‘Water Music’ by Margie Orford

Published by Head of Zeus,
6 March 2014.
ISBN: 978-1-78185-784-7

A teenage girl finds a barely-alive toddler tied to a tree; a grandfather comes to Clare Hart of South Africa’s Section 28, the special child protection unit, asking him to find his missing student grand-daughter.

Clare’s role as child protection officer means this book is focused on abuse of women and children, based on real cases.  Clare is the principal focus, and a likeable, resourceful heroine.  In this book – her fifth outing - she’s facing problems of her own, and you’re drawn to sympathise with her personal dilemma.  Both she and her boyfriend, Reidwaan, are having difficulties with their new chief, whose focus is on trouble-shooting rather than children or drugs.  Other characters like her immediate boss, Ina, and the lost girl, Rosa, come across vividly. The Cape Town setting gives an interesting view of a different country’s law enforcement methods, and the plot builds up to a gripping climax.

A very enjoyable read.  It works as a stand-alone, but there are references to previous books, so you might want to start at the beginning with Daddy’s Girl.

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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Margie Orford, an award-winning journalist and internationally acclaimed writer, is the author of the Clare Hart series. Her novels have been translated into nine languages. She was born in London and grew up in Namibia, the setting for Blood Rose, her highly acclaimed second novel in the series. A Fulbright Scholar, she was educated in South Africa and the United States. She is Executive Vice-President of Sputh Africa PEN, the patron of  Rape Crisis and of the children’s book charity, the Little Hands Trust. She lives in Cape Town.

http://www.margieorford.com

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  Marsali also does a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.