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Clare Hart #4
Gallows Hill: A Gripping Forensic Mystery of Ancient Skeletons, Modern Murder, and a Truth Worth Killing For
How far would you go?
Dr. Clare Hart is summoned to investigate a building site where hundreds of centuries-old skeletons have been found—beneath Gallows Hill, where Cape Town's notorious execution grounds once stood. But she discovers that a woman, recently dead, is hidden among these long-buried bones. Who was the woman in the green silk dress? Who wanted her dead? Who interred her body beside the ancient graves? As Clare gets closer to revealing the truth about Gallows Hill, she becomes entangled with a fascinating but vulnerable young woman and is drawn into a world of art, desire, and destructive jealousy. Against a backdrop of corporate corruption and seething political tensions, Clare and Riedwaan's complex relationship remains as explosive as ever—and their very lives are at risk, for those who guard the secret of the woman in the silk dress will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
Gallows Hill is a suspenseful and compelling thriller that will captivate fans of Tess Gerritsen and Deon Meyer.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Margie Orford
23 books51 followersMargie Orford is a journalist, film director and author of children’s fiction, non-fiction and school text books.
She was born in London and grew up in Namibia and South Africa, studying at UCT where she wrote her final exams in prison while detained during the State of Emergency. After travelling widely, she did an honours degree at UCT, then worked in publishing in the newly-independent Namibia, where she became involved in training through the African Publishers Network.
In 1999 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and while in New York, worked on an archival retrieval project, Women Writing in Africa: The Southern Volume. She made her crime debut with Like Clockwork, which became a bestseller and was followed by a sequel, Blood Rose. Both crime novels will be published in Germany. A recent non-fiction project is Fabulously 40 and Beyond : Women coming into their own; her latest is Fifteen Men.
She was born in London and grew up in Namibia and South Africa, studying at UCT where she wrote her final exams in prison while detained during the State of Emergency. After travelling widely, she did an honours degree at UCT, then worked in publishing in the newly-independent Namibia, where she became involved in training through the African Publishers Network.
In 1999 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and while in New York, worked on an archival retrieval project, Women Writing in Africa: The Southern Volume. She made her crime debut with Like Clockwork, which became a bestseller and was followed by a sequel, Blood Rose. Both crime novels will be published in Germany. A recent non-fiction project is Fabulously 40 and Beyond : Women coming into their own; her latest is Fifteen Men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 26, 2021
This is a real page-turner of a thriller. A highly engaging story, with distinct, believable characters, and set just down the road from where I live, there was much for me to enjoy about the book. The sense of menace seeps through the pages where dangerous adversaries lurk at every turn. This is the gritty reality of South Africa's present day situation, which lies just beneath the glittering veneer of the Mother City. Beyond the story there is a thoughtful examination of the legacies of colonialism and Apartheid, and of the greed, corruption, and inequality, which still permeate South African society and politics today.
There are a couple of glaring editing errors, which rather surprised me for a 'professionally' published book, but they didn't get in the way of my overall enjoyment of the story. I shall definitely get around to reading more from Margie Orford.
There are a couple of glaring editing errors, which rather surprised me for a 'professionally' published book, but they didn't get in the way of my overall enjoyment of the story. I shall definitely get around to reading more from Margie Orford.
January 10, 2021
Always interesting to read a piece set in South Africa by a South African author. I believe Orford did a good job of giving depth to a variety of characters representative of a variety of cultures, without overly stereotyping. Gallows hill plays out, as it does in reality, as a cross-section for the interaction between these characters. This is what made the book. Whilst the descriptions of action scenes and forensic evidence along with the hallmark twists and turns of a thriller were present, the best writing revealed itself in the subtle and apparent comparisons between the past and the present and the immortal Gallows Hill. Whether it be slaves exposed under the colonial rule, forced removals and missing bodies under the apartheid regime or corruption and dispute in today's democracy. Inequality and injustice remains. The public debate over whether the bodies should be exhumed and studied or memorialised is reminiscent of many clashes in epistemology between Western positivism and a set of African values based on spirituality and honouring the ancestors. So the debate itself is even underpinned by a grappling with the question of cultural identity and race. Another real incident is the bones of Prestwich Street, also in Green Point.
