Random Violence

“A page turner of a story, intriguing characters—Jade is particularly memorable—and a wealth of South African color . . . At once brutal and beautiful” (Richmond Times-Dispatch).
 
In Johannesburg, prosperous whites live in gated communities; when they exit their cars to open the gates, car-jackings are common. But seldom is the victim killed, much less shot twice, like Annette Botha. The husband of the wealthy woman is the primary suspect in his wife’s murder.
 
PI Jade de Jong fled South Africa ten years ago after her father was killed. Now back in town, she offers to help her father’s former assistant, Supt. David Patel, with his investigation of this case. Under apartheid, Patel, of Indian descent, could never have attained his present position. But he is feeling pressure from his “old line” boss with respect to this investigation and fears lingering prejudice is at work.
 
As Jade probes into this and other recent car-jacking cases, a pattern begins to emerge, a pattern that goes back to her father’s murder and that involves a vast and intricate series of crimes for profit.
 
“Jade de Jong kicks ass.” —NPR
 
“[A] triumphant debut . . . The plot has more than its fair share of nice twists, and Mackenzie does a superb job of making the reader care for her gutsy lead while offering a glimpse at life in South Africa after apartheid.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“Hard-edged . . . [A] remarkable new sleuth.” —The New York Times Book Review