Suzanne ArrudaBesprekingen

A good book about a film maker safari to Mount Kilmanjaro in the 1920's. Is there a murderer in the company or are they just cursed? Is Jade the reason bad things keep happening? I enjoyed this book about very different people and different cultures in Africa. It still is somewhere that I would like to go visit.

American Jade del Cameron served as an ambulance driver in France in the Great War and saw her love, pilot David Worthy, get shot down. She vowed to fulfill his dying wish that she find his unknown half-brother. That vow takes her to Nairobi in 1919, where David 19s father died years earlier when he was attacked by a hyena in his hotel. She takes a job as a journalist for The Traveler magazine and infiltrates the Happy Valley set, where she makes friends and organizes a safari.

As Jade makes her way through African society, an American made uncomfortable by the strictures of class and race, she learns Swahili, moves to a coffee plantation, and navigates the rutted roads of Africa in an unreliable car. There have been some suspicious deaths and not just that of David Worthy's father. The natives believe that a laibon is at work, an evil spirit who has the ability to assume the form of a beast, in this case a hyena. Or a lion. Or are there two laibons at work? Jade isn't sure she believes this, but isn't as quick to rule out the possibility as some of her compatriots.

Jade is a forthright, blunt-spoken, action-oriented heroine who knows more about guns than fashion. Clips from her travel articles head up each chapter and the action moves swiftly through bush and ballroom until it culminates in a sufficiently atmospheric and danger-riddled safari. I was intrigued enough with this first book to pick up the second one. I thought Jade was lots of fun, even if she may be too good to be true.

Stalking Ivory is the second book in the Jade del Cameron series, set in Africa in the 1920s. She explores Africa with her camera and writes a for the Traveler Magazine. Jade's current assignment is to photograph elephants in the Mount Marsabit area of Kenya. Jade has also promised the chief game warden that she’ll be on the lookout for ivory poachers in the area. Even though elephants aren’t yet endangered animals they are preyed on by ivory poachers who brutally slaughter whole herds. Not only does Jade find poachers, she also has to deal with slave trading, gun running, and murder.

I thought the mystery was very well constructed. The secondary characters are quite interesting, especially Jelani, the young boy Jade is determined to help. He also travels along with Jade, babysitting her pet cheetah, Biscuit. Sometimes the main character can be a bit unrealistic. Nevertheless, this is a series I often read when looking for an escapist read.

These have taken a decidedly silly turn. I loved the touch of the supernatural in the first one, related as it was to an Isak Dinesen anecdote. But now that ghosts, visions, gypsies, amulets, and spells have become a larger part of the plot, I couldn't be less interested.

Lacked the charm of the first in the series and the supernatural element that was put to good use in the first one was a total clunker here.

This was totally fun. East Africa in the years after WWI and with a plot drawn from a story told by Baron von Blixen, husband of Isak Dinesen. I'll definately read the next in the series.

Treasure of the Golden Cheetah by Suzanne Arruda is the 5th book in her Jade del Cameron series. Jade has been hired to escort a film crew on Safari to Mount Kilimanjaro where they are making a movie that is based on an African legend about a secret treasure. But on the eve of departure the producer of the film is killed by a seemingly crazed native and this begins a series of mis-adventures that plague the making of this film.

Out in the bush Jade is trying to find out who is trying to sabotage the film while back in Nairobi, her fellow, Sam Eastlake is trying to find out the backstory behind this film crew, as he too feels that things aren’t quite right. When Sam does put some of the pieces together he tries to rush to Jade’s side, but he is too late and Jade is left to face a vicious murderer on her own.

This series of historical mysteries is a fun one. Set in 1920’s Africa it has strong characters and exotic locations. In each book time is always taken to explore native traditions, but the mystery is usually front and center and requires Jade and her friends to pick up on clues and put the pieces together.½

I have read every single one of Suzanne Arruda's Jade del Cameron mysteries, and I've watched the series grow from rather light-hearted adventure yarns into something much more substantive that gave me a real feel for the time period and the culture. When I saw Arruda had published Devil Dance, you had to know that I snapped it up immediately.

Arruda has created a good mystery with an excellent sense of misdirection. It was also a wonderful idea to split the engaged couple and pair each one with one of Jade's parents. In this way we become better acquainted with Jade's father Richard as well as Sam. Jade's mother Inez isn't as much of a mystery since she has appeared in other books. She and her daughter are so much alike that their time together can be a bit obstreperous. In addition, there are several humorous scenes as each couple begins having its share of adventures.

The serious part of the book concerns slavery, and how-- although it had been made illegal quite some time ago-- some people are still involved in the sale of human beings. As I said earlier, these books aren't just light-hearted fun; the author really gives you a feel for the time and place, and this makes me enjoy her writing even more.

The tension in Devil Dance grows, and it's a given that the two couples are going to wind up in the same place eventually. The only question is... which couple is going to be saving the other?

If you're new to the series, I think you could read this book and not be hopelessly confused. But if you enjoy good historical mysteries with interesting characters and a vivid sense of place, I suggest you begin at the beginning with Mark of the Lion.½

American Jade del Cameron served as an ambulance driver in France in the Great War and saw her love, pilot David Worthy, get shot down. She vowed to fulfill his dying wish that she find his unknown half-brother. That vow takes her to Nairobi in 1919, where David’s father died years earlier when he was attacked by a hyena in his hotel. She takes a job as a journalist for The Traveler magazine and infiltrates the Happy Valley set, where she makes friends and organizes a safari.

As Jade makes her way through African society, an American made uncomfortable by the strictures of class and race, she learns Swahili, moves to a coffee plantation, and navigates the rutted roads of Africa in an unreliable car. There have been some suspicious deaths and not just that of David Worthy's father. The natives believe that a laibon is at work, an evil spirit who has the ability to assume the form of a beast, in this case a hyena. Or a lion. Or are there two laibons at work? Jade isn't sure she believes this, but isn't as quick to rule out the possibility as some of her compatriots.

Jade is a forthright, blunt-spoken, action-oriented heroine who knows more about guns than fashion. Clips from her travel articles head up each chapter and the action moves swiftly through bush and ballroom until it culminates in a sufficiently atmospheric and danger-riddled safari. I was intrigued enough with this first book to pick up the second one. I thought Jade was lots of fun, even if she may be too good to be true.

I enjoy Arrunda's books but they do drag a bit in the middle and are slightly less than believable.

More of a suspense novel than a mystery. The slight fantasy element is even subtler in this one than the first one. Jade continues to be an appealing heroine.½

A well-constructed mystery with slight fantasy overtones (the shamans). Jade del Cameron is an appealing character. The ending is a bit less tight than in many mysteries but still satisfying.½

I was browsing at Harvard Bookstore and I ran across this. It was almost an impulse buy and then I put it back and recalled it later when I was browsing online at Powell's. After looking at a few reviews, I dediceded to get it from the library instead and I'm glad I did. It was badly written, in the way that romances are, but without the enjoyment of badly written. Hackneyed, over metaphored, one-dimensional characters with set expressions (pish-tosh, I mean really.), a heroine of flashing green eyes and curly black hair, a crack shot and a great mechanic. It was dippy and not in a fun way and I'm very glad I didn't spend money on it, nor the rest of the series. I could complain about more; the strained plot line, the over explanation of clothes and food, the clueless detective/heroine. But really, I'll just move on to a book I'll enjoy and return this one to the library.

Good but very different from the first two. The adventure plot is second in this novel to the psychological plot of the relationship between Jade and her mother Inez. This is a mother/daughter journey where the whole spirit of the Berber people is used as a prop almost. Not that the plot isn't good it's just a tool to move along Jade and Inez from point A to point B in their relationship, freeing in a way Jade for the next book. Maybe.

If you liked the African plots of the first two novels you probably will find the Morocco settings not up to the East Africa settings. No elephants, no lions, no savannah. Lots of sand, ruins and evil spirits. Which on its own is well done but compared to the other settings I found it lacking and more like pretty decorations in the novel instead of part of the soul of the book in the other two novels. 3 stars because it would be unfair to give less but it's very different from the first two

The Leopard’s Prey by Suzanne Arruda is the fourth Jade Del Cameron mystery. The series is set in British East Africa (Kenya) in the early 1920’s. Jade is an American who grew up on a ranch in New Mexico and chose to drive ambulances in France during the war. She craves adventure and is very capable of looking after herself. She is now based in Nairobi working as a photographer and travel writer. Of course, what seems to occupy most of her time is solving murders.

I had put this series on the back burner for a couple of reasons, I didn’t care for the way each plot was relying upon African myth and magic. One book of this was fine, but after three books, I was ready for a break. My other minor objection was the character of Jade. She is described as beautiful, accomplished, and efficient. And she is all of that, what I find lacking is humor and humility. She is a little too perfect, I would like to see some human flaws addressed that would make her seem more like a real person.

I am happy to say that my first quibble was addressed in this book. The Leopard’s Prey was a straight forward mystery with very little mumbo-jumbo involved. As for Jade, well she is still as perfect as always, so I still haven’t warmed to her. Luckily, the author surrounds her main character with a number of well rounded supporting characters. At the end of this book, there was distinct crack in Jade’s iron-clad competentance and she actually had to call for help. As there are still a couple more books in this series, I have a tiny hope that Jade Del Cameron will show a softer, more human side. Also the author left a piece of the plot hanging at the end so I need to read on to find out what happens next.

More like 3 3/4 stars. Interesting period. The author capture the feel of the time. Her heroine is this side of wonderful. Jade Del Cameron is a take no prisoner, action, independent woman. WW1 civil veteran, she still carries the pain and the terror of that time in her.

The mystery is a bit far fetched but there are legends of skin walkers on every continents. The who is the witch game was a bit tiresome but in the end it payed off. I'm still a bit weary of the witch unknowingly partner Harry.

Still it's a very good opening novel of a series I hope to read more soon.

Really, really good. Post WW1 Colonial British East Africa settings. 2 very strong, full rounded women, good strong male characters and African characters not set up as cute background or folkloric decor.

There is the influx of popular culture with a tiny hint of irony since Arruda uses Burroughs' Tarzan to contrast with her depictions of this area. Not vines to use for traveling but cars that break, early cinema and modern photography. Arruda takes you to a place where you are entertained by the mystery but also nourished with an history and culture that she depicts with intelligence and style.

Great start to what could be an excellent series. Good characters with an excellent sense of time and place give the story a very authentic atmosphere and setting

Jade once again finds herself in danger when she joins Harry Hascombe as a guide for a film crew. Before the group even leaves, the producer is killed by a crazed native who was drugged. As the team continues up Kiliminjaro, further mishaps as well as a death curse create danger and tension while Sam Featherstone, who remains behind, begins to question his proposal to marry Jade.

While I enjoy Jade del Cameron stories and Arruda can spin a great tale, jade was not on the top of her game in this adventure. There were so many mishaps that were written off and over looked that the reader is tempted to call out 'Wake up you idiots!." Or "Are you all blind? Little things got my goat one of which was that I found it too hard to believe that men would rather have frostbite than wear socks. All in all what the problem was that Jade's was inconsistent. She usually is observant and can add two and two.

Great promise for this series. Loved the setting, enjoyed Jade's independence and ability with cars, guns and people. I didn't like when animals were killed but that was de rigeur at that time in Africa.

This is a Great follow up to Mark of the Lion. Reall good page turner.

Quite enjoyed this Jade del Cameron mystery, It seemed a little slow top start, enjoyable all the same.½

I'm not sure what Agatha Christie would be writing if she were alive today, but as I read this book, I thought that this was the kind of mystery she would be reading if she were alive today. There's a strong plot, there's recognizable characters, there's a motive, and there's a well-developed setting. It moves along at a good pace, none of this sitting and introspecting for seven or eight chapters. Yes, it does set the scene, but hey, stuff is happening, like getting attacked by a hyena. That's pretty exciting stuff. And while Jade del Cameron doesn't seem to have much in common with Miss Jane Marple, she did remind me quite a bit of those plucky heroine of Miss Christie's other novels, the ones who set off for Africa or Mesopotamia, or wherever adventure takes them, and then get caught up in Exciting Events.

I liked this a lot and I'm looking forward to more in this series.

First Line: From his hidden vantage point, the man watched the young American woman called Simba Jike.

Returning from a rather ill-advised trip to Europe where all destinations did nothing but dredge up painful memories, Jade del Cameron greets the sight of Kenya with two certainties: Africa is her home, and Sam Featherstone is the man she wants to spend her life with. When a letter arrives, Jade hopes it's from Sam, telling her the date of his return. Instead, she finds a message written in the hand of her long-dead fiance, asking "Why did you let me die?"

After witnessing a car going off a bridge and having more deaths follow, Jade begins an investigation that she believes is tied in with a fraudulent gold mine scheme, but when she learns that her old nemesis, Lilith Worthy has escaped from an English prison, Jade knows the case has just turned every bit as deadly as that huge, hungry crocodile that's been hanging around the foot of Fourteen Falls.

Although this Biscuit fan thought the cheetah was cheated out of his share of the spotlight in this book, I really did enjoy The Crocodile's Last Embrace. Arruda continues to draw more and more news and information of the period and the surrounding colonies into the books to give the reader an excellent sense of what life was like in Africa in the early twentieth century. For instance, this time we learned what Leopold, King of the Belgians, had his minions doing in the Congo.

These books just about have it all for me-- probably because I fell in love with and watched "Out of Africa" at least once per week while it was in the theatres here in Phoenix. To have an ongoing series of books dealing with roughly the same time frame, the same land, the wildlife, the early days of aviation and photojournalism is a delight.

The delight does not end with the aforementioned list. Arruda has a cast of characters that continues to adapt and grow with each new experience. Of course the major changes belong to Sam and Jade as these two fiercely independent people have to figure out if they can truly be together, but they aren't the only two who've changed through the passage of books. Just ask Jelani, the young Kikuyu boy befriended by Jade.

Speaking of younger characters, the young band of Girl Guides that Lady Dunbury is trying to gather under her wing? They're a hoot. Whenever those youngsters appeared, they made me laugh. I certainly hope they'll make another appearance in Jade's next adventure. I'll be looking for them (and Biscuit)!

The one thing most readers want to know about a book in a series is can they pick it up, read it, and not get confused if they haven't read any of the other books? In the case of The Crocodile's Last Embrace, readers should not have a problem, since Arruda included enough information from previous books to fill in the gaps.½