Mark of the Leopard

by Kathy Stewart

From the author of Chameleon comes this historical fiction novel, Mark of the Leopard, the second in the African history series, a story of romance, mystery, danger and betrayal set against a backdrop of wild lands and raging seas. In 1703 Sabrina Barrington and her children are shipwrecked and presumed drowned off the Cape of Good Hope, the site of the present-day city of Cape Town. Fourteen years later, an investigator tells Sabrina’s brother, Lucien Castle, that one of his sister’s children has been seen on the island of Madagascar, off Africa’s east coast. It is imperative to return the youngster to England before his twenty-fifth birthday, otherwise his grandfather, the corrupt and detested Robert Barrington, will usurp his rightful inheritance. Castle is the only one who can confirm the young man is not an impostor. In order to do this he must leave the comfort of Amsterdam in Holland and embark on a journey into the unknown.

Will Castle be able to overcome his demons and find his nephew in time? Or will he succumb to the perils that beset his epic expedition every step of the way?

In a voyage that takes them from the untamed island of Madagascar to the storm-tossed Dutch outpost at the Cape of Good Hope, Castle and his companion must face innumerable dangers and battle not only rival investigators but also each other.

314 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2015

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark of the Leopard by Kathy Stewart is an interesting book. The story is about a woman and her children who are all presumed dead for years. But 14 years later one child who was also supposed to be dead is seen alive and well. Now it is up to one man, Lucien Castle and his companion to find this kid and from here on out the story begins to unravel…

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is unique, suspenseful and well-written. Ms. Stewart may be a new-to-me author but she captured my attention from beginning to end.

Recommended
4 Stars

[Cheryl Steckling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark of the Leopard by Kathy Stewart
This is the 2nd book in the series of African history but the 1rst book by Kathy Stewart that I have read. It takes us back to an era that we are not to use to reading about and how different life was back in 1703.
Sabrina Barrington and her children were part of the journey on the ship that day when it was shipwrecked. Everyone thought with most certainty that she along with her children were drowned off of Cape of Good Hope.
Tom was one of her sons and had fallen sick during the trip. He could not continue on with the rest of the family and his mother had him marked with the image that was on her pendant.
Some years later the children’s uncle, Lucien Castle encountered some information that led him to believe that at least one of his nephew’s, Tom had been seen on the Island of Madagascar. Tom had to return to England before his 25th birthday in order to get his inheritance. Castle was sure he did not want the children’s grandfather, Robert Barrington to get it.
The story leads to some deaths, a leopard, the search and the outcome. Tom has a way with the leopard and you almost believe the leopard thinks of Tom as family. He has created a close bond with the leopard, who even allows Tom to take him for walks.
The story will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will want to keep reading to find out if all ends well. Enjoy the storyline as I did.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that takes us back in time to the early 1700's when travel by ship was rough and risky but Lucien Castle must go in search of his nephew Tom Barrington whom all had thought perished along with the rest of his family in a boating accident years before but he needs to come back to England to receive his inheritance, so the journey begins to dangerous lands around The Cape of Good Hope and Madagascar.

This is a story that is steeped in mystery and murder and is filled with hope and then happiness as the journey is long and hard and there are many incidents along the way so sit back and enjoy the journey that will keep you turning the pages until they have their HEA and return all together to The Cape.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical story part of a series that Ms. Steward is writing, that gets you caught up in a web of mystery, throw in a dash of danger and of course some romance. This book has a lot going for it and I believe everyone will enjoy it without even having read the others. Lucien Castle believes as others do that his sister Sabrina Barrington and her children are dead and believes this for 14 years. Then traveling one day with a companion he spots a child which he is convinced is one of his sisters children which would make it an heir. He has to run against time to prove it is truly one of her children before his 25th birthday. An interesting journey that I know readers will enjoy.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mark of the Leopard" by Kathy Stewart is book 2 in her 'African History series.' I did not read the first book, but this story gave me enough information that I had no problem following along with the story. Premise is that Sabrina Barrington is presumed dead...along with her children. However 14 years later one of her children has been spotted. It's up to her brother Lucien Castle to return with the heir before their 25th birthday and prove that the child is not an imposter. Lucien travels with a companion and we read about danger, mystery and romance.

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.75 for me.

The cover did not give much idea as to what the story will be and I thought of stopping after I was done with a couple of chapters. And that is what I did. A few days later, however, I gave it another chance and started reading it from where I had left.

Gradually my interest built because there was a mystery that was so very thick. The accusing finger being pointed to one and all simultaneously where even evidence existed to put the hangman's noose around the person's neck.

However issue I may have with the British looking down their nose at other people, the story reflected the attitude at the time the story is set in making it all the more interesting.

The ending again left me wanting for more. Somehow it felt lacking after the struggle that the characters had to get through.

[Lynne Stringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark of the Leopard kept my attention and interest, so it didn't take me too long to get through it. Some of it, though, was not easy to read, particularly the parts that detailed the lot of those who were in slavery. There was also a reasonable amount of death and violence, particularly towards women, although none of it was too graphic. Most was only alluded to. There were numerous characters who I found difficult to like. Fortunately, they were all characters I wasn't supposed to like. Because of the nature of the world and the eyes we saw it through, the story was often bleak. However, I found the resolution satisfying. 

[Nas Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark of the Leopard is a December 2015 release by author Kathy Stewart.

Lucien Castle is shocked when he sees a person he believes to be his sister's child as he believed him to be dead with the whole family. Now he is racing against time to bring the boy and proof who he is before he turns twenty five. As he is the heir apparent now.

Mark of the Leopard has fantastic setting which will catch readers interest and there is danger, mystery and romance. A good story which readers would enjoy.