BOOK CLUB: Nature of the Lion

Author: T.M. Clark
ISBN: 9781489260918
RRP: $29.99
Publication Date: 19th November 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher

Nature of the Lion is the 5th Harlequin release by T.M. Clark, and the 3rd that I have read.

Clark writes suspenseful novels of the trials faced by the people of Africa, while also shining a light on the plight of the animals.

Nature of the Lion is a gripping story that weaves a number of different stories into one cohesive narrative.

Three very different stories introduce us to the characters of Nature of the Lion, set in separate locations and leave us wondering how it all comes together, and examining the depth of darkness inside some men.

Chloe and her father Mike moved to South Africa after an accident left Mike with a brain injury that needed him closer to a more specialised hospital. They took with them their closest friends and once Chloe went away to university she had to rely on Enoch and his son Xo to watch over Mike.

An altercation puts Chloe’s safety in jeopardy, and sees Enoch facing even more disturbing danger. The only solution is to pack up the necessities and trek cross country to try and make it home. The journey is sure to be difficult considering the border crossing, the dangerous hunters, the warring armies and the large number of landmines but it’s the best hope for ensuring Enoch’s safety.

This is a journey fraught with danger and their best hope is in reaching out to game ranger Nick, formerly a soldier under Mike’s command.

Nature of the Lion is disturbing; in it’s exploration of apartheid, the warring armies of Africa and the corruption but even more disturbing was the hunting habits of the 6th Society.

Secrets and the limited sharing of information drove wedges between relationships that had been built on respect and trust. Relationships that required that trust in the dangerous trek through the harsh African landscape.

In Australia we are quite focused on trying to stamp out racism so the division in Africa is rendered more starkly. Enoch and Mike see themselves as brothers, even though their differences are quite apparent and they struggle every day because of that choice. Their differences are what spark the altercation that prompts the journey back to Zimbabwe because Chloe is determined to defend her friends, and demand that people show them the respect they deserve as humans.

I really enjoyed Nature of the Lion and I still plan to go back and read Clark’s earlier Harlequin titles, also set in Africa

Nature of the Lion is book #49 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2018.

T.M. Clark can be found at TMClark.com.au, Facebook and Twitter.

Nature of the Lion is available now at Harlequin, Angus and Robertson, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.

Thanks to Harlequin 10 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading Nature of the Lion so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.