What do you think?
Rate this book
Amie #4
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE
They told Amie it was a simple look, listen and report back mission, but from the beginning everything went wrong. She is stalked across borders, the aid workers act suspiciously, she’s assaulted, and abandoned in a rural African hut miles from anywhere. What has happened to her partner Simon and can she trust the charismatic Frenchman who befriends her? The discovery of an ancient tribal tradition and a group of young children to rescue, test her skills to the limit. For the first time, she is prepared to kill to protect the innocent caught up in an international sex trade with an extra horrifying twist.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2017
9 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda E. Clarke
26 books157 followersBorn in Dublin, matured in England, wanted to follow grandfather into Fleet Street, family not wildly enthusiastic - unfeminine, unreliable and dangerous. Went to dockland Liverpool - safe, respectable and pensionable. Returned south with teaching qualifications, extremely good at self defence. Went crofting in Scotland, bred Cairn Terriers among other things. Moved to Kenya with 7 week old daughter, abandoned in the bush. On to Libya, surviving riots, public hangings, imprisoned husband and eventual deportation. Queued with the unemployed millions in UK. Moved to Botswana - still teaching - opened and ran the worst riding school in the world,- with ‘How to...’ book in hand.
Moved south to South Africa taught for four years, then in 1986 became a full time freelance writer, for major corporations, UNESCO, UNICEF and the South African Broadcasting Corporation for both radio and television. Moving into video production in 1986, received over 20 awards, specializing in education, documentaries, municipal and government, one script for National Geographic.
Returned UK Jan 1994, back to SA before April elections.
Taught in 7 countries, including Britain, Kenya, France, Libya, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa. Also found time to breed animals for pet shops, write a newspaper column, publish two books, Heinneman & Macmillan, and work for several years as a radio announcer. Married with two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter, moved to Spain in 2008. I now write a monthly column and have published two more books, a memoir and an adventure story set in Africa.
Moved south to South Africa taught for four years, then in 1986 became a full time freelance writer, for major corporations, UNESCO, UNICEF and the South African Broadcasting Corporation for both radio and television. Moving into video production in 1986, received over 20 awards, specializing in education, documentaries, municipal and government, one script for National Geographic.
Returned UK Jan 1994, back to SA before April elections.
Taught in 7 countries, including Britain, Kenya, France, Libya, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa. Also found time to breed animals for pet shops, write a newspaper column, publish two books, Heinneman & Macmillan, and work for several years as a radio announcer. Married with two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter, moved to Spain in 2008. I now write a monthly column and have published two more books, a memoir and an adventure story set in Africa.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 10, 2017
Lucinda E Clarke had me hooked with the first Amie book that I read and I was delighted to see the development of not just the character but the style and skill of the writer. The author writes about place like no one else I know and can drop you right into a scene with ease. I loved this book. It is non stop and holds tension throughout. I could feel it as I read through the pages and that is a rare thing. The Aimie books stand out for me in a way as they slightly defy genre in my eyes. This could be seen as a thriller but it is more than that and even incorporates a sensitive subject into the plot without it feeling like it was just a device for the story. Honestly I can safely say it was one of my favourite books this year. Fab read as always from Lucinda E Clarke.
January 24, 2019
Heart-Stopping Suspense
From the start this story kept me turning the page. Amie, drawn into service as a British spy through circumstances beyond her control, wades into treacherous territory when sent on a mission to Africa. Cut off from any support, she is forced to rely solely on her training and instincts to survive. She doubts her own abilities, is unsure of who to trust, but the horrific circumstances she encounters prey on her conscience. In the end, her courage and strength of character rule when she risks her life time and again to rescue the young girls imprisoned by human traffickers and marked for female genital mutilation.
The author has a wonderful talent for painting a vision of place and time. Reading through the pages of this book, I could clearly see the African countryside, could imagine the wide gap which exists between the ultra-rich and the despair of poverty.
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE is an edge-of-your-seat adventure filled with intrigue. The many suspenseful layers of this story guarantee to keep you reading late into the night.
From the start this story kept me turning the page. Amie, drawn into service as a British spy through circumstances beyond her control, wades into treacherous territory when sent on a mission to Africa. Cut off from any support, she is forced to rely solely on her training and instincts to survive. She doubts her own abilities, is unsure of who to trust, but the horrific circumstances she encounters prey on her conscience. In the end, her courage and strength of character rule when she risks her life time and again to rescue the young girls imprisoned by human traffickers and marked for female genital mutilation.
