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Jade de Jong #1
Random Violence
In Johannesburg, prosperous whites live behind gates; when they exit their cars to open the gates, carjackings are common. But seldom is the victim killed, much less shot twice, like Annette Botha. And now, Piet Botha, the husband of the wealthy woman, is the primary suspect in his wife's murder. PI Jade de Jong fled South Africa ten years ago after her father was killed. Now back in town, she offers to help her father's former assistant, Superintendent David Patel, with his investigation of this case. Under apartheid, Patel, of Indian descent, could never have attained his present position. But he is feeling pressure from his "old line" boss with respect to this investigation and fears lingering prejudice is at work. As Jade probes into this and other recent carjacking cases, a pattern begins to emerge--a pattern that goes back to her father's murder and involves a vast and intricate series of crimes for profit.
9 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2008
49 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
About the author
Jassy Mackenzie
23 books111 followersJassy Mackenzie lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was inspired to write her first thriller, Random Violence, after being carjacked at gunpoint in her driveway.
She is the author of the Jade de Jong thriller series, featuring a feisty female PI who prefers to operate outside the law, and has also written four erotic romances.
Jassy loves horse riding, cycling, traveling, cooking and reading.
She is the author of the Jade de Jong thriller series, featuring a feisty female PI who prefers to operate outside the law, and has also written four erotic romances.
Jassy loves horse riding, cycling, traveling, cooking and reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 18, 2021
In this first book in the 'Jade de Jong' series, the private detective returns to South Africa after living in Britain for 10 years.
*****
When apartheid ends in South Africa, many rich white people - fearing retribution and violence - protect their homes with fences and gates. This scheme isn't foolproof, however, and Annette Botha is murdered and robbed in her driveway when a faulty gate causes her to get out of her car.
Vandalized gates are a common tactic for Johannesburg thugs, but in Annette's case her husband Piet - who benefits from her death - is a prime suspect.
Police Superintendent David Patel is thinking about the Botha case when he picks up private detective Jade de Jong at the Johannesburg airport.
Jade had left South Africa ten years ago, after her Police Commissioner father was killed by the Viljoen brothers - and she's back to get revenge. One Viljoen brother is dead, but the other one is getting out of prison tomorrow, and Jade plans to shoot him.
Superintendent Patel, who once worked under Commissioner de Jong, knows nothing about Jade's nefarious plan and asks her to assist with the Botha inquiry. Jade agrees, and adds this to her "to-do" list. Jade also fantasizes about getting romantic with Patel, whom she's crushed on since childhood.
Jade acquires a pistol from her old friend Robbie - a gangster who runs a chop-shop and is tuned in to the criminal underground. This is helpful because Jade's investigation into Annette Botha's death uncovers several similar crimes.....but the police have 'lost' some of the files. Jade suspects a corrupt cop, and asks Robbie to sniff him out.
Meanwhile, we learn that a pasty-faced sadist called Whiteboy is obsessed with killing, real estate transactions, and rough sex with women.....and he's got his eye on Jade. Uh-oh!
All this leads to a dramatic climax and surprising revelation.
Jade is something of a flawed woman. She's smart and courageous but sometimes behaves in a questionable fashion. Still, the story is compelling and Jade is a capable heroine. I'd recommended the book to fans of thrillers.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
November 12, 2012
Lately there have been a number of crime novels set in South Africa and this is another. The protagonist is Jade de Jong, the daughter of a police commissioner. Jade's father was killed ten years earlier and in the wake of his death, Jade fled the country. Ten years later, the man convicted of killing her father is scheduled to be released from prison and Jade finally returns to confront him.
The country she finds is sharply divided by race and class. The whites who can afford to do so live in gated communities with alarms, high walls and private security forces. They huddle in their homes ever-fearful of the crime and violence that seems to surround them.
Upon her return, Jade agrees to help her father's former deputy, David Patel, who is now a police superintendent, in the investigation of the murder of a woman who was killed in an apparent carjacking. It's possible that the woman's husband hired someone to kill her, although Jade doesn't believe that. Inevitably, there's a lot going on behind the scenes and Jade puts her own life at risk by antagonizing powerful, greedy and desperate antagonists who do not shrink from violence as a means of accomplishing their ends.
The country she finds is sharply divided by race and class. The whites who can afford to do so live in gated communities with alarms, high walls and private security forces. They huddle in their homes ever-fearful of the crime and violence that seems to surround them.
Upon her return, Jade agrees to help her father's former deputy, David Patel, who is now a police superintendent, in the investigation of the murder of a woman who was killed in an apparent carjacking. It's possible that the woman's husband hired someone to kill her, although Jade doesn't believe that. Inevitably, there's a lot going on behind the scenes and Jade puts her own life at risk by antagonizing powerful, greedy and desperate antagonists who do not shrink from violence as a means of accomplishing their ends.
May 12, 2016
Really, I picked this to read because of a recent interest in South Africa, not because I was that interested in the specific story or really wanted to read a crime novel. I wanted something with a modern, urban setting, I didn't want it to be too difficult or distracting to read; but I also wanted it to be somewhat educational about everyday life, culture and society in an part of the world I'm unfamiliar with, but really interested in learning about. Crime fiction is often the best fit for such requirements, and so it was with this.