October 14, 2017
Haute Couture
Eine alte Obdachlose stirbt. Die Baustelle, auf der sie gefunden wird, entpuppt sich als Grabstelle vieler Toter. Wie sich schnell herausstellt, handelt es sich um alte Skelette, vermutlich von Menschen, die vor über 200 Jahren dort hingerichtet wurden. Doch ein Skelett ist deutlich jünger und weist Anzeichen auf, dass die Person gewaltsam zu Tode gekommen ist. Captain Riedwaan Faizal beginnt mit den Ermittlungen. Er zieht seine Freundin, die Profilerin Dr. Clare Hart hinzu, die zunächst herausfinden soll, ob die sterblichen Überreste nach über zwanzig Jahren noch identifiziert werden können. Tatsächlich ergibt sich bald ein Hinweis, der berühmte Griff nach dem Strohhalm.
Es scheint ein Griff ins Wespennest zu sein, denn sowohl Faizals als auch Clares Leben wird bedroht. Ein ehemaliger Kleinkrimineller, der zwar so wirkt als sei er in bessere Kreise aufgestiegen, der aber seine Herkunft nicht verleugnen kann, spricht offene Drohungen aus. Das hält die beiden Ermittler natürlich nicht davon ab, weiter zu machen, eher im Gegenteil. Schon bald gibt es Proteste, weil die Baustelle stillgelegt wurde, und Riedwaan fängt an, nachzubohren, bei großen Bauobjekten ist schließlich viel Geld im Spiel, da liegt der Gedanke an Schmiergeldzahlungen meist nicht fern. Clares Nachforschungen führen zunächst in eine andere Richtung. Das grüne Kleid, von dem Reste an der Toten gefunden wurden, scheint ein Einzelstück gewesen zu sein.
Südafrika nach der Apartheid, werden die Spuren davon jemals verschwinden? Auch in diesem vierten Band um die Profilerin Dr. Clare Hart werden die Nachwirkungen dieser Zeit deutlich geschildert. An der Oberfläche scheint alles eitel Sonnenschein, doch die alten Strukturen bestehen großenteils weiter. Korruption herrscht und besonders durchlässig ist die Gesellschaft nicht. Die Volksgruppen leben eher nebeneinander als miteinander. Politiker, Reiche und andere mit Macht ausgestattete spielen ihre Spielchen um Geld und Macht. Wenn da zum Beispiel ein Obdachloser ins Räderwerk gerät, juckt das eigentlich niemanden. Wenn jemand Teile der Strukturen aufdeckt, ist er eben tot. Es herrscht schon eine große Kälte und die wenigen, die sich dem System entgegenstellen, bringen sich selbst und ihre Familien in Gefahr.
In einen fesselnden Kriminalroman hat die Autorin ihre Beschreibung der Zustände verpackt. Man fragt sich, ob eine Hoffnung bestehen kann, dass jede weitere Generation den Weg zu einer einheitlichen Gesellschaft ebnen könnte, man befürchtet allerdings, dass die Hoffnung eher als vage anzusehen sein könnte.
Eine alte Obdachlose stirbt. Die Baustelle, auf der sie gefunden wird, entpuppt sich als Grabstelle vieler Toter. Wie sich schnell herausstellt, handelt es sich um alte Skelette, vermutlich von Menschen, die vor über 200 Jahren dort hingerichtet wurden. Doch ein Skelett ist deutlich jünger und weist Anzeichen auf, dass die Person gewaltsam zu Tode gekommen ist. Captain Riedwaan Faizal beginnt mit den Ermittlungen. Er zieht seine Freundin, die Profilerin Dr. Clare Hart hinzu, die zunächst herausfinden soll, ob die sterblichen Überreste nach über zwanzig Jahren noch identifiziert werden können. Tatsächlich ergibt sich bald ein Hinweis, der berühmte Griff nach dem Strohhalm.
Es scheint ein Griff ins Wespennest zu sein, denn sowohl Faizals als auch Clares Leben wird bedroht. Ein ehemaliger Kleinkrimineller, der zwar so wirkt als sei er in bessere Kreise aufgestiegen, der aber seine Herkunft nicht verleugnen kann, spricht offene Drohungen aus. Das hält die beiden Ermittler natürlich nicht davon ab, weiter zu machen, eher im Gegenteil. Schon bald gibt es Proteste, weil die Baustelle stillgelegt wurde, und Riedwaan fängt an, nachzubohren, bei großen Bauobjekten ist schließlich viel Geld im Spiel, da liegt der Gedanke an Schmiergeldzahlungen meist nicht fern. Clares Nachforschungen führen zunächst in eine andere Richtung. Das grüne Kleid, von dem Reste an der Toten gefunden wurden, scheint ein Einzelstück gewesen zu sein.
