Author: T.M. Clark
ISBN: 9781743693100
RRP: $29.99
T.M. Clark is a compelling new Australian voice whose third novel is Tears of the Cheetah. This is the first time I have read Clark but it certainly won’t be the last.
Clark is an Australian author who was born in Zimbabwe and her knowledge and passion for the African continent is tangible in her writing.
Tears of the Cheetah weaves different aspects of African life into a suspenseful story of game poaching, shady business, art and animal conservation. Being a tale of suspense I don’t want to ruin any of the storylines.
Mackenzie is an American artist who has moved to South Africa to find herself and her independence, she has kept herself apart form the local community and not let anyone get too close. Mackenzie has found a new inspiration for her art and begun a series of African animals.
My favourite part of Tears of the Cheetah is the cheetahs, much of the story takes place in a cheetah rescue and conservation reserve. Here we are able to get up close and personal with the cheetahs, and reserve owner Cole. We see them as individual animals with personality, they are quite tame and are happy to be handled. Clark has beautifully described the majesty of the big cats and their skills.
Early in the story Mackenzie races the cheetahs on her bicycle as she passes every day and the description is just glorious; of the cyclist pushing herself and the cheetahs exercising. I think it’s interesting to note that it’s pointed out that Mackenzie is racing against 6 different cheetahs but she doesn’t realise they’re changing.
There are lots of different threads to this story that don’t seem related in the beginning. The story opens with a mother cheetah on the prowl, then we meet Cole and his cheetah family. Descriptions of his work with the cheetah are informative and interesting, giving us a look into the characteristics of the animals and the way they are treated to ensure they will be able to return to the wild.
I did find at times that the story seemed to get bogged down in description, what was intended to paint a vibrant picture of the markets or the people seemed superfluous. The descriptions in those instances failed to evoke the image it was trying to paint. In other circumstances, like the descriptions of Mackenzie’s art or the animals, the descriptions were spot on.
Hope is found injured in the bush after a plane crash and she remembers nothing but her name, she is rescued by Mandla who is out tracking animals. It seems that though they work for completely different operations their work may be more alike than they had thought.
maNtuli joins the narrative in chapter four, she is a well known figure in the Johannesburg underworld. We learn a little about her past and how she came to be in her current position but not where she fits into the story we are reading about Mackenzie, Cole and the cheetah.
All of the characters in Tears of the Cheetah have suffered terrible heartbreaks in their past, all of them very different but still offering a point of understanding and a common ground.
Romance is an element of the story and it is a beautiful thing to watch but it is quite subtle and slow releasing. Early on Mackenzie keeps herself completely distanced from everyone so to get to a point where she’s willing to cultivate even a friendship is quite an impressive feat.
Suspense, romance, poaching, conservation as well as some amazing scenery and majestic animals. T.M. Clark writes a compelling story that involves you in the plight of the animals and the people of South Africa. I definitely plan to seek out more by T.M. Clark in the future.
Tears of the Cheetah is book #72 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2015.
T.M. Clark can be found at TMClark.com.au, Facebook and Twitter.
Tears of the Cheetah is available now at Harlequin, Angus and Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
We have copies of Tears of the Cheetah to giveaway to 5 of our lucky readers thanks to Morey Media and Harlequin. If you want to be one of them tell us in the comments below about the animal you would most like to see removed from the endangered list.
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I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Borneo pygmy elephants as elephants are absolutely beautiful and need to be saved from poachers, who kill them for their tusks.
The Cottontop Tamarin an exquisite little character full of love and totally harmless yet virtually extinct in today’s world of burning rainforests
The Black Rhino even though this is a very dangerous animal would love to see a breeding program put it place and education on the rhino horn times and attitudes have to change killing a magnificent animal just for its horn not on anymore
I would really love to see the black rhino be able to be taken off the endangered list. The black rhino is now on the critically endangered list and this is a shame as our children will never be able to see these animals in their natural habitat.
I’ve always been such a lover of elephants and you will always find me watching those documentaries about them. It pains me that they are killed for just their ivory. Such magnificent animals cruelly killed.
The Asian Elephant. Such beautiful animals!
Giant Pandas! What an amazing animal and one that future generations should be able see in the wild.
The Asian elephant such a beautiful majestic animal. Their eyes hold so much sadness
My youngest daughter has had a passion for Tigers since she was a very small child. Many years ago I took her and one of her sisters on a trip to New Zealand where we met up with a friend from America and we toured around the North Island. One of the surprises we had for the girls was a visit to a Big Cat Sanctuary. The place was closed at the time but I had been in touch with the Owner and He invited us to visit. It was amazing and we got to play with tiger cubs. It was that day that I found my love for these amazing creatures grew.
I would love to see all big cats removed from the endangered list.
I would love to see all animals removed from the Endangered List.
There have been great steps taken in the scientific world with Cloning and Selective Breeding, but I am realistic to know that sadly there will always be endangered animals.