Member Reviews
A notorious female escort outwits Sydney’s criminal underworld to pull off the most audacious heist in Australia’s history. 1n 1954, Sunni Sinclair breaks free of Australia’s gangland, reinventing herself as a pub owner in a lawless mining town near Sydney. A champion of justice, she challenges societal norms, advocating for women’s rights and downtrodden miners, but soon feels confined by the expectations of society.
Fuelled by vengeance and seduced by the sirens of illegal adventure, Sunni masterminds a stunning heist that echoes through the underworld and leaves a trail of dazzled and outwitted men in her wake.
As her crime threatens to consume her, Sunni gambles everything on a daring bluff. Sunni’s journey reflects on society at that time and searches out the porous boundaries between legal and illicit.
This captivating crime novel is available as a paperback, eBook and soon as a audiobook narrated by award winning Australian stage and screen actor Fiona Press. From the author of the acclaimed Murder & Redemption and The Icon Murders (HarperCollins).
I cannot wait to read more from Noel Mealey. This was my first and certainly not last book by him. I felt like I was right there with Sunni. I will recommend this book to others.
Wow! Such a good book! It was I was charmed, amused, and slightly flustered at times. Such an awesome romance novel!! Be forewarned the spice is epic!
Sunni Sinclair is an erstwhile member of the Sydney, Australia underworld who now serves miners out of her bar in Newcastle in the 1950s. But when a new kid, Franz Becker, appears in her social scene populated with bookies and Korean war vet wise guys, opportunity knocks. Now Sunni is seduced by the thought of a big score made possible by a Royal visit, taking Franz and a tag rag gang along with her.
I have to admit, it took me awhile to get used to the tone of this book. Sunni's interiority is not unrealistic, but tends to jump all over the place in telling her tale. I enjoyed the use of language in this book, and the feeling that I didn't quite know what was going to happen next, nor what the 'seduction' in question would turn out to be, or how it would all end up for the main characters. However, that doesn't mean that the telling of this story is not without faults. There was a distance, at times, from the action, and especially in the first half - a lot happens off screen or in the past which is then relayed to Sunni through long, meandering yarns. I began to believe that this would keep up, and they'd be no real action. But when the action does come in, it's in whiplash fashion that I wasn't entirely prepared for.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed Sunni as a glamourous criminal character, and the second half provided an interesting romp through a social world I have never read about before: the seedy side of mid century Australia that would appeal to fans of heists and gangster lit.
It is a different book than the ones I usually read, it caught my attention because it is set in the 50s and takes place in Australia. There were some points that I couldn't fully understand, but if you like crime stories with a touch of romance, this is the ideal story for you.
It's the 1950's. Sunni Sinclair leaves the underworld of Sydney's criminal fraternity. She sets herself up as a pub owner and is soon championing women's rights and the rights of the local miners.
Her former lover attacks her friend and Sunni seeks revenge.
Will lawlessness or undertaking criminal activity (for the greater good) win the day?
𝐀 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝟏𝐧 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟒, 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐛 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐀 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲.
"The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair" is a captivating tale that plunges readers into a world of desire, intrigue, and self-discovery. Blue Saffire masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps you hooked from the first page.
At the heart of the story is Sunni Sinclair, a character whose journey of seduction goes beyond the physical realm, delving into the depths of her emotions and desires. Saffire's portrayal of Sunni is complex and relatable, making her a protagonist you can't help but root for.
The chemistry between Sunni and her love interest crackles with intensity, igniting the pages with passion and sensuality. Their relationship is layered with tension and longing, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the complexities of love and desire.
What sets "The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair" apart is Saffire's ability to blend steamy romance with poignant storytelling. Beneath the surface of seduction lies a tale of self-discovery and empowerment as Sunni embraces her desires and learns to follow her heart.
Overall, "The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair" is a must-read for fans of romance novels. With its captivating plot, well-developed characters, and sizzling chemistry, it's a book that will leave you longing for more.
Thank you, Netgalley, Interactive Publications Pty Ltd / Glass House Books, and author Noel Mealey for this ARC.
Sunni Sinclair reinvents herself in 1954 after coming from a background as an escort in Australia.
The plot follows Sunni as she plots how to get revenge after a friend of hers is killed. She associates with many shady characters and becomes a sort of lady boss during the events of the book. Occasionally the writing was a little hard to follow along with but it was still an enjoyable read. There were lots of layers to this story that helped to keep me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Glass House Books for this.
This book is about a famous escort who breaks free from the crime syndicate and skips town. She masters a heist and becomes a crime boss all her own. This book is written in 1950s Australia and it transports you back in time. Great read!
I was drawn to this novel based on the genre, the setting and the vibes given by the cover and blurb regarding the lead female character. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into the story, not sure why. Just didn't click with it.
