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Jade de Jong #3
The Fallen
When P.I. Jade de Jong invites Superintendent David Patel on a scuba diving holiday in St. Lucia, she hopes the time away will rebuild their conflicted relationship. Jade’s dreams are soon shattered when David calls off their affair, forcing her into the arms of environmentalist Craig Niewoudt. But the next morning, romantic issues are put aside when a scuba diving instructor, Amanda Bolton, is found brutally stabbed to death.
Amanda is a most unlikely candidate for murder—a quiet and intelligent woman who until a few months ago pursued a high-powered career as an air traffic controller. She had few acquaintances and no lovers. The only loose end is a postcard in her room from Jo’burg-based Themba Msamaya, asking how she is doing “after 813 and The Fallen.” Jade and David put their differences aside and start the deadly hunt.
Amanda is a most unlikely candidate for murder—a quiet and intelligent woman who until a few months ago pursued a high-powered career as an air traffic controller. She had few acquaintances and no lovers. The only loose end is a postcard in her room from Jo’burg-based Themba Msamaya, asking how she is doing “after 813 and The Fallen.” Jade and David put their differences aside and start the deadly hunt.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
223 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 38 reviews
July 23, 2020
This is an action-packed thriller set in South Africa. Jade de Jong is a private investigator with a string of successful cases behind her. Her boyfriend is a police superintendent of Indian descent. They have decided to take a short holiday break at St. Lucia, an Indian Ocean coastal resort, to do some scuba diving, Jade has never told David about her fear of deep water, which she is determined to overcome, as she arrives in the resort a few days before David. She takes lessons with a pleasant diving instructor named Amanda and finds it hard going.
David arrives and delivers a bombshell. He has slept with his estranged wife, from whom he has been separated for some time, and she is pregnant. He feels duty-bound to go back to her. Jade is understandably very put out, but they have to shelve their differences the next day when Amanda is found brutally murdered.
At the same time, in Johannesburg, a man named Themba Msamaya is also murdered – why we don’t know. At the resort, there is another diving instructor called Monique, who has a habit of getting involved with every man who crosses her path, and consequently makes many enemies. She is also clearly afraid of something and lives in the chalet next to Amanda’s. Jade and David quickly assume that the killer killed the wrong girl by mistake, but as Monique has clearly left the resort in a hurry, are unable to confirm this.
Jade has also become friendly with (and is attracted to) an ecologist named Craig, who is doing fieldwork in the adjacent nature reserve and who is living with a woman named Elsabe. He claims she is not a live-in lover but someone he met when both of them were in a town called Freedom identifying the bodies of relatives who had died in a horrific air crash not long ago. There is also another thread in the plot concerning a certain Bradley who is being employed by some extremely ruthless individuals to carry out an undisclosed engineering task. We have no idea how this is going to be linked in with the rest of the story – as yet.
This is a very complicated plot, ultimately involving mass murder and ecological disaster. The tension is maintained throughout and it grips the reader (this one at any rate) right until the tremendous cliff-hanger of an ending.
November 25, 2023
We go to the eastern coast north of Durban in this novel, to Richards Bay. Jade is meant to meet her lover David Patel there by the golden sands and in preparation Jade takes scuba diving lessons. I found myself unnecessarily jealous of this fictional setup.
Shortly, as is usual for Ms. de Jong, people start dying. And not just dying, but being horribly slain and everyone is looking around for a culprit. In this particular novel, far-flung characters are somehow connected, though just how this is so does not become apparent until the very end.
{spoiler alert}
It is hard to retain any sense of superiority when Mackenzie writes a smackdown like this stunning description:
Don’t know about you, but I feel like I am there.
I got a bit lost in the description of the central crime, and I kept losing track of who the bad guys were. But heck, I hope Mackenzie had fun researching this one because Richards Bay sounds gorgeous.
Shortly, as is usual for Ms. de Jong, people start dying. And not just dying, but being horribly slain and everyone is looking around for a culprit. In this particular novel, far-flung characters are somehow connected, though just how this is so does not become apparent until the very end.
