In this 4th book in the 'Jade de Jong' series, the private investigator looks into what, at first, seems to be an accidental death. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Private detective Jade de Jong - who I think of as a sort of female Jack Reacher - lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jade, who recently 'disappeared' someone, is planning to take a break from work when she's approached by Victor Theron, a wealthy trader in commodities futures. Victor tells Jade that he and his girlfriend Sonet Meintjies enjoyed base jumping (parachuting off tall structures), and recently leapt from a sixty-eight story skyscraper called Sandton Views.
Victor jumped first, and when Sonet followed, her parachute didn't open and she was killed. Victor - who packed the defective chute - fears he'll be accused of murder, and asks Jade to investigate.
Jade doesn't want to take the case, but after she sees suspicious footprints on the rooftop of Sandton Views, agrees to look into the matter.
Jade learns that Sonet Meintjies worked for an organization that helps native South African tribes reclaim their land from white owners.....and then farm it with modern methods.
One homestead Sonet was assisting had been doing very well, and even had a windmill-powered granary. The tribe had sown newly developed disease-resistant seeds, and expected to show a profit by the second year. Instead, the farm failed and the tribe disappeared.
Jade visits the farm, which is several hours drive from Johannesburg. There she discovers something that's apparently a dire threat to someone. An attempt is made to involve Jade in a fatal car accident, and when that fails, hired killers pursue her.
Jade is a clever woman, though, and the goons underestimate her every time. (This is a gal you DON'T want to get on the wrong side of. 😡)
The thugs also target a man Jade has interviewed as well as members of dead Sonet's family.....and it's clear the stakes are very high. The reason is unveiled as the story unfolds, and it's a DOOZY! I can't say more because of spoilers.
Meanwhile, in a tangential story line, a single mother is forced to become the driver for a hired assassin. When the woman is on the job, she tools around in a Mercedes and dresses fashionably, so police will think she and the killer are a wealthy married couple.
The woman wants to run away, but her employer - who engaged the killer - monitors every move she makes, and she fears for herself and her little boy.
These two story lines - Jade's case and the roaming assassin - merge as the book approaches it's climax.
Over the course of the series, Jade has had an on-off relationship with married Police Superintendent David Patel.
David was estranged from his wife when he and Jade first connected, but circumstances forced him to return to his spouse. David and Jade still work together professionally, and - in this book - David helps Jade with her case and Jade helps David investigate anonymous letters he's been receiving. The ex-lovers still yearn for one another, and - as things shake out - there may be hope for them yet. 😍
This is an exciting story in an interesting setting. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Justine Eyre, who does a great job with the characters' names and accents. Fans of thrillers would probably enjoy the book.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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