Review: Cry of the Firebird

Title: Cry of the Firebird

Author: T.M. Clark

Publisher: 18th November  2019 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 352 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: fiction, mystery, Africa

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

In the badlands of Africa, a resourceful doctor fights to save her patients' lives. Australian thriller writer T.M. Clark returns with a vivid, action-packed adventure in the tradition of Wilbur Smith.

South African-born Doctor Lily Winters, a consultant with the World Health Organization, has been in the thick of some of the worst humanitarian disasters across the globe. But when she's posted back to South Africa following the suspicious death of an ex-colleague, she faces the biggest medical mystery she's ever seen.

The resettled Platfontein San People population is exhibiting a higher than average HIV epidemic, and their people are dying. The cases Lily takes over are baffling and despite her best efforts the medicine doesn't seem to be helping.

To save this unique community, Lily and a policeman from the Kalahari, Piet Kleinman, join forces to trace the origins of the epidemic and uncover the truth. Their search drags them into the dangerous world of a corrupt industry driven by profit while the authorities meant to protect their community turn a blind eye. In a race against time Lily and Piet will put not only their careers but their lives on the line...

My Thoughts

‘Many people in South Africa have witnessed too much extreme violence, and the stress of living here, it takes its toll, no matter how beautiful the country is.’

I am a big fan of T.M. Clark and once again Tina delivers with another awesome tale set in the heart of Africa. I have enjoyed each one of her books where she chooses a different aspect and produces not only a riveting tale but also shines the spotlight on a contemporary issue. Whilst sure to include the stunning landscape and unique cultures, Tina is a master at subtly drawing attention to some of the more darker and sinister sides to this great continent. 

Cry of the Firebird tackles the controversy surrounding corruption in the pharmaceutical business and also the police force of post apartheid South Africa. Tina has certainly done her research here in terms of settings and culture but also right down to the array of issues presented. These range from poverty and crime, to medical research and HIV. She even touches on the debilitating Alzheimer’s and the medicinal use of cannabis. I am not usually a fan of so many highly rated issues being  incorporated into the one story, however, Tina does it all and really well. 

‘If they had spent time educating everyone, there might have been a marked difference. Hindsight is a wonderful gift created to haunt us, isn’t it?’

Having livid in Namibia for a time, I particularly appreciated the plight of the San and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Kalahari policeman, Piet Kleinman and the trips out to the clinics. Cry of the Firebird is a rich and multi layered tale that is not only filled with action and adventure but also provides real depth into sensitive issues. Readers will appreciate Tina’s ‘Fact v Fiction’ addition at the conclusion of the tale. 

‘We did not care about what country passports we carried back then, we could always walk through the bush. This is how it has always been done. Out there in the Kalahari, where our ancestors came from, all the San tribes once knew each other. In essence, we are all one people. Even with all the different languages, inside our hearts we are the same. Now governments have put up big fences and country borders, and we are told we as a people are not allowed in the Kalahari anymore.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Nature of the Lion

Title: Nature of the Lion

Author: T. M. Clark

Publisher: 16th November 2018 by Harlequin Australia, HQ

Pages: 352 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: action, Africa

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

An all-new vivid, action-packed adventure across the African landscape in the tradition of Tony Park and Wilbur Smith, from Australian thriller writer, T.M. Clark. Hiding from the law, they never expected to be caught in the crosshairs of a hunter...

After relocating to South Africa on the heels of scandal five years ago, Chloe and her invalid father, Mike, once wealthy Zimbabwean landowners, now have little. Away at university, Chloe has had to rely on her father's best friend Enoch and his son Xo to watch over Mike.

When a violent confrontation puts Chloe in danger, Enoch steps in to help - with inadvertent fatal results. With increasing pressure from a right-wing group on the police to charge Enoch, this mismatched family have no choice but to flee back to Zimbabwe.

But crossing the border will be dangerous and near impossible with their route taking them amid warring dissident armies and landmines, and their every footstep is stalked by a shadowy ring of hunters - whose trophies are taken from more than animals...

Only with help from Nick, formerly a soldier under Mike's command, now a professional game ranger, will the fugitives have a chance of making it home. But Nick has long struggled to come to terms with his fellow soldiers' choices before their unit was abandoned. Will his past demons put them all at risk?

