Jassy Mackenzie

Readers of Mackenzie’s debut, Random Violence, have been looking forward to her next book but no-one in their wildest dreams could have expected a novel of such exciting and breath-taking complexity as My Brother’s Keeper.

This is a thrilling story of intricate connectivity, packed with sophisticated clues and doubtful co-incidences which hint at something deeper, a sinister puppet master with a hidden agenda and ingenious subplots, which make it a rare delight to read.

At the heart of show more the book are two sets of brothers, Sipho and Khani, and Nick and Paul, and how their lives collide when Nick, a paramedic, is called out to a accident and assists the injured Natasha, agreeing to pass on a warning to a friend of hers.

The friend is Khani, whom Nick learns was murdered at about the same time Natasha had her ‘accident’: the following day, her throat is slashed as she lies helpless in Jo’Burg General.

A series of further incidents convince Nick that not only has he inadvertently stumbled into something very dangerous but that, inexplicably, he is being targeted himself.

When he discovers his older brother Paul has been released from prison things become a little clearer because the siblings have never been friends: Nick gave damning testimony against Paul at his most recent trial – now big bro is out for revenge.

Although local readers have welcomed the recent spate of quality thrillers by SA writers; most crime stories are set in the Western Cape and it was a rare treat to read of Norwood, Northcliff and Newtown, of Alberton and Lonehill, Houghton and Germiston, Sandton City and Eastgate for a change.

This is a truly South African story, with its cash-in-transit heists, ludicrously short sentences for brutal murder, secure housing compounds cheek by jowl with shacks, security companies and armed guards, violent crime and mindless cruelty – juxtaposed with decent people working hard and making sacrifices to ensure the prosperity of the rainbow nation.

A clever book, excellently written, lean, spare and tight, My Brother’s Keeper is an intriguing and exciting page-turner by a major talent and world beater who could, if she wanted, put Jozi on the literary map! show less

I think this series gets better with every book, and would give this a 4.5 stars, if possible. Jade de Jong is hired by a futures trader to investigate the death of a base jumper, whose parachute fails during a jump of the tallest building in Sandton, Johannesburg. Jade finds that she worked for a not-for-profit enterprise, helping indigent natives reclaim lands taken away from them. One of those projects has completely disappeared, piquing Jade's interest. When the jumper's family starts show more dying or disappearing, Jade finds help from her ex-lover, Superintendent David Patel. Taut writing, good political commentary, and Jade is a strong and brave female protagonist, who delivers justice in her own unequivocal fashion. show less

First Line: Themba Msamaya didn't suspect a thing on the morning he opened his door to death.

Private investigator Jade de Jong invites her lover, Police Superintendent David Patel, on a scuba diving holiday in hopes that it will solidify their troubled relationship. Instead, Jade discovers that she hates scuba diving, and David puts an end to their affair. However, the next morning, all differences are put aside when one of the resort's diving instructors is found stabbed to death in her show more room.

Amanda Bolton is a most unlikely murder victim. She was a quiet, intelligent woman who, until a few months ago, was an air traffic controller. She had few acquaintances. The only loose end is a postcard Jade finds in her room that contains a mysterious message. There's no doubt about it: relationship woes or not, Jade and David are going to have to work together in order to solve this murder.

I've long been intending to read one of Jassy Mackenzie's Jade de Jong mysteries, and I'm glad that I finally made the time. The Fallen is a well-plotted, fast-paced book that kept me guessing until the end and vowing to add this South African author's books to my Must Read List. If you're wondering how well I handled reading the third book in the series first, wonder no more. I had no problem at all. Mackenzie provides just enough back story to ensure that the storyline isn't confusing while tantalizing me into feeling that I need to read the previous books in the series.

Of course the reason why I feel that I have to read the first and second books is private investigator Jade de Jong herself. She is a fascinating character who is a natural when it comes to having a gun in her hand-- and at the same time she's a very compassionate woman to the people around her. She and Superintendent David Patel are well-suited to working together. They both have the same style: they think on their feet, and their feet are usually running. Not for either of them is the focus groups and endless committee meetings type of decision-making.

The pace is almost non-stop as the investigation proves to have more than one focus, but even in the midst of all the seriousness and the relentless determination of Jade de Jong, Mackenzie knows just when to add touches of humor-- as she does with an emergency medical technician that keeps appearing on the scene.

If you're in the mood for a fast-paced, intriguing mystery with a strong female lead, let me suggest picking up a Jade de Jong book by Jassy Mackenzie. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you decided to read the other books in the series as well! show less

So happy to read another of Jassy's Jade de Jong series. The security director for a South African nuclear power plant hires Jade to investigate an employee, following an attempted break-in possibly arranged by his predecessor, now a member of an environmental group. Jade ends up tracing him to a seedy motel where one of the company directors is murdered. Jade and the employee go on the run while a local constable Mweli and Jade's former lover, David, investigate. Jassy does a nice job of show more keeping the reader guessing who are the good guys and bad guys, including an appearance of Jade's mercenary friend, Robbie. Suspenseful, recommended. 4.5 stars. show less