I expected the plot to be predictable, but actually, it wasn't; thinking about it, this is probably because - although I tend to lump them together - I've read quite a lot of thrillers but not as much crime. It was a relief to read something that had criminals straightforwardly acting like criminals, and police investigating them, rather than the 'can you really trust your husband/best friend' type of thing that's become the bread and butter of psychological thrillers. That said, I wasn't wholly engaged by everything that happened and sometimes lost the thread of the investigation, and the climactic scene was messy and a bit daft in a way I've often found 'action' stories (films as well) to be: every major character just happens to turn up in the same place at the same time, near-miraculous coincidences abound, there's a confusing shoot-out that's hard to follow, etc.
One thing I thought Mackenzie did really well was her portrayal of the relationship between Jade, the protagonist, and David, her childhood friend/the police superintendent/potential love interest. I can't put my finger on why, exactly, I just feel like it really captured the awkward and tentative back-and-forth of liking someone who probably likes you, but encountering obstacles and not being sure how to make things move forward. Jade's feelings were well-realised as a 'crush' without it ever becoming juvenile. This element also felt very well paced - the author didn't rush into making Jade and David a couple, and the development of their relationship seemed natural and believable.
I wasn't constantly compelled to go back to this and find out what would happen next: I found I could leave it aside for quite a while without feeling much interest in picking it up again. But now I've finished it, I find I'm curious about what's next for Jade, and feel I will probably read at least one of the other books in the series at some point.
I expected the plot to be predictable, but actually, it wasn't; thinking about it, this is probably because - although I tend to lump them together - I've read quite a lot of thrillers but not as much crime. It was a relief to read something that had criminals straightforwardly acting like criminals, and police investigating them, rather than the 'can you really trust your husband/best friend' type of thing that's become the bread and butter of psychological thrillers. That said, I wasn't wholly engaged by everything that happened and sometimes lost the thread of the investigation, and the climactic scene was messy and a bit daft in a way I've often found 'action' stories (films as well) to be: every major character just happens to turn up in the same place at the same time, near-miraculous coincidences abound, there's a confusing shoot-out that's hard to follow, etc.
One thing I thought Mackenzie did really well was her portrayal of the relationship between Jade, the protagonist, and David, her childhood friend/the police superintendent/potential love interest. I can't put my finger on why, exactly, I just feel like it really captured the awkward and tentative back-and-forth of liking someone who probably likes you, but encountering obstacles and not being sure how to make things move forward. Jade's feelings were well-realised as a 'crush' without it ever becoming juvenile. This element also felt very well paced - the author didn't rush into making Jade and David a couple, and the development of their relationship seemed natural and believable.
I wasn't constantly compelled to go back to this and find out what would happen next: I found I could leave it aside for quite a while without feeling much interest in picking it up again. But now I've finished it, I find I'm curious about what's next for Jade, and feel I will probably read at least one of the other books in the series at some point.
November 20, 2023
Read this book a second time, years later and like it very much more. Have huge respect for what Mackenzie managed to do. Will attempt to read everything she's written. She's that good. Here's the second review:
Jassy Mackenzie is something else. Her main character is a woman, a South African private investigator named Jade de Jong. Her name itself drenches one in expectations about what she looks like, sounds like, eats for dinner…but they would all be wrong.
This first in a series is far more assured than most first novels and leaves an impression of South Africa, of the land, of the people and the crime encountered there. There is a level of violence described that is unfamiliar to me, an American who lives with unparalleled mass murder and gun violence daily. This violence is cruel and personal and inventive.
When I read novels with this kind of violence, I fear for the author. To get inside the head of a pathological creature is wounding. But most other characters have human characteristics we can love. And the pace is pretty much nonstop.
Jade returned to South Africa to carry out an act of revenge for the death of her father. She would like to call it retribution, but over the length of plan-making to carry out her project, she discovers some unsettling news that makes her raison d’état untenable.
I find for the first time I am curious about the differences between a Beretta and a Glock (Jade’s preferred weapon) to distinguish the finer characteristics of the people that carry them. I also learn about South Africa’s so-called boerewors curtain, the section of Pretoria that houses poor whites who were former farmers and traditional Afrikaners and who haven’t changed their culture despite the changes in the larger society.
I admire Mackenzie’s skill in flipping our expectations for this straightforward novel into something surprising, tense and almost personal. We don’t want Jade de Jong to be wrong, to do wrong, to lose her chance at happiness. The man she loves, David Patel, can hardly measure up. But we have to trust that ‘people love who they love’ and sometimes we may not make the same choice. But I do love that she gets vulnerable in this way.
Can’t wait to read more of Jade de Jong and Jassy Mackenzie.
-------------
Took a long 1-day roundtrip to NYC and managed to read this on the way. Fortunately, it did not have gratuitous violence, though one very clever but certifiable madman wreaked his share of havoc. The main characters could, perhaps, have used a little more fleshing out. I couldn't picture them well. And the author had the disconcerting habit of changing points of view for a chapter, but not often enough for it to be part of the book's style. Either we know what's going on in the character's mind in their own words, or we have to take their actions and translate. Since most of the book is this sort of character translation, it seems odd to suddenly shift point of view, and only for one chapter or so. One doesn't trust the author for putting us in their heads. But I love stories about South Africa, and Jassy (nice name) does creditably. I see the book is dedicated to Deon, whom I assume, perhaps wrongly, to be the great Deon Meyer, who also writes mysteries set in Africa. He is a fine author to aspire to emulate.
