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Jade del Cameron Mysteries #7
Devil Dance
During the romantic and adventurous 1920’s in East Africa, Jade del Cameron and her mother, Inez, are touring Zanzibar Island before Jade’s wedding to Sam Featherstone. At the same time, Sam plans a safari with Jade’s father, Richard, to get better acquainted. What could go wrong? Witchcraft on Zanzibar’s neighboring island of Pemba, that’s what.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2015
6 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Arruda
20 books73 followersSuzanne Arruda, a former zookeeper-turned-science teacher and freelance writer, is the author of several biographies for young adults. She has also published science and nature articles for adults and children and is a regular contributor to a weekly newspaper supplement. An avid hiker and outdoorswoman, she lives in Kansas with her husband, twin sons, and a small menagerie of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 29, 2017
This final installment (the author confirms that fact in her Acknowledgments) of the series is set in May 1921, a few months after the previous one. The book's opening finds Jade in Zanzibar, a new setting for her, which takes her out of the Nairobi area and away from her friends there. One reviewer complained about their absence, but as a compensation, we get to not only spend some more time with Jade's formidable Spanish-born mother, Inez, but to meet Jade's dad as well. Her parents have come to Africa for her impending nuptials, and she and Inez plan to enjoy a relaxing sight-seeing trip while Richard del Cameron gets acquainted with his new son-in-law on a planned safari. Since she didn't expect to need it, Jade didn't bring along her trusty Winchester. But Simba Jike's reputation has preceded her, and her propensity to land in the middle of dangerous skullduggery is as much in evidence here as ever. (Luckily, she did bring her knife....) She and Inez soon encounter a sudden mysterious death, an appeal for help, and a wealthy Arab household rife with secrets. And meanwhile, back in Mombasa, their menfolk stumble across an apparent slave-trading operation --and they're not the sort of guys who'd let that sort of thing go on without getting involved.
This is the only novel in the series to be self-published; Arruda evidently wrote it without the aid of her usual proofreading and editorial services. There was also a five-year gap between it and the preceding novel, during which she apparently had the distraction of a pregnancy, childbirth, and care for a newborn daughter, to whom the book is dedicated. (From internal evidences, I'm guessing that the early chapters may have been written before the pregnancy, and the middle and later ones after the baby had become a toddler.) These factors show in a number of typos (though none of them are bad enough to keep the reader from understanding the author's intention), and in some discontinuity between plot elements near the beginning and the developing story, which cost the book a star. Otherwise, the quality is very similar to the other series installments. The mystery was more deeply concealed, with several developments that genuinely surprised me. As always, the author thoroughly researched her setting(s). An element of the possibly supernatural has typically been a feature of these novels, and that's particularly strong here, with the background of the witchcraft guild of Zanzibar's neighboring island, Pemba, and their rites of human sacrifice. Jade's (and Arruda's) concern for human rights in the face of injustice is also a strong note in the book, in the face of the persistent practice of slavery, which was nominally outlawed on Zanzibar in 1897, but still went on in practice even on into the 1920s. (And it continues to flourish today in the countries of the Arabian peninsula that are still governed by Sharia law, which regulates slavery but doesn't forbid it.)
Barb and I read this book together, as we have the whole series, and we're both sorry to see the series end! Jade has been one of our favorite heroines, and its been a privilege to get to know her.
This is the only novel in the series to be self-published; Arruda evidently wrote it without the aid of her usual proofreading and editorial services. There was also a five-year gap between it and the preceding novel, during which she apparently had the distraction of a pregnancy, childbirth, and care for a newborn daughter, to whom the book is dedicated. (From internal evidences, I'm guessing that the early chapters may have been written before the pregnancy, and the middle and later ones after the baby had become a toddler.) These factors show in a number of typos (though none of them are bad enough to keep the reader from understanding the author's intention), and in some discontinuity between plot elements near the beginning and the developing story, which cost the book a star. Otherwise, the quality is very similar to the other series installments. The mystery was more deeply concealed, with several developments that genuinely surprised me. As always, the author thoroughly researched her setting(s). An element of the possibly supernatural has typically been a feature of these novels, and that's particularly strong here, with the background of the witchcraft guild of Zanzibar's neighboring island, Pemba, and their rites of human sacrifice. Jade's (and Arruda's) concern for human rights in the face of injustice is also a strong note in the book, in the face of the persistent practice of slavery, which was nominally outlawed on Zanzibar in 1897, but still went on in practice even on into the 1920s. (And it continues to flourish today in the countries of the Arabian peninsula that are still governed by Sharia law, which regulates slavery but doesn't forbid it.)
