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Tears of the Cheetah
The fight to save the cheetahs is a race against time
Mackenzie came to South Africa to escape the trauma of her past and build herself a bright new future: love is the last thing on her mind. But she's finding it increasingly hard to ignore her feelings for the strong-minded Cole, who runs the game reserve for cheetahs just outside her town. Cole has made no secret of his feelings for her, but he realises that Mackenzie cannot be rushed so he is prepared to wait.
However, neither could have predicted the terrifying events that are about to overtake them. When Cole saves Mackenzie from a vicious attack, it is only the beginning of an ever-spiralling maelstrom of violence.
Someone is decimating Africa's cheetah population, and when the poaching threat comes to their door, Mackenzie and Cole have only one option: they must fight to save the animals and life they love.
Mackenzie came to South Africa to escape the trauma of her past and build herself a bright new future: love is the last thing on her mind. But she's finding it increasingly hard to ignore her feelings for the strong-minded Cole, who runs the game reserve for cheetahs just outside her town. Cole has made no secret of his feelings for her, but he realises that Mackenzie cannot be rushed so he is prepared to wait.
However, neither could have predicted the terrifying events that are about to overtake them. When Cole saves Mackenzie from a vicious attack, it is only the beginning of an ever-spiralling maelstrom of violence.
Someone is decimating Africa's cheetah population, and when the poaching threat comes to their door, Mackenzie and Cole have only one option: they must fight to save the animals and life they love.
- GenresContemporaryMystery
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
58 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
T.M. Clark
15 books85 followersT.M. Clark
Zimbabwean-born T.M. Clark combines her passion for storytelling, different cultures and wildlife with her love for the wild in her multicultural books. Writing for adults and children, she has been nominated for a Queensland Literary Award and is a Children’s Book Council Notable. When not killing her fans and hiding their bodies (all in the name of literature), Tina Marie coordinates the CYA Conference (www.cyaconference.com), providing professional development for new and established writers and illustrators, and is the co-presenter at Writers as Sea (www.WritersAtSea.com.au). She loves mentoring emerging writers, eating chocolate biscuits and collecting books for creating libraries in Papua New Guinea.
Visit T.M. Clark at tmclark.com.au
Her books include My Brother-But-One, nominated for a Queensland Literary People’s Choice Award in 2014. Shooting Butterflies, Tears of A Cheetah, Child of Africa, Nature of the Lion and Cry of the Firebird. Her children’s picture books include Slowly! Slowly!, which is a 2018 CBCA Notable Book, and Quickly! Quickly! which are companion books to Child Of Africa.
Her new novel, Song of the Starlings is out now.
Zimbabwean-born T.M. Clark combines her passion for storytelling, different cultures and wildlife with her love for the wild in her multicultural books. Writing for adults and children, she has been nominated for a Queensland Literary Award and is a Children’s Book Council Notable. When not killing her fans and hiding their bodies (all in the name of literature), Tina Marie coordinates the CYA Conference (www.cyaconference.com), providing professional development for new and established writers and illustrators, and is the co-presenter at Writers as Sea (www.WritersAtSea.com.au). She loves mentoring emerging writers, eating chocolate biscuits and collecting books for creating libraries in Papua New Guinea.
Visit T.M. Clark at tmclark.com.au
Her books include My Brother-But-One, nominated for a Queensland Literary People’s Choice Award in 2014. Shooting Butterflies, Tears of A Cheetah, Child of Africa, Nature of the Lion and Cry of the Firebird. Her children’s picture books include Slowly! Slowly!, which is a 2018 CBCA Notable Book, and Quickly! Quickly! which are companion books to Child Of Africa.
Her new novel, Song of the Starlings is out now.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 30, 2019
A wonderful, fast paced story that has Mackenzie, an American artist, living in a small town in South Africa, surrounded by magnificent scenery and wildlife that inspires her art. She is attracted to Cole, who owns a cheetah conservation centre, but their deepening relationship is being overshadowed by the imminent threat of poachers moving into the area. The author has really brought these characters to life. I was there every step of the way as Mackenzie, Cole and their friends ready themselves for the onslaught of the poachers. But the real stars of this story are the magnificent African veldt and the amazing cheetahs. I would definitely read more of this authors works.
