Title: The Rhino Whisperer
Author: Evadeen Brickwood
Genre: Crime Mystery
Another mystery novel set in modern South Africa. This time, the murders of a ranger and a rare black rhino in the idyllic Shangari Safari Park rattle the local community of Rutgersdrift. Sofia Helenius from Finland lives at the lodge with her boyfriend Tom Rutgers, the owner of Shangari. Sofia is tormented by a secret she yearns to share with Tom, but the cruel events grab the limelight and put everything else in the shade. One of the native Khoi-San families is known to communicate with wild animals, but what if the criminals get wind of this gift?
When another murder happens in the city of Johannesburg, smouldering secrets begin to unravel. How are the murders connected and will it be possible to halt a relentless crime-syndicate in order to save an African paradise?
1) “There is a beautiful place in South Africa between the Kalahari Desert and the Magaliesberg, where rocks and water and all living things pulse to the rhythm of nature. A place, where harmony reigns and the possession of money is not considered all-important.
It is here that you can find the Shangari Safari Lodge; a piece of paradise to many. The area hovers on the sandy edge of the mighty Kalahari Desert and a white-water stream churns past sandy beaches, hemming in woodland and bushveld and agave-covered hills.
If one follows directions, it is easy enough to find Shangari, as there is no need for street names in the countryside. All you have to do is take the new tar road north of Rutgersdrift and turn right by the great baobab tree. Two business-savvy women in traditional garb tend to their stall in the shade of the tree, selling avocados, macadamia nuts and delicious baobab jam. If you are lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of baboons in the expansive branches or of a few inquisitive meerkats, scanning the road from the top of their burrow.
The tar road carries on north, past avocado and citrus farms, over a bridge and through the village of Renosterspruit, until a dirt road takes over all the way to the border with Botswana. Not much has changed here in many years and not much ever happens.
Rutgersdrift is the largest town in the district. It boasts shady streets, a small hospital and a sleepy police station next to the church steeple. Just five minutes outside of town lies an airstrip; the frequent destination for small single-engine planes coming in from Johannesburg and Pretoria with their bellies full of tourists, hungry for the spectacle of nature...”
2) Obakeng, the grey-haired sangoma walked down the stairs. Despite his grey hair, his face looked remarkably young. Even his eyes were unlined and his gaze alert. Nobody seemed to know his exact age, which was not unusual around here. In the absence of a tribal chief, Obakeng was the most important man in the compound. For more reasons than one.
His skill with the divining rod was legendary. Farmers sought him out, if they were in need of finding new water veins. Obakeng’s method was always the same: he placed a tiny bottle with water on his head, covered it with a hat, held another water bottle in his right hand and the forked divining rod in the other.
Evadeen Brickwood grew up with two sisters in Germany and studied cultural sciences and languages. As a young woman, she travelled extensively and many of her books are inspired by her experiences abroad. Feeling adventurous, the newly qualified translator moved to Africa in 1988 and worked for two years as a secretary and language teacher in Botswana. The author eventually settled in South Africa, where she got married and raised two daughters. In Johannesburg, Evadeen Brickwood studied computers and management of training and worked as a corporate software trainer, professional translator and lecturer at WITS University.
In 2003, she began her writing career with youth novels in the ‘Remember the Future’ series, about adventures in prehistory. Book 1, ‘Children of the Moon’, has been published twice in South Africa and translated into German. The author now self-publishes and other books in the series are now released on a regular basis. Her works include the novels ‘The Rhino Whisperer’, ‘Singende Eidechsen’ (in the German edition) and ‘Abenteuer Halbmond”, which will be published in English with the title “A Half Moon Adventure” soon.
Instagram: @evadeenauthor
Booktrailers & Interviews:
GIVEAWAY!
Here are a couple of reviews I just received from fans who listened to the audio book:
The WHOLE story was great. Listening to this story was wonderful since it seemed as if I was listening in on the conversations and I was pulled into her time. It was as if I had never read the book before and I was feeling wonderfully excited and a bit vulnerable since I was a little frightened listening to it.
Was so good, wanted to keep listening to it. Was like listening to a movie, you could visualize it as it's read! Highly recommend it! 5 stars!
I’m giving away an audio book. Here’s what you have to do to enter:
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#ameerah, #audiobook, #betrayal, #death, #fantasy, #giveaway, #historical, #murder, #paranormal, #spirits, #supernatural,
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“In life Ameerah is a rebellious flapper gal from the 1920s. In death, she’s a vengeful ghost who preys on the living.”
“Ghostly paranormal with a historical twist.”
“Well-researched, well-written, and fun to read.”
"Amazing Read!!!"
"This book will keep you engrossed from start to finish."
"WOW!!!"
"Rebekkah takes us on one hell of a ride."
"Loved every page!"
"I loved Ameerah."
Reader reviews
I like to smoke, drink cocktails, and dance. I'm a flapper gal who had the best job working at a speakeasy. It was the bee's knees. But then my own family double-crossed me, taking everything from me. My freedom. My dignity. My life. Now, in death, I'll have my revenge, and I will show no mercy.
I am Ameerah. This is my story.
This is a good story. I really enjoyed it. It was
well-written, the characters were well-developed, and the tale flowed nicely.
What I honestly loved the most about it was the main character Les and his
side-kick D’arcy. They had great chemistry, and I loved the banter between them.
I also thought it was clever throwing in cult references like the game of Clue
when they were talking about the murder case they were working on solving. I
think Charles has a knack for writing romance if he so desired to do so. Just
sayin’.
The main character Les is easily likable. He’s a war
vet who lost his hearing while serving his country. He’s also a sharp shooter
and is knowledgeable in firearms. He’s basically a loner who gets offered a job
to solve a murder case. He’s intelligent, insightful, and hyper aware of his
other senses which he uses throughout his investigation. It’s impressive.
D’arcy is Les` interrupter. She’s in a wheelchair but
manages to do her job well and not allow her handicap to slow her down.
There are so many things I like about this story. I
think it’s cool how Charles wrote the characters signing to each other so the
reader can follow the tale with ease and learn a thing or two about it. I like
that he intertwined a tribal community into the murder mystery and did it well.
I love the accuracy and detail of it all. I’d love for him to turn this into a
series because it has great potential to become one. I would definitely
recommend Deaf takes a Holiday to readers who loves a good mystery with strong,
likable characters and suspense.
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