Barb and I read this book together, as we have the whole series, and we're both sorry to see the series end! Jade has been one of our favorite heroines, and its been a privilege to get to know her.
November 11, 2017
A Compelling Mystery in the Jade Del Cameron Series!
In 1920's Zanzibar off the coast of Africa, Jade Del Cameron travels with her mother, Inez, Father, Richard, and fiancé Sam Featherstone. Sam and Richard are about to go on safari on the mainland while Jade and Inez travel on Zanzibar preparing for her wedding. When a young native girl looking to be freed from slavery is murdered, Jade and Inez who befriended her, go on a quest to learn why and bring the murderer to justice. Along the way they learn slavery, although outlawed, is still alive and well on the island.
Meanwhile, Richard and Sam learn of how slave traders might be shipping slaves to the nearby island of Pemba. Unknowingly to both parties, they travel separately to Pemba in search of the slave traders and murderers so they might bring them to justice. In doing so, they are placing their lives in a more dangerous situation than ever before.
I've been a fan of Suzanne Arruda's Jade Del Cameron Series for some time. I used her books as research for my latest thriller 'Big Jim.' Her stories are set in the 1920s. Jade is a WWI veteran, having served in France as an ambulance driver. She traveled to Africa out of love for her late fiancé, David, and later fell in love with Sam Featherstone, himself a veteran WWI pilot. Her home is in the Colony of Kenya, and she has a pet cheetah named Biscuit.
The author describes the era with well-researched detail, and I enjoy the excitement and adventure Jade's character has. Her books make for fun, pleasant reading, and this book is the 7th in the series. I hope it's not the last. I've read them all!
In 1920's Zanzibar off the coast of Africa, Jade Del Cameron travels with her mother, Inez, Father, Richard, and fiancé Sam Featherstone. Sam and Richard are about to go on safari on the mainland while Jade and Inez travel on Zanzibar preparing for her wedding. When a young native girl looking to be freed from slavery is murdered, Jade and Inez who befriended her, go on a quest to learn why and bring the murderer to justice. Along the way they learn slavery, although outlawed, is still alive and well on the island.
Meanwhile, Richard and Sam learn of how slave traders might be shipping slaves to the nearby island of Pemba. Unknowingly to both parties, they travel separately to Pemba in search of the slave traders and murderers so they might bring them to justice. In doing so, they are placing their lives in a more dangerous situation than ever before.
I've been a fan of Suzanne Arruda's Jade Del Cameron Series for some time. I used her books as research for my latest thriller 'Big Jim.' Her stories are set in the 1920s. Jade is a WWI veteran, having served in France as an ambulance driver. She traveled to Africa out of love for her late fiancé, David, and later fell in love with Sam Featherstone, himself a veteran WWI pilot. Her home is in the Colony of Kenya, and she has a pet cheetah named Biscuit.
The author describes the era with well-researched detail, and I enjoy the excitement and adventure Jade's character has. Her books make for fun, pleasant reading, and this book is the 7th in the series. I hope it's not the last. I've read them all!
July 23, 2024
It was fun to have another Jade novel & it includes all the things we expect from one: adventure, mystical elements, murder, & great characters. Jade's parents have come to Africa for the wedding, so Sam & her father go on a safari while Jade & her mother explore Zanzibar. But both are waylaid by evildoers & need to set things right. They start chasing bad guys & end up on a crazy island full of ancient witchcraft. While I enjoyed the story & applaud the author's bow to her fans who requested another novel, it's too bad it had to be self-published, because she is real need of a good editor here. The typos, punctuation errors, & grammatical faux-pas infect almost every page, making it really distracting for me to read. It's a good story, but irritating to read.
July 21, 2025
Devil Dance by Suzanne Arruda is the seventh (and final) book of the Jade del Cameron mystery and adventure series, set in May 1921 in Zanzibar and Pemba.
