Mystery in Harare: Priscilla's Journey into Southern Africa - Paperback

by M. J. Simms-Maddox (Author)

Only a self-assured female protagonist with a formidable spirit and emotional depth could guide readers through this atmospheric international political thriller.

• PR executive Priscilla J. "PJ" Austin, a smart and sophisticated Black American woman, once served as a legislative aide to a senator who sponsored legislation threatening the operations of a distant global conglomerate. Assassins target the senator on Priscilla's wedding day. In that fragile moment, just before walking down the aisle to marry a man she likes but does not love, a gunshot rings out, then another. The senator is seriously injured, and the groom falls dead. Priscilla becomes the next prime target.

• Set in the mid-1980s, "MYSTERY IN HARARE" is a fast-paced, action-packed terrorism thriller, culturally and historically grounded, set in a richly evoked African setting. As it unravels the secrets behind the carnage at a Black church in the American Midwest, the story explores the real-world consequences of U.S. policy while also portraying how faith, identity, love, and political responsibility collide under pressure.

• Priscilla's fortitude is sorely tried as she awakens, sometime later-sedated and confused-on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe, where, surprisingly, she finds herself fleeing from not just one but two terrorist groups.

• As the storyline develops, so does Priscilla. She grows more resilient and strong-willed, and she also learns to fend for herself, mostly alone, in the savannas and the wilderness.

• Faith, political tension, symbolism, and the complexities of apartheid-era South Africa come to the fore, underscoring the abduction's emotional impact.

• She encounters forces whose actions create chaos in unimaginable ways: mayhem, murder, mistaken identities, and a tense reunion with a former lover that complicates loyalty and survival. But she also forges lasting friendships, gains an appreciation for other cultures, revels in the mesmerizing landscapes and wildlife of southern Africa, and, more importantly, discovers her inner strength.

• And the minerals! Who can overlook one of the main reasons for Europeans' initial invasion of the territory? - Diamonds, gold, and platinum play a prominent role in this atmospheric thriller.

• Remember, this is fiction; however, the well-developed characters and creative plot might make you think otherwise, especially given how seamlessly the historical context is integrated, which is actually true.

• Highly recommended for academics and culturally engaged readers exploring global interconnection, as well as for others who enjoy immersive, thought-provoking, and insightful political thrillers, especially those with strong international intrigue.