The Leopard's Prey

The Leopard’s Prey by Suzanne Arruda is the fourth Jade Del Cameron mystery. The series is set in British East Africa (Kenya) in the early 1920’s. Jade is an American who grew up on a ranch in New Mexico and chose to drive ambulances in France during the war. She craves adventure and is very capable of looking after herself. She is now based in Nairobi working as a photographer and travel writer. Of course, what seems to occupy most of her time is solving murders.

I had put this series on the back burner for a couple of reasons, I didn’t care for the way each plot was relying upon African myth and magic. One book of this was fine, but after three books, I was ready for a break. My other minor objection was the character of Jade. show more She is described as beautiful, accomplished, and efficient. And she is all of that, what I find lacking is humor and humility. She is a little too perfect, I would like to see some human flaws addressed that would make her seem more like a real person.

I am happy to say that my first quibble was addressed in this book. The Leopard’s Prey was a straight forward mystery with very little mumbo-jumbo involved. As for Jade, well she is still as perfect as always, so I still haven’t warmed to her. Luckily, the author surrounds her main character with a number of well rounded supporting characters. At the end of this book, there was distinct crack in Jade’s iron-clad competentance and she actually had to call for help. As there are still a couple more books in this series, I have a tiny hope that Jade Del Cameron will show a softer, more human side. Also the author left a piece of the plot hanging at the end so I need to read on to find out what happens next. show less

There is never a shortage of adventure in Suzanne Arruda’s Jade Del Cameron mystery series. Set in colonial Africa in 1920, readers of this series can without a doubt always count on a lot of action, an intriguing background murder to puzzle out, and a genuine feeling of being right there in the time and place on the Kenyan plains.

The reader gets up close and personal with the exotic land of Africa at a time when wild animals ran free, and when native tribes such as the Maasai and Kikuyu had still not fallen into the hands of the white man. As you read, you will smell the hot arid African air, glimpse a sky full of twinkling stars come sundown, and will drive Safari style along a long dusty road in a jeep viewing herds of wild show more giraffe, buffalo, elephants or zebra.

The star of this delightful series, Jade Del Cameron, is a bit of a too independent rifle-toting, sarcastic spitfire, complete with her own motorcycle that she uses to take her pet cheetah name Biscuit out for a run. Within the four novels so far, one never knows what trouble or adventures she will encounter; anything from Big Game Hunting, outrages of Elephant Poaching, vacations to Morocco with her mother, kidnappings, murders, interactions with the local natives, or as in this new installment, soaring high in the sky with her love interest Sam Featherstone as he instructs her in flying lessons.

The reader always learns something new about Africa in the 1920's with each new installment of the series, and I can only say these stories are very enjoyable, delightful, and engaging. There is usually a sideline murder to solve but they almost seem to be irrelevant. The ongoing scenarios of the usual crowd of characters that appear in each story are what drive the books and allow the reader to get addicted to them. An additional fun feature, are the quotes that are inserted over each chapter head. Jade Del Cameron's way of making a living in Africa is being a professional reporter for a travel magazine called The Traveler. Quotes and paragraphs from her articles are placed in the front of each chapter allowing the reader to also get firsthand information on what is happening locally. In Leopard's Prey, wonderful Maasai myth and culture tidbits appear.

If you enjoy a light and easy simple mystery series with quaint characters that you can rely on to always make you smile, this series will not disappoint. Murder, romance, adventure, action, exotic locale....what more do you need for a few hours of sheer entertainment? Leopard's Prey, the fourth book in the series still holds steady to show us the author is still going strong and has not relented in giving us the goods. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous three in the set, and I eagerly await book five which should hopefully gives us some answers to the cliff hanger Arruda left us with on the last page. show less

I love the Jade del Cameron series! This is the fourth book in the series which starts with "Mark of the Lion". If you haven't encountered Jade before you are in for a treat! A feisty heroine with a soft spot for Africa and its amazing wildlife, Jade is busy again trying to ensure that justice is done and the people she loves are protected.
In her latest adventure "Leopard's Prey" Jade is back in Africa working for a company capturing wild animals to put in zoos back in America. Jade's dream of finding new homes for the leopards that are slated to be shot for predation on livestock turns more dangerous than she expected. Then a local business man is found dead and Sam Featherstone, Jade's new romantic interest is pinned with the murder. show more Somehow Jade must clear Sam's name and safely capture the ferocious leopard.
This series is filled with characters you will love and admire. Jade herself is feisty, smart, tough, and yet more soft-hearted then she would like to admit and Sam Featherstone battling malaria and a missing leg from the war is determined to win her heart. Jade's kind-hearted friends Madeline and Neville Thompson are local coffee growers dreaming of having children one day while her wealthy and powerful British friends Beverly and Avery are starting their own family in Africa. Scattered throughout the book are fascinating tidbits of African history and native lore. Reading this book you will find yourself immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa! show less

The fourth installment in the Jade del Cameron mystery series finds Jade trying to clear wouldbe-boyfriend Sam Featherstone for the murder of a local merchant.
As always the details of Africa are excellent and well drawn. The dialogue is a bit choppy and sometimes uses too many time specific phrases in a row. Telling the story from alternating points of view gives the reader more insight into Sam's character and why (or how much) he's in love with Jade. Without this, I don't think the reader would get the full impact of his feelings for her.
Looking forward to the next installment.

I love Suzanne Arruda's Jade del Cameron books and wish more people would discover this author. Africa in the early 1920s is an interesting place setting and Arruda has researched the time period thoroughly. Jade is an intriguing, strong-willed hero. Sam Featherstone is a good match for her as far as we readers can tell. While perhaps not quite as action-packed as the last installment in this series, this is still a great read that offers more than enough suspense for the reader.

Another pleasant installment in this mystery series set in Kenya of the 1920s. I enjoy them though they're just lightweight reading. This episode does begin to touch upon the treatment of the natives by colonizing powers. I wonder if the books are going to take on a social consciousness aspect?

I enjoy Arrunda's books but they do drag a bit in the middle and are slightly less than believable.