Although he sometimes misses the adrenalin rush of bond trading , Alex Calder is pleased with his decision to invest in a flying school in Norfolk , and put behind him the events at his former employers Bloomfield Weiss with whom he has no desire to meet up with again.
But an unexpected visit from his University friend Kim O’Connell now married to Todd van Zyl, son of the South African newspaper tycoon Cornelius van Zyl. Todd brings Bloomfield Weiss back into Alex’s life. For Kim asks Alex to help them with their investigations into the murder of Todd’s mother shot in South Africa at a game reserve near Cape Town 18 years ago. Although, it was assumed that Martha was killed by Guerrillas, Todd feels that there are too many question marks over this, and when a letter written by Todd’s mother shortly before her death to her own mother telling her that should anything happen to her , Martha, they should speak to Benton Davis, Todd tries to do just that but is totally stonewalled. As Benton Davis works for the investment bankers Bloomfield Weiss, could Alex contact him for them?. But Benton Davis is directly tied up with the reasons for Alex leaving Bloomfield Weiss and he is understandably reluctant, but when he and Todd are nearly killed, Alex is suspicious that someone wants the truth of Marta’s death to remain hidden.
Alex Calder is by nature a risk taker, but seeking into the truth behind Martha’s death brings risks not just for himself but puts at risk those he loves. This is a complex story tied up with family loyalties and relationships of both the Calder and the van Zyl families.
Whilst the main story is set in the current day the intermittent extracts from Martha’s diary written in the first person are very powerful, not only as they portray her state of mind, but for the vivid picture they paint of South Africa in 1988. A troubled country full of life and colour.
Sean Barrett is as usual excellent in his rendering of the characters and in portraying the atmosphere. Always a pleasure to listen to a book read by Sean.
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Lizzie Hayes.