The author has a wonderful talent for painting a vision of place and time. Reading through the pages of this book, I could clearly see the African countryside, could imagine the wide gap which exists between the ultra-rich and the despair of poverty.
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE is an edge-of-your-seat adventure filled with intrigue. The many suspenseful layers of this story guarantee to keep you reading late into the night.
October 1, 2017
Apart from the corruption, hunger and other horrors in Africa, there is something here that runs in your blood. You take a good look at yourself and realise you are different than people from Europe etc. Your mindset is different, your worldview is different. Africa is beautiful. And ugly. And somehow, you just flow with it...
Ms Clarke touches on a topic not many people want to talk about - Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) as well as child trafficking. Although the book is written almost playfully, this is the centre of it and it's very real and protected by wealthy abhorrent people. It's an eye opener and well worth it to read what is going on behind the stoic faces of many black women today.
This practice has not stopped. Child trafficking is at an all time high - in fact not just children but women are trafficked all over the world.
A very good read. (Note to author: This would be a brilliant documentary actually if you're still into that sort of thing ...)
I received this book from the author and write a review for every book I read.
Ms Clarke touches on a topic not many people want to talk about - Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) as well as child trafficking. Although the book is written almost playfully, this is the centre of it and it's very real and protected by wealthy abhorrent people. It's an eye opener and well worth it to read what is going on behind the stoic faces of many black women today.
This practice has not stopped. Child trafficking is at an all time high - in fact not just children but women are trafficked all over the world.
A very good read. (Note to author: This would be a brilliant documentary actually if you're still into that sort of thing ...)
I received this book from the author and write a review for every book I read.
December 17, 2017
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Amie, in Amie: Cut for Life by Lucinda E Clarke, is a trained-to-kill spy working undercover for the British Government, but not willingly. The first dramatic scene shows that; her parents spot their “tragically dead” daughter by chance. Amie has orders for a mission to look, listen, and report back, with the bonus that her lover, Simon, is to join her and a group of aid workers in Gaborone. No problem, right? The aid workers act suspiciously, Simon fails to arrive, her communication system with London is sabotaged, and Amie is assaulted and locked in an isolated hut. She is released by four young girls who desperately need her help to avoid tribal mutilation, and to escape sex-traffickers. Can Amie trust charismatic Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Maurin, who claims they are “on the same side”? Will Amie survive?
Amie: Cut for Life is a fast-paced thriller that shows the reader the real Africa, its dangers from the heat, fire, floods, and the wildlife, and its breath-taking beauty. The story held me captivated, and misled time after time, from the first page to the last. The characters are well-drawn, and I loved Maisie, Winnie and Fazia, and especially Linda, the gutsy East End kid. More importantly, Lucinda E Clarke’s Amie: Cut for Life is a shocking revelation of the mutilation inflicted on female African children, a tribal practice designed to benefit men. Worse, it is going on in Britain today: one illegal operation an hour. Does it happen in America? Underground, almost certainly. Read this book for them, and talk about it.
Amie, in Amie: Cut for Life by Lucinda E Clarke, is a trained-to-kill spy working undercover for the British Government, but not willingly. The first dramatic scene shows that; her parents spot their “tragically dead” daughter by chance. Amie has orders for a mission to look, listen, and report back, with the bonus that her lover, Simon, is to join her and a group of aid workers in Gaborone. No problem, right? The aid workers act suspiciously, Simon fails to arrive, her communication system with London is sabotaged, and Amie is assaulted and locked in an isolated hut. She is released by four young girls who desperately need her help to avoid tribal mutilation, and to escape sex-traffickers. Can Amie trust charismatic Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Maurin, who claims they are “on the same side”? Will Amie survive?
Amie: Cut for Life is a fast-paced thriller that shows the reader the real Africa, its dangers from the heat, fire, floods, and the wildlife, and its breath-taking beauty. The story held me captivated, and misled time after time, from the first page to the last. The characters are well-drawn, and I loved Maisie, Winnie and Fazia, and especially Linda, the gutsy East End kid. More importantly, Lucinda E Clarke’s Amie: Cut for Life is a shocking revelation of the mutilation inflicted on female African children, a tribal practice designed to benefit men. Worse, it is going on in Britain today: one illegal operation an hour. Does it happen in America? Underground, almost certainly. Read this book for them, and talk about it.