"The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair" by Noel Mealey is a captivating and thrilling novel set in 1954, where the audacious and fiercely independent Sunni Sinclair breaks free from the criminal underworld of Sydney to reinvent herself as a pub owner in a lawless mining town near Newcastle. As a champion of justice and advocate for women's rights, Sunni challenges societal norms and fights for the downtrodden, but soon finds herself feeling trapped by the constraints of society.
The book follows Sunni's journey as she navigates the murky waters of the criminal underworld, seeking vengeance against her former lover Gabe Rosen after he brutally attacks her friend. Sunni's cunning and masterminding of a daring heist leave a trail of dazzled and outwitted men, showcasing her strength, intelligence, and determination to right the wrongs around her.
Noel Mealey expertly weaves together action, intrigue, betrayal, and revenge in a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The exploration of society at the time, the intricate dynamics of the criminal underworld, and the complex relationships Sunni forms with her misfit crew make for a riveting and compelling read. The novel skillfully balances tantalising heat with insightful wit and delightful absurdity, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Sunni Sinclair emerges as a captivating and empowering protagonist, driven by ambition, wit, and a relentless determination to carve her path in a male-dominated world. Mealey's prose seduces with its playful elegance, blending smouldering scenes with humorous interludes that engage readers from start to finish. Through Sunni's journey, the novel delves into themes of female ambition, societal expectations, and the challenges women face in pursuing their goals, offering an empowering and inspiring narrative.
"The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair" is not just a romance novel; it's a tale of desire, ambition, and self-discovery that will leave readers charmed, amused, and perhaps flustered. With a perfect balance of romance, intrigue, and empowerment, this novel is a must-read for those who enjoy a blend of excitement, passion, and fierce independence. Brace yourself for a thrilling and sizzling journey into Sunni Sinclair's world, where empowerment and seduction go hand in hand.
Overall, enjoyed the story, however it was hard to follow at times.
Sunni goes from a famous escort (anyone else get a visual of Meredith from Parent Trap here?), but now she is running a bar, but in reality is a criminal mastermind. Queue TS Mastermind.
There is a lot of action, blood, killing, revenge, lies.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This one was not for me. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book. I was also granted access to the audiobook, and I still struggled. I will be on the lookout for more from Mealey, but this is not my cuppa.
This is heist book that takes place in the mid 1950's. The ensemble of characters in this book were so lovely. Each person brought something interesting to the story and had individual voices. The ending of this book wasn't my favorite.
This book follows Sunni Sinclair through the 50's. It had a great storyline, but honestly wasn't the book for me. I realized I'm not a fan of books of this nature, which is okay, not everyone does. My issue could be if the terminology barrier, as I am American and this is an Australian book. If you're into the 50's gangland crime books, definitely get your hands on this!
Tantalizing tale that I made me flip pages so fast! Enjoyed the story but the fun was in the details. It was an unexpected one sitting read that left me wanting more. Loved it!
This book is about a well-known escort, Sunni Sinclair, stepping into the criminal underworld. There is a lot of action, blood, gang interactions, and more. Lies, betrayal, deception, and revenge are around every corner. Trust is very far in between, except for a couple of people. Take a step into the past and you will see the intricate parts of the criminal underworld, from the bottom to the top.
This book is about a strong female lead, Sunni Sinclair. It was fun, captivating and kinda spicy. If you’re looking for a book that provides a storyline that you didn’t expect this one’s for you. I found myself thinking what would I do if I was Sunni Sinclair?
I was looking for a light entertaining read and I found it. The seduction of sunni sinclair follows a strong female main character, though sometimes frustrating, in the 50s. The pace of the book was fine although sometimes I struggled reading but maybe it was a me problem because I do really think people would enjoy it.
The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair by Noel Mealey is a fantastic novel and set in Australia in 1954, in a rural mining town, it could not be further from the usual settings I read about but I was absolutely invested.
Historically arm candy as an escort, Sunni Sinclair is out for sweet retribution as she decides to embark on a heist of her own. A razor sharp intellect and strength of character, balking against social norms, this is a heroine who you will love (and at times be frustrated by) as she turns gender roles on their heads and flips the script on the male-dominated criminal underworld
Mealey is a blinding author, there is so much in this book to follow, to guess about, to reflect on and ultimately enjoy. The pace is perfect, the charaters are relatable as much as they are disliked and the plotline is inspired. A great read
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Interactive Publications Pty Ltd / Glass House Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, the author Noel Mealey for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
On the other side of the law lies a whole nefarious world where a ray of sunshine on the frankness lies, Sunni Sinclair brings a beautiful breath of fresh air female perspective in the criminal underworld. The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair is a beautifully written and thrilling escape back to Australia in 1954 and a heist that will blow everyone away as Sunni earns her rank as a female boss amongst the men. The novel and her inner dialogue is written in such a way that creates a real sense of what her experience must have been and the true mastermind she is. Don’t be surprised when you find yourselves furiously flipping through the pages and wondering what you yourself would do if in Sunni’s place…
Review will be posted on Instagram 3/8