November 15, 2015
Cole was the owner of the Wildlife Rescue and Cheetah Conservation Centre in South Africa, just outside Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal and near to Crystalberg where Mackenzie lived. Cole would watch in admiration as Mackenzie raced the perimeter of the park; her on the outside of the high security fence, one of his cheetahs on the inside. Mackenzie was improving daily but the cheetahs always won…
Mackenzie had been in South Africa for the past two years – an American with a past, she kept her privacy and independence so no one would know her. Her distance was something that Cole respected; he knew she needed space but he hoped one day to be close enough to her to become a friend. But the day Cole and Siphiwe rescued her from an attack that could have turned deadly, their lives changed; a subtle shift along with the awareness of a danger from the unknown descended on Mackenzie and Cole.
With the knowledge that Africa’s poaching of cheetahs was in full swing, the move to stop them was fierce. But when friend and local police chief Alan confirmed the corruption which dogged their every move, Cole and his friends, along with Mackenzie knew they had no choice but to fight the poachers and extreme violence on their terms. But was it all too integrated into the darkness of Africa’s underground to succeed? The fight to save the cheetahs was a race against time…
Absolutely brilliant! Aussie author T.M. Clark has a winner with her latest release Tears of the Cheetah in my opinion. Spoken with authenticity (having been born and raised in Africa) her knowledge shines through. I could see the beautiful cheetahs; babies and adults alike. The countryside was painted in vivid pictures; the markets; the poor inhabiting the informal settlements; the constant risks – all told a believable story. The Glossary plus Fact V Fiction information at the end of the book is of great interest as well. Tears of the Cheetah is a book I highly recommend.
With thanks to the Publisher, NetGalley and the author for my copy to read and review.
Mackenzie had been in South Africa for the past two years – an American with a past, she kept her privacy and independence so no one would know her. Her distance was something that Cole respected; he knew she needed space but he hoped one day to be close enough to her to become a friend. But the day Cole and Siphiwe rescued her from an attack that could have turned deadly, their lives changed; a subtle shift along with the awareness of a danger from the unknown descended on Mackenzie and Cole.
With the knowledge that Africa’s poaching of cheetahs was in full swing, the move to stop them was fierce. But when friend and local police chief Alan confirmed the corruption which dogged their every move, Cole and his friends, along with Mackenzie knew they had no choice but to fight the poachers and extreme violence on their terms. But was it all too integrated into the darkness of Africa’s underground to succeed? The fight to save the cheetahs was a race against time…
Absolutely brilliant! Aussie author T.M. Clark has a winner with her latest release Tears of the Cheetah in my opinion. Spoken with authenticity (having been born and raised in Africa) her knowledge shines through. I could see the beautiful cheetahs; babies and adults alike. The countryside was painted in vivid pictures; the markets; the poor inhabiting the informal settlements; the constant risks – all told a believable story. The Glossary plus Fact V Fiction information at the end of the book is of great interest as well. Tears of the Cheetah is a book I highly recommend.
With thanks to the Publisher, NetGalley and the author for my copy to read and review.
October 2, 2017
This is the first T.M. Clark book I've read, and it won't be the last.
While I only gave this book 3 stars, I did still thoroughly enjoy the setting and message the book is telling. I liked our main characters, Cole and Mackenzie and felt that a lot of effort had been put into making sure the wildlife conservation message was realistic and enlightening.
Cole was a great character, but he often fell a little flat for me. More like the rough-around-the-edges male lead from an old bodice ripper, he rarely seemed to get things wrong and the only thing Mackenzie could say about him was how hot he was and how sweet he was. I expected a little more from him than I got, but I still liked him. His role in the cheetah conservation was his redeeming feature.
Mackenzie is a plucky heroine, who came into her own at the event mentioned in the book blurb. I was happy to learn she wasn't some mindless bimbo or spoilt little brat. Big kudos to T.M for making her realistic. I also really enjoyed Mackenzie's friend, Lauren, particularly the easy relationship the women shared.
The main draw to this story was the cheetah conservation and the stunningly described African landscape. It was clear that T.M. has spent a great deal of time in Africa and was able to draw on her own experiences and knowledge to craft a stunning, visual book.
I do feel the pacing was a little off, it plodded to begin with and then there was a mad flurry of action at the end, which I feel could have been a little too fast to really sink in.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, with some great characters. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to read about Africa, cheetah conservation or just wants a generally easy to read book.
**Note: I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
While I only gave this book 3 stars, I did still thoroughly enjoy the setting and message the book is telling. I liked our main characters, Cole and Mackenzie and felt that a lot of effort had been put into making sure the wildlife conservation message was realistic and enlightening.
Cole was a great character, but he often fell a little flat for me. More like the rough-around-the-edges male lead from an old bodice ripper, he rarely seemed to get things wrong and the only thing Mackenzie could say about him was how hot he was and how sweet he was. I expected a little more from him than I got, but I still liked him. His role in the cheetah conservation was his redeeming feature.
Mackenzie is a plucky heroine, who came into her own at the event mentioned in the book blurb. I was happy to learn she wasn't some mindless bimbo or spoilt little brat. Big kudos to T.M for making her realistic. I also really enjoyed Mackenzie's friend, Lauren, particularly the easy relationship the women shared.
The main draw to this story was the cheetah conservation and the stunningly described African landscape. It was clear that T.M. has spent a great deal of time in Africa and was able to draw on her own experiences and knowledge to craft a stunning, visual book.
I do feel the pacing was a little off, it plodded to begin with and then there was a mad flurry of action at the end, which I feel could have been a little too fast to really sink in.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, with some great characters. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to read about Africa, cheetah conservation or just wants a generally easy to read book.
**Note: I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
April 13, 2024
Having grown up reading the wonderful books of Wilbur Smith, I wondered if there was another author who could write so compellingly and authentically about Africa. I am delighted to have discovered the books of T.M. Clark and having read my first, I will be reading many more.
This book is a fast paced race against time to prevent the devastating exploitation of the remaining cheetahs roaming free across the plains. Good people are making every effort to rescue and rehabilitate these beautiful creatures and return them to the wild, but the temptation for poachers are the riches to be made from a determined collector thousands of miles away.
Several organisations are involved in the challenge to prevent the loss of 100 cheetahs to be exported through corrupt accomplices at the countries borders with the preferred being the very young and vulnerable babies. When too many perish on the arduous journey, adult cheetahs are targeted, not just from the wild but from the sancturies desperately trying to save the species.
This leads to violent confrontations often targeting innocent individuals as well as those protecting the cheetahs. As the story unfolds, other interested parties on the edges of illegal wildlife activities become involved increasing the danger considerably.
The characters involved are introduced over the first few chapters of the book providing the reader with their backgrounds and motivations for being where they are now in their lives. Mackenzie and Cole head the cast on the good side of the line and despite traumatic events from their past, they find a way to bond through their love of Africa and its wildlife. They lives become entwined with the others working in the conservation organisations as they come together to prevent the escalation of poaching of the cheetahs and they become a force to be reckoned with. And they need to be, as the other side of this war are just as determined.
The story maintains its riveting pace from page one to the exciting climax when the two sides come together determined to each win the war.
I can highly recommend the book and will be reading more from this author.
This book is a fast paced race against time to prevent the devastating exploitation of the remaining cheetahs roaming free across the plains. Good people are making every effort to rescue and rehabilitate these beautiful creatures and return them to the wild, but the temptation for poachers are the riches to be made from a determined collector thousands of miles away.
Several organisations are involved in the challenge to prevent the loss of 100 cheetahs to be exported through corrupt accomplices at the countries borders with the preferred being the very young and vulnerable babies. When too many perish on the arduous journey, adult cheetahs are targeted, not just from the wild but from the sancturies desperately trying to save the species.
This leads to violent confrontations often targeting innocent individuals as well as those protecting the cheetahs. As the story unfolds, other interested parties on the edges of illegal wildlife activities become involved increasing the danger considerably.
The characters involved are introduced over the first few chapters of the book providing the reader with their backgrounds and motivations for being where they are now in their lives. Mackenzie and Cole head the cast on the good side of the line and despite traumatic events from their past, they find a way to bond through their love of Africa and its wildlife. They lives become entwined with the others working in the conservation organisations as they come together to prevent the escalation of poaching of the cheetahs and they become a force to be reckoned with. And they need to be, as the other side of this war are just as determined.