October 21, 2017
Another great installment in this fast paced and intriguing series. I recommend to fans of adventure and suspense books.
As with all Clarke's books there is an authentic feel to the setting in Africa as the author spent many years living in the continent through turbulent times. Believable characters and a skillful building of suspense makes the read a real page-turner.
As well as a fabulous story the book highlights the practice of sending young British girls to Africa to undergo genital mutilation. A practice which is also carried out secretly in most European countries and I guess elsewhere.
Loved the read. My only question is - "Are you writing more in Amie books?"
As with all Clarke's books there is an authentic feel to the setting in Africa as the author spent many years living in the continent through turbulent times. Believable characters and a skillful building of suspense makes the read a real page-turner.
As well as a fabulous story the book highlights the practice of sending young British girls to Africa to undergo genital mutilation. A practice which is also carried out secretly in most European countries and I guess elsewhere.
Loved the read. My only question is - "Are you writing more in Amie books?"
February 10, 2018
Amie has never had it easy. She has lost too many loved ones, and her family back in Britain believe she is dead. It is for the best. Her job demands it. But what was supposed to be a simple mission takes a very sinister turn.
What kind of parent would send their daughters to Africa for them to suffer the cruel practice of FGM? But if that were not enough, Amie discovers that these children were never destined to go home. The more she discovers, the more horrified she is. She must get these children away from their abusers, but she doesn't know who to trust anymore.
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE by Lucinda E. Clarke is book #4 in the Amie series. I had very high hopes for this book, as the other three books have been superb. I was not disappointed. Ms Clarke has a gift for creating believable characters in a vibrant and realistic setting.
I was a little worried about reading this book because of its topic. But I am glad I did. Ms Clarke handles the topic of FGM with great delicacy, but also with realism. I was unaware how prevalent this barbaric practice is in the UK. Thank you for enlightening me, Ms Clarke, may you do so for others and bring an end to this abuse once and for all.
The story itself, like all the Amie stories, is incredibly fast-paced. There are so many twists and turns. Amie doesn't know who to trust and as a reader, nor did I.
I have loved this series. I absolutely and utterly recommend it.
What kind of parent would send their daughters to Africa for them to suffer the cruel practice of FGM? But if that were not enough, Amie discovers that these children were never destined to go home. The more she discovers, the more horrified she is. She must get these children away from their abusers, but she doesn't know who to trust anymore.
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE by Lucinda E. Clarke is book #4 in the Amie series. I had very high hopes for this book, as the other three books have been superb. I was not disappointed. Ms Clarke has a gift for creating believable characters in a vibrant and realistic setting.
I was a little worried about reading this book because of its topic. But I am glad I did. Ms Clarke handles the topic of FGM with great delicacy, but also with realism. I was unaware how prevalent this barbaric practice is in the UK. Thank you for enlightening me, Ms Clarke, may you do so for others and bring an end to this abuse once and for all.
The story itself, like all the Amie stories, is incredibly fast-paced. There are so many twists and turns. Amie doesn't know who to trust and as a reader, nor did I.
I have loved this series. I absolutely and utterly recommend it.
May 2, 2021
Another great read in the Amie series.
Agent Amie is sent on a seemingly routine mission to join aid workers setting out from Botswana to do charitable work near the Kenya/Tanzanian border. The story develops into a nightmare for the reluctant spy when she meets up with a group of girls sent from England bound for the cruel practice known worldwide as FGM. Desperate to save them from their terrible fate, while shunting them across the less than friendly terrain in search of refuge, Amie faces a multitude of dilemmas running from the despicable people who would want to harm the innocent little girls. The vivid images of the African bush, the wild animals and colourful description of the characters she encounters on her mission, go a long way in the appeal of this gripping adventure novel. Highly recommended.
Agent Amie is sent on a seemingly routine mission to join aid workers setting out from Botswana to do charitable work near the Kenya/Tanzanian border. The story develops into a nightmare for the reluctant spy when she meets up with a group of girls sent from England bound for the cruel practice known worldwide as FGM. Desperate to save them from their terrible fate, while shunting them across the less than friendly terrain in search of refuge, Amie faces a multitude of dilemmas running from the despicable people who would want to harm the innocent little girls. The vivid images of the African bush, the wild animals and colourful description of the characters she encounters on her mission, go a long way in the appeal of this gripping adventure novel. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2017
I have given this book 5 stars because I loved the plot (is the Frenchman a friend or a foe - read to the end to find out!) and the characters who are all finely drawn but the main reason I have rated it so highly is the brilliant way it deals with the horrendous problem of FGM.
Ms Clarke has obviously done a great deal of research on the subject and she manages to weave this into the story line of this very exciting book.
I also love descriptions of the locations, it really helps me to visualise the parts of rural Africa that the book is set in.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys atmospheric thrillers with believable characters, exotic locations and a plot which keeps you guessing right up to the end.
Ms Clarke has obviously done a great deal of research on the subject and she manages to weave this into the story line of this very exciting book.
I also love descriptions of the locations, it really helps me to visualise the parts of rural Africa that the book is set in.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys atmospheric thrillers with believable characters, exotic locations and a plot which keeps you guessing right up to the end.
September 30, 2017
Have you read any of the Amie books? If not that is OK as this book can stand alone but it is nice to know her entire story. Amie's love life with Simon is going fine until she is sent to work far away--but her boss (Simon) fights to get a job and go with her. Plans don't always work out and the group Amie is with are not what they seem. Finding herself in a life threatening predicament she is saved by some young girls who were kidnapped. How to escape with the girls and why were they kidnapped--OMG--what is happening to all these young girls. Is the Frenchman really helping her or is he a bad guy and where is Simon. This is a great book and sheds light on a problem that is real. I was given an ARC for an honest review.
November 5, 2017
Amie: CUT FOR LIFE by Lucinda E. Clarke starts off without pause with Amy in a quandary as to whether to reveal to her family that she is alive. They are still grieving the ostensible loss of their daughter at the hands of terrorists. Just when she decides to let fate take over, it does. There is no slack in the intensity of the read from the first page forward. The writing is crisp and engaging. In their hotel room Amy begins to try to explain to her parents what happened to her. This moves the story time line back two weeks and reintroduces her love interest, Simon, and the operative who sends her coded messages, Maddy. Then there is the blue-eyed stranger who is following her and thinks his job is easy despite the fact she’s a spy, and her four cohorts who lend to some interesting interchange. There’s a lot of great detail that propels the storyline, like the book she uses for codes messages falls on her foot and she’s annoyed it’s so darn big to carry around. That causes her to send a message that she wants to change the book to Orwell’s Animal Farm, a much shorter read. Things like that bring the scenes to life and made for a fun read. The story continues to move back and forth in time, from the present with her parents to her time on “mission” with Simon. The intrigue heightens as she sets out but what happens to Simon? She has hurdles and barriers at every twist and turn: a baby hit by the car her friends are driving, a traumatic injury and being locked up and left to near starvation until rescued by children, who have escaped from the unthinkable.
And who is the new Frenchman she encounters? And why does everything keep going wrong for Amy? Who is sabotaging her? No spoilers here but suffice it to say this story moves with speed and is rich in scenic content and conflict amidst the landscape of Africa with its customs and intrigue. I love how this author brings us into this foreign land as she propels the story onward. I read and loved the Amy stories before this one and loved this as well. It did not disappoint and was well scripted as a really great stand-alone read. Can’t wait for more.
And who is the new Frenchman she encounters? And why does everything keep going wrong for Amy? Who is sabotaging her? No spoilers here but suffice it to say this story moves with speed and is rich in scenic content and conflict amidst the landscape of Africa with its customs and intrigue. I love how this author brings us into this foreign land as she propels the story onward. I read and loved the Amy stories before this one and loved this as well. It did not disappoint and was well scripted as a really great stand-alone read. Can’t wait for more.
December 19, 2017
Great series going from strength to strength.
I've read others in the Amie thriller series and this one must be one of the best. As with each of the books, the author creates a great feeling of the presence of primal Africa and its exotic beauty. This episode reflects on an old but brutal tribal tradition of FGM and the sex-trafficking danger facing vulnerable young women. A fascinating story unfolds that twists and turns to produce surprise after surprise especially when it's not clear who is trustworthy and who is not. Well-plotted suspense, fast-paced, with engaging characters who are brought to life by disarming and vivid writing. The main character, Amie, has developed in so many ways over the series and even more so in this episode in which she crosses a significant line, which would have been unthinkable for Amie in the first book. Highly recommended.