Jassy Mackenzie is something else. Her main character is a woman, a South African private investigator named Jade de Jong. Her name itself drenches one in expectations about what she looks like, sounds like, eats for dinner…but they would all be wrong.
This first in a series is far more assured than most first novels and leaves an impression of South Africa, of the land, of the people and the crime encountered there. There is a level of violence described that is unfamiliar to me, an American who lives with unparalleled mass murder and gun violence daily. This violence is cruel and personal and inventive.
When I read novels with this kind of violence, I fear for the author. To get inside the head of a pathological creature is wounding. But most other characters have human characteristics we can love. And the pace is pretty much nonstop.
Jade returned to South Africa to carry out an act of revenge for the death of her father. She would like to call it retribution, but over the length of plan-making to carry out her project, she discovers some unsettling news that makes her raison d’état untenable.
I find for the first time I am curious about the differences between a Beretta and a Glock (Jade’s preferred weapon) to distinguish the finer characteristics of the people that carry them. I also learn about South Africa’s so-called boerewors curtain, the section of Pretoria that houses poor whites who were former farmers and traditional Afrikaners and who haven’t changed their culture despite the changes in the larger society.
I admire Mackenzie’s skill in flipping our expectations for this straightforward novel into something surprising, tense and almost personal. We don’t want Jade de Jong to be wrong, to do wrong, to lose her chance at happiness. The man she loves, David Patel, can hardly measure up. But we have to trust that ‘people love who they love’ and sometimes we may not make the same choice. But I do love that she gets vulnerable in this way.
Can’t wait to read more of Jade de Jong and Jassy Mackenzie.
-------------
Took a long 1-day roundtrip to NYC and managed to read this on the way. Fortunately, it did not have gratuitous violence, though one very clever but certifiable madman wreaked his share of havoc. The main characters could, perhaps, have used a little more fleshing out. I couldn't picture them well. And the author had the disconcerting habit of changing points of view for a chapter, but not often enough for it to be part of the book's style. Either we know what's going on in the character's mind in their own words, or we have to take their actions and translate. Since most of the book is this sort of character translation, it seems odd to suddenly shift point of view, and only for one chapter or so. One doesn't trust the author for putting us in their heads. But I love stories about South Africa, and Jassy (nice name) does creditably. I see the book is dedicated to Deon, whom I assume, perhaps wrongly, to be the great Deon Meyer, who also writes mysteries set in Africa. He is a fine author to aspire to emulate.
June 11, 2015
Having recently stumbled on Mackenzie's work, I was drawn to both the setting and the plot idea; a police procedural set in the new Johannesburg. Jade de Jong returns to South Africa after a decade's hiatus, armed with her P.I. license and a desire to confront the ghosts of her father's death. When de Jong is contacted by Superintendent David Patel, she's intrigued to learn about how she can help, as they forged a strong relationship while Patel served as Commissioner de Jong's Number Two. Everyone's aware that the prosperous whites in Johannesburg live in gated communities, offering the symbolic separation from those they long oppressed. These gates are often the scene of car-jackings, where tempers flare and the racially-stigmatised city sees its greatest downfall. When Annette Botha is found murdered at her gate, de Jong works with Patel to determine who might have been behind this heinous act and what caused the escalation. Could her ex-husband be seeking revenge or could she be a victim of a robber who wanted more than just a car? Digging deeper into past cases with similar outcomes, de Jong stumbles upon a pattern that may help bring justice to the mess and a cash-related motive that stems much deeper than felons. She must also struggle as a dangerous man is released from prison, his crimes so heinous that de Jong cannot stomach the possibility that he might be free to mingle with the masses. While that unsettles her, de Jong learns more about her father's death, potentially a murder, with the guilty party within her grasp. Mackenzie explodes onto the scene and leaves readers wanting more in this social commentary of life in the post-apartheid streets of Johannesburg.
Mackenzie drew me in from the start and never let me go until I finished. My only previous experience with South Africa as a setting and political platform within a novel was with Bryce Courtenay's early work. Here, Mackenzie surrounds the reader with a city (and country) that has shed its ugly skin, but is still unable to fit into the new narrative it wishes to profess. Race violence is rampant, the police is still seen as biased, and crime keeps citizens in a state of constant fear. Jade de Jong leads the reader through these alleyways and tries to navigate away from the apartheid past to show that Johannesburg has much to offer the world and its own citizens, and that crime will no longer engulf a country that has seen its share of inequality. If this is only the beginning, I am determined to see where Mackenzie takes things from here.
Kudos, Madam Mackenzie for your thoughtful beginning and I hope that the rest of the series forces me to think just as much.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mackenzie drew me in from the start and never let me go until I finished. My only previous experience with South Africa as a setting and political platform within a novel was with Bryce Courtenay's early work. Here, Mackenzie surrounds the reader with a city (and country) that has shed its ugly skin, but is still unable to fit into the new narrative it wishes to profess. Race violence is rampant, the police is still seen as biased, and crime keeps citizens in a state of constant fear. Jade de Jong leads the reader through these alleyways and tries to navigate away from the apartheid past to show that Johannesburg has much to offer the world and its own citizens, and that crime will no longer engulf a country that has seen its share of inequality. If this is only the beginning, I am determined to see where Mackenzie takes things from here.
