NOVELS
Broome Enigma, Meryl Brown Tobin, The Wild Rose Press, NY, 2023
Cover, Kristian Norris
AUSTRALIAN WRITER
MERYL BROWN TOBIN’S DEBUT NOVEL
WITH THE WILD ROSE PRESS
A romantic suspense novel set in exotic Broome
Can a young couple unravel the man’s mysterious past so they are free to love?
WORLD-WIDE RELEASE DATE 20 NOVEMBER, 2023
Book blurb
On a working holiday in Australia's cosmopolitan Outback town of Broome in 1986, Jodie, a young book designer and artist is open to romance and adventure.
At the holiday village where she is staying, she meets Joe, a young man who works there. Despite the strong attraction between them, the many unknowns about his earlier life keep them apart. To try to uncover his mysterious past, they travel to Perth and back to Broome and are drawn into not only bizarre but also dangerous situations.
Is Joe the person she thinks he is, or is he some alter ego? Can Jodie and Joe stop their relationship from developing until they have answers and know if he is free to love her?
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Booktopia, Goodreads, Kobo.
See Buy for detailed list of 22 sites across the world and in 17 specific countries.
See report of regional launch for 'Broome Enigma' in 'Free XpresSion', https://online.fliphtml5.com/leqjf/exsc/ January 2024, pp22-23.
Readers' Comments on 'Broome Enigma'
Chrissie Michaels, Australian author
I read your novel over the weekend and I was very impressed. Congratulations on such a well crafted story, full of page turning suspense, fast pace and strong dialogue!
I enjoyed the read immensely.
Ron Hughes
Plot: Good
Story: Good
Characters: Believable
Audience: Men as well as women would enjoy, suitable for teens
Michele Tobin
I loved reading the story. 'Broome Enigma' takes the reader on a scenic, cultural and historic visit to one of Australia's fabulous, renowned destinations. As a backdrop to the novel, it is a perfect setting for an enigmatic storyline with its melting pot of characters to take form. The story captures and sustains the reader's attention with a variety of surprising and unforeseen twists and turns throughout the novel. Apart from Joe, the enigma we need to work out, the characters are kind, genuine, down-to-earth people, who hold their trust and values close to their hearts. The author portrays Jodie as a smart, independent young woman and shares with the reader Jodie's innermost thoughts and concerns. Jodie, her sister, and friends are very relatable to most everyday readers. We wait with bated breath as to what will be uncovered about Joe, and to how the prospective romance between Joe and Jodie will be affected.
An easy novel to pick up and read, it is very enjoyable and would suit a wide range of audiences.
Roberta Ashby
I have read your book 'Broome Enigma' - in fact I finished it by Saturday [the day after receiving it]. An easy read and the characters were great to follow. Just when I thought I’d sussed out a bad guy or two, I hadn’t so it certainly is not predictable! Your research was extensive.
Well done, Meryl - I did enjoy your book. Was quite different to what I usually read. A nice change.
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One of my daughters read it and loved it - thought the dialogue and area descriptions were on point.
Anna Sput Stern
Congratulations!!! Considering that the novel is written for young people, I admire the style fitting so well their personality. Many thanks for sending it to me; I’m going to treasure it.
Jill Sutton
Congratulations! I’ve just finished ‘Broome Enigma’. You are an amazing writer. I very much enjoyed joining all the characters in their exciting adventures.
Hartley Tobin
Because I’m familiar with Broome at the time of the setting of this story, I readily imagined the people in the various settings.
When I got to the last four chapters I could not put the book down until I had finished.
Lynette Burton:
I have just finished reading ‘Broome Enigma’. I must tell you I loved it; I was really sucked into the read. I read the first two chapters on Sunday but yesterday [Monday] I had to force myself to put it down to get my housework done. I finished the last two chapters in bed with a coffee this morning, I have not done that for years and it felt like a little luxury.
I am yet to visit Broome but it’s on my list and now when I do I will be able to reference all the true to life landmarks and history in your book all over again.
I really hope tongues get wagging for you and this book; you are an incredible storyteller. I am looking forward to giving my mother-in-law her copy at Christmas. I know she too will share it with her bestie as they always swap their books. I will certainly be spreading the word. Can’t wait for the next one.
Kathy McKean
I have now read ‘Broome Enigma’. I really enjoyed it. I found it easy to read; I am not fond of novels you need to over think to understand them. I was time poor when I got ‘Broome Enigma’ and felt frustrated every time I would see it on my bedside table. I managed to get one chapter read and couldn't wait for the next opportunity so I could continue. I had one morning that I had put aside to do housework but picked up ‘Broome Enigma’ whilst having my early morning cuppa; needless to say not much housework got done.
I liked the innocence of the main characters, the setting and the suspense and I always love a happy ending. I felt sad to finish the novel. I felt like I had lost some new friends that I had made and whose company I enjoyed.
My mum is taking it to hospital next week to read whilst recovering after an op.
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Mum wasn't up to reading for the first 2+ weeks in hospital but the first book she read was ‘Broome Enigma’. She found it the perfect book to read in hospital. She said it was easy reading and was able to pick it up and put it down whenever she needed. She liked the characters and the suspense.
Felicia Di Stefano
I have started to read 'Broome Enigma' and am enjoying it very much. Can't wait to see what happens to the budding romance.