Jade and Inez (Jade's mom) are on vacation in Zanzibar, a mother-daughter bonding vacation prior to Jade's upcoming wedding. Inez wants to buy yards and yards of lace with which to drape her daughter in her wedding dress; Jade wants none of it. A deadly encounter sends them off to rescue a young girl on the island of Pemba.
Jade's beloved Sam Featherstone and her father Richard are presumably on a safari. But no, they too head for Pemba, not knowing the women are going there, but similarly on a mission to save victims.
Chapters alternate between the adventures and perils of plucky Jade & Inez vs. Sam & Richard -- not realizing they're all in danger.
Pemba is known and feared for its witchcraft. All protagonists are tricked, attacked, imprisoned; they need all their wits and strength to survive. Once they discover they are all are on Pemba, they make progress against their enemies. Suspenseful ... yet righteously successful. The only downside: it's the end of the series.
"Mother! What in the name of St. Peter's bait bucket are you doing? Where did you get that?"
'In all my life, I've never experienced anything as outrageous as having some American...cowgirl threaten me." "Very likely," agreed Jade. "But it is hardly to the point."
"Slavery has been outlawed," said Walsh. "Outlawing something doesn't necessarily end it. It only drives it underground," said Sam.
Within minutes of their arrival, three barefoot Swahili women swathed in white arrived laden with massive trays of food. Loaves of flat bread, bowls of black and green olives, cucumber slices, assorted fruits and sugared confections, and a thick variety of yogurt called labneh were spread before them. Finally, Jade belched politely into her hand to signify that the meal was very rich and satisfying. Inez copied her and the tray was removed to be followed immediately by thick, black coffee.
"Who in the name of St. Peter's fishing pole are you?"
Jade reveled in someone else finally taking the brunt of her mother's stern edicts. Go get her, mother!
"You will have water or nothing," said Jade. She saw Hazar recoil under the insult. In an Arab household, feeding a guest for up to three days marked a consummate hospitality. "It is all we have to offer to you, and you were not invited here. Now tell your tale."
Jade and Inez (Jade's mom) are on vacation in Zanzibar, a mother-daughter bonding vacation prior to Jade's upcoming wedding. Inez wants to buy yards and yards of lace with which to drape her daughter in her wedding dress; Jade wants none of it. A deadly encounter sends them off to rescue a young girl on the island of Pemba.
Jade's beloved Sam Featherstone and her father Richard are presumably on a safari. But no, they too head for Pemba, not knowing the women are going there, but similarly on a mission to save victims.
Chapters alternate between the adventures and perils of plucky Jade & Inez vs. Sam & Richard -- not realizing they're all in danger.
Pemba is known and feared for its witchcraft. All protagonists are tricked, attacked, imprisoned; they need all their wits and strength to survive. Once they discover they are all are on Pemba, they make progress against their enemies. Suspenseful ... yet righteously successful. The only downside: it's the end of the series.
"Mother! What in the name of St. Peter's bait bucket are you doing? Where did you get that?"
'In all my life, I've never experienced anything as outrageous as having some American...cowgirl threaten me." "Very likely," agreed Jade. "But it is hardly to the point."
"Slavery has been outlawed," said Walsh. "Outlawing something doesn't necessarily end it. It only drives it underground," said Sam.
Within minutes of their arrival, three barefoot Swahili women swathed in white arrived laden with massive trays of food. Loaves of flat bread, bowls of black and green olives, cucumber slices, assorted fruits and sugared confections, and a thick variety of yogurt called labneh were spread before them. Finally, Jade belched politely into her hand to signify that the meal was very rich and satisfying. Inez copied her and the tray was removed to be followed immediately by thick, black coffee.
"Who in the name of St. Peter's fishing pole are you?"
Jade reveled in someone else finally taking the brunt of her mother's stern edicts. Go get her, mother!
"You will have water or nothing," said Jade. She saw Hazar recoil under the insult. In an Arab household, feeding a guest for up to three days marked a consummate hospitality. "It is all we have to offer to you, and you were not invited here. Now tell your tale."