Kudos, Madam Mackenzie for your thoughtful beginning and I hope that the rest of the series forces me to think just as much.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 4, 2011
So Jassy mackenzie was born in rhodesia, after some google turns out rhodesia was never a recognized country and is now called zimbabwe so that explains that.
I haven't read a lot this week cause I've been reading the hobbit, and reading the hobbit and reading the hobbit... do you understand the point. the hobbit has stalled all of my reading because the hobbit is not good. I know I know tolkien is a genius and it's a classic. everytime I read it I read three pages and want o throw it across the room and I end up making an agreement with myself if I just finish the chapter I don't have to read it anymore till tomorrow, and therefore I will never ever finish it.
so finally I got sick of hating books and I started this which I'd been carrying around to read after I finished the hobbit. It was great it reminded me of the book City of Walls: Crime, Segregation, and Citizenship in São Paulo. and I mean . the crime well not so much a who-dun-it since they tell you who-dun-it halfway through, but a really really nice unfolding.
after finishing it I immediately bought the next one, I will finish that before I finish he hobbit too.
I haven't read a lot this week cause I've been reading the hobbit, and reading the hobbit and reading the hobbit... do you understand the point. the hobbit has stalled all of my reading because the hobbit is not good. I know I know tolkien is a genius and it's a classic. everytime I read it I read three pages and want o throw it across the room and I end up making an agreement with myself if I just finish the chapter I don't have to read it anymore till tomorrow, and therefore I will never ever finish it.
so finally I got sick of hating books and I started this which I'd been carrying around to read after I finished the hobbit. It was great it reminded me of the book City of Walls: Crime, Segregation, and Citizenship in São Paulo. and I mean . the crime well not so much a who-dun-it since they tell you who-dun-it halfway through, but a really really nice unfolding.
after finishing it I immediately bought the next one, I will finish that before I finish he hobbit too.
January 13, 2024
Set in South Africa a returning PI Jade de Jong gets more action than she probably intended. Lots of baggage from the past. The random violence is not so random. A psychopath, greed, and police corruption combine for a fast paced plot as Jade discovers that all she has been led to believe as truth is not so.
May 11, 2010
An expert and surefooted first outing with a well drawn, grim South African backdrop. Strong characterizations and some terrific harrowing moments. I look forward to the further investigations of Jade De Jong.
March 22, 2012
Home comings are often portrayed as bittersweet, and Jade De Jong's return to Johannesburg, South Africa, after an absence of ten or so years, is no different. Shortly after her father, a police superintendent, was murdered, she fled the country, eventually working an assortment of private security and investigative jobs. Now she has returned and is looking for revenge.
It didn't take long for complications to arise. When her friend, the new Police Superintendent David Patel, picks her up at the airport, he asks if she'll help investigate a recent murder. While the police think that Annette Botha's murder is either a botched carjacking or a robbery, Jade has to be sure. This investigation leads her into some very dangerous situations.
I liked the character of Jade De Jong. She presents as a respectable woman, successful and capable. Then I met the other side, the loyal side. She knows her father's death was wrong, and she is willing to do what it takes to get justice/revenge, though she also knows when to pull back and let things work themselves out.
This contrasts with Whiteboy, who can barely restrain himself. He is a ticking time bomb that has gone off at least several times already. His actions are brutal and are described with all the gruesome details. Not to be read by the faint of heart. At the same time, I don't think this story would read as well if the violence were toned down, it wouldn't seem real (not that we want this kind of violence to be real).
I was fascinated by Ms. Mackenzie's descriptions of the levels of security that South African's use in their daily life. Security fencing with automatic gates, armed guards at the entrances to gated communities and hired, private guards to roam neighbourhoods and answer calls for assistance. This is in stark contrast to the safety I feel here in Ontario, Canada.
I listened to the audio book version which was produced by Blackstone Audio. 8 hours 57 minutes, unabridged. It was read by Justine Eyre, who had me totally convinced that I was in Jo'burg, as Jassy calls Johannesburg. At first I had trouble differentiating between the male and female characters, but one I stopped trying to figure that out and wait for the story to guide me, I was fine.
Jassy Mackenzie has added two further books to the Jade De Jong series. The second book, Stolen Lives is on shelves now, and the third, Worst Case was out in South Africa in August 2011, and will be released internationally under the title of The Fallen in April 2012.
It didn't take long for complications to arise. When her friend, the new Police Superintendent David Patel, picks her up at the airport, he asks if she'll help investigate a recent murder. While the police think that Annette Botha's murder is either a botched carjacking or a robbery, Jade has to be sure. This investigation leads her into some very dangerous situations.
I liked the character of Jade De Jong. She presents as a respectable woman, successful and capable. Then I met the other side, the loyal side. She knows her father's death was wrong, and she is willing to do what it takes to get justice/revenge, though she also knows when to pull back and let things work themselves out.
This contrasts with Whiteboy, who can barely restrain himself. He is a ticking time bomb that has gone off at least several times already. His actions are brutal and are described with all the gruesome details. Not to be read by the faint of heart. At the same time, I don't think this story would read as well if the violence were toned down, it wouldn't seem real (not that we want this kind of violence to be real).
