This is a literary mystery set primarily in Brisbane Australia. The genre and locale hooked me right away so I promptly requested a copy from NetGalley.

Imagine a famous author who publishes a ground breaking literary masterpiece, one people talk about and analyze over the years. The author has another book about to published, people eagerly awaiting the story, when a horrific tragedy strikes. The author dies in a warehouse fire, the flames destroying all copies of the latest book. Only fragments are recovered and her mourning fans and scholars are left with scraps of sentences, forever wondering about this lost masterpiece. That is the story of Inga Karlson, the author who became a legend.

The fragments of her manuscript along with photos of Inga and her personal belongings are exhibited around the world for decades. Loyal fans and scholars line up to view this exhibit, some of the devotees young enough to be Inga’s grandchildren. She is epic.

Cadence “Caddie” Walker’s obsession with Inga Karlson’s lost manuscript has her standing in line in the blazing Brisbane heat, awaiting the opening of the exhibition so she may view this collection. In line near Caddie is an old woman named Rachel Lehrer. She speaks with Caddie, asking what her favorite lines were from the scraps left of the book. In return, Rachel “quotes” this sentence fragment of the unpublished book.

And in the end, all we have are the hours and the days, the minutes and the way we bear them, the seconds spent on this earth and the number of them that truly mattered.

But that last part wasn’t written anywhere. Is it the imaginary conjuring of an old woman?

The book is divided in three parts. I thought the first part had a few slow spots, certainly not enough for me to abandon the book. I was very intrigued with the perspective back in the 1930’s about Rachel Lehrer and her family. When the story took that reminiscing turn to the past I was completely engaged. It hops with a fluid transition from 1986 and Caddie Walker’s obsession to the 1930’s story line. You don’t see what one has to do with another until part two of the book. Then the puzzle connects.

Nearing the end of part two I was on the fence regarding my feelings for Caddie. She was about to take up with someone I know isn’t a good person; someone who will use her up. I’m torn with the entwining stories of Rachel and Inga in the past and the Caddie/Jamie/Philip mess in the 1980’s. Caddie needs to be shaken by the shoulders as I, the reader, clearly knows what needs to be done here!

There is mystery, love, a snapshot of domestic violence in the 1930 era and a satisfying conclusion to the story. Also, a surprise about several characters in part three of the book. I would like to know what became of a few supporting characters but there certainly was a clear resolution. I would read more by this author.

Adventurous setting for me, Kookaburra and Queensland and Brisbane……I am armchair traveling again.

Food stuff: Chili Lentil Soup, pizzas of Margherita and vegetarian varieties, sundaes, cakes, chicken a la King.

Linking up with the 2019 Aussie Author Challenge, Girlxoxo for the Monthly Motif and Heather for April Foodies Read.

Thank you very much Netgalley for this digital copy of the book. I received this complimentary copy and was not compensated for my opinion/review.

So good! THE FRAGMENTS will captivate fans of historical fiction and those who just like a good mystery. Caddie Walker meets a woman who quotes from a manuscript of a book that perished in a fire in the 1930s, along with its author, Inga Karlson. How is this possible? no one but the author and publisher could know the contents of the novel, and they both died in the fire. THE FRAGMENTS traces the story of Inga Karlson and her last manuscript and Caddie's own search for answers both about the book and her own life. Beautifully written, my only regret is that I wanted the story too keep going; it ended too soon.

This was an interesting book. I enjoyed that it was a literary mystery, and that it simultaneously told the story of two girls connected through bizarre circumstances that occurred over a span of fifty years. It was also fascinating that

I really only have three complaints. First, there was a smattering of language throughout, which wouldn't have phased me except for the fact that it was generally some form of f***, and therefore caught me off guard. Second, the lesbian relationship also surprised me. It occurred quite naturally and didn't feel stilted or staged, as so often happens in entertainment, but I was really just surprised how quickly Rachel accepted it. There was no shock, scandal, or thoughts of impropriety, which would be unusual nowadays, much less in the 1930s. My last complaint (which is really more of a compliment) is that the book ended too fast. I wanted to know what happens to all of these characters - does the book get published, what happens with Caddie's research project, what happens with Jamie? I was sad to not get to hear about all of their conclusions, although the book did end on a very poignant note.

Overall, it was a fascinating book to read. I had no idea how it was going to end, and I loved the classic feel to the writing style.

When Caddie visits an exhibition about author Inga Karlson who died many years ago in a fire, she meets an older woman who seems to know more than she should about the fragments of Karlson’s lost novel.
The novel shifts between Caddie in 1986 Brisbane and Inga Karlson’s world in 1930s New York. But who is the mysterious older lady and will Caddie find the truth before her Machiavellian boss gets to it?
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters especially the 1930s ones are compelling and the plot is well-crafted and keeps you guessing.
There’s even a twist or two to intrigue you.
I believe this is Jordan’s first novel. It is certainly accomplished and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

An interesting read with a clever plot. Books about books and authors - what is not to like? A bit dark and gloomy in a delicious sort of way that keeps you turning pages to figure out where the story is going. Though I had suspicions about the who's and what's early on, I was never quite certain.
Split time periods are hard to do and keep the reader both entertained and on course. Toni Jordan was able to accomplish this, at least for me, seamlessly. This is the first I have read by Toni Jordan and I will likely read more. Well done Toni Jordan!

Thank you Text Publishing Company and NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions stated in review are my own. Publication date September 2019.

I expected this book to be a quiet work of literary fiction about a lost manuscript. It is a gripping mystery with touches of history, romance and a dash of Australian living. .The Fragments teaches how to weave two narratives in time from 1938 and 1986 into a well paced intrinsically plotted tale. The use of present tense always intrigues me and The Fragments pulls you along in that moment to a breath stopping conclusion.

Such a lovely, well crafted novel. Dual timelines that work seamlessly, and interesting characters.

I love books about "books" and people who love them!

Toni Jordan is a new author for me but on the basis of this read, I’ll definitely read more. The Fragments is a literary mystery, unravelling a decades old puzzle about the death of an author whose first book reached cult status, but then a cataclysmic event prevented her second book from reaching her followers and took her life. As a consequence some of the fragments of the book and her life form the basis of a world- touring exhibition which visits Brisbane and one of the protagonists, Cadence, in 1986.
The book flips between 1980s Brisbane and 1930s America, particularly New York, and both parts are interesting but the story that hooked me was the older one. The academic unravelling part was slightly marred for me by the research stealing professor... he may ring true in some academic spheres, but it felt off kilter- a distraction from the story I wanted to know, and at the same time unsatisfactory as we don’t see the final outcomes for him and Cadence once all the research is published.
A book about a book, with book selling and antique books and a mystery to guess at and unpick is a winner for me nonetheless.
Thanks to Net Galley and Text Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Wow. Just wow. Once I started reading this, I couldn't stop. I enjoyed the third person point of view changes, and how well-researched the book is in terms of cultural and regional aspects of the times depicted here. This honestly was a whirl-wind of emotions. I started falling for Inga and Jamie, felt uncomfortable with Phillip. I sympathized heavily with Rachel and Caddie and I was definitely crying a little at the very end. An author who can make me feel that much in 320 pages is a powerful person, indeed.

Interesting premise about a woman obsessed by a famous author who mysteriously died in a fire, leaving behind only the fragments of her next unpublished book.

Historical drama flashing back to the 1930s in Pennsylvania and New York, USA when the book was written, and back to the 1980s in Queensland, Australia, which is when the main story takes place.

Pros:
draws you in
lovely prose throughout most of the book
interesting characters

Cons:
plot twists are not handled well
ends too abruptly

At the beginning it felt like it would be 5 stars, while reading I would have given it 4, but by the end it was down to 3.

I received a free pre-copy kindle edition of this book through netgalley.com as a book reviewer.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. As a book lover, what could be better than reading a book about a book? The story was told from two viewpoints, the 1930s, and the 1980s. I admit I enjoyed the 19802 better in the beginning and the 1930s later in the book. In the end, of course, it all comes together and the ending was not what I expected. I enjoyed this book, but would probably not read it again, hence the four stars. It is worth a read though! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2779371576?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

When Caddie goes to a museum to view fragments of Inga Karlson’s unpublished book, she meets an older woman who she is convinced has knowledge of the tragic death of the famous author, Inga Karlson.

The story moves back and forth between Australia, in 1986, and 1930s New York City. In Australia, Caddie, a bookseller, researches to solve the mystery of Inga’s death. She works with Jamie, a professor. And a former boyfriend, who is also a professor.

Through the back and forth narratives, the story of Inga Karlson is told. The author tells the story from Caddie’s point of view in in 1986. In the 1930s, the story is told from point of view of Rachel Lehrer, who is a friend of Inga’s. While the reader does not directly hear from Inga, her life is revealed through the narratives of others. Like Caddie’s research, it is a slow process, but the payoff is worth it.

This book is a awesome. It has a little bit of everything: famiy drama, romance, history, and mystery.

Beautifully written with an interesting, plausible story. I devoured every single word. It most certainly checked all the boxes of "favorite reads" for me: wonderful writing, vivid well-drawn characters, a fast-paced story. I found myself wanting to know more about what happened to the character, Rachel, between the time of the fire and the 80's. I very much look forward to reading more from this author!