April 6, 2019
This was the final book in the series of novels about Jade del Cameron. Set in Africa between the world wars, this is part mystery, part adventure, part travel. I began reading the series back in 2007 and really enjoyed the stories; the main protagonist is an ex-ambulance driver from the first world war who moved to Africa at the war’s end to write and take photos for a travel magazine.
There is an element of African mysticism in each of the stories, as well.
There was about a five-year gap between when this book was published after the previous book, so it took a while for the series to finally wrap up as the author had to find a new publisher.
Glad she finally did so she could wrap up this series...the previous book sort of left things hanging (through no fault of the author.)
I was a little disappointed that the final novel was set in Zanzibar and most of the action took place in and around cities rather than on the African veldt, where the majority of the stories are set.
Glad I finally got to read the finale, but I’m also kind of sad that the series is over.
There is an element of African mysticism in each of the stories, as well.
There was about a five-year gap between when this book was published after the previous book, so it took a while for the series to finally wrap up as the author had to find a new publisher.
Glad she finally did so she could wrap up this series...the previous book sort of left things hanging (through no fault of the author.)
I was a little disappointed that the final novel was set in Zanzibar and most of the action took place in and around cities rather than on the African veldt, where the majority of the stories are set.
Glad I finally got to read the finale, but I’m also kind of sad that the series is over.
July 3, 2019
Jade's parents have come to Africa for her wedding. While her father heads off on Safari with Sam, Jade and her mother travel to Zanzibar for a pre-wedding shopping excursion. Before long both pairs are distracted from their initial plans and instead end up on the trail of slavers, murderers, and witches.
There was a lot of action and I'm not sure it was possible for the reader to solve the crimes before the end, but it was a good story with an interesting plot and intriguing characters.
From the 12th chapter on I noted quite a few typos. There was also information repeated several times unnecessarily. It seemed like it hadn't been edited as tightly as the earlier chapters, but nothing distracting enough to ruin the book.
The ending was very pleasing and if it's the last of the series I feel like it left the readers in a satisfying place.
There was a lot of action and I'm not sure it was possible for the reader to solve the crimes before the end, but it was a good story with an interesting plot and intriguing characters.
From the 12th chapter on I noted quite a few typos. There was also information repeated several times unnecessarily. It seemed like it hadn't been edited as tightly as the earlier chapters, but nothing distracting enough to ruin the book.
The ending was very pleasing and if it's the last of the series I feel like it left the readers in a satisfying place.
September 5, 2018
I loved the whole Jade Del Cameron series and am sorry to see it end. Jade's like Indiana Jones, but with her own distinct character, and I'd love to read more about her. A big thank you to the author, Suzanne Arruda, for ensuring that we readers got a conclusion to the series with this book, even though she had to self publish. There was a noticeable uptick in typos due to this, which I find a bit distracting during the reading experience, but I'm so thankful for this final installment that I could overlook it for the most part. If the series had ended with the last book, The Crocodile's Last Embrace, I would have felt left hanging. This book put a bow on a series that has been a joy to read. Thank you!
December 21, 2016
A nice follow-up that needed a bit more editing/proofreading to measure up to the rest of the series. An overall enjoyable read with some distracting typos throughout. There was also a bit of unfinished business at the end that was essentially resolved with a shrug. Not the best way to wrap things up. Still a decent conclusion to Jade's story arc. Could have used more of the regular side characters in there, too. Missed having them around.
September 12, 2018
I’ve loved all the books in the Jade del Cameron series, for the time period (1920s), accurate knowledge of Africa, and golly, it would be wonderful to have a pet cheetah! I just happened on a Josh Gates episode taking place on Pemba, the island where most of the action takes place. It was, indeed, the site of slave trading, which is addressed in the book. I am sorry there will not be any more in this series.
December 10, 2017
Disappointed
This was my least favorite book of the series and I was sadly disappointed. I thought the plot was contrived and the characters unbelievable. I had little patience for Jaded impatience with her mother. The way the relationship was crafted between Jade and her Mother irritating and artificial. Just a real let down.
This was my least favorite book of the series and I was sadly disappointed. I thought the plot was contrived and the characters unbelievable. I had little patience for Jaded impatience with her mother. The way the relationship was crafted between Jade and her Mother irritating and artificial. Just a real let down.