I was fascinated by Ms. Mackenzie's descriptions of the levels of security that South African's use in their daily life. Security fencing with automatic gates, armed guards at the entrances to gated communities and hired, private guards to roam neighbourhoods and answer calls for assistance. This is in stark contrast to the safety I feel here in Ontario, Canada.
I listened to the audio book version which was produced by Blackstone Audio. 8 hours 57 minutes, unabridged. It was read by Justine Eyre, who had me totally convinced that I was in Jo'burg, as Jassy calls Johannesburg. At first I had trouble differentiating between the male and female characters, but one I stopped trying to figure that out and wait for the story to guide me, I was fine.
Jassy Mackenzie has added two further books to the Jade De Jong series. The second book, Stolen Lives is on shelves now, and the third, Worst Case was out in South Africa in August 2011, and will be released internationally under the title of The Fallen in April 2012.
October 17, 2012
RANDOM VIOLENCE
Jassy Mackenzie
With a main character named Jade, I expected this series to be light weight, a bit silly maybe. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find a tight, well-written, gritty crime novel set in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jade is a private investigator whose policeman father was killed in the line of duty.
Jade returns to Jo’burg after 10 years in England. Her best friend from her life in South Africa, is police superintendent David Patel, now a grown man with a wife and child, meets her at the airport and brings her to a small cottage he has rented for her. He is staying in the cottage next door.
The first stop Jade makes is to an old garage to see Robbie, a contact from the old days. She asks Robbie to get her a gun. Jade know that by seeing Robbie and taking the illegal gun, she is betraying David, but she needed the gun to get her through what she returned to South Africa to do – avenge her father’s death.
Meanwhile David is working on a string of murders of people who have just sold their houses. There doesn’t seem to be any connection, except they are all large properties, in expensive areas. All of the murders take place in spite of the houses having high security. David asks Jade to look at the file with “a fresh eye”. She does a bit of probing and visits some of the properties and talks to a few people. She even meets a real estate fellow who seems to be showing up in odd places.
The book moves quickly and the different story lines follow a plausible route. The characters, including Johannesburg, are vibrant, flawed and fascinating. Now that I have discovered the “real” Jade de Jong, I will be looking forward to more adventures in this series. Barbara
Jassy Mackenzie
With a main character named Jade, I expected this series to be light weight, a bit silly maybe. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find a tight, well-written, gritty crime novel set in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jade is a private investigator whose policeman father was killed in the line of duty.
Jade returns to Jo’burg after 10 years in England. Her best friend from her life in South Africa, is police superintendent David Patel, now a grown man with a wife and child, meets her at the airport and brings her to a small cottage he has rented for her. He is staying in the cottage next door.
The first stop Jade makes is to an old garage to see Robbie, a contact from the old days. She asks Robbie to get her a gun. Jade know that by seeing Robbie and taking the illegal gun, she is betraying David, but she needed the gun to get her through what she returned to South Africa to do – avenge her father’s death.
Meanwhile David is working on a string of murders of people who have just sold their houses. There doesn’t seem to be any connection, except they are all large properties, in expensive areas. All of the murders take place in spite of the houses having high security. David asks Jade to look at the file with “a fresh eye”. She does a bit of probing and visits some of the properties and talks to a few people. She even meets a real estate fellow who seems to be showing up in odd places.
The book moves quickly and the different story lines follow a plausible route. The characters, including Johannesburg, are vibrant, flawed and fascinating. Now that I have discovered the “real” Jade de Jong, I will be looking forward to more adventures in this series. Barbara
September 7, 2016
I like mysteries, police procedurals etc. but what I love most is where they take place. This particular book takes place in South Africa and its very good. It's the first time I have read this author and had just picked it up and took a chance. I would read more books by Jassy Mackenzie.
April 14, 2013
Beautifully plotted crime novel. Dark and disturbing, with a brilliant lead. Jo'burg and its surroundings are also vividly described - a very strong sense of place.
May 27, 2013
Baby's face in scalding water ended it for me. Too many great series I already read to continue...
May 23, 2022
There's violence everywhere (hence the title!) in Jassy Mackenzie's first Jade de Jong story. Even the main character, returning to South Africa after 10 years away, is plotting to murder one of the men — about to be released from prison — she holds responsible for her police chief father's death. While she's at it, though, Jade is helping Johannesburg police probe the murder of a woman shot to death as she tries to enter her gated home.
It's post-Apartheid South Africa, and the rich are surrounding themselves with bars and fences to keep out the violent rabble, as they see it. But the wealthy do violence, too, and unscrupulous real estate developers and those they hire to do their bidding are right in the thick of it.
Author Mackenzie, herself the victim of a car-jacking at gunpoint outside her South Africa home, tells a tough, brutal tale of a revenge plot, a twisty criminal enterprise and police corruption. Flashbacks provide motivation and backstory for Jade and the nasty man called Whiteboy who's behind a sophisticated crime enterprise. Mackenzie laces this story with great local color and a solid plot with enough action to satisfy. Sometimes, though, those flashbacks come at odd times, and they don't always take us inside Jade and Whiteboy as much as we'd like. Jade is one tough cookie; getting us to care about a lead character plotting murder is a tough trick that Mackenzie manages well. I wanted just a little more depth to her, though.
Still, don't be put off by this three-star rating (three or four? — tough call). "Random Violence" is certainly a worthwhile title in the internationally flavored Soho Crime series, books as dependable as the violence in early 2000s Johannesburg.
It's post-Apartheid South Africa, and the rich are surrounding themselves with bars and fences to keep out the violent rabble, as they see it. But the wealthy do violence, too, and unscrupulous real estate developers and those they hire to do their bidding are right in the thick of it.
Author Mackenzie, herself the victim of a car-jacking at gunpoint outside her South Africa home, tells a tough, brutal tale of a revenge plot, a twisty criminal enterprise and police corruption. Flashbacks provide motivation and backstory for Jade and the nasty man called Whiteboy who's behind a sophisticated crime enterprise. Mackenzie laces this story with great local color and a solid plot with enough action to satisfy. Sometimes, though, those flashbacks come at odd times, and they don't always take us inside Jade and Whiteboy as much as we'd like. Jade is one tough cookie; getting us to care about a lead character plotting murder is a tough trick that Mackenzie manages well. I wanted just a little more depth to her, though.
Still, don't be put off by this three-star rating (three or four? — tough call). "Random Violence" is certainly a worthwhile title in the internationally flavored Soho Crime series, books as dependable as the violence in early 2000s Johannesburg.
November 2, 2022
I liked the setting and atmosphere that Jassy established for her post-apartheid South Africa; and the prevalence of crime, and the corruption and limited competence of the police, seemed realistic. But there was lots that was puzzling, including the absence of Afrikaaners (how could a South African with a name like de Jong not speak Afrikaans?), the relationship between Jade and Robbie the gangster, the blank ten years of Jade’s absence, etc. I also dislike lucky breaks which figured quite prominently in the resolution of the plot, and taking the perspective of only one of many bad guys seems overly manipulative to me. Also the gradual unfolding of back stories seemed clumsy. Still, I intend to read at least one more volume in this series to see if Jassy’s writing grows more confident.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2018
I choose this a summer read (because I guess I have a problem with light and fluffy and this is as close as I seem to get). It wasn't light, it wasn't fluffy but it was quick, dirty and I learned some stuff about South African history. I'll probably continue on with the Jade de Jong collection to fulfill my need for "strong character development, a decent plot, and some education" summer reading series.
August 13, 2020
I read this after the second book in the series. It was another action packed book. I think the second book was written better though. Each of them can stand on their own and don't need to be read in order. Nothing is hidden or revealed or dependant on each other. It's an intensive page turner with unexpected twists but without all the cussing and sex scenes so many of today's books have.
If you like suspenseful present day murder mysteries you will most likely enjoy this series.
If you like suspenseful present day murder mysteries you will most likely enjoy this series.
September 15, 2024
The book started slow and took a while to build tension and suspense. However, the last third of the book kept me engaged. Well, everything was wrapped up and explained it wasn’t a great ending for the book. I liked it enough to give the series another try, however Not enough to want to run out and buy the entire series.
February 24, 2018
DNF chapter 9. Assumes readers will be fascinated by gory violence. Not particularly notable otherwise, hence the dnf.
May 2, 2018
Een overkill aan te gedetailleerd beschreven geweld in de eerste helft van het boek.
January 2, 2019
Easy to read with some interesting plot elements but a little campy.
October 7, 2019
This book is on my list of mysteries from all around the world (from The NYT). Very good writing and a good story. I will read more of this author.
November 17, 2019
Lots of twist and turns.
No idea who did it until the end.
No idea who did it until the end.
August 24, 2020
South African crime story. Not much more to add.
February 17, 2021
Love the premise and the setting and Jade is a kick-ass heroine. But I think it falls just short of all it could be - needs to dig a little deeper.
September 8, 2023
Ridiculous book. Totally rehash of half a dozen similar stories. Absolutely no atmosphere in one of the most fascinating places in the world. Typecast characters, hackneyed plot. Sadly written.
February 23, 2013
About a year ago I stumbled across the Jade de Jong series but it took me until a couple weeks ago to finally get around to reading the first novel in the series a try. I'm always on the look out for great South African authors and I have to say Jassy Mackenzie is a new favourite of mine.
Random Violence was a fast past intricate novel with a wonderful female sleuth as the lead character. Jade de Jong returns to her homeland of South Africa after 10 years away working all over the globe. Upon her return she's met with all the changes that have happened in her country including in the lives of the one person she cares about the most.
I loved the mystery behind the slue of murders that seem to be occurring as well as the relationship between Jade and David who was once her father's right hand man and her best friend. I really enjoyed seeing the ups and downs as they got used to be around one another again after such a long time apart as well as seeing how much respect they had for one another. I have to say that Jade and David are probably two of my favourite crime solving partners after reading Random Violence. Both are intelligent, witty and savvy and they both have different skills plus the chemistry between them is great.
I thought that the fact that the author also took the time to touch briefly on the political background of the country post-apartheid with the referral of David's "old line" boss. I think that it was an important touch especially for the readers who aren't really versed in the history of the country and it plays a rather large part in the novel because of the actions and histories of individual characters mostly those of the bad guys.