Südafrika nach der Apartheid, werden die Spuren davon jemals verschwinden? Auch in diesem vierten Band um die Profilerin Dr. Clare Hart werden die Nachwirkungen dieser Zeit deutlich geschildert. An der Oberfläche scheint alles eitel Sonnenschein, doch die alten Strukturen bestehen großenteils weiter. Korruption herrscht und besonders durchlässig ist die Gesellschaft nicht. Die Volksgruppen leben eher nebeneinander als miteinander. Politiker, Reiche und andere mit Macht ausgestattete spielen ihre Spielchen um Geld und Macht. Wenn da zum Beispiel ein Obdachloser ins Räderwerk gerät, juckt das eigentlich niemanden. Wenn jemand Teile der Strukturen aufdeckt, ist er eben tot. Es herrscht schon eine große Kälte und die wenigen, die sich dem System entgegenstellen, bringen sich selbst und ihre Familien in Gefahr.
In einen fesselnden Kriminalroman hat die Autorin ihre Beschreibung der Zustände verpackt. Man fragt sich, ob eine Hoffnung bestehen kann, dass jede weitere Generation den Weg zu einer einheitlichen Gesellschaft ebnen könnte, man befürchtet allerdings, dass die Hoffnung eher als vage anzusehen sein könnte.
February 5, 2025
Gallows Hill by Margie Orford
This story is set in South Africa on the site of a known gallows site by the name of Gallows Hill. Hangings and death were common at this site. The author brings this story to life with a mass graveyard complete with a newer corpse to give the cops something to investigate. There is corruption, political red tape and danger all twisted up in this mystery.
The characters are introduced. South African history and the art world take center stage. We learn about a troubled young artist who uses art who deal with her anger and hurt. How her secrets affected not only her but those around her and ultimately led to her downfall.
20 years later have gone by and nobody misses her but the truth won’t be denied. A determined cop and the Dr. by his side won’t stop until they unravel all the facts. The daughter with abandonment issues will finally know the truth. Or will she?
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read. The mystery wasn’t super obvious and I liked the history aspect and art world side of things. I would definitely read more by this author. I would rate it a 3 star. Nothing over the rainbow spectacular but a nice comfortable mystery.
This story is set in South Africa on the site of a known gallows site by the name of Gallows Hill. Hangings and death were common at this site. The author brings this story to life with a mass graveyard complete with a newer corpse to give the cops something to investigate. There is corruption, political red tape and danger all twisted up in this mystery.
The characters are introduced. South African history and the art world take center stage. We learn about a troubled young artist who uses art who deal with her anger and hurt. How her secrets affected not only her but those around her and ultimately led to her downfall.
20 years later have gone by and nobody misses her but the truth won’t be denied. A determined cop and the Dr. by his side won’t stop until they unravel all the facts. The daughter with abandonment issues will finally know the truth. Or will she?
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read. The mystery wasn’t super obvious and I liked the history aspect and art world side of things. I would definitely read more by this author. I would rate it a 3 star. Nothing over the rainbow spectacular but a nice comfortable mystery.
November 23, 2014
3 1/2 * a fairer reflection.
A fast - paced exciting thriller. An interesting incite into the effect of South Africa's history on its present. The old slave history that still incites anger. And the sense of entitlement and corruption that has grown from the more recent apartheid era.
Marred for me by sloppy editing, far too many grammatical errors.
A fast - paced exciting thriller. An interesting incite into the effect of South Africa's history on its present. The old slave history that still incites anger. And the sense of entitlement and corruption that has grown from the more recent apartheid era.
Marred for me by sloppy editing, far too many grammatical errors.
November 22, 2012
I found this book an easy read page turner. Being a South African, it is always good to read books set here, and we seem to be ideally placed for thrillers. Read in an afternoon. However the editing leaves a lot to be desired in its tardiness.
August 1, 2012
looking forward to more.
May 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book a lot as I did with the previous one.
"When Gallows Hill begins, Clare and Riedwaan are virtually living together, their relationship one of the few positives in their harassed lives. The inciting incident of the plot kicks off with the death of a worn-out “bergie” woman at a construction site. Her death might have gone without mention if it weren’t for the fact that her loyal dog digs up a bone at the scene of her lonely demise. It’s a human bone, one of hundreds covered up in an illegal burial ground.
Clare is called in to the newly discovered burial ground by Faizal as she is working on a film about the history of Cape Town, including all the ethical inconsistencies that would involve. An unmarked burial ground of slaves or prisoners would definitely be a prominent feature in such a film. It’s only a matter of time before one of the students working on uncovering the bones in the burial site finds a small packing crate. In it, cradled into an almost foetal position, is the body of a young woman who hasn’t been interred as long as the mass grave of skeletons. Clare is drawn to the discovery, touched by the fragility of the obviously female skeleton. And when she finds the remnants of a dress label as well as a few strands of green silk and a silver necklace around the skeletal neck, she is even more intrigued. She makes the investigation into the death of the young woman her priority, especially when the forensics department confirms that the body has been interred for only 23 years. As luck would have it the label is traced to an exclusive designer in the Netherlands who happens to take photographs of every person who buys one of his garments. It doesn’t take him long to remember who was wearing a green silk dress around the time the death took place. He is able to produce the photograph of the woman, a prominent visual artist who was exhibiting in South Africa at that time. With this fortunate discovery Clare Hart begins to retrace the life, hopefully to the point of her death, of Suzanne le Roux. She uncovers details about the life of the flamboyant artist, who has a taste for dangerous men yet seemed committed to human rights, a somewhat incongruous marriage in a highly attractive woman. Clare also finds that Suzanne left unexpectedly and was apparently killed in the struggle and buried up north. She left her only daughter, Lilith, alone on the night of her last exhibition and the thought that her mother had abandoned her drove the daughter into a self-destructive path. She attracted the patronage of the same people who worked with her mother, Merle and Gilles Osman. Lilith happens to be exhibiting her work at the same time as her mother’s remains are uncovered, and her exhibition is titled Forensic."
"When Gallows Hill begins, Clare and Riedwaan are virtually living together, their relationship one of the few positives in their harassed lives. The inciting incident of the plot kicks off with the death of a worn-out “bergie” woman at a construction site. Her death might have gone without mention if it weren’t for the fact that her loyal dog digs up a bone at the scene of her lonely demise. It’s a human bone, one of hundreds covered up in an illegal burial ground.
Clare is called in to the newly discovered burial ground by Faizal as she is working on a film about the history of Cape Town, including all the ethical inconsistencies that would involve. An unmarked burial ground of slaves or prisoners would definitely be a prominent feature in such a film. It’s only a matter of time before one of the students working on uncovering the bones in the burial site finds a small packing crate. In it, cradled into an almost foetal position, is the body of a young woman who hasn’t been interred as long as the mass grave of skeletons. Clare is drawn to the discovery, touched by the fragility of the obviously female skeleton. And when she finds the remnants of a dress label as well as a few strands of green silk and a silver necklace around the skeletal neck, she is even more intrigued. She makes the investigation into the death of the young woman her priority, especially when the forensics department confirms that the body has been interred for only 23 years. As luck would have it the label is traced to an exclusive designer in the Netherlands who happens to take photographs of every person who buys one of his garments. It doesn’t take him long to remember who was wearing a green silk dress around the time the death took place. He is able to produce the photograph of the woman, a prominent visual artist who was exhibiting in South Africa at that time. With this fortunate discovery Clare Hart begins to retrace the life, hopefully to the point of her death, of Suzanne le Roux. She uncovers details about the life of the flamboyant artist, who has a taste for dangerous men yet seemed committed to human rights, a somewhat incongruous marriage in a highly attractive woman. Clare also finds that Suzanne left unexpectedly and was apparently killed in the struggle and buried up north. She left her only daughter, Lilith, alone on the night of her last exhibition and the thought that her mother had abandoned her drove the daughter into a self-destructive path. She attracted the patronage of the same people who worked with her mother, Merle and Gilles Osman. Lilith happens to be exhibiting her work at the same time as her mother’s remains are uncovered, and her exhibition is titled Forensic."
January 16, 2026
On Gallows Hill, near Green Point in Cape Town, a building is demolished so a new one can be erected, but it turns out that the site was a mass grave. Most of the bodies are old, but one is more recent, and Dr Clare Hart tries to find out who it is, but is obstructed by various groups with vested interests.
I've read another whodunit by Margie Orford, Water Music, which I liked more. This one failed to tie up the loose ends, and the motive of the person eventually revealed as the perpetrator was obscure, as were the motives of some of the other suspects.
Some of the background information was also a bit off. Perhaps I am spoilt for this by having read The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth. In that book the location and contents of the military archives of South Africa were given with such accuracy that we were able to find the military archives (even though they had moved by the time we read the book) and find a lot of interesting family history information.
In Gallows Hill, however, there is confusion between the Deeds Registry (which records property ownership), and the municipal valuation and zoning department (which levies rates, and deals with land use). There was a similar confusion between the archives (which keeps mainly old government records) and the South African library (which keeps publications, like old newspapers). Minor details, perhaps, which don't affect the story much, but we've been spoilt for such things by Frederick Forsyth, who gets the details right. And perhaps it's this fuzziness in such details that also makes the characters' motives fuzzy.
I've read another whodunit by Margie Orford, Water Music, which I liked more. This one failed to tie up the loose ends, and the motive of the person eventually revealed as the perpetrator was obscure, as were the motives of some of the other suspects.
Some of the background information was also a bit off. Perhaps I am spoilt for this by having read The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth. In that book the location and contents of the military archives of South Africa were given with such accuracy that we were able to find the military archives (even though they had moved by the time we read the book) and find a lot of interesting family history information.
In Gallows Hill, however, there is confusion between the Deeds Registry (which records property ownership), and the municipal valuation and zoning department (which levies rates, and deals with land use). There was a similar confusion between the archives (which keeps mainly old government records) and the South African library (which keeps publications, like old newspapers). Minor details, perhaps, which don't affect the story much, but we've been spoilt for such things by Frederick Forsyth, who gets the details right. And perhaps it's this fuzziness in such details that also makes the characters' motives fuzzy.
December 2, 2024
I particularly enjoy crime novels and as a South African this one was quite enjoyable.
It was interesting to read about an old murder case from a South African cop and journalist's perspective, but there were so many times where I felt like I was reading about a South Africa I didn't know. Granted, I am not on the fancy Cape Town Art Scene, but seriously, no one visited a Spur or a Mugg & Bean, and that just felt odd! But then again the description of Capetonian and Jo'burg life was spot-on, no arguments here. It was actually refreshing to read something about my own country's political and cultural history.
I found the story to be well planned and plotted, but I guessed the killer a hundred pages from the end. While it is a thrill to guess correctly, I enjoy a book so much more when I am completely thrown off the killer's scent and get totally surprised by the great reveal. I relish a good murder mystery challenge!
I am keen to read more of Margie Orford's books - the bits of Clare's history mentioned throughout the book definitely piqued my curiosity!
It was interesting to read about an old murder case from a South African cop and journalist's perspective, but there were so many times where I felt like I was reading about a South Africa I didn't know. Granted, I am not on the fancy Cape Town Art Scene, but seriously, no one visited a Spur or a Mugg & Bean, and that just felt odd! But then again the description of Capetonian and Jo'burg life was spot-on, no arguments here. It was actually refreshing to read something about my own country's political and cultural history.
I found the story to be well planned and plotted, but I guessed the killer a hundred pages from the end. While it is a thrill to guess correctly, I enjoy a book so much more when I am completely thrown off the killer's scent and get totally surprised by the great reveal. I relish a good murder mystery challenge!
I am keen to read more of Margie Orford's books - the bits of Clare's history mentioned throughout the book definitely piqued my curiosity!
March 3, 2025
I loved a previous book written by this author, but I almost abandoned this book by halfway through. It was just so slow! Then suddenly it picked up pace and I enjoyed the second half. Sadly, the editing leaves a lot to be desired. Even the back cover had completely different names for the young artist and her mother! Unbelievable! I’m not crazy about books with a political background, but I enjoyed the second half of this book.
July 20, 2020
Interesting background of South African history linked to present-day South Africa. A readable crime thriller. The corruption issue clouded my enjoyment of the novel, yet without it there would be no plot. Reality often hard to face.
October 2, 2017
Loved this fast paced thriller set in Cape Town. not too gruesome but realistic enough to keep u turning the page. definately going to read more of hers.
January 29, 2018
Margie is a very inspiring speaker but I could not get on with this book, perhaps because I am not familiar with the setting.
April 27, 2021
So evocative of a place, a time, and the echoes of the past still intruding upon the present.
December 15, 2022
Another great read in the series. I do hope book 6 will put in an appearance!!
October 26, 2025
Page turner - enjoyed a local thriller set in Cape Town!
December 3, 2023
The best of the bunch so far. It was well paced and engaging. The continuity of the series is still suspect though, with a lot seeming to happen between books that is never fully explained.
February 7, 2015
Robbie's Review
Set against the tumultuous back drop of today's South Africa, author Margie Orford once more weaves a tangled web of a story that calls for her character Dr. Clare Hart to find a killer. This time the killer will be someone who has gotten away with a crime for over 20 years. During the excavation of a building site under questionable circumstances, a mass grave of old bones is uncovered in a spot where slaves and prisoners were once hung. . . and allowed to hang for days until they dropped off their gallows. However, the old bones which are considered archeological specimens are not the ones that require Dr. Hart's expertise. In the course of the investigation, the bones of a woman who has been dead for a much shorter period of time are discovered and Clare is presented with the case as if it was a gift from Captain Riedwaan Faizal who also happens to be her lover.
Clare's investigation brings her into the world of art, down and dirty big business, and the South African political arena with its shady politicians and corrupt policemen who are on the take and the make. Despite obstacles at every turn, Clare is determined to "get these bones to talk to us, tell us who she was."
Gallows Hill has all the elements of a great thriller: mystery, suspense, heart stopping fear, devastating loss and bright lights extinguished too soon. There are bad guys, worse guys and sleazy characters of both sexes. Margie Orford's depiction of today's South African political, social, and cultural climate is intriguing to me in this post-apartheid era. She does a masterful job of showing the crippling poverty and the inequalities affecting the lives of women and children.
As she searches for ways to get the bones to talk to her, Clare encounters a number of strong women whose quips in interview reflect the author's wry sense of humor.
Despite the complex and compelling story lines which characterize all the Clare Hart books, it is the author's portrayal of the lady herself and her prickly relationship with the enigmatic Riedwaan that continue to draw me into these books. Margie Orford never fails to impress me with her ability to establish the unique connection between Clare and Riedwaan with just a few words. They have quickly become one of my favorite fictional couples. Despite the fact that Gallows Hill opens up with an intimate scene, this aspect of their relationship is most often written with a subtlety which leaves the reader's imagination to furnish the details. I've read all the Clare Hart books and I have to say this is one of my favorites. Gallows Hill can certainly be read as a standalone, but you will be cheating yourself if you don't take the opportunity to get to know the characters by reading all the books.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book directly from the author. I was not paid to read or review this book. All opinions are my own, and I was never influenced by anything or anyone.
Set against the tumultuous back drop of today's South Africa, author Margie Orford once more weaves a tangled web of a story that calls for her character Dr. Clare Hart to find a killer. This time the killer will be someone who has gotten away with a crime for over 20 years. During the excavation of a building site under questionable circumstances, a mass grave of old bones is uncovered in a spot where slaves and prisoners were once hung. . . and allowed to hang for days until they dropped off their gallows. However, the old bones which are considered archeological specimens are not the ones that require Dr. Hart's expertise. In the course of the investigation, the bones of a woman who has been dead for a much shorter period of time are discovered and Clare is presented with the case as if it was a gift from Captain Riedwaan Faizal who also happens to be her lover.
"It's Valentines's Day next week" he said. "Think of it as a present. From me to you."
"Most people would give red roses."
Riedwaan touched her cheek.
"You're not like most people."
Clare's investigation brings her into the world of art, down and dirty big business, and the South African political arena with its shady politicians and corrupt policemen who are on the take and the make. Despite obstacles at every turn, Clare is determined to "get these bones to talk to us, tell us who she was."
Gallows Hill has all the elements of a great thriller: mystery, suspense, heart stopping fear, devastating loss and bright lights extinguished too soon. There are bad guys, worse guys and sleazy characters of both sexes. Margie Orford's depiction of today's South African political, social, and cultural climate is intriguing to me in this post-apartheid era. She does a masterful job of showing the crippling poverty and the inequalities affecting the lives of women and children.
As she searches for ways to get the bones to talk to her, Clare encounters a number of strong women whose quips in interview reflect the author's wry sense of humor.
You never realise quite how bad your taste in men is until they retire. Double the husband, half the money.
He's a narcissist. Charming and handsome, but cold. There was nobody in the relationship but him. I was just the mirror. But I think I wasn't quite polished enough to reflect back what he wanted to see.
Despite the complex and compelling story lines which characterize all the Clare Hart books, it is the author's portrayal of the lady herself and her prickly relationship with the enigmatic Riedwaan that continue to draw me into these books. Margie Orford never fails to impress me with her ability to establish the unique connection between Clare and Riedwaan with just a few words. They have quickly become one of my favorite fictional couples. Despite the fact that Gallows Hill opens up with an intimate scene, this aspect of their relationship is most often written with a subtlety which leaves the reader's imagination to furnish the details. I've read all the Clare Hart books and I have to say this is one of my favorites. Gallows Hill can certainly be read as a standalone, but you will be cheating yourself if you don't take the opportunity to get to know the characters by reading all the books.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book directly from the author. I was not paid to read or review this book. All opinions are my own, and I was never influenced by anything or anyone.
February 23, 2025
I picked this up for a trip to South Africa, Cape Town in particular. A murder mystery set in that city, which touched upon history and changing racial dynamics seemed perfect. The novel certainly held my attention to the end, and did capture some dimensions of Cape Town. There were a couple of things I didn’t enjoy much, however. One is that characters were introduced without sufficient description and development - in fairness this may be due to the fact that this volume is the third or fourth in a series. Secondly, the characters are chasing high and low to solve the murder of a decades old murder of a beautiful white woman, but a Black young man who went missing the same day the woman was killed inspires no investigation at all, and when they find out about a mother who is in acute danger of being killed by her partner, there’s no response whatsoever. That didn’t sit well. Finally, I would have liked some denouement at the very end.
P.S. Really the worst sin in this book was the mistaking of Samuel L. Jackson for Morgan Freeman, which one of the characters does early on. I kept expecting this egregious error to be corrected. That it never was leads me to believe it was a mistake not just of the character but of the author herself.
P.S. Really the worst sin in this book was the mistaking of Samuel L. Jackson for Morgan Freeman, which one of the characters does early on. I kept expecting this egregious error to be corrected. That it never was leads me to believe it was a mistake not just of the character but of the author herself.
July 12, 2014
This is yet another fabulous book by Margie Orford. This has sealed the deal and I am now officially a Dr. Clare Hart fan. I have purchased the rest of this series and I cannot wait to dive in. Clare is a strong, capable and intelligent woman who strives to bring justice and closure to those people and situations which cross her path. Margie’s books show a different side of South Africa that is not known unless you look to see it. They display the history of South Africa in such a way that it is relevant, coinciding with social issues that are prevalent then and now. This story is set with a backdrop of Gallows Hill, a place where hangings and death was a common occurrences and a mass graveyard is the reminder of those days. When Riedwaan is called in the early morning hours to a body, he finds more than they bargained for. A mass grave is found and all hell breaks loose. As they continue to search and find out the remains from hundreds of years ago, they find a crate, with a woman stuffed inside, a woman in a green silk dress. With this discovery, Clare and Riedwann are on their next mystery, trying to find out who the woman is and what happened to her 20 years ago. They struggle through the corruption, political red tape and danger in an attempt to find out what happened to this woman.
I love that we have a bit more of the relationship between Clare and Riedwann. Their partnership both at work and in private has grown and I loved that! The characters introduced are always so intriguing. People who had lived through so much in the past through South African history and revolution set the stage for a story that is intriguing and cloaked in mystery and danger. People that we know from other books and new additions to add more to the story. This book is full of tragedy and heartache. The story of a woman killed and her family never truly knowing what happened to her. A troubled artist who cannot deal with her past and uses her art to expel her demons, her anger and hurt. It shows a world of art, on canvas, through video and photography. The theme of art was a fascinating addition to the story of espionage and death, creating a beautiful tale that is intriguing and sad.
I loved this story and cannot wait to start reading more about Dr. Clare Hart.
I love that we have a bit more of the relationship between Clare and Riedwann. Their partnership both at work and in private has grown and I loved that! The characters introduced are always so intriguing. People who had lived through so much in the past through South African history and revolution set the stage for a story that is intriguing and cloaked in mystery and danger. People that we know from other books and new additions to add more to the story. This book is full of tragedy and heartache. The story of a woman killed and her family never truly knowing what happened to her. A troubled artist who cannot deal with her past and uses her art to expel her demons, her anger and hurt. It shows a world of art, on canvas, through video and photography. The theme of art was a fascinating addition to the story of espionage and death, creating a beautiful tale that is intriguing and sad.
I loved this story and cannot wait to start reading more about Dr. Clare Hart.
July 9, 2014
This book has a history in South Africa. I admit it is not for everyone some parts of the history is hard to read. There is a lot of corruption going on here. Besides that it is a little dark with respect to some of the gang related areas of Cape Town. I like dark so yes I did enjoy it. When the dog comes up with the bone it starts everything off. The description of the human bone and all was good enough to start the plot on a slow upward march.
The character of Dr Clare Hart who is an investigative profiler is called to start the investigation. Her lover Riedwaan is the Captain in charge of the gang unit. These two are both working the same crime. I will admit the name Reidwaan was not going over well with me. It was one I never heard and found it hard to keep seeing. There is language and terms that I was not familiar with either so it made parts a little difficult.
It is an enjoyable read especially if you are a mystery lover especially one that is wrapped in turmoil of the political nature.
The character of Dr Clare Hart who is an investigative profiler is called to start the investigation. Her lover Riedwaan is the Captain in charge of the gang unit. These two are both working the same crime. I will admit the name Reidwaan was not going over well with me. It was one I never heard and found it hard to keep seeing. There is language and terms that I was not familiar with either so it made parts a little difficult.
It is an enjoyable read especially if you are a mystery lover especially one that is wrapped in turmoil of the political nature.
Read
October 14, 2012Rapid speed gun shot sentences echo the hurry-hurry anxious feel of suspense. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed this book, when many in the same genre turn me off. I don't like my suspense/ crime/ horror/ thriller / to echo the often meandering pace in Booker choices.
I've been hearing the debates on SA fiction, how the politics has been lost while the Krimi's cry out it hasn't, but that they are the only writers allowed to still play in this arena. Perhaps this is true. I keep hearing about the new South Africa, a post-racial South Africa. That the past is over. Yet, I see the men in blue riding in the back of the bakkie while a dog sits in front - day in and day out. Orford is the first I've come across in my 'contemporary SA reads' that was blunt enough to say, 'This STILL happens' and is not a practice fully relegated to the past.
I've been hearing the debates on SA fiction, how the politics has been lost while the Krimi's cry out it hasn't, but that they are the only writers allowed to still play in this arena. Perhaps this is true. I keep hearing about the new South Africa, a post-racial South Africa. That the past is over. Yet, I see the men in blue riding in the back of the bakkie while a dog sits in front - day in and day out. Orford is the first I've come across in my 'contemporary SA reads' that was blunt enough to say, 'This STILL happens' and is not a practice fully relegated to the past.
February 25, 2013
I was really excited to read this book because I so enjoyed the previous three. But this one took me a while to get into. I found the jaggedness of the writing uncomfortable, the dialogue often stilted, and the secondary and tertiary characters rather flat.
The biggest problem for me, though, was the sloppy editing. I CANNOT enjoy a book when such glaring errors abound. For example, Riedwaan is on the phone to a female colleague named Louise, but calls her "Clare" before hanging up. In another instance someone lights up a joint twice in the space of a few paragraphs. Come on, people. Not your best work.
All that aside, I actually did like the way the plot unfolded, once I'd got past the sluggish beginning. And it's always fun to encounter Riedwaan and Clare again, and see my country in print.
Here's hoping the next installment is a return to previous form.
2.5/5
The biggest problem for me, though, was the sloppy editing. I CANNOT enjoy a book when such glaring errors abound. For example, Riedwaan is on the phone to a female colleague named Louise, but calls her "Clare" before hanging up. In another instance someone lights up a joint twice in the space of a few paragraphs. Come on, people. Not your best work.
All that aside, I actually did like the way the plot unfolded, once I'd got past the sluggish beginning. And it's always fun to encounter Riedwaan and Clare again, and see my country in print.
Here's hoping the next installment is a return to previous form.
2.5/5
October 2, 2015
I read this mystery while visiting Cape Town, where this book is set. I have a deep appreciation for a book that is clearly in its location and this one hits the mark for me. I was also intrigued by the Apartheid-era issues lifted up in this book and e modern day ongoing effects of such things. Add in that this was an enjoyable mystery and I am a satisfied reader. As one who is reading this series chronologically, I am either adjusted to Orford's subject material or this one is a bit tamer than her first or second book. It didn't have the emotional difficulty her first book had for me.
April 3, 2014
I was super keen to read this book. And I loved that it was set in Cape Town. But it kinda fell short for me ... I wasn't wrapped up in the story (there were a few too many going on, I thought). There was one thing I really didn't see coming, but other than that I found I didn't terribly care by the time the book wrapped up. Unfortunate, really. But, I won't be giving up on this author just yet tho :)
November 14, 2016
A recent murder victim is found in amongst a group of historical burials at Gallows Hill. Dr Clare Hart and Captain Riedwaan Faizal investigate.
I sometimes think I'm only reading these because once I've started a series I like to finish it. There's nothing really wrong with the books, I just find them a bit tedious. Seriously, the character I like most is Fritz, the cat. Oh well, only one more to go. Rating: 2 stars.
I sometimes think I'm only reading these because once I've started a series I like to finish it. There's nothing really wrong with the books, I just find them a bit tedious. Seriously, the character I like most is Fritz, the cat. Oh well, only one more to go. Rating: 2 stars.
November 3, 2012
Would give it 3.5. I was given this book so not my usual choice. Loved the South African flare and jargen. Took me a while to get into the book but hooked once I did get into it. Would try another Clare Hart Thriller
December 24, 2011
devoured it...
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