The Zanzibar Affair: A Novel Out of Africa

by Samantha Ford

A Novel Out of Africa An enduring love story set against the spectacular backdrop of East and Southern Africa, New York and France, and spanning decades, are the very essence of this remarkable debut novel. Love, betrayal, passion and death are woven into this romantic novel with exquisite skill. A book to read and to relish. Samantha Ford is destined to become a contemporary romance bestseller with her stories out of Africa. The love story... A letter, found by her daughter Molly, in an old chest on the island of Zanzibar reveals the secret of Kate Hope’s glamorous but anguished past, and the reason for her sudden and unexplained disappearance. Ten years previously Kate’s lover and business partner, Adam Hamilton, tormented by a terrifying secret he is willing to risk everything for, brutally ends his relationship with Kate. A woman is found murdered in a remote part of Kenya, bringing Tom Fletcher to East Africa to unravel the web of mystery and intrigue surrounding Kate, the woman he loves but hasn't seen for over twenty years. In Zanzibar, Tom meets Kate’s daughter Molly. With her help he pieces together the last years of her mother’s life and his extraordinary connection to it. Stories from Africa When you read this book you will understand that Samantha is a very accomplished writer who describes human feelings only the way a woman can. Love and passion sear through the pages as does a clear indication that she has lived in and experienced love on the continent she adores. Africa is, of course, that continent and she has demonstrated that she can describe East and Southern Africa in original and evocative terms. She has been on many safaris and observed first hand the lifestyles that she draws upon to write her stories from Africa. Fiction they may be, but they give you an insight into the lives of the rich and powerful, both at work and at play. This is a book to get lost in, an absorbing story of suspense and intrigue, and one which it is hard to believe is a début novel. But don't worry Samantha has completed her second novel, The House Called Mbabati, due to be released in June 2016, and has made a start on her third. So if you love this book you will not have too long to wait for another story out of Africa.

Genres: Africa, Romance

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2011

Reviews

[Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Disappointing - story wandered about needlessly for a very long time before coming to unbelievable conclusions.

[Karen G Clesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning

This is a book about love, every facet of it. My favorite books are of far away places with strange sounding names and there are plenty of them within. An amazing woman that gathered several lovers throughout her life and the incredible loss she endured when they were gone. I loved it!

[D L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary! what a wonderful story teller.

Beautifully written love story set in Africa. An emotional roller coaster of a read with a happy ending. A must read book difficult to put down. It kept me guessing right to the end when I felt such a sense of relief that it all ended well.

[Sally-Ann L. Sabatello · Rating 4 out of 5]

MELANCHOLY FOR AFRICA

Apart from the involved and convoluted love affair between two people, the evocative, poignant, loving and knowledgeable descriptions of South, East and even West, Africa from someone who clearly knew it well are what kept me reading. Didn’t want it to end.

[Rebecca Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story

This novel definitely captured my interest to continue reading and location details were interesting. Great love stories and ending. Would definitely recommend this book.

[Joan Freehoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Truth birthmarks Eternity

Love comes in like a Falcon watchful and Wondrous. It can hold truth and despair in the African heartland. To dream of Love to find it lose it and then through miracles Love shines through to Eternity

[Germaine Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivated me and took me back home to Africa for a short while. It is written with love for the continent and twists and turns in the plot that you don’t expect. I enjoy Samantha Ford novels and this one did not disappoint.

[Nigel Copeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total turmoil

This the first book I have read by this author so many twist and turns and in the end you need to read the story yourself to find out.

[Eva Kujawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could

I would give this book 10 stars! Wow wow wow. The descriptions of Africa are so real I could feel the sun and the rain. Loved it!

[Linda Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

My first by this author. Enjoyed this book. Storyline seemed weak at times but it all made sense as you got into the book.

[Pearl Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl Johnston

I enjoy reading novels about Southern Africa and this one was lovely: well written, a good flowing story line. I highly recommend Samantha Ford novels.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Africa

Not as good as the Ambassadors daughter by this author but still a decent read. I'm going to read another book by this author.

[Lauren Thoraval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Mrs Ruth C Hamblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read

It's 6.15 am, I've read all night and I couldn't put this book down, interesting locations, & a great story with a twist at the end.

[Rebecca Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully suspenseful

Again, I was sucked into to a miraculous tale of love, adventure, and no spoilers! Well worth the late nights.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zambeizi

I like the say this authors writes. Her stories are based in Africa and the background see similar but the stories are different

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting and all. I didn't want to put it down. The ending surprised me. Can't wait to read more books from Samantha Ford.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read and I liked that all the loose ends were tied up!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

absorbing book

Great story, full of African colour and adventure. Relatable characters and a moving emotional story. I couldn’t put it down.

[olivia j kessel · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

What a wonderful story of love and loss…..keeps you guessing to the end. A great read bringing Africa to life.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a great book to read about Africa, but more explicitly Zanzibar. Well don't bother reading it because 70% of the way through the book and no mention of Zanzibar. The main character has lived everywhere, but Zanzibar.

The entire book is disjointed, chaotic and confusing. And on top of that, it is depressing. I plan to finish the book but can not recommend it.

[Jules C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this first Samantha Ford book ... evoked great memories of Africa and the exotic backdrop of Zanzibar

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written book with many twists and turns, murder mystery and intrigue add to the plot, which is essentially a love affair that continued across more than one decade. Readers will be treated to a few surprises along the way and an unexpected twist to conclude. You will find this one hard to put down.



The Zanzibar Affair: A High Society Love Story Out of Africa

You can see the Video Trailer for the book on YouTube.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This interesting murder/mystery is set in East Africa (Kenya). A woman is murdered, but has left a message saying that if she dies her daughter should read the letter that is kept in her Zanzibar trunk. Detective, Tom Fletcher, goes to Kenya to figure out what happened. He works closely with the daughter to figure out the puzzle. The book is fascinating due to location and cultural issues.

[Avary Doubleday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I expected it to be! Basically, a love story -- or two -- told in flashbacks and current time. I enjoyed reading about the African places and the story held my atteniton. This is apparently a self-published book through Amazon. Ford could surely have used a good copy editor!

[keith holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twist and Turns

I did like the storyline but I got lost once or twice and had to go back a chapter or two to pick up the the threads of the story, it’s a very busy plot and skips from one character to next. I found it to be a good read on a rainy day.

[Coleen Guhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light reading but a fast-paced plot and generally well-written. Good page-turner for holiday reading.

[Nigel Seed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, engaging and quirky. The vignettes about living in Africa are a fascinating insight. Well worth a read.

[Deanne Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wasn’t keen on finishing this one. It got interesting toward the very end, but was a bit boring for about the first 3/4 of the book.