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)

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 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. .

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.

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

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