November 24, 2016
I'm conflicted. This is the last book in this series. I only got a few sentences worth of Biscuit. I loved the Biscuit. A lot. I did enjoy the book, the last book. I just don't know...
July 6, 2019
Self published I had trouble with the print. Good story that brought Jades family together for adventure.
December 22, 2019
Once again, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I do the ones set in Kenya. This one was even a bit strange. But overall, I do recommend the series.
October 9, 2020
Devil Dance
The story was far fetched and had too many characters. I enjoy reading about Jade, but her bull headed obstinacy is hard to conceive of
The story was far fetched and had too many characters. I enjoy reading about Jade, but her bull headed obstinacy is hard to conceive of
April 21, 2016
I have read every single one of Suzanne Arruda's Jade del Cameron mysteries, and I've watched the series grow from rather light-hearted adventure yarns into something much more substantive that gave me a real feel for the time period and the culture. When I saw Arruda had published Devil Dance, you had to know that I snapped it up immediately.
Arruda has created a good mystery with an excellent sense of misdirection. It was also a wonderful idea to split the engaged couple and pair each one with one of Jade's parents. In this way we become better acquainted with Jade's father Richard as well as Sam. Jade's mother Inez isn't as much of a mystery since she has appeared in other books. She and her daughter are so much alike that their time together can be a bit obstreperous. In addition, there are several humorous scenes as each couple begins having its share of adventures.
The serious part of the book concerns slavery, and how-- although it had been made illegal quite some time ago-- some people are still involved in the sale of human beings. As I said earlier, these books aren't just light-hearted fun; the author really gives you a feel for the time and place, and this makes me enjoy her writing even more.
The tension in Devil Dance grows, and it's a given that the two couples are going to wind up in the same place eventually. The only question is... which couple is going to be saving the other?
If you're new to the series, I think you could read this book and not be hopelessly confused. But if you enjoy good historical mysteries with interesting characters and a vivid sense of place, I suggest you begin at the beginning with Mark of the Lion.
Arruda has created a good mystery with an excellent sense of misdirection. It was also a wonderful idea to split the engaged couple and pair each one with one of Jade's parents. In this way we become better acquainted with Jade's father Richard as well as Sam. Jade's mother Inez isn't as much of a mystery since she has appeared in other books. She and her daughter are so much alike that their time together can be a bit obstreperous. In addition, there are several humorous scenes as each couple begins having its share of adventures.
The serious part of the book concerns slavery, and how-- although it had been made illegal quite some time ago-- some people are still involved in the sale of human beings. As I said earlier, these books aren't just light-hearted fun; the author really gives you a feel for the time and place, and this makes me enjoy her writing even more.
The tension in Devil Dance grows, and it's a given that the two couples are going to wind up in the same place eventually. The only question is... which couple is going to be saving the other?
If you're new to the series, I think you could read this book and not be hopelessly confused. But if you enjoy good historical mysteries with interesting characters and a vivid sense of place, I suggest you begin at the beginning with Mark of the Lion.
August 3, 2015
Another fun and exciting Jade del Cameron mystery, this time set on Zanzibar and Pemba Island. I did miss Biscuit, however. I wish a publisher would pick up this series, so we could have more to look forward to!
February 1, 2016
The story line was a typical Jade del Cameron story...but...it was poorly edited and sadly lacking the pizzaz the earlier books had. Read the first 6 and enjoy, but don't worry about this one unless you have to.
April 11, 2015
A worthy ending to a series I do not want to end.
January 4, 2016
Love this series.
April 1, 2016
I enjoyed this book, but got a little bored towards the end. The lack of good editing (lack of quotation marks, stray punctuation, etc), sometimes made it confusing.
August 10, 2016
Another good addition to the jade del Cameron series. Unfortunately according to the author it is the last. I've enjoyed the series and will miss not having another to read. Thank you Suzanne Arruda!
September 10, 2016
I'm sad that this is the last Jade del Cameron, but it was a fun one!
January 30, 2017
Its a sad day - I've finished the last one. Sob. I loved them. They really worked for me. It was a case of the right books at the right time. Sob. Hohum.
Toast.
Toast.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews