MARK OF THE LION: Jade del Cameron Mystery - Suzanne Arruda

From the back of the book: In 1919, when most women only dream of adventure, Jade del Cameron lives it. After growing up tough on a New Mexico ranch and driving an ambulance on the front lines of World War I, she can fire a rifle with deadly precision and stare down men maddened by shell shock. Still suffering trauma from the Great War, she sets off for Africa determined to fulfill a man's dying wish....

With his last breath, Jade's beloved David asked her to find the brother he only recently learned he had. All clues point Jade to the East African city of Nairobi, where she soon has reason to believe that David's father was murdered. She hears the natives whisper about a laibon---a witch doctor---terrorizing the land. They speak of being attacked by wild beasts that bear strange shaved patterns and bone beads in their fur---signs of animals being mystically guided by an avenging human.

In a land where tribal traditions clash with the so-called civilization of unruly British expatriates, Jade must draw upon all her ingenuity and courage to unmask the truth, expose the killer...and stay alive to fight another day.

***********************************

One could start a review by comparing this series to Jacqueline Winspear's 'Maisie Dobbs' series. It is similar in being set during WWI timeframe and with a strong female lead character. It would also be a good comparison in that both are a favorite series for me with a must get all for the keeper shelf proviso.

I can't remember where I first heard of Jade del Cameron, but the series has been on the WWBL for some time with MARK OF THE LION on Mt Git'r'Read for a while for whatever reason. I am a mood reader and books tend to get lost on the bookshelves in my house. I was both in the mood and MARK OF THE LION almost fell on my cranium at a propitious time last month.

After I metaphorically kicked myself for having waited so long, I got down to reading and loving the book.

It moves quickly, is full of history as much as it is a wonderfully written mystery.

Jade del Cameron is a strong woman who knows her own mind. She lucks into both a job as a photographer and writer for a travel magazine as well as being hired to find the brother of the man she loves and misses after his death during the Great War. She travels to Africa, proceeds to not put up with any crap from anyone and raises the ire of the local witchdoctor and some of the locals while she searches.

This is as much an adventure series as much as it is suspense, a wonderful mixture.

I admire Jade and cannot wait to read more of the series. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/suzanne-arruda/

Five sparkly strong woman in Africa diamonds.....