The Fragments

(Paperback)

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Description

Inga Karlson died in a fire in New York in the 1930s, leaving behind three things: a phenomenally successful first novel, the scorched fragments of a second bookand a literary mystery that has captivated generations of readers.

Nearly fifty years later, Brisbane bookseller Caddie Walker is waiting in line to see a Karlson exhibition featuring the famous fragments when she meets a charismatic older woman. The woman quotes a phrase from the Karlson fragments that Caddie knows does not existand yet to Caddie, who knows Inga Karlsons work like she knows her name, it feels genuine.

Caddie is electrified. Jolted her from her sleepy, no-worries life in torpid 1980s Brisbane she is driven to investigate: to find the clues that will unlock the greatest literary mystery of the twentieth century.

Reviews

I love Jordans writing for its pitch-perfect blend of intelligence, compassion and humour. -- Clare Wright * Guardian *
I so loved The Fragments by the amazing Toni Jordan. A thrilling, atmospheric, unforgettable story. I didnt want it to end. * Liane Moriarty *
Jordan constructs a satisfying mystery, with rival conspiracy theories, plots, betrayal, clues and red herrings enough confuse readers in their attempts to solve it perfect for fans of Dominic Smiths The Last Painting of Sara de Vos and Heather Roses The Museum of Modern Love. * Kill Your Darlings *
An unusual literary thriller, built around complex twists and a great sense of anticipationExploring truth and historicity, The Fragments is a clever novel. Jordans fiction examines the overlooked roles of women, whose work often forms the thread that binds stories from the past, and the publics hunger for what goes missing in the narrative gaps. * Saturday Paper *
Its a treat to stepback into 1980s-era Australia with [Jordan]. * Books + Publishing *
A mystery that spans cities, class, people and timezones, and its a page-turner with plot developments transpiring right to the very last pages...If you love reading Jane Harper or Holly Throsby or indeed Jordans other novels, this is the perfect weekend read. The Fragments is undoubtedly Jordans finest work to date. * Readings *
An old-fashioned romance novel grafted to the thrill of the literary chaseLike Liane Moriarty, [Jordan] takes traditional, even shopworn, literary forms and invests them with uncommon intelligence and verve. * Australian *
A fast-paced, enticing novel, and one that is near-impossible to put down A new novel by Toni Jordan is always something to get excited about, and The Fragments is no different. It is an absolute triumph by one of Australias most adaptable writers. * AU Review *
A captivating read. * Who Weekly *
A gripping historical mystery with quite a few twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessingOnce again, Jordan shows she is a very talented author, with more than one string to her bow. * BookMooch *
The writing from Melbourne literary favourite Toni Jordan is sublime and this reviewers only regret is that this divine novel had to come to an end. * Herald Sun *
Jordan takes on a different genre with every novel and handles each with distinctive flair. In this literary crime thriller she alternates between 1986 Brisbane and 1939 New York City, with a strong sense of place in each locale and a generous cast. * Adelaide Advertiser *
A clever, compelling literary mystery. * Qantas Magazine *
A delight in every sense. * Courier-Mail *
Jordan's storytelling always has a sense of fun, a smile, at its core; there is magic in the kinship of others, and Jordan's characters know the importance of finding it. * Sydney Morning Herald *
Toni Jordan is one of Australias most interesting writers and, if this is your first introduction to her work, do track down her backlist - you wont be disappointed. * Good Reading *

Author Bio

Toni Jordan is the author of five novels. The international bestseller Addition was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. Fall Girl was published internationally and has been optioned for film, and Nine Days was awarded Best Fiction at the Indie Awards, was shortlisted for the ABIA Best General Fiction award and was named in Kirkus Reviews top 10 Historical Novels of 2013. Our Tiny, Useless Hearts was shortlisted for the Voss Literary Prize 2017 and longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award 2018. Toni's latest book is the literary mystery The Fragments. She lives in Melbourne.