My Thoughts

‘That is the fire of the Caçador Escuro, the Dark Hunter. We avoid such fires when we see them.’ Julio shook his head and made a cross on his chest as if to ward off evil. Enoch frowned. ‘Why?’ ‘These men are evil. They hunt people.’

‘Nature of the Lion’ is another compelling read from Zimbabwean born T.M. Clark. As I wrote about her previous book, ‘Child of Africa’ (HERE), I love reading about this compelling continent where I once lived. Clark brings to life the modern day hurdles that many there  face and you will find yourself fully engaged throughout this riveting story.

Yet again Clark provides us with another gripping and action packed thriller that not only transports you to the heart of Africa but presents  a side of life that not many are witness to - everything from illegal hunting to racism and corruption. So much beauty to be found in the wilds of Africa, yet it goes hand in hand with  so much horror - it’s a tale of conflict for all the wrong reasons. Clark is so understanding of this imbalance and presents the compelling contradictions to perfection.

Containing a little of everything, the tension will build and the drama continue to unfold right up until the very end. The violence will confront you, the rugged beauty impress you. Clark again provides a  ‘Fact vs Fiction’ at the end that proves most helpful in sorting through the details - real and fictionalised - from the book.

I highly recommend ‘Nature of the Lion’  with Clark becoming a firm favourite for her compelling writing in providing real and gripping dramas that will see you fully engaged throughout the novel. The characters are honest, the story they have to tell, whilst sad and frightening at times, proves very, very enthralling.

‘They do not think like you and me. They see the colour of skin as a measure of character and a means to judge who a person is.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Child of Africa

Title: Child of Africa

Author: T.M.Clark

Publisher: 20th November 2017 by Harlequin (Australia), TEEN / MIRA

Pages: 381 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: Africa, fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

After returning from Afghanistan, ex-British marine Joss Brennan embraces living as a double amputee, but he finds life at his safari lodge near Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, not quite as idyllic as when he left.

Peta de Longe is a big game veterinarian and no stranger to hard decisions. Working in the messy political society of Zimbabwe, she’s engaged in a constant struggle to save the national parks. When she nearly drives over Joss, the reunion isn’t joyous – Joss let down her dying sister eighteen months before, after all. But once she uncovers the terrible ordeal that Joss has gone through, can she learn to forgive and move forward?

When a corrupt and dangerous businessman with close ties to government threatens all he holds dear, Joss realises he doesn’t need to save strangers in a faraway land. But will he fight to save his own country and the people he considers his family?

My Thoughts

‘Today you have proved you are a child of Africa. I will see you now-now.’

Having lived in Africa I have a great affinity for the wondrous continent. However, even if you don’t have personal experience, there is nothing like a well written tale that can truly transport you to far off places. T.M. Clark’s novel is one such tale. This is brilliant! I was fully engaged from beginning to end in this mind riveting story.

This tale has a little of everything, from intrigue and mystery that goes on to build tension and drama. If the individual tales of Joss and Peta (and her father) are not enough, the whole emotion surrounding corruption and poaching is heartfelt and real. The violence is confrontational, but it’s meant to be. On the flip side of this, is the beauty and majesty of the wildlife, especially elephants. The tale of Ndhlovy is truly touching and I just love how Clark followed through with her tale right to the end.

‘Poor guy. We’ll settle him down and get him used to his guards before he’s let out. He’ll never be alone again. Two teams of men will watch him twenty-four hours a day; it’s the only way I can keep them alive.’

I particularly appreciated the ‘Fact vs Fiction’ at the end, that detailed and debunked many of the core issues covered in this book. For example, ‘It is estimated that wild elephants will be extinct within twenty-five years’. A sad fact and this book helps highlight that more action needs to be taken now.

‘This country is so full of corruption, I do not know if we will ever get out from underneath the tyranny that is our leadership.’

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially for those of you interested in delving into this exciting genre. The writing is compelling as Clark weaves tales of corruption and traditions, ravages of war, poaching and preservation. Add to that a cast of characters - both human and animal - that demonstrate real depth, whether it be leadership and compassion, to being evil and sadistic - you have a story here that is worthy and totally engaging.

‘He had been so determined to go and fight against the injustice of the world with the commandos that he hadn’t noticed how messed up his own country had become.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release