{spoiler alert}
It is hard to retain any sense of superiority when Mackenzie writes a smackdown like this stunning description:
"Most of the cars had GP number plates and were also heading west, holiday over, back to Gauteng. Grim-faced at the prospect of returning to world, with their tank tops and shorts revealing deep sun tans and post-holiday flab. Arms as bloated and brown as cooked sausages, feet slapping along in flip-flop sandals. Kids trailing behind them, bored, restless and yelling."
Don’t know about you, but I feel like I am there.
I got a bit lost in the description of the central crime, and I kept losing track of who the bad guys were. But heck, I hope Mackenzie had fun researching this one because Richards Bay sounds gorgeous.
December 26, 2015
PROTAGONIST: PI Jade de Jong
SETTING: St. Lucia
SERIES: #3 of 3
RATING:3.25
The relationship between PI Jade de Jong and Superintendent David Patel hasn’t always been an easy one. Although separated from his wife, he is still tightly connected to her because of their son. Jade plans a scuba diving vacation in St. Lucia in hopes that they will rediscover each other. Her diving lessons are going terribly; and when David arrives, things aren’t any better. He is quite remote, and it seems that any hope of rekindling their feelings is just a fantasy.
Although they are staying in a nice resort, they haven’t escaped the crime that they face daily in Johannesburg either. Jade’s diving instructor, Amanda Bolton, is found stabbed to death. The local authorities are pretty much clueless about running a murder investigation, so Jade and David quickly become involved in the case. Their only real evidence is a cryptic postcard: “after 813 and The Fallen”. As the investigation expands, Jade finds a conspiracy involving environmental espionage. It’s a chill a minute as the players race to beat the clock before the lovely island is destroyed.
THE FALLEN is the third in the Jade de Jong series. Throughout, Jade and David have had a difficult relationship that has been frustrating both to Jade and the reader. David seems unable to make a commitment to Jade and is all too willing to be at the beck and call of his estranged wife, despite the fact that they don’t appear to even like each other. I am really curious about what the future holds for Jade if this relationship truly comes to an end.
Suspense builds as the environmental catastrophe is about to erupt, but the revelation about the villain is problematic. The book ends abruptly without any real resolution. I felt as if several pages were missing. I assume the author meant for the reader to come to their own conclusions about how things were going to play out, but I didn’t feel it was fair to invest the time in reading the book only to have a very inconclusive ending.
THE FALLEN is fast paced, and Jade de Jong is a complicated character. However, I preferred the Johannesburg setting of the first two books in the series; the tourist destination of St. Lucia was less intrinsically interesting than the complex brew of a large South African city.
SETTING: St. Lucia
SERIES: #3 of 3
RATING:3.25
The relationship between PI Jade de Jong and Superintendent David Patel hasn’t always been an easy one. Although separated from his wife, he is still tightly connected to her because of their son. Jade plans a scuba diving vacation in St. Lucia in hopes that they will rediscover each other. Her diving lessons are going terribly; and when David arrives, things aren’t any better. He is quite remote, and it seems that any hope of rekindling their feelings is just a fantasy.
Although they are staying in a nice resort, they haven’t escaped the crime that they face daily in Johannesburg either. Jade’s diving instructor, Amanda Bolton, is found stabbed to death. The local authorities are pretty much clueless about running a murder investigation, so Jade and David quickly become involved in the case. Their only real evidence is a cryptic postcard: “after 813 and The Fallen”. As the investigation expands, Jade finds a conspiracy involving environmental espionage. It’s a chill a minute as the players race to beat the clock before the lovely island is destroyed.
THE FALLEN is the third in the Jade de Jong series. Throughout, Jade and David have had a difficult relationship that has been frustrating both to Jade and the reader. David seems unable to make a commitment to Jade and is all too willing to be at the beck and call of his estranged wife, despite the fact that they don’t appear to even like each other. I am really curious about what the future holds for Jade if this relationship truly comes to an end.
Suspense builds as the environmental catastrophe is about to erupt, but the revelation about the villain is problematic. The book ends abruptly without any real resolution. I felt as if several pages were missing. I assume the author meant for the reader to come to their own conclusions about how things were going to play out, but I didn’t feel it was fair to invest the time in reading the book only to have a very inconclusive ending.