I mostly liked this thriller about about a lost book, its enigmatic author, an older woman who seems to know more than is possible about both, and the young woman who puts all of the pieces together. Caddie Walker, who left academia after a relationship with a predatory professor and now works in a bookshop, is devoted to the work of Inga Karlson, whose first book was an enormously popular and moving bestseller. Karlson's second book, along with the ms, all of the press plates and any ephemera, went up in a fire that also killed Karlson and her publisher. But when Caddie goes to see the fragments of that second book on display, she encounters a woman who seems to know more about the second book than is possible, and Caddie tracks her down for the full story. While the reveal of this true story is predictable, it's done well. The fact that Caddie goes to the predatory professor for help, and then seems to set him up to be hoist by his own petard, is a bit annoying and not easy to follow in terms of readers understanding what Caddie is doing; the same goes for her will-they-or-won't-they relationship with another man burned by the same professor. If the relationships and Caddie's intentions had been a bit clearer, the end would have been even more delicious.

I think I knew I'd enjoy this book, but I had no idea how swept up in it I'd get! The Fragments has everything - cracking plot, great characters and a wonderful mystery to unravel. And all of it centres around a lost novel! This is a must-read for anyone who loved Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale. Readers should note domestic violence triggers.

Alternating between 1980s Brisbane, where bookseller Cadence has a startling conversation with an elderly woman, and 1930s New York where Rachel Lehrer encounters the famous author Inga Karlson, The Fragments is one of those unputdownable stories that's a pure pleasure to read. The plot centres around The Days, the Minutes, the last novel Karlson wrote before she, and all copies of the text, perished in a warehouse fire. Only a few (eponymous) fragments were recovered from the site, and it's these fragments, being exhibited in Brisbane, that start Caddie down a complex path of research and discovery. Meanwhile we follow Rachel's journey to New York and her fateful meeting with Karlson, and watch the way their lives become entwined in the lead up to the fire.

The mystery of the fragments, and whether anyone else alive had read (and could possibly remember any of) the manuscript, is absorbing and well-paced. The alternating perspectives add just the right dose of tension, and, combined with a bit of romance, academic rivalry and murder, makes for a winning combination.

This is a novel that celebrates women and their tenacity and strength. Caddie, Inga and Rachel each shine in turn, even in the face of considerable adversity. They make sacrifices, feel pain, and discover romance in entirely real ways, and I loved all three of them.

Jordan portrays 1980s Brisbane with the same panache as 1930s New York, picking up sensory details to bring the cities to life. In particular, Brisbane's oppressive humidity and shock storms crackle off the page. She pays brilliant attention to detail, even using the local terms (like 'port' for a schoolbag) to add authenticity. Her writing is eloquent with restraint, and every word feels necessary for the story.

If I have one criticism, it's that I wanted more in the last quarter - it felt a bit lean, and while the resolution isn't disappointing by any means, I wasn't quite ready for it to be over.

This was my first time reading Jordan, but it certainly won't be my last.

Recommended if you liked: The Thirteenth Tale

I received a copy of The Fragments from Text Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher and author for providing me with the ARC for my unbiased review

not my usual read but very enjoyable! twist and turns along the way!

Wow. As a book lover, I’m always intrigued by a literary mystery. Toni Jordan knocks this out of the park. I will be recommending this to every book lover I know.

A globe-spanning literary mystery that's set in both 1986 and the 1930s shows what a truly wonderful author Toni Jordan is. There's no build-up in this book - we jump straight into Caddie's life, as Jordan deftly weaves together her story with Rachel's.
While there were a few times when I honestly questioned Caddie's judgement and wanted to reach through the pages and shake her, she almost always proves herself to be a sympathetic and relatable character.
I loved the peek into 1930s Rachel's life. This was an awesome and unique perspective! I was so pleased with the characterization and inclusivity in this book. I'd definitely recommend.

* I received this book through NetGalley but that did not influence my review.

1980s Brisbane, and an exhibition about Inga Karlson opens. Karlson wrote a phenomenally successful novel in 1930s New York, then died in a fire at her publisher's warehouse before her second novel could be published - only fragments of it remain. Waiting in line to see the exhibition, Caddie meets an older woman who quotes a line from the fragments, but with extra words that no-one could possibly know. She begins to investigate, sure that someone else must know the content of the lost novel, and turns to a former Karlson researcher, as well as her former lecturer (and lover) for help.

The book is interleaved between Caddie and Rachel, originally in 1930s Pennsylvania then in New York, meeting the luminous Inga Karlson. I actually found Rachel and Inga more engaging than Caddie - I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the 80s side, but she was such a frustrating character. Why go to super-creepy Philip for help when she knew what he was like? The only good thing about that was her actions at the end, and that non-creepy nice Jamie was also there doing the right thing. The premise was good, but it didn't quite hook me in as much as it could have done - an almost, but not quite.

E-arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anyway, the story fell a bit flat for me. I don't think it was my cup of tea since I could not get in the story at all. I fell like I was having a deja-vu.
I did not like the characters too much which made me enjoy this book even less I'm afraid.
I'm glad NetGalley gave me this chance to read this book first because I won't buy a physical copy of it =(