Ivory Ghosts by Caitlin O’Connell

Title: Ivory Ghosts (A Catherine Sohon Elephant Mystery)

Author: Caitlin O’Connell

Publisher: Alibi – Random House Publishing Group

Published: April 7th , 2015

Rating: 5/5

What a superb debut novel! This is a fast paced, atmospheric thriller, a real page turner that has the reader riveted, wanting to know what happens next. The heroine, Catherine Sohon, is still mourning the tragic death of her fiancé when she travels to Namibia, near the border with Angola. She’s a biologist and pilot who will be working in the area carrying out an elephant census whilst also secretly investigating the illegal ivory trade in the hope of stopping it. From the start, she’s encountering multiple murders, aggressive rangers, witch doctors, elephant poaching, ivory trading, Chinese traders and lots more. The longer she stays in the area, the more she discovers about the wide variety of possible poachers and traders, all with their own possible motivation for their involvement. She isn’t sure who she can trust and who is double dealing.

A brilliant story with great characters in a fascinating setting, rife with mystery, suspense, intrigue and death. The author’s personal experiences of living in such an area are evident throughout and bring the region to life in the reader’s imagination. The political tightrope walked by those engaged in fighting the ivory trade is explored in an easy to relate to manner. As for the animal life – especially elephants – in the area, simply amazing.

I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who likes  a great mystery, plenty of thrills and a hint of romance!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available from a variety of sources including

amazon.co.uk    amazon.com     barnes and noble