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Finished your book. Very much a page turner kept me up till 1.30 am one morning.
Wow what a thriller. Would never have worked out the end!
Anonymous
I've finished 'Broome Enigma'. It's an enjoyable read that kept me guessing.
Anonymous
Just as well...[for the ending] as the sexual tension had built up unbearably!!
Janice Williams
Congratulations to Meryl for her page turner, ‘Broome Enigma’. Having recently stayed in Broome, I found it was interesting to pick out the various features.
Rose Chapple
I've been reading 'Broome Enigma' at night, and finished it the other night. It's a jolly good read, and as you said at the launch, lots of interesting history and facts that I didn't know. I'm glad...was a good guy.... Congratulations!
I can imagine it as a movie or series, but I guess that's another thing altogether. I hope it's doing well, and that the Amercian market is taking off. You might be personally responsible for an increase in tourism!
Well done again!!!
Mervi Cahill
I really enjoyed reading 'Broome Enigma'. It was an easy read and you made the characters come to life. I enjoyed the inclusion of history and tourist spots as I haven't travelled there but could picture myself visiting the sights as I'm reading. Congratulations on your first novel and hopefully not your last.
Eunice Frazer
Congratulations, Meryl, on a very successful and happy book launch. Enjoyed your novel––well written, entertaining, interesting characters and plenty of action set against a beautiful West Australian landscape.
Pleasing to know that 'Broome Enigma' is receiving the accolades it deserves.
Marie Ormandy
I have enjoyed ‘Broome Enigma’ very much.
It certainly maintains the reader’s interest all the way through, a real page turner.
Well done Meryl, it was good fun.
Gwenda Mathieson
Meryl, I enjoyed your book so much so that I read it in two sittings, initially dipping in to it then sitting until I finished it.
I was happy that Jodie and Tiffany showed maturity as the story developed and particularly as Jodie felt that she knew Joe but needed to get to know....
Now I look forward to the next book. Is it already under way?
.... My sister also enjoyed your book and particularly thought it was a good plot.
Helen Atkin
I did enjoy the novel, it kept me guessing.
Nenia Tavrou
This is a wonderful story of romance that develops in a most curious way.
There are lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested, drama, and characters are introduced throughout the book. The protagonists are very easy to warm to. The sister is initially very instrumental in getting the story going – in an almost childish way.
It is difficult to know whether one particular character is a ‘goodie’ or ‘baddie’ which keeps the story very intriguing – until the end.
The conclusion has a most satisfying outcome even if it isn’t as some people would have expected.
Valwyn Beggs
I was transported into another world, the Broome Underworld, in your novel. What a thriller! So many twists and turns! I was soon lost every time I tried to follow a car chase.
Moira Wood
I love the cover of ‘Broome Enigma’ which is attractive to potential readers.
As a once single and vulnerable person meeting a young man and having an instant attraction, but an unresolved feeling about his previous life, I could immediately relate to the main character Jodie. As events unfolded, the story became even more intriguing with ongoing sagas.
A great read with lots of suspense and a beautiful ending.
Janne Morrison
Just had to let you know I have just finished reading 'Broome Enigma' and absolutely loved it!!! I could not stop reading it and was disappointed when it finished - I hope there is a sequel in the pipeline!! Such a great assortment of very relatable characters and plausible and fascinating storyline. Totally unpredictable and so many twists and turns made it such very enjoyable reading - thank you!!!!
Eric Hornsby
I like the start–it doesn’t ramble. It gets into the story quickly and I love the way you get into the love story. It starts with a suggestion of a love story then the difficulty of mixed tensions, a man who is living like a tramp with no direction and then you have involved a doubtful group of characters of all types, suspect and otherwise. The placement of them in different suburbs of Perth lends to the graduated fever that engulfs everyone.
It has humour, fear and characters interacting. I thought it a very good story that was engrossing. It doesn’t waffle. It has several good, real elements and I love strong love elements. It is a good read––about real life and real people––and one that will suit most readers.
It really is a thrilling read. Not to forget the humour you placed along the way.
There is no doubt 'Broome Enigma' will appeal to most age groups.
Comment 2: My daughter just loves your book and is so glad I gave it to her to read.
Andrea Francesconi
I saved ‘Broome Enigma’ for my holiday reading and was able to transport myself to Broome through the vivid descriptions in your book. It was really interesting to learn about Broome's history as the backdrop to the storyline. I get the feeling that Broome holds a special place in your heart and it is a region that you are really familiar with.
I thought it was interesting that you set the story back in the 80s - the pre mobile/internet world! I can't begin to imagine how daunting it would be to take off for parts unknown without the luxury of immediate communication options. I think that this provides an opportunity for tension to build and develop to a climax.
Poor Jodie had to learn to embrace Joe... - he was a complicated individual and I have to confess, for some reason it occurred to me part way through the book that he may have been in...
Thanks once again for the book, it has now migrated to my bookshelf along with other treasured books.
19.2.2024
Anonymous
When I first got ‘Broome Enigma’ I read the first 22 pages and then put it away to read for Christmas. When I picked it up again, I couldn’t put it down and read it through to the end, An amazing book––I just had to finish it. It’s so interesting. I’m not a reader. I like a good story and then I can follow it. You did a fantastic job.