The story maintains its riveting pace from page one to the exciting climax when the two sides come together determined to each win the war.
I can highly recommend the book and will be reading more from this author.
November 25, 2025
2.5 stars
This kind of gave the same energy as a hallmark movie, entertaining to read. Set in Africa, we follow a woman who is running away from her American life set in the spotlight where she meets a man who owns a cheetah reserve named Cole. We also are introduced to a slew of different characters that all are fighting against different poaching groups in Africa. Switching perspectives to a detective whose aircraft was tampered with forcing her to crash land and lose her memory to the poacher himself as he is planning his next attack. On Cole’s reserve.
Lost a lot of steam by the end. Entertaining and fast paced but not great… the kind of book you gift to someone you don’t really know well.
This kind of gave the same energy as a hallmark movie, entertaining to read. Set in Africa, we follow a woman who is running away from her American life set in the spotlight where she meets a man who owns a cheetah reserve named Cole. We also are introduced to a slew of different characters that all are fighting against different poaching groups in Africa. Switching perspectives to a detective whose aircraft was tampered with forcing her to crash land and lose her memory to the poacher himself as he is planning his next attack. On Cole’s reserve.
Lost a lot of steam by the end. Entertaining and fast paced but not great… the kind of book you gift to someone you don’t really know well.
November 27, 2015
The opening prologue had me amazed and from there the story just did not stop in its intensity. The descriptives used for the cheetahs often had this reader in wonderment, as if the reader could visualise the splendour and elegance of the cheetahs and the beauty they beheld.
Many central characters and subplots in the read, with each of the characters having their own pivotal moment in the story combined for a blockbuster read. The story was a busy read from the illicit poaching within the story to the other villainous underworld activities. With action and intense scenes that had this reader shuddering in many chapters. T.M. Clark is a prolific writer who's past stories have held this reader captivated and Tears Of The Cheetah was no different in its magnificence. In all the story's magnificence though, the story felt hurried towards the last few chapters and there still felt like some elements of the story that were left in limbo or missing and left unanswered. But in all, it was a tale that wove it's magic from the start and one I enjoyed reading through to its conclusion.
Review copy received from the Publisher
Many central characters and subplots in the read, with each of the characters having their own pivotal moment in the story combined for a blockbuster read. The story was a busy read from the illicit poaching within the story to the other villainous underworld activities. With action and intense scenes that had this reader shuddering in many chapters. T.M. Clark is a prolific writer who's past stories have held this reader captivated and Tears Of The Cheetah was no different in its magnificence. In all the story's magnificence though, the story felt hurried towards the last few chapters and there still felt like some elements of the story that were left in limbo or missing and left unanswered. But in all, it was a tale that wove it's magic from the start and one I enjoyed reading through to its conclusion.
Review copy received from the Publisher
December 27, 2015
Not nearly as heart breaking as the first two, but I enjoyed it just as much, (maybe even more because of that) I was very careful not to grow too attached to a character, just in case they were savagely murdered as in some cases in her previous books. Excellent story line, excellent research about the topic. Ms Clark has a way of making me stand barefoot back in Africa, red sand between my toes and sun burning all the sins out of me. When will the next book be ready?
April 2, 2016
Did you know that the Cheetah (also known as “the Cat that cries”) is one of the most difficult big cats to breed and that the process is a huge challenge to conservation because the female makes the choices when it comes to mating?
While this is not what T.M. Clark impresses upon us in this novel, I thought I’d just let you have a fact! Instead, she focuses on the seedier side of illicit game hunting and brings home to us the sad truth that the fastest land animal in the world is losing its most important race – the race for survival!
An estimated 100,000 cheetahs lived throughout Africa and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia at the turn of the century and there are now only about 10,000 cheetahs left, with South Africa being home to fewer than 1,500 of these magnificent cats. Without the conservation measures that are now being taken (and have been for a number of years), those well-known Cheetah tears will soon dry up and become just a distant memory.
Part of the success of the Cheetah population thriving is the need to have reserves free of predator competition and this is where Cole, Tina's main male protagonist, comes in. Dedicated to his work with the Cheetahs and his fierce determination to halt the indiscriminate capture and removal of cheetahs from the wild, he offers them a home where they are able to live without fear of poaching and other predatory game such as lions, enabling their population to have the best chance of survival.
Tina's female protagonist, Mackenzie, is an American girl, who has been running for the last two years from her past, the grief of losing someone close to her and a family that became too cloying for her free-spirited nature. Like the Cheetah, Mackenzie is trying to win the most important race of her life – in her case, it is one of self-sufficiency and the need for independence.
Together, Cole, Mackenzie and the plethora of distinct characters around them make a formidable team when both Mackenzie and the Cheetahs are threatened. And there just might be a beautiful love story to soothe the adrenalin.
Having had the pleasure of reading every one of Tina's books since she was first published, I find myself waiting eagerly for her annual contribution to the literary world and, one of the things I love about her writing is that, except for Shooting Butterflies, she tends to place a stranger in her South African settings. In doing so, she allows her audience to see life through a non-resident's eyes and learn about the realities faced by the country’s people on a daily basis.
Tina even goes so far as to have that character relate its history which, in turn, educates those readers who have never had the opportunity to live in a country that is holding on by threads. Weaving fact into fiction, she not only validates the realities of daily life but showcases the largest threats to both wildlife and humanity in this country.
The intensity of T.M. Clark’s storytelling is as powerful as the pulsating heart of the Continent of Africa itself - from the booming mini-bus taxi industry, overcrowded buses, illegal shebeens, informal settlements where crime is rife and the markets where illicit trading can occur at any time, to the spectacular scenery of the open veld and mountainous region of the small farming town of Underberg in the Drakensberg Mountains, Tears Of The Cheetah transported me right back to the place I left seven years ago.
If you enjoy books by Tony Park or Bryce Courtenay, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.
While this is not what T.M. Clark impresses upon us in this novel, I thought I’d just let you have a fact! Instead, she focuses on the seedier side of illicit game hunting and brings home to us the sad truth that the fastest land animal in the world is losing its most important race – the race for survival!
An estimated 100,000 cheetahs lived throughout Africa and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia at the turn of the century and there are now only about 10,000 cheetahs left, with South Africa being home to fewer than 1,500 of these magnificent cats. Without the conservation measures that are now being taken (and have been for a number of years), those well-known Cheetah tears will soon dry up and become just a distant memory.
Part of the success of the Cheetah population thriving is the need to have reserves free of predator competition and this is where Cole, Tina's main male protagonist, comes in. Dedicated to his work with the Cheetahs and his fierce determination to halt the indiscriminate capture and removal of cheetahs from the wild, he offers them a home where they are able to live without fear of poaching and other predatory game such as lions, enabling their population to have the best chance of survival.
Tina's female protagonist, Mackenzie, is an American girl, who has been running for the last two years from her past, the grief of losing someone close to her and a family that became too cloying for her free-spirited nature. Like the Cheetah, Mackenzie is trying to win the most important race of her life – in her case, it is one of self-sufficiency and the need for independence.
Together, Cole, Mackenzie and the plethora of distinct characters around them make a formidable team when both Mackenzie and the Cheetahs are threatened. And there just might be a beautiful love story to soothe the adrenalin.
Having had the pleasure of reading every one of Tina's books since she was first published, I find myself waiting eagerly for her annual contribution to the literary world and, one of the things I love about her writing is that, except for Shooting Butterflies, she tends to place a stranger in her South African settings. In doing so, she allows her audience to see life through a non-resident's eyes and learn about the realities faced by the country’s people on a daily basis.
Tina even goes so far as to have that character relate its history which, in turn, educates those readers who have never had the opportunity to live in a country that is holding on by threads. Weaving fact into fiction, she not only validates the realities of daily life but showcases the largest threats to both wildlife and humanity in this country.
The intensity of T.M. Clark’s storytelling is as powerful as the pulsating heart of the Continent of Africa itself - from the booming mini-bus taxi industry, overcrowded buses, illegal shebeens, informal settlements where crime is rife and the markets where illicit trading can occur at any time, to the spectacular scenery of the open veld and mountainous region of the small farming town of Underberg in the Drakensberg Mountains, Tears Of The Cheetah transported me right back to the place I left seven years ago.
If you enjoy books by Tony Park or Bryce Courtenay, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.
December 23, 2015
T.M. Clark treds where others may fear going, tackling topics such as the poaching of cheetahs in Africa, conservation, corruption, and violence in Tears of the Cheetah.
Mackenzie is a strong and independent woman who's passion and integrity add grit and appeal to her character. A woman like Mackenzie needs a strong-willed counter-part and Cole certainly rises to the challenge. In addition, the countryside is as much a character as Mackenzie and Cole, with Clark painting a vivid and entirely impartial view of Africa.
Clark's voice shines brightly and with much conviction in Tears of the Cheetah. Her insider knowledge of Africa (having been born and raised there) is clear and articulate and the authenticity of her storytelling voice is resounding.
Tears of the Cheetah is a read that captivates you from the opening words right through to the last leaving you in a state of shock (I had to close the book and just breathe several times) and awe at the intensity and vividness of the storytelling.
A brilliant read and one of the best novels of 2015.
Mackenzie is a strong and independent woman who's passion and integrity add grit and appeal to her character. A woman like Mackenzie needs a strong-willed counter-part and Cole certainly rises to the challenge. In addition, the countryside is as much a character as Mackenzie and Cole, with Clark painting a vivid and entirely impartial view of Africa.
Clark's voice shines brightly and with much conviction in Tears of the Cheetah. Her insider knowledge of Africa (having been born and raised there) is clear and articulate and the authenticity of her storytelling voice is resounding.
Tears of the Cheetah is a read that captivates you from the opening words right through to the last leaving you in a state of shock (I had to close the book and just breathe several times) and awe at the intensity and vividness of the storytelling.
A brilliant read and one of the best novels of 2015.
November 2, 2015
This book should appeal as much to readers of Nora Roberts as Bryce Courtenay, particularly those with a fascination for big cats. Clark offers no huge surprises with her latest novel, but readers looking for a satisfying plot-driven story set in unfamiliar—and at times uncomfortable—surroundings should find Tears of the Cheetah worth a look.
My full review is published in Books+Publishing, Issue 4, 2015 (subscription). Note: The star ratings in B+P magazine are different to the GR scale so they won't always match.
My full review is published in Books+Publishing, Issue 4, 2015 (subscription). Note: The star ratings in B+P magazine are different to the GR scale so they won't always match.
December 8, 2015
Those who like the novels of Tony Park should enjoy this one. Set in South Africa, this one also deals with the subject of animal poaching; in this case cheetahs. The African game reserves provide the scenic backdrop to the dark subject matter where murder and mayhem result in the quest for stealing these majestic creatures.
January 11, 2016
Made it to the end but only just, was a real struggle to pick up and continue reading. Characters just never seem to connect with each other or the reader, while the story seems forced. Mostly accurate representations of cheetahs though, which did impress me save for a few behavioral notes I disagreed with personally, such as a cheetah tolerating a house cat. Wouldn't recommend or read again.
April 4, 2016
I loved this great book. A story about the illegal world of cheetah poaching in Africa. Many lives were thrown together for different reasons, but in the end they had one goal. To catch the people that were responsible for all the evil that was happening around them. It had a bit of everything in it. It had suspense, love, murder, rape and gun running.
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
October 12, 2020
I read his book a few weeks back, so I’m relying on memory
The characters in this book all make for a fascinating read, covering heroes and villains to make you want to read ahead but I wasn’t going to as it would spoil the story. It is set in South Africa. Cole, a tough man, had a military background. was the owner of the Wildlife Rescue and Cheetah Conservation Centre in South Africa. Mackenzie is a beautiful mysterious woman who was working for a British wildlife protection agency under cover to discover who was poaching wild protected animals – dangerous work, and she was nearly killed a few times. She was hiding a painful past that had made her assume a new identity so that no one, including her parents knew who she was or where. She was alone, her husband killed a few years earlier. She was never going to fall in love again, too painful. Then add Cole, a handsome and solid man whose wife had been killed in a car crash a few years earlier, the love of his life, and he was never going to fall in love again. Just too painful.
Early in the novel MacKenzie is seen racing a mature Cheetahs by bicycle to provide them racing experiences to prepare them for a return to the wild. The bigger Cheetah knew her and waited every day for her to come and off he went. The cheetah wins of course but Mackenzie tests him. She would then go into the reserve and scratch his ears. Purr, Purr. You have to love her. When you add the admiration for the common love for the Cheetahs and their commitment to the work as well as for each other’s world class skills in a dangerous environment, then you would have to be nuts to think that these two would not fall in love.
Mow lets have a look at the opposition they had to fight. A black woman who dominated her village and taxi company drivers to do her bidding to capture Cheetahs from the reserve, including actual and threatened murder to supply baby chetahs to her Iranian clients, and you see the love – hate scenarios that makes you take sides. You cannot be a bystander in this thriller. I discovered the sweetness of a budding love slowly creeping forward, slowly not through author manipulation to drag the story out, but through murderous actions controlled by that one black woman with constant attacks on the reserve to keep them so busy (and later injured) that defence actions took priority above their relationship moving forward.
And near the end you see a Cheetah mother give birth to a litter, and Mackenzie is experiencing the wonder of those tiny babies at the same time as her love for Cole reaches a climax. So many emotional goodies added to a wonderful love story.
When I read a book from foreign countries, I always google the places and events in the book to follow it better and I found that the author was just so authentic that all events were so plausible that it was just so easy to stay with the story rather than wondering 'where did that come from'. A very authentic book also verified by the author's note at the end.
I found this book in my library and immediately bought a copy for my son’s birthday, and I will buy another copy for myself as well. It will be my first book for a new library in my home. My own book ‘Destiny Cottage’ will be added of course.
Dieter Gartelmann
The characters in this book all make for a fascinating read, covering heroes and villains to make you want to read ahead but I wasn’t going to as it would spoil the story. It is set in South Africa. Cole, a tough man, had a military background. was the owner of the Wildlife Rescue and Cheetah Conservation Centre in South Africa. Mackenzie is a beautiful mysterious woman who was working for a British wildlife protection agency under cover to discover who was poaching wild protected animals – dangerous work, and she was nearly killed a few times. She was hiding a painful past that had made her assume a new identity so that no one, including her parents knew who she was or where. She was alone, her husband killed a few years earlier. She was never going to fall in love again, too painful. Then add Cole, a handsome and solid man whose wife had been killed in a car crash a few years earlier, the love of his life, and he was never going to fall in love again. Just too painful.
Early in the novel MacKenzie is seen racing a mature Cheetahs by bicycle to provide them racing experiences to prepare them for a return to the wild. The bigger Cheetah knew her and waited every day for her to come and off he went. The cheetah wins of course but Mackenzie tests him. She would then go into the reserve and scratch his ears. Purr, Purr. You have to love her. When you add the admiration for the common love for the Cheetahs and their commitment to the work as well as for each other’s world class skills in a dangerous environment, then you would have to be nuts to think that these two would not fall in love.
Mow lets have a look at the opposition they had to fight. A black woman who dominated her village and taxi company drivers to do her bidding to capture Cheetahs from the reserve, including actual and threatened murder to supply baby chetahs to her Iranian clients, and you see the love – hate scenarios that makes you take sides. You cannot be a bystander in this thriller. I discovered the sweetness of a budding love slowly creeping forward, slowly not through author manipulation to drag the story out, but through murderous actions controlled by that one black woman with constant attacks on the reserve to keep them so busy (and later injured) that defence actions took priority above their relationship moving forward.
And near the end you see a Cheetah mother give birth to a litter, and Mackenzie is experiencing the wonder of those tiny babies at the same time as her love for Cole reaches a climax. So many emotional goodies added to a wonderful love story.
When I read a book from foreign countries, I always google the places and events in the book to follow it better and I found that the author was just so authentic that all events were so plausible that it was just so easy to stay with the story rather than wondering 'where did that come from'. A very authentic book also verified by the author's note at the end.
I found this book in my library and immediately bought a copy for my son’s birthday, and I will buy another copy for myself as well. It will be my first book for a new library in my home. My own book ‘Destiny Cottage’ will be added of course.
Dieter Gartelmann
April 8, 2016
Not the best. Couldn't connect to the characters, found the dialogue between them blocky and forced. Felt like the author tried to squeeze too many different storylines into the book rather than focus on the cheetah poaching theme (which didn't really get going until about 70% in. Kind of felt as if some key characters didn't really go anywhere as well, the book just seemed to finish abruptly, almost like the author thought "right, I'm done". Shame, because this book had the promise to be so much better.
January 3, 2020
It has taken me a while to process this book to give it a review. I’m not good at reviews, honestly. I just love this book. I love the setting of South Africa, and the cheetah rescue. The huge cast of characters are rich and vibrant, and I found myself looking forward to seeing how all of the elements introduced to us early in the book came together. This is master storytelling by the wonderful T.M. Clark.
April 6, 2020
This was the second of TM Clark’s books that I read and I loved it as much as the first. There’s a strong conservation theme through all of her books and she is obviously very knowledgeable about the Africa she writes so beautifully about. You’ll fall in love with the great characters while getting an education into the African way of life.
December 3, 2016
There is great literature, there is ok literature and then there are pieces like "tears of the cheetah". Unrealistic characters, ridiculous storyline, vomit provoking love stories and cringe worthy dialogue. I am not even sure why I read the entire 360 pgs but this deserves no more than 1.5stars.
January 28, 2016
I didn't really connect with the story or the characters.
September 23, 2017
Readable, believable, and un put down able. Loved the book. Now 3 excellent books from TM Clarke. All 5/5 if you have not read her first 2 books do so just great easy read with a great story
April 1, 2016
I was very interested in the concept of the cheetah reserve and the length poachers would go to to get the animals to sell on rather than kill. A pretty easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2018
A great Story
August 3, 2019
A book where the loveliest thing was the setting
August 27, 2019
TM Clark brings Africa to the reader. A powerful and eye opening book. I recommend this to everyone.
January 1, 2021
This is the second book I’ve read by TM Clark and I’m thoroughly enjoying reading my way through the collection. The landscape, surroundings and local dialect are so descriptive that it’s easy to imagine yourself in South Africa and I found myself completely sucked in and wanting to keep reading. The primary characters are intriguing and had interesting backstories that really shaped them and I also liked the attention given to the secondary characters and the different perspectives that the story is told through.
The opening chapter is heartbreaking and shows how devastating and sad the illegal wildlife trade. As an animal lover who would love for animals to be safe in the wild, I’ve always found it unbelievable how cruel people can be towards animals. This book shows a few different perspectives of the wildlife trade from those in conservation, those in law-enforcement to the actual traffickers. It also highlights the issue of supply and demand and that there is much more needed to be done in stopping/reducing demand of exotic animals by those with money.
The opening chapter is heartbreaking and shows how devastating and sad the illegal wildlife trade. As an animal lover who would love for animals to be safe in the wild, I’ve always found it unbelievable how cruel people can be towards animals. This book shows a few different perspectives of the wildlife trade from those in conservation, those in law-enforcement to the actual traffickers. It also highlights the issue of supply and demand and that there is much more needed to be done in stopping/reducing demand of exotic animals by those with money.
May 13, 2024
Loved it
Read
February 23, 2018Congratulations on a good read with revelations of the debased and dangerous current lifestyle in South Africa. Intimate descriptions of a tenuous romance as it slowly develops. The horrors and tragedy of current wildlife poaching are encountered as the main theme. There are plenty of real life characters with their morals and abilities aptly described.
As the author of one book set in South Africa from 1896-- 1903, Irregular Safari, and another book Know Your Enemy, also partly set in South Africa from 1910--1946 I found the comparisons of current lifestyle, social structure and amenities fascinating.
Contact on aldersey@tpg.com.au welcomed for a chat.
As the author of one book set in South Africa from 1896-- 1903, Irregular Safari, and another book Know Your Enemy, also partly set in South Africa from 1910--1946 I found the comparisons of current lifestyle, social structure and amenities fascinating.
Contact on aldersey@tpg.com.au welcomed for a chat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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