I was very surprised at how enjoyable Random Violence was as strange as it might sound it was a fun read because Jassy Mackenzie kept me on my toes. There were far more plot twists that I had expected and many of them didn't even become obvious until the the end when everything came together and I was left with my jaw on the floor in shock.
Overall, I thought the writing was fantastic. The author used a perfect balance of drama, action, intrigue, deception and plot twists to create a wonderfully well written who dun it novel. In a genre that is still very much male dominated Jassy Mackenzie makes sure that her unique voice is heard and for me her gift in the genre was very well received by me. Everything fit together so well and the way she wove the story in such subtle ways sometimes was amazing and I can't wait to read the second book in the series. As first novels go Jassy Mackenzie's Random Violence is a hit and has earned a place on my favourite's shelf.
I would highly recommend Random Violence to everyone who enjoys a mystery set in a foreign country. I think the fact that it is written by a South African writer and takes place in South Africa is a unique offering in the mystery genre and the story is one that you can get wrapped up in and is a great way to expose yourself to a new writer and a new series in a place you may never have had a book take place in before.
Random Violence was a fast past intricate novel with a wonderful female sleuth as the lead character. Jade de Jong returns to her homeland of South Africa after 10 years away working all over the globe. Upon her return she's met with all the changes that have happened in her country including in the lives of the one person she cares about the most.
I loved the mystery behind the slue of murders that seem to be occurring as well as the relationship between Jade and David who was once her father's right hand man and her best friend. I really enjoyed seeing the ups and downs as they got used to be around one another again after such a long time apart as well as seeing how much respect they had for one another. I have to say that Jade and David are probably two of my favourite crime solving partners after reading Random Violence. Both are intelligent, witty and savvy and they both have different skills plus the chemistry between them is great.
I thought that the fact that the author also took the time to touch briefly on the political background of the country post-apartheid with the referral of David's "old line" boss. I think that it was an important touch especially for the readers who aren't really versed in the history of the country and it plays a rather large part in the novel because of the actions and histories of individual characters mostly those of the bad guys.
I was very surprised at how enjoyable Random Violence was as strange as it might sound it was a fun read because Jassy Mackenzie kept me on my toes. There were far more plot twists that I had expected and many of them didn't even become obvious until the the end when everything came together and I was left with my jaw on the floor in shock.
Overall, I thought the writing was fantastic. The author used a perfect balance of drama, action, intrigue, deception and plot twists to create a wonderfully well written who dun it novel. In a genre that is still very much male dominated Jassy Mackenzie makes sure that her unique voice is heard and for me her gift in the genre was very well received by me. Everything fit together so well and the way she wove the story in such subtle ways sometimes was amazing and I can't wait to read the second book in the series. As first novels go Jassy Mackenzie's Random Violence is a hit and has earned a place on my favourite's shelf.
I would highly recommend Random Violence to everyone who enjoys a mystery set in a foreign country. I think the fact that it is written by a South African writer and takes place in South Africa is a unique offering in the mystery genre and the story is one that you can get wrapped up in and is a great way to expose yourself to a new writer and a new series in a place you may never have had a book take place in before.
November 27, 2013
Random Violence by Jassy Mackenzie is a debut mystery/thriller set in Johannesburg, South Africa. There is so much violence there that I don't know how people are able to live in that city. Almost everyone with money lives in a gated community with armed guards and those who don't have money have barred windows and look over their shoulders all the time in the hope that they won't get car-jacked or mugged. The city sounds like a war zone.
Jade de Jong is the protagonist; a private eye who has returned to Johannesburg after ten years traveling in other countries. After her police officer father was killed by crooked cops, the killers came after her. She escaped and decided to leave her home city. She has now returned and is seeking revenge for her father's death. She is living next door to David Patel, the man her father mentored in the police force. Jade is secretly in love with David and the situation is wrought with tension. For one thing, he does not know about her feelings. Additionally, he is having trouble on the police force because is boss is on his back. Could it be because he is a person of color or is there something else spurring this problem?
Jade lives a double life. There is the side of her that assists the police and the other side that is comfortable doing things outside the law. In this novel, she is helping the police find the criminals who killed Annette Botha in a supposed car-jacking. This crime is more complex than it seems at first and is not a simple car-jacking. Annette hired a private eye to help her search for a woman named Ellie Myer and the private eye is killed shortly after that. Jade is trying to put together the pieces of this crime and make sense of it.
I found the book to be confusing at times and I couldn't really get into the characters who I felt were shallowly depicted. The action is good and there is a lot of violence and shoot-outs. The plot, however, left something to be desired.
Jade de Jong is the protagonist; a private eye who has returned to Johannesburg after ten years traveling in other countries. After her police officer father was killed by crooked cops, the killers came after her. She escaped and decided to leave her home city. She has now returned and is seeking revenge for her father's death. She is living next door to David Patel, the man her father mentored in the police force. Jade is secretly in love with David and the situation is wrought with tension. For one thing, he does not know about her feelings. Additionally, he is having trouble on the police force because is boss is on his back. Could it be because he is a person of color or is there something else spurring this problem?
Jade lives a double life. There is the side of her that assists the police and the other side that is comfortable doing things outside the law. In this novel, she is helping the police find the criminals who killed Annette Botha in a supposed car-jacking. This crime is more complex than it seems at first and is not a simple car-jacking. Annette hired a private eye to help her search for a woman named Ellie Myer and the private eye is killed shortly after that. Jade is trying to put together the pieces of this crime and make sense of it.
I found the book to be confusing at times and I couldn't really get into the characters who I felt were shallowly depicted. The action is good and there is a lot of violence and shoot-outs. The plot, however, left something to be desired.
July 20, 2011
Mackenzie thrills again with the next in the Jade De Jong series. Jade, a private detective has recently returned from self-exile in England after needing time to get her head together following her last caper.
She immediately falls back in not only with the criminal underworld informants she had cultivated, but also into a semi-partnership with police detective David Patel. Hoping to stay close to Patel in order to foster a romantic relationship, they find themselves at loggerheads, especially when he admits that he has married and had a child since her absence. The fact that his wife and he are separated only seems to open more wounds for the couple.
Her arrival back in Johannesburg is also timed for the release of a hardened criminal that Jade believes was involved in the death of her father—a police commander whose death was set up to look like a simple auto accident—a decade previously. Along with helping Patel solve a possible home invasion style murder that leads to a much more complicated case with multiple victims and a vicious gang of murderers, Jade has her hands full keeping Patel’s new commander off his back as well as keeping from him the knowledge that she has already shot and killed a notorious thug with a gun she was not supposed to have been carrying.
All of this mayhem helps complicate a simple plot. One that is a simple P.I. out does the police at their own game, figures out the bad guy first, girl gets guy in a happy ending. At least the murders and car chases keep us entertained enough to stay interested.
Not quite a page turner, but remarkable nevertheless as the reader is held spell bound by the author’s interpretation of South Africa, the rhythms of her cities, and their cry for help.
She immediately falls back in not only with the criminal underworld informants she had cultivated, but also into a semi-partnership with police detective David Patel. Hoping to stay close to Patel in order to foster a romantic relationship, they find themselves at loggerheads, especially when he admits that he has married and had a child since her absence. The fact that his wife and he are separated only seems to open more wounds for the couple.
Her arrival back in Johannesburg is also timed for the release of a hardened criminal that Jade believes was involved in the death of her father—a police commander whose death was set up to look like a simple auto accident—a decade previously. Along with helping Patel solve a possible home invasion style murder that leads to a much more complicated case with multiple victims and a vicious gang of murderers, Jade has her hands full keeping Patel’s new commander off his back as well as keeping from him the knowledge that she has already shot and killed a notorious thug with a gun she was not supposed to have been carrying.
All of this mayhem helps complicate a simple plot. One that is a simple P.I. out does the police at their own game, figures out the bad guy first, girl gets guy in a happy ending. At least the murders and car chases keep us entertained enough to stay interested.
Not quite a page turner, but remarkable nevertheless as the reader is held spell bound by the author’s interpretation of South Africa, the rhythms of her cities, and their cry for help.
January 18, 2016
Mackenzie thrills again with the next in the Jade De Jong series. Jade, a private detective has recently returned from self-exile in England after needing time to get her head together following her last caper.
She immediately falls back in not only with the criminal underworld informants she had cultivated, but also into a semi-partnership with police detective David Patel. Hoping to stay close to Patel in order to foster a romantic relationship, they find themselves at loggerheads, especially when he admits that he has married and had a child since her absence. The fact that his wife and he are separated only seems to open more wounds for the couple.
Her arrival back in Johannesburg is also timed for the release of a hardened criminal that Jade believes was involved in the death of her father 14a police commander whose death was set up to look like a simple auto accident 14a decade previously. Along with helping Patel solve a possible home invasion style murder that leads to a much more complicated case with multiple victims and a vicious gang of murderers, Jade has her hands full keeping Patel 19s new commander off his back as well as keeping from him the knowledge that she has already shot and killed a notorious thug with a gun she was not supposed to have been carrying.
All of this mayhem helps complicate a simple plot. One that is a simple P.I. out does the police at their own game, figures out the bad guy first, girl gets guy in a happy ending. At least the murders and car chases keep us entertained enough to stay interested.
Not quite a page turner, but remarkable nevertheless as the reader is held spell bound by the author 19s interpretation of South Africa, the rhythms of her cities, and their cry for help.
She immediately falls back in not only with the criminal underworld informants she had cultivated, but also into a semi-partnership with police detective David Patel. Hoping to stay close to Patel in order to foster a romantic relationship, they find themselves at loggerheads, especially when he admits that he has married and had a child since her absence. The fact that his wife and he are separated only seems to open more wounds for the couple.
Her arrival back in Johannesburg is also timed for the release of a hardened criminal that Jade believes was involved in the death of her father 14a police commander whose death was set up to look like a simple auto accident 14a decade previously. Along with helping Patel solve a possible home invasion style murder that leads to a much more complicated case with multiple victims and a vicious gang of murderers, Jade has her hands full keeping Patel 19s new commander off his back as well as keeping from him the knowledge that she has already shot and killed a notorious thug with a gun she was not supposed to have been carrying.
All of this mayhem helps complicate a simple plot. One that is a simple P.I. out does the police at their own game, figures out the bad guy first, girl gets guy in a happy ending. At least the murders and car chases keep us entertained enough to stay interested.
Not quite a page turner, but remarkable nevertheless as the reader is held spell bound by the author 19s interpretation of South Africa, the rhythms of her cities, and their cry for help.
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