“ Hugely memorable, The Toymaker is an unflinching examination of the dark instinct for survival that lies in all of us ”
Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites
“ The Toymaker is a bold and compelling tale, from a writer properly assured of his skills. ”
Peter Pierce, Weekend Australian
“ The Toymaker is a compulsively readable collision between the past and the present that results in a surprising future. Secrets and survival, optimism and opportunism are the kindle that fuels this funny, furious and unforgettable book. ”
Sydney Arts Guide
“ The narrative is subtle, measured and worth every second. I can’t let the story go . . . The author delivers on his hook, drawing in readers as he skilfully highlights the nuances of evil played out for 'best interests' and self interests. This a modern lesson, one valid decades on from the Holocaust. ”
Amanda Ellis, West Australian
“ At times harrowing to read, The Toymaker will stay with you beyond the last page. It is superbly written, utterly engrossing and morally challenging. Pieper has written a masterful story with the skill of a sure hand. An amazing debut novel. ”
Melissa Sargent, LOVEthatBOOK http://melissa-sargent.com/review-the-toymaker-by-liam-pieper/
“ The Toymaker is confronting, original and engaging – a deep, often disturbing look at the dark heart of the modern world. ”
Pile By the Bed http://pilebythebed.com/index.php/2016/the-toymaker-by-liam-pieper/
“ As the novel draws to a close and Pieper reveals his narrative hand, a shocking twist gives The Toymaker an entirely new dimension, one that asks the reader to think long and hard about the price of secrets, and what morality really means. Read it once, then read it again. ”
Readings.com.au
“ Very well drawn characters (unlikeable as some may be) and a compelling and often shocking story burning under the present day narrative. Towards the last chapter, I gasped. I'll say no more. Excellent debut fiction. ”
Zan Rowe
“ Pieper's use of a dual narrative is creative and evocative; it serves the story well. Pieper handles the contrasting journeys in different time periods with ease and style . . . The author's crisp turn of phrase and the efficiency with which he crafts the two differing but comparable fictional journeys. Pieper achieves said craftsmanship with as much, if not more, assurance than many of his more heralded contemporaries. For this feat alone, his work is worthy of commendation. ”
Laurie Steed, Australian Book Review
“ Haunting, dark and enthralling, Pieper's storytelling spans the gamut of situations guaranteed to provoke extreme emotions. ”
Rosalea Ryan, Bendigo Weekly
“ Compelling . . . explores how our secrets can shape our lives. ”
Sunday Life
“ It's clear within pages of The Toymaker that he is a professional writer of prodigious talent. This is a juicy book with an intricate, layered plot, three-dimensional characters, and with brio – it is at once a Holocaust novel, a family drama, and a contemporary literary treat . . . Issues of identity plague this novel, and by the end, Pieper has choreographed an exquisite twist. ”
Louise Swinn, The Age
“ Powerfully affecting . . . An important new testament to the horrors and secrets of the Holocaust. ”
Australian Women's Weekly
“ Liam Pieper has written a stunning debut novel with a shattering final twist that will leave you breathless (and perhaps even outraged) from its impact. His exploration of the darker side of human nature, survival at any cost and the dire consequences of keeping too many secrets will keep you clamouring for more from this outstanding new author. ”
Pauline Latham, South Coast Register
Paperback
9780143784623
January 30, 2017
Penguin
272 pages
Trade Paperback
9780670079384
June 27, 2016
Hamish Hamilton
272 pages
EBook
9781760142735
June 27, 2016
Penguin eBooks
272 pages
Adam came into her office without knocking, startling her, and asked her if she’d seen his phone. She hadn’t but she called it, let it ring out, while Adam looked on, hopeful, then downcast.
‘I’ve probably left it in the car.’ He smiled then slipped out, and Tess returned to her accounts. She was trying to hunt down the person behind the abuse of the company charge card, or had been, but she’d become distracted by finding more and more fiscal misconduct. It wasn’t a few indiscretions – someone was systematically ripping off the company.