THE FALLEN is fast paced, and Jade de Jong is a complicated character. However, I preferred the Johannesburg setting of the first two books in the series; the tourist destination of St. Lucia was less intrinsically interesting than the complex brew of a large South African city.
July 3, 2015
Resuming my ongoing interest in Mackenzie's series, I rushed to learn a little more about Jade de Jong and the mysteries in rural South Africa. Attending a scuba holiday with her love interest Superintendent David Patel, Jade is able to finally relax in her surroundings. She's left Johannesburg behind her and can focus on rebuilding the strained relationship. However, earth shattering news brought by David adds new angst to Jade's life and dissolves any possible relationship she and David might hope to share. These romantic questions soon dissolve when a young scuba diving instructor is found stabbed to death in her soon. Jade and Patel must work together with the local authorities to learn how such an unlikely victim found herself on the wrong side of someone's rage. A random postcard turns up, citing 813 and The Fallen, which leads Jade down a winding path to learn more about environmental politics in South Africa, and the world over. Amidst her search, Jade takes some time out to further investigate her mother's death and the mysteries surrounding it. The narrative she has believed her entire life may hold but a peppering of truth, controversies her father took with him to the grave. With a fast-paced story and wonderful ending, Mackenzie treats series fans to a wonderful novel that builds momentum on so many levels.
The story has its moments and does fork off in many directions on numerous occasions, but this does not entirely lessen the impact of the narrative. As I reader, I found myself led down a certain path, destined to see the story play out, only to discover that it was but an educational side-trip, with little key probative value to the larger story. However, once the pieces all come together, the reader is transfixed and races to the end, much as Jade does in the story, only to discover how wrong they might have been. This is the sign of a great author, able to lure the reader in with a simple writing style.
Kudos, Madam Mackenzie for another great novel. I am pleased to have taken the gamble on this series and all you bring to it.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The story has its moments and does fork off in many directions on numerous occasions, but this does not entirely lessen the impact of the narrative. As I reader, I found myself led down a certain path, destined to see the story play out, only to discover that it was but an educational side-trip, with little key probative value to the larger story. However, once the pieces all come together, the reader is transfixed and races to the end, much as Jade does in the story, only to discover how wrong they might have been. This is the sign of a great author, able to lure the reader in with a simple writing style.
Kudos, Madam Mackenzie for another great novel. I am pleased to have taken the gamble on this series and all you bring to it.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 5, 2012
P.I. Jade de Jong organizes a vacation to a seaside resort with her erstwhile lover, David Patel, only to get involved in a murder investigation and a potential ecological disaster. Some vacation, further complicated by the fact that when David does show up he tells her he is returning to his four-months pregnant wife. So much for a happy trip
Before David’s arrival, Jade was taking scuba diving lessons and attempting to overcome her fear of underwater activities. Her instructor, Amanda, is soon knifed to death. Jade and David undertake to assist the local police in the investigation, hindered by an organized crime conspiracy.
A continuing theme in this series is Jade’s attempts to learn more about her mother, who died when she was merely a year old in the very area in which she is now vacationing. This novel, as its predecessors, is set in South Africa. But unlike the former entries in the series, there is much less emphasis on that country’s post-apartheid era and more on greed and revenge unrelated to that part of the nation’s history.
As a rip-roaring heroine, Jade is still in the forefront of rugged protagonists. The book is a careful examination of the subjects and a superb thriller.
Recommended.
Before David’s arrival, Jade was taking scuba diving lessons and attempting to overcome her fear of underwater activities. Her instructor, Amanda, is soon knifed to death. Jade and David undertake to assist the local police in the investigation, hindered by an organized crime conspiracy.
A continuing theme in this series is Jade’s attempts to learn more about her mother, who died when she was merely a year old in the very area in which she is now vacationing. This novel, as its predecessors, is set in South Africa. But unlike the former entries in the series, there is much less emphasis on that country’s post-apartheid era and more on greed and revenge unrelated to that part of the nation’s history.
As a rip-roaring heroine, Jade is still in the forefront of rugged protagonists. The book is a careful examination of the subjects and a superb thriller.
Recommended.
October 17, 2013
I was looking forward to this book, because I lived in Swaziland for three years and travelled extensively around South Africa, which I loved. I thought this book would give me the opportunity to revisit the landscape I remembered - but it didn't, because there was a lack of description of place. Most of the time, I could imagine the characters' surroundings because of my own memories of the South African coastline and Jo'burg - but other readers would have very little idea.
The characters didn't come to life for me either. I felt there were just too many characters with too much backstory and too complex a plot - the story kept getting bogged down in explanations at the expense of character development.
And then the end was a cliffhanger. We're left not knowing whether one of the characters survives or not. Did the author think that was clever? Perhaps so, but it means I'm never going to buy one of her books again, because I don't want to risk being faced with another unresolved ending.
The characters didn't come to life for me either. I felt there were just too many characters with too much backstory and too complex a plot - the story kept getting bogged down in explanations at the expense of character development.
And then the end was a cliffhanger. We're left not knowing whether one of the characters survives or not. Did the author think that was clever? Perhaps so, but it means I'm never going to buy one of her books again, because I don't want to risk being faced with another unresolved ending.
December 28, 2014
An intricately woven tale of manipulation, murder, and more, this third book in the Jade de Jong series is located in the South African coastal town St. Lucia. The tautly plotted story works well as a stand-alone novel of suspense. However, I would probably have better appreciated Jade’s introspection and her search for herself through her family history had I read the earlier books.
The beginning seemed to drag a bit, but the pace continued to increase throughout the book until I couldn’t put it down. Even when I though the story was about to wind down, Jade and Jassie grabbed me by the throat and off we went to untangle one more strand of the intensely interwoven story.
I received a free copy of The Fall through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
The beginning seemed to drag a bit, but the pace continued to increase throughout the book until I couldn’t put it down. Even when I though the story was about to wind down, Jade and Jassie grabbed me by the throat and off we went to untangle one more strand of the intensely interwoven story.
I received a free copy of The Fall through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
June 2, 2016
It's all good, right up to the point when the bad guys' plan is revealed to be the stupidest plan ever.
September 17, 2017
This engaging mystery is set in South Africa at a beachfront diving resort. Private investigator, Jade de Jong, is vacationing at the resort with her sometime boyfriend David Patel. Things are not going as she planned as he joins her at the resort to tell her that he is going back to his estranged wife. However, when one of the diving instructors is murdered, they become involved in the investigation. They are drawn into a dangerous situation that involves a great deal of money and a number of missing local people.
August 27, 2019
This is a Jade De Jong series book. The overall plot was engaging. At times, the writing seemed a bit off base - and at least one of the scenes, I couldn't exactly figure out how it fit into the story.
June 29, 2018
An enjoyable mystery with a maddening ending.
August 23, 2020
This series doesn't disappoint. Always a twist and turn. Action that keeps you guessing until the end.
April 12, 2012
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 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!
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 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!
April 5, 2012
Jassy Mackenzie is the South African author of Jade De Jong series, a private eye set of stories centered around the main character Jade.
She was born in Rhodesia (as all ex-Zimbabweans still prefer to call it), and moved to South Africa when she was eight years old. The Fallen is her latest novel scheduled to be released by Soho Press on April 10, 2012.
A Brief Summary:
P.I. Jade de Jong invites Superintendent David Patel, her sort of boyfriend, on a scuba diving holiday in St. Lucia with the hope that the time away will rebuild their conflicted relationship. Jade’s dreams are soon shattered when David calls off their affair, forcing her into the arms of environmentalist Craig Niewoudt. But the next morning, romantic issues are put aside when a scuba diving instructor, Amanda Bolton, is found brutally stabbed to death.
Amanda is a most unlikely candidate for murder—a quiet and intelligent woman who until a few months ago pursued a high-powered career as an air traffic controller. She had few acquaintances and no lovers. The only loose end is a postcard in her room from Jo’burg-based Themba Msamaya, asking how she is doing “after 813 and The Fallen.” Jade and David put their differences aside and start the deadly hunt to uncover the identity of the killer.
Our Take:
Jade's new adventure, in a nutshell, is a story about the strong yet emotionally vulnerable female lead character as show goes about unlocking a murder puzzle in a beautiful beach resort.
There are several interesting aspect to this novel: First, the exotic setting in which the story happens is refreshing. The author is knowledgeable about the local details and this gives authenticity to the novel.
Second, the activities in which the lead character conducts (such as searching for her mother's grave) are logically in line with her background and the previous stories.
And lastly, the ending has nice surprises and the twists are not presented in a forced way. The author carefully leads her audience along giving enough information to them to be able to guess the probable outcome.
On the downside, the content includes a lot of information not directly linked to the storyline and at times the pace is very slow for the reader. Overall, an interesting read for the fans of mysteries happening in exotic locales.
Our Rating: 3.4
There is more at http://www.mysterytribune.com or @mysterytribune
She was born in Rhodesia (as all ex-Zimbabweans still prefer to call it), and moved to South Africa when she was eight years old. The Fallen is her latest novel scheduled to be released by Soho Press on April 10, 2012.
A Brief Summary:
P.I. Jade de Jong invites Superintendent David Patel, her sort of boyfriend, on a scuba diving holiday in St. Lucia with the hope that the time away will rebuild their conflicted relationship. Jade’s dreams are soon shattered when David calls off their affair, forcing her into the arms of environmentalist Craig Niewoudt. But the next morning, romantic issues are put aside when a scuba diving instructor, Amanda Bolton, is found brutally stabbed to death.
Amanda is a most unlikely candidate for murder—a quiet and intelligent woman who until a few months ago pursued a high-powered career as an air traffic controller. She had few acquaintances and no lovers. The only loose end is a postcard in her room from Jo’burg-based Themba Msamaya, asking how she is doing “after 813 and The Fallen.” Jade and David put their differences aside and start the deadly hunt to uncover the identity of the killer.
Our Take:
Jade's new adventure, in a nutshell, is a story about the strong yet emotionally vulnerable female lead character as show goes about unlocking a murder puzzle in a beautiful beach resort.
There are several interesting aspect to this novel: First, the exotic setting in which the story happens is refreshing. The author is knowledgeable about the local details and this gives authenticity to the novel.
Second, the activities in which the lead character conducts (such as searching for her mother's grave) are logically in line with her background and the previous stories.
And lastly, the ending has nice surprises and the twists are not presented in a forced way. The author carefully leads her audience along giving enough information to them to be able to guess the probable outcome.
On the downside, the content includes a lot of information not directly linked to the storyline and at times the pace is very slow for the reader. Overall, an interesting read for the fans of mysteries happening in exotic locales.
Our Rating: 3.4
There is more at http://www.mysterytribune.com or @mysterytribune
June 8, 2012
The Fallen is a real page turner but not operating with cheap tricks. From start to finish, there's always something intriguing happening. Jassy Mackenzie skillfully weaves together several subplots and sprinkles in back story set up in previous Jade de Jong books on a need-to-know basis. New readers should have no problems following the book, while I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with her protagonists and more shady characters of Jade's past. At the same time a new adventure unfolds and poses challenges Jade never expected when planning a romantic holiday in paradise-like St. Lucia.
Jassy Mackenzie sheds light on ruthless money-making schemes of hardcore criminals, but also shows how personal tragedy can bring out the worst in ordinary people. Okay, maybe not that ordinary. The Fallen is a captivating cocktail of action, tension and personal conflict, with realistic characters and emotional depth. Highly recommended!
Jassy Mackenzie sheds light on ruthless money-making schemes of hardcore criminals, but also shows how personal tragedy can bring out the worst in ordinary people. Okay, maybe not that ordinary. The Fallen is a captivating cocktail of action, tension and personal conflict, with realistic characters and emotional depth. Highly recommended!
October 8, 2012
pretty exciting new south african mystery, taking place at st lucia, the first world heritage site of SA. jade is a p-eye/assassin for hire and/or justice (as it turns out her long dead momma was too) and she sets up a romantic week on the beach and reefs of south sa with her married cop boyfriend. things go bad quickly though and so lots of plot twists, gruesome violence, unfair rules, double dealing capitalists, thugs, cops, and judges. creepy but efficient hospital admins, rich dudes in hummers, and even a fucking hippo. a reader can see over her 3 novels that author jassy is writing more and more for the international book trade now, in that her plots and details are a bit more generic and less overt sa cultural quirks. but still one gets lots of "what-it's-like-driving" in sa, and some of the frankly creepy physical and psycho-social geography of the greatest country on the tropic of capricorn (apologies to ozz n argentinos :))
May 6, 2013
The Fallen is third in the Jade de Jong series about corruption in South Africa. Jade is a P.I. who has booked a vacation with her boyfriend David Patel, Superintendent of Johannesburg, in the resort city of St. Lucia. Jade had been taking scuba lessons from Amanda in St. Lucia before David arrived to surprise him. When the diving instructor is found murdered with a cryptic message "813 and The Fallen"on a postcard near the body, Jade is back in super sleuth mode with David's official help. They uncover a huge organized crime operation under way that threatens environmental sabotage in the beautiful St. Lucia estuary by a company that had been prohibited from mining in the protected area. Meanwhile, people are disappearing at an alarming rate. Jassy's novels show the seamier side of South Africa after Apartheid in the gritty noir fiction style she is so adept at showing. A fast, pulse racing read.
June 25, 2012
I had not heard of this series when I received The Fallen as a first-reads giveaway, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with this book! It was snappy and action-packed with a strong female lead who's smart and has an edge. The stakes are sufficiently high and the plot took several turns that I never saw coming. The beginning of the book lagged a bit with some world-building, but as someone not familiar with the series or the heroine I appreciated the introduction. I have one criticism about The Fallen and it's a big one for me. I was dissatisfied with the ending. No spoilers, but I felt like a chapter was missing from the end of the book and I was left with a lot of questions. This does not negate how much I enjoyed the book while I was reading it however. Based on this book I would happily read the rest in the series.
October 26, 2012
PI Jade de Jong goes off on holiday with her beau, David Patel, only to be told David's estranged wife is carrying his child from a single relapse. Then, her quiet scuba instructor Amanda is murdered, who had been an air traffic controller previously. David is asked to help the local police investigate and he and Jade get in deep trouble when they uncover a nefarious plot by a businessman to ruin the coastline. Slow beginning, but tense moments as the plot thickens.
May 18, 2012
Like the character of Jade, even though her love life is a mess. Her attempt to find out more about her dead mother adds a dimension to the self sufficient and capable investigator who can - and does - kill if necessary. The setting - a pristine diving resort in SA threatened by mining interests - is interesting. The plot has enough twists to keep the reader engaged till the end.
March 11, 2012
Aside from giving her main character the skills to perform tasks and telling the reader about it before she gets in a situation where said skills are needed, the author has produced a totally unexpected ending that is sure to satisfy most readers.
June 21, 2012
I like this series by Jassy Mackenzie and recommend that the books be read in order to give a better understanding of the protaganist. I also enjoy reading and learning about present day South Africa. Looking forward the 4th book.
December 11, 2013
There were loose ends here, and a few too many convenient coincidences kept the plot moving. Still enjoyable, especially if you don't question the events too deeply. I did like the environmental aspect. Truly terrifying to imagine the damage that could be done by a few twisted individuals.
August 21, 2016
A suspenseful detective story that leaves the reader suspended.
I liked he tension and clever interweaving of the plot. I did not like the way the author left the reader with unresolved issues. A good read for lovers of mystery/detective stories.
I liked he tension and clever interweaving of the plot. I did not like the way the author left the reader with unresolved issues. A good read for lovers of mystery/detective stories.
October 6, 2011
Fun, but not as good as the previous Jade de Jong books. A bit more contrived. Not without potential, though, for the future of the series. Read as _Worst Case_, the South African version.
March 19, 2012
Review submitted to Suspense Magazine
May 3, 2012
Not up to the author's first two books. Not enough action and slow.
May 1, 2012
Really a great thriller. I've enjoyed all of the Jade de Jong books. The author gives a true to life feel for post apartheird So. Africa!
August 19, 2017
another most excellnt 5 star read!
May 18, 2012
check out my review at http://midasfive.com/?p=313
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