I've read others in the Amie thriller series and this one must be one of the best. As with each of the books, the author creates a great feeling of the presence of primal Africa and its exotic beauty. This episode reflects on an old but brutal tribal tradition of FGM and the sex-trafficking danger facing vulnerable young women. A fascinating story unfolds that twists and turns to produce surprise after surprise especially when it's not clear who is trustworthy and who is not. Well-plotted suspense, fast-paced, with engaging characters who are brought to life by disarming and vivid writing. The main character, Amie, has developed in so many ways over the series and even more so in this episode in which she crosses a significant line, which would have been unthinkable for Amie in the first book. Highly recommended.
November 15, 2017
This an amazing continuation of the Amie character and her development The author’s style for this has come a long way, not that the others were not fabulous. Received a free book, but it’s definitely a story that shouldn’t be missed by anyone.
September 6, 2017
Amie, the reluctant spy, is stalked across Africa by a handsome Frenchman. He goes from being a good guy - bad guy - good guy - bad guy. Young British girls are transported to Africa to be sold to the highest bidder. The Frenchman said he is saving the girls by pretending to sell them, but is he? Amie must figure out what the secret service wants and what her gut tells her is true. Another page turner from Clarke. (I received this as a free download from the author.)
October 6, 2017
Amie (Felicity) is back in action in her 4th fast paced African adventure. Clarke continues to present readers with a well written story full of twists, and one in which Amie doesn't know who to trust. And I must say, I enjoyed the opening sequence! Amie further develops in this installment realizing she may not be the best spy, but finds she has the ability to kill in the moment when threatened. I appreciated this dichotomy in her character; she may not always be aware of her surroundings, but watch out, she's lethal if called for.
I applaud Clarke for incorporating the international sex trade coupled with a horrifying tribal tradition into her plot. It's a tough subject, but Clarke's approach was as sensitive as it could be while still revealing some of the true horrors in this world. Overall, this is another solid read and I look forward to Amie's next adventure.
I applaud Clarke for incorporating the international sex trade coupled with a horrifying tribal tradition into her plot. It's a tough subject, but Clarke's approach was as sensitive as it could be while still revealing some of the true horrors in this world. Overall, this is another solid read and I look forward to Amie's next adventure.
September 30, 2017
Oh my heavens! Amie has another heart-pounding adventure and has to figure out who to trust and when to trust. The stakes are high as the results will impact young girls the world over. I had to finish this book in one sitting, as I couldn't stop wondering what would happen next. I found myself totally immersed in this book. Imagine my surprise to find I wasn't in Africa at the ending but sitting on my couch at home! Definitely recommend but much easier to understand if you have read the previous three! I received an ARC and have voluntarily left an honest review and then had to buy the book!
April 22, 2018
I must say that I’m a huge fan of Amie the spy who doesn’t think she’s any good at it. This time Amie is faced with a terrible dilemma when she spies her parents in a shopping mall in Johannesburg. Should she compromise her position by letting them know she’s still very much alive? Of course she convinces herself that she must. However that decision has implications for future events.
Her next mission is to be apparently, a simple one. She is to join a group of aid workers on a fact finding mission. They are to visit various settlements and report to the British Government back on a number of issues. Very soon she makes a terrible discovery. Young girls are being sent to Africa to undergo FGM. But what else is happening to them? Our intrepid heroine also discovers that some of her fellow aid workers are not all they appear to be. She has to rescue some of these children and lead them to safety putting herself in mortal danger. I love the way the character of Amie has developed and become someone we really care about. She’s totally believable as she questions herself and makes mistakes. Amy is tested to the limit but eventually succeeds with her mission.
It’s a fast paced thriller and the tension never lets up from start to finish. As well as that there are some wonderful descriptive passages which help readers visualise certain areas of Africa. Just superb writing! The author tackles the subject of FGM and child trafficking and opens reader’s eyes to these horrific practices that are sadly all top prevalent even today. I can only pray that eventually this mutilation of young women and girls will be stopped. It’s to the author’s credit that she chose to highlight this abhorrent practice. I can’t wait to see what Amy gets up to next.
Her next mission is to be apparently, a simple one. She is to join a group of aid workers on a fact finding mission. They are to visit various settlements and report to the British Government back on a number of issues. Very soon she makes a terrible discovery. Young girls are being sent to Africa to undergo FGM. But what else is happening to them? Our intrepid heroine also discovers that some of her fellow aid workers are not all they appear to be. She has to rescue some of these children and lead them to safety putting herself in mortal danger. I love the way the character of Amie has developed and become someone we really care about. She’s totally believable as she questions herself and makes mistakes. Amy is tested to the limit but eventually succeeds with her mission.
It’s a fast paced thriller and the tension never lets up from start to finish. As well as that there are some wonderful descriptive passages which help readers visualise certain areas of Africa. Just superb writing! The author tackles the subject of FGM and child trafficking and opens reader’s eyes to these horrific practices that are sadly all top prevalent even today. I can only pray that eventually this mutilation of young women and girls will be stopped. It’s to the author’s credit that she chose to highlight this abhorrent practice. I can’t wait to see what Amy gets up to next.
April 4, 2022
Deeply Moving
Amie's life as she once knew it has changed beyond recognition, she can never go back to the UK, having lost so many loved ones, never having had it easy, she has to rebuild her life. Her parents, family and friends back in the UK believe her to be dead, they held a memorial in her memory.
Spotting her parents in a hotel in Africa she is faced with a major dilemma, does she let them know she is still alive or just ignore them. Temptation is too great and she confronts them, swearing them to secrecy Amie tells them the truth. Her life is now owned by the British Government, no longer Amie Fish, now Felicity Mansell and she undertakes missions for them. Her latest mission is a look, listen and report mission, equipped with the laptop and phone she has to report to Maddy on a daily basis, what can go wrong?
Discovering the barbaric practice of FGM being carried out on young girls she is shocked to the core, discovering that the children are not destined to be auctioned off to the highest bidder and not return home to their families. What kind of parent would willingly send their daughters to Africa for this procedure, Amie swears she will rescue each and every one of them and set them free. Once again, who can she trust to help her, the suave, good looking Frenchman or her own instincts?
It was not only the heartbeat of Africa I heard as I was reading this, it was also my own as my heart threatened to pound right out of my chest. To say I was on the edge of my seat was an understatement. Again, Lucinda, thank you for the wonderful read and for opening my eyes and heart to Africa.
Amie's life as she once knew it has changed beyond recognition, she can never go back to the UK, having lost so many loved ones, never having had it easy, she has to rebuild her life. Her parents, family and friends back in the UK believe her to be dead, they held a memorial in her memory.
Spotting her parents in a hotel in Africa she is faced with a major dilemma, does she let them know she is still alive or just ignore them. Temptation is too great and she confronts them, swearing them to secrecy Amie tells them the truth. Her life is now owned by the British Government, no longer Amie Fish, now Felicity Mansell and she undertakes missions for them. Her latest mission is a look, listen and report mission, equipped with the laptop and phone she has to report to Maddy on a daily basis, what can go wrong?
Discovering the barbaric practice of FGM being carried out on young girls she is shocked to the core, discovering that the children are not destined to be auctioned off to the highest bidder and not return home to their families. What kind of parent would willingly send their daughters to Africa for this procedure, Amie swears she will rescue each and every one of them and set them free. Once again, who can she trust to help her, the suave, good looking Frenchman or her own instincts?
It was not only the heartbeat of Africa I heard as I was reading this, it was also my own as my heart threatened to pound right out of my chest. To say I was on the edge of my seat was an understatement. Again, Lucinda, thank you for the wonderful read and for opening my eyes and heart to Africa.
December 10, 2017
This is another five star adventure for the intrepid Amie. I decide on my star rating these days based on my ability to put a book down, and I couldn't put this one down at all so five stars it has to be. Amie Cut for Life is a great rollicking adventure bringing in some very topical issues, such as kidnapping, trafficking and FGM. If I have any reservation at all, it is that it has rather a similar scenario to one of the previous books (Amie rescuing a group of girls from unsavoury groups of men out in the African Bush) albeit it a different topic. However, that didn't detract from the unputdownable nature of the book, and I just loved all the Africa details. I could smell the bush, feel the sun, taste the dust and experience both the thrill and danger of being up close to animals in the wild. I was also in the towns, seeing the cagey, indifferent shop owners and their dingy but colourful stores and there is even a Pep Store. I loved it for all its Africaness. For me, this is the absolute unique selling point of this series. The plots are an exciting romp, but it is the author's knowledge of Africa that makes them real. I am now looking forward to Amie 5, assuming from the end of this book that there will be one?
July 21, 2018
Lucinda E Clarke has written another page-turning thriller as she takes Amie on yet another adventure. The usual twists and turns you expect from Mrs. Clarke are there, but in this book, the author has the courage to write about a subject that is normally taboo to speak publically about. I was both fascinated and repulsed to learn this technique is still practiced quite commonly worldwide in this supposedly advanced age and time. I won't post a spoiler by posting the subject matter. It's a fascinating book that will open your eyes. Another great job and another incredible read from Lucinda E Clarke. You won't be disappointed.
May 20, 2019
You'll never view Africa the same again after reading this book, or any of the other ones in the Amie series. The wild beauty of the land and the customs of the people come alive before your eyes, as does the horrific nature of FGM, female genitalia mutilation. It's made even more treacherous because the practice is perpetuated by those whose only concern is making money.
Despite bumbling her way through being a spy, Amie manages to once again save the day, or more precisely, the lives of young girls. At times you want to slap her for being so trusting, but it's a trait that makes you love her just as much. She's real; she's flawed; and she's a hero.
Despite bumbling her way through being a spy, Amie manages to once again save the day, or more precisely, the lives of young girls. At times you want to slap her for being so trusting, but it's a trait that makes you love her just as much. She's real; she's flawed; and she's a hero.
May 12, 2018
Lucinda Clarke has continued Amie's African Adventures by tackling the difficult subject of Feminine Genital Mutilation, an abhorrent practice carried out on young girls. I knew a little about this subject, but the horrific and far-reaching effects for the victims are laid out before us in this novel. Ms Clarke weaves an action-packed adventure of espionage, murder, kidnap, and romance that is well told, engaging, and often humorous. Africa and its people, both good and bad, come alive beneath her fingers. Recommended read.
July 22, 2019
Couldn't put this book down... just as it was with the earlier books in the "Amie" series. Lucinda E Clarke is an amazing story teller. I was constantly on tenter hooks wondering what on earth was going to happen to our heroine next! This book also raises awareness of the barbaric tradition of FGM. I had no idea this went on to such a great extent! Especially in my own country! Shameful!
Even though Amie goes through some pretty horrific things, these books have only served to strengthen my resolve to visit Africa one day!
Even though Amie goes through some pretty horrific things, these books have only served to strengthen my resolve to visit Africa one day!
December 30, 2018
Gripping scarey novel
You have created an amazing woman. How she gets out of the situations you put her in cannot be guessed at. Africa is a cruel and wild place.
You have created an amazing woman. How she gets out of the situations you put her in cannot be guessed at. Africa is a cruel and wild place.
Read
January 30, 2018Amie, housewife turned spy, is cut off from any support or communication with her handlers and the outside world when she is sent on a mission in South Central Africa. After she survives attempted murder at the hands of human traffickers she rescues a group of very young girls and learns that the traffickers mutilate children’s genitals in an attempt to make them more desirable under the illegal and horrible, but all too common practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). Without any support, she must try to save the children and bring this group of unscrupulous criminals to justice, but the odds are against her, and she does not know who she can trust. This book is part of a series, and I read it without having read the previous instalments. It suffers as a consequence, and I must recommend that it not be taken as a stand alone, as a lot of material is related to prior books in the series. The book has a great deal of ambiance, both charming and saddening, depicting South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and a fictional country that is a collage of these, at their best and worst. More importantly, this book brings attention to the horrifying practice of female circumcision. It is for this reason that it is worth reading. As a thriller, it struggles a bit, largely because the author needs to artificially separate the main character from the support she evidently built up in prior books in order to isolate her sufficiently in order to make the plot thrilling. The plot also suffers a bit from baggage from previous instalments, and because of some plotting decisions in the first quarter of the book. But the core story and the ambiance are compelling enough to make me glad to have read it in spite of these shortcomings.
April 27, 2018
Excellent
Mrs Clark is an extremely good writer. It is very easy to read. Great adventure. Fast paced adventure . I recommend
Mrs Clark is an extremely good writer. It is very easy to read. Great adventure. Fast paced adventure . I recommend
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews