Sue Rabie

Pietermaritzburg author Sue Rabie is the librarian at a boy’s school and this, her third book, will find firm favour amongst the youngsters who crowd her library because it has everything an action adventure tale should have, from a noble hero [disbarred doctor David Roth], a beautiful femme fatale, and non-stop deeds of derring do.

Durban-based logistics manager Roth is distracted by the disturbing behaviour of his girlfriend when he is kidnapped, first by one government agency then another, involved in a shoot-out at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, chased through the streets of Durban from the Point to the uShaka Marine World, and finally parachuted into Swaziland in search of his uncle, a government secret agent.

A quick and easy read, this is ideal relaxation for anyone who wants to forget about end-year exams or enjoys Alistair Maclean with a local flavour: the characters are still somewhat cardboard and the situations predictable but Fallout is a vast improvement on Rabie’s previous books, marking her as a writer who can be relied on to deliver clean and proudly South African escapism.… (meer)

This book was written by a teacher at the St Charles school in Pietermaritzburg, which my nephews attanded: when I heard their teacher had written a thriller I requested she send it to me so I could review it for the Sunday Times. Thank Heavens she did not.
I like to encourage local writers by being supportive of ther work but, quite frankly, Boston Snowplough is simply not well written. There is a touch of Alastair MacClean to it as the hero [a doctor who has lost his licence] goes out again and again [and again and again and again] into the deep snow, clearing roads and rescuing people.
He rescues the passengers on a stranded bus, two of which are ruthless killers, whom he brings back into the small community: its not long before they show their true colours [both white, as it happens] and the killings begin.
Bitty, boring in parts, and badly structured, I'm not sure the book could be rescued, even with decent editing and a total rewrite. Dull to read, it must have been deadly to write and I can only say hats off to the author for sticking to it. But, a word of advice, don't give up your day job.… (meer)