding for me. It was impossible to put down. The characters were flawed and interesting. The ending was unexpected and very satisfying.

I highly recommend this novel. It would be an excellent book club choice, and I would love to see it made into a film.

The tantalising prospect of an incomplete manuscript being found presents a mystery to be solved. Book lovers will understand Caddie's obsession with finding the truth, and what she uncovers is a love story . But can she protect her story from the venal professor? so much love for the books was tied up with her love for her father., so different from Rachel's family life. .