Book Review: Stalking Ivory

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Stalking Ivory     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Suzanne Arruda
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Adventure   Historical   Woman Main Character
Series: Jade Del Cameron # 2
NAL, Jan 2007, $23.95

In 1920 with the war over and the need for female ambulance drivers also over, Jade del Cameron completed a death bed promise in British East Africa (see MARK OF THE LION). Though her quest is done, Jade decides to stay for now and even mentors a preadolescent lad, Jelani.

Jade accompanied by her friends Lord Avery Dunbury and his wife Beverly, and Jelani head towards the Mount Marasbit elephant preserve, but are horrified by the corpses of four elephants killed for their tusks as ivory sells big in western markets. Nearby she also finds the remains of a King’s soldier obviously killed by the poachers who butchered the elephants. Jade especially personalizes the kills and vows to bring to justice to the poachers whether they are natives, Abyssinian raiders, western safari leaders like Harry Hascombe, or some other avaricious souls.

STAKING IVORY is a delightful historical whodunit starring an independent courageous woman who wants to see justice occur for the brutally slaughtered animals and the dead soldier. Jade risks her life to do so though she finds an ally in a pilot Sam Featherstone. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency tales will want to join Jade on her amateur sleuthing safari.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner