Cry of the Firebird

by T.M. Clark

In the badlands of Africa, a resourceful doctor fights to save her patients' lives. Australian thriller writer T.M. Clark returns with a vivid, action-packed adventure in the tradition of Wilbur Smith.

Genres: Mystery, Africa, Fiction, Contemporary

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2019

About the author

T.M. Clark

Zimbabwean-born T.M. Clark combines her passion for storytelling, different cultures and wildlife with her love for the wild in her multicultural books. Writing for adults and children, she has been nominated for a Queensland Literary Award and is a Children’s Book Council Notable. When not killing her fans and hiding their bodies (all in the name of literature), Tina Marie coordinates the CYA Conference (www.cyaconference.com), providing professional development for new and established writers and illustrators, and is the co-presenter at Writers as Sea (www.WritersAtSea.com.au). She loves mentoring emerging writers, eating chocolate biscuits and collecting books for creating libraries in Papua New Guinea.

Visit T.M. Clark at tmclark.com.au

Her books include My Brother-But-One, nominated for a Queensland Literary People’s Choice Award in 2014. Shooting Butterflies, Tears of A Cheetah, Child of Africa, Nature of the Lion and Cry of the Firebird. Her children’s picture books include Slowly! Slowly!, which is a 2018 CBCA Notable Book, and Quickly! Quickly! which are companion books to Child Of Africa.

Her new novel, Song of the Starlings is out now.

Reviews

[Kylie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from the pen of TM Clark. Set in South Africa it follows the story of Lily, a doctor with the World Health Organisation. She has been sent to South Africa after the murder of a colleague. As she delves into his cases she finds that things are not adding up. Cases of meningitis are occurring where they shouldn't, and patients are not responding to medications as they should.

Was her colleague murdered because he found this out and was onto the culprits? Or was he covering something up? Ad Lily and her team investigate she finds that things are more dire than even she hought, and soon her own life, and those of her friends, are at risk.

I must say this is a thought-provoking read. It brings to light the power that pharmtaceutical companies do have. Yet as always the power of the African land, the animals and the people is to the fore. With wonderful, realistic characters, this book is worthy of being on anyone's to read list. Recommended.

My thanks to Harlequin/Mira for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dr Ian Hawthorne, the doctor working in South Africa, was murdered, Dr Lily Winters was offered the position to carry on the work. A consultant with the World Health Organization, Lily knew the HIV epidemic was skyrocketing and many were dying. She needed to find out why the escalation and what was causing it. Lily and her famous husband, musician Quintin Winters, flew from their home in Brisbane Australia to South Africa for Lily to begin her work.

As Lily settled into her role, the patients she was seeing out at the Platfontein community were showing signs of sickening quickly. The people she admitted to hospital and administered strong antibiotics to weren’t improving and Lily was puzzled. With the policeman who’d been a close friend to the murdered doctor, Piet Kleinman, Lily managed to locate her ex colleague’s notes. But as they investigated, the danger escalated and what they uncovered was nothing short of shocking. Corruption, murder and money – a dreadful combination which they knew they had to bring to the authorities. But who could they trust? A game of cat and mouse; would there be any winners?

Cry of the Firebird is another wonderful book (with a spectacular cover) by Aussie author T.M. Clark and I especially enjoyed the side story of the flamingos – Minke was adorable, as was Tiger the cat. The challenges Lily, Quintin, Piet and the others faced was astronomical – the corruption, revenge, evil criminals and more were disturbing. But it was the twist toward the end which made me sad. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Harlequin MIRA (@harlequinaus @romanceanz) for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

4.5 stars

‘The San language does not have a word for the flamingo. Their wings remind me of fire at sunset, so for my story, they will be known as the firebird.’

With five successful adult contemporary fiction novels already under her belt, T.M. Clark makes a triumphant return with her latest medical thriller, Cry of the Firebird. The dramatic and eye catching cover will draw you in immediately, with a sprawling flock of flamingos basking in all their glory. Beneath the striking cover is a tale of love, determination and personal crusades. Cry of the Firebird exposes the deep and cutting underbelly of Africa’s healthcare, pharmaceuticals and system of law. A story told with a rich grain of truth, Cry of the Firebird will leave a strong and lasting impression on your mind.

Cry of the Firebird features dedicated doctor, Lily Winters, a woman who has tirelessly worked for the World Health Organisation during her lengthy career. Lily has witnessed crisis after crisis during her time as a consultant, but nothing will prepare her for the emotional journey back to South Africa. It is a posting that Lily takes with a sense of trepidation, following the shock death of a former colleague. When Lily sets to work in her new challenging position, she is faced with one of the most complex and heartbreaking medical based mysteries she has ever encountered. This medical conundrum centres on the HIV epidemic, which is rampant in the San community of Platfontein. Unfortunately, despite medication being available to these people, the infection rate soars and the death rate spikes. Lily feels compelled to do all she can to save these people and she gains the help of a Kalahari policeman, Piet Kleinman in her crusade. What arises from her efforts is a dangerous line of corruption, greed and cover ups. This shapes up to be the fight of this doctor’s life, can Lily save the San community?

Cry of the Firebird is T.M Clark’s most challenging and personal piece of work, to date. This is a story told with great knowledge, realistic insight and personal passion. It is a novel that I was hard pressed to put down once I selected it to read, everything had to be cast aside. While reading this book I was completely immersed in Africa’s landscape, the plight of the San community and Lily Winter’s personal mission.

Cry of the Firebird is a rich and multi layered story, with a number of narrative pockets, exploring a bevy of contrasted themes. T.M. Clark doesn’t set any limits in her latest book. She bravely takes on the medical world, pharmaceuticals and the law. Clark also exposes the plight of a suffering community, dealing with the HIV epidemic. There are offshoots of greed, corruption, extortion, dislocation, conservation, degenerative illness and culture references within the pages of T.M Clark’s sixth novel. Painted with a great deal of suspense, intrigue, action and adventure, this story will leave you a little breathless and consciously aware of the issues at hand. These issues will both upset and astound you, but T.M. Clark injects a sense of hope within these heartbreaking themes.

The heroine of T.M. Clark’s new tale, Lily Winters, was a character I immediately warmed to. The treasured relationship between Lily and her talented violinist husband Quintin, is defined by the mantra, ‘til death do us part’ and gently reminds the reader of true love and loyalty. I loved the Lily and Quinton sequences, they were life affirming and heartening. Independent of Quintin, Lily is a woman I greatly admired. Her passion for her field, her knowledge, her unconditional sense of justice and her willingness to rise to such an immense challenge inspired me. Supporting Lily along the way is the formidable Kalahari Bushman and man of the law, Piet. This protagonist added plenty of colour to Cry of the Firebird and his accompanying back story definitely enthralls the reader. Together, these two make a good team and I appreciated the way both characters battled it out for the greater good.

Gently woven within the narrative is a sub thread involving the firebirds of the Kimberley region in which this book is set. We are introduced to a flock that reside in the locale focus of the story. There is a focus on a female firebird and her baby, who is saved from death and later set back into the wild. These touching and provocative sequences give the reader a very good insight into the behaviour of the flamingo and it certainly helped to increase my own working knowledge of this majestic creature. Supplementing this aspect of the narrative are a set of spellbinding landscape and fauna sequences, which helps us to see that Africa is truly blessed with such an amazing landscape.

When you come to the close of Cry of the Firebird you may want to reflect on the tough journey undertaken. There is an informative glossary, along with a fact vs fiction segment and a cultural sensitivity note. T.M. Clark has covered all bases. I felt changed by the experience of reading this novel, it seemed to open my eyes to a completely different world. Cry of the Firebird comes with a big endorsement from this reader and I highly recommend it to all readers.

*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Cry of the Firebird is book #152 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy MS Clark’s stories and this one is a compelling page turner and fast paced, the setting is amazing and she holds no punches in what is going on in this story, with corrupt police and medications that are not what they should be. There is a lot happening in this book and I do highly recommend picking this one up and getting to know Dr. Lily Winters and her adoring husband musician, Quintin.

Lily is working with the World Health Organization and is asked to return to Africa and continue research into HIV epidemic in a town of people from the San tribes after the previous Doctor, Ian Hawthorne has been murdered, Lily and her husband Quintin have worked there before and Africa holds a lot of bad memories for them, but there is no stopping Lily and her quest to get to the bottom of why these people’s health is not improving.

Lily is in danger from the beginning she never gives up on working out what is going on and with the help of police detective Piet who is a member of the San tribe they are slowly unravelling what is going on, with danger around every corner everyone is kept on their toes, there are some fabulous characters in this story that make this story so good not to mention the evil ones that are in it as well.

This really is an action packed story, with so much going on I did not want to put this one down but wanted to get to the end I needed to get my questions answered and see some people get their just deserts and when I did put it down the wonderful characters stayed with me. There is also the story of Minke the flamingo that had me smiling, I loved learning about these majestic birds. This truly is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a suspense story and the beautiful love that Lily and Quinin shared.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book. It sounded right up my alley. Part romance, part mystery/thriller, set in exotic South Africa, written by an [now] Aussie author. But…

Okay, good parts… There is a plot. WHO doctor Lily is sent to South Africa to take over at a clinic when the previous doctor is murdered. There, she and the local policeman start to investigate what her predecessor had discovered which cost him his life. Before too long, however, they realise she too might be in danger and a target of the assassins.

Being from there originally, Clark does include a lot about the troubles of the South African peoples in this book. The multitude of diseases which are quite out of control, in particular HIV; the horrific murder and major crime rates, resulting in security measures which sound crazy to an Aussie; and the poverty and displacement of so many. However, at times (actually, most of the time), Clark presented these details in a textbook-like fashion. It became a little tiresome, reading characters' thoughts about how much crime there was etc etc and I wish someone (a publisher or editor?) would have guided Clark on how to insert these otherwise interesting details into the story a little more organically.

Actually, I wasn’t a fan of Clark’s style of writing overall. The book seemed to read like a first draft, where scenes and ideas had been put down but nothing was yet fully fleshed out or polished.

When a book is set in Africa, I automatically expect to read about the wonderful wildlife there but, again, Clark disappointed me somewhat in this respect. There are mentions of some plants and animals, but I wouldn’t say I was feeling like I’d gone on a safari. (The scenes featuring the flamingos are actually a little creepy as they’re written from the birds’ point of view!) Instead of finishing the book and thinking, ‘I’d love to go and see all the natural beauty of South Africa’, all I thought was, ‘there’s far too much crime for me to contemplate going to South Africa’.

There really wasn’t much of a romantic subplot as I imagined there would be either. Lily is already happily married and there is no silly forced love triangles and they are mature characters at least, so Clark gets points for this. We also get a [brief] flashback of them meeting but unfortunately, again, it reads like more of an apartheid history lesson than a sweet meet cute.

The book also suffers from the same issue as so many modern titles - it’s too long. In fact, one particular plot point Clark throws in near the end felt out of place. It had nothing to do with the plot up to that time, and there hadn't been much of a clue that Clark was planning on including the idea. I really think it should have been cut completely and used for a different book.

Anyway… I’m not sure I’ll rush to read Clark’s other titles (although I have already got a few on my ereader). I would only give this a 2 out of 5, 2 1/2 at a pinch.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Dead bodies tell their secrets to the right coroner.’

Doctor Lily Winters, a consultant with the World Health Organization, has provided care in some of the worst humanitarian disasters across the globe. After the death of a colleague, Ian Hawthorne, she accepts a posting back home in South Africa, despite her husband’s objections. The death of her colleague is suspicious, but this is not the only mystery Dr Winters encounters. There is a higher than average HIV epidemic amongst the resettled Platfontein San People which isn’t responding to medication. Why? The World Health Organization is concerned. And who killed Ian Hawthorne?

There are several different threads to this story, with at least three elements of mystery. Lily Winters and Ian Hawthorne had some history, and she is keen to prove that past events in Sudan could have been avoided if the authorities had listened to her instead of to him.

I don’t want to spoil the story by revealing any more. Suffice to say, Lily and her husband Quintin, have several challenges ahead of them. Corruption, criminals, retribution and revenge each have a part to play. There are several memorable characters and (for me at least) a twist which left me saddened.

‘I am now a firebird, and after much travelling over long distances, I know this is where I belong.’

Highly recommended.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.M. Clark returns with another gripping African adventure/crime thriller. Set in South Africa, Cry of the Firebird dives into the grim world of tainted pharmaceuticals, corruption, gang violence, and the AIDS epidemic. This novel is exactly the type of gripping crime I favour within the genre. And as is the way with T.M. Clark, the beauty of Africa’s wildlife makes its mark upon the page, along with a cast of characters who demonstrate that it is possible, even in the most dire of circumstances, for humanity to prevail. With cutting edge themes and high action, Cry of the Firebird is one of my recommended Summer reads.

Thanks extended to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a copy of Cry of the Firebird for review.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

When World Health Organisation consultant Dr Lily Winters is asked to evaluate a murdered colleague’s unfinished project in South Africa, she jumps at the chance to return to the country of her birth. Supported by her husband Quintin, a world renowned violinist, Lily is eager to investigate the inexplicable clusters of illnesses and deaths recorded by her colleague, but as she grows closer to the source, she finds herself caught up web of corruption, greed, and revenge, and the unwitting target of a ruthless cabal who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.

Offering a multilayered plot that includes more than one thread of intrigue, Cry of the Firebird, is a fast paced and exciting thriller in which Clark explores several issues, among them drug tampering, profiteering, police corruption, AIDS, early onset Alzheimer’s, wildlife conservation (particularly with regards to flamingos), and displacement.

If I’m honest, the central intrigue of the book bothered me a little because it feeds the narrative of ‘big pharma’ conspiracists, and by extension anti-vaxxer’s. However after I finished the book I did a little research and I was horrified to discover that WHO estimates 1 in 10 medical products in developing countries are substandard or falsified.

I found the main characters of Lily, her husband Quintin, and San police officer Piet Kleinman, to be appealing and well developed. Lily is smart, dedicated and thoughtful, with a stubborn streak that ensures she won’t give up easily, even when threatened. I adored the relationship between Lily and Quintin, there is such a strong, supportive bond between them that I really delighted in. Piet is an interesting character, as a displaced Kalahari bushman (San) he has a fascinating background and unique skills that he uses as both a police officer and as a medicine man to help others, especially in the San settlement of Platfontein.

Somewhat curiously for a fiction novel, along with a glossary, Clark includes some notes she titles Fact vs Fiction in the books last pages. Here she comments on where her novel is based in fact, and where she has used creative licence for the purposes of her story.

A compelling story which offers adventure, suspense, and heart, Cry of the Firebird is a terrific read I’m happy to recommend.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Many people in South Africa have witnessed too much extreme violence, and the stress of living here, it takes its toll, no matter how beautiful the country is.’

I am a big fan of T.M. Clark and once again Tina delivers with another awesome tale set in the heart of Africa. I have enjoyed each one of her books where she chooses a different aspect and produces not only a riveting tale but also shines the spotlight on a contemporary issue. Whilst sure to include the stunning landscape and unique cultures, Tina is a master at subtly drawing attention to some of the more darker and sinister sides to this great continent.

Cry of the Firebird tackles the controversy surrounding corruption in the pharmaceutical business and also the police force of post apartheid South Africa. Tina has certainly done her research here in terms of settings and culture but also right down to the array of issues presented. These range from poverty and crime, to medical research and HIV. She even touches on the debilitating Alzheimer’s and the medicinal use of cannabis. I am not usually a fan of so many highly rated issues being incorporated into the one story, however, Tina does it all and really well.


‘If they had spent time educating everyone, there might have been a marked difference. Hindsight is a wonderful gift created to haunt us, isn’t it?’


Having livid in Namibia for a time, I particularly appreciated the plight of the San and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Kalahari policeman, Piet Kleinman and the trips out to the clinics. Cry of the Firebird is a rich and multi layered tale that is not only filled with action and adventure but also provides real depth into sensitive issues. Readers will appreciate Tina’s ‘Fact v Fiction’ addition at the conclusion of the tale.

‘We did not care about what country passports we carried back then, we could always walk through the bush. This is how it has always been done. Out there in the Kalahari, where our ancestors came from, all the San tribes once knew each other. In essence, we are all one people. Even with all the different languages, inside our hearts we are the same. Now governments have put up big fences and country borders, and we are told we as a people are not allowed in the Kalahari anymore.’







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read a T.M. Clark book for quite a while, knowing they’re set in South Africa, a place I’ve never been but remain curious about. I was finally able to do so and enjoy being immersed in a culture and land both perilous and beautiful.
When Dr Lily Winters, a WHO consultant, is sent back to her beloved South Africa due to the unexpected death of an unpopular colleague, she and her famous musician husband find themselves embroiled in searching for the origins of an HIV outbreak in the San community of Platfontein. Despite being given appropriate medicines and care, the people are dying, leaving behind not only a trail of heartbreak, but many unanswered questions.
With the help of a Kalahari policeman, Little Piet, Lily determines to discover why the disease is killing so many as well as learning why and how her colleague died. Her determination sets her on a dangerous path as there are those equally resolute she’ll remain not only ignorant about why HIV is flourishing, but unable to interfere with their very lucrative business.
This is a slow-burn book that takes the reader on a journey through lush and wondrous landscapes and into unfamiliar but breathtakingly beautiful territory. The descriptions of South Africa are simply lovely and deposit you smack bang in the middle of vegetation, a lake inhabited by flamingos, or scrubland and ghettoes with ease. You smell the earthy afternoons, the crisp mornings and see the beauty of the sky as the sun rises or sets.
Though I’ve seen this book described as a thriller, I wouldn’t call it that, but it is a tightly-plotted mystery, filled with characters you either loathe (because they’re so unremittingly greedy and selfish) or invest in and a place that leaps from the page and into your heart.

[Jacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book by this author that I’ve read, interesting story for the most part but the whole story didn’t quite fit together for me, in particular the parts with the violin & composing and the flamingo adults.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book blurb...

In the badlands of Africa, a resourceful doctor fights to save her patients' lives. Australian thriller writer T.M. Clark returns with a vivid, action-packed adventure in the tradition of Wilbur Smith.
South African-born Doctor Lily Winters, a consultant with the World Health Organization, has been in the thick of some of the worst humanitarian disasters across the globe. But when she's posted back to South Africa following the suspicious death of an ex-colleague, she faces the biggest medical mystery she's ever seen.
The resettled Platfontein San People population is exhibiting a higher than average HIV epidemic, and their people are dying. The cases Lily takes over are baffling and despite her best efforts the medicine doesn't seem to be helping.
To save this unique community, Lily and a policeman from the Kalahari, Piet Kleinman, join forces to trace the origins of the epidemic and uncover the truth. Their search drags them into the dangerous world of a corrupt industry driven by profit while the authorities meant to protect their community turn a blind eye. In a race against time Lily and Piet will put not only their careers but their lives on the line...

My thoughts...

PLOT
This plot is built around a dedicated Doctor and an honest Police Officer. Both characters become indirectly involved in corruption within a pharmaceuticals company. Readers will be drawn by the magnificent cover of this book that features the Pink Flamingo. The bird element is woven through as a sub plot, adding a naturalistic perspective to the landscape and the story.

PACE
While the end game is about saving lives, the story moves at an easy pace — a nice change from the usual edge-of-your-seat crime/adventure books (and Cry of the Firebird is a bit of both).

LANDSCAPE
As with every T M Clark novel, the reader is transported and provided with the author’s perspective on the South African landscape. I also enjoyed learning about this intriguing bird, which made me Google more. (see below)

CHARACTERS
I liked the two main characters, Lilly and Piet, but was often frustrated with Lilly who seemed to put herself in harms way.

OVERALL FEELINGS ABOUT THE STORY
I particularly enjoyed the sub plot and enjoyed learning about the Pink Flamingo's life in South Africa.
Bet you didn’t know the flamingo was once considered an Australian species. Read why with Australian Geographic https://www.australiangeographic.com....

This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com

[Corrinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

TM Clark's love for the country of her birth is evident. She weaves folk lore, tribal tradition, changing cultures, and the beautiful SA environment with family ties, and the deep, life-long love we all wish for; then wraps it all around the battle of good over evil.
No Tina, it's not a romance. But it is a story about love.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I think it’s Clark’s best yet!

[Deb M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Lily Winters, Research Consultant with the World Health Organisation and her musician husband Quintin find their comfortable lives in Queensland, Australia uprooted. The WHO need them in South Africa, immediately.

Dr Winters has been called in to replace a former colleague Dr Ian Hawthorne to investigate and treat the increasing number of thinnings disease (HIV) patients, and to find an explanation for the apparent clusters of patients with HIV and meningitis. Why are there clusters, how are their cases related and how can they be successfully treated and the spread of this disease contained?

Dr Hawthorn was murdered. Noone knows exactly why, although suspicion abounds as he had been cultivating traditional medicine plants from the region and making medicinal oils for his patients. This is an illegal practice but one he is willing to be a part of for the welfare of his patients. Dr Hawthorne has also been collaborating with a Kalahari medicine man and policeman to write a book about traditional medicines to ensure their knowledge is saved for future generations.

So why was he murdered? Dr Hawthorn was not a likable man and could be callous and abrasive towards others, but his intentions were to help his community survive and to record all that he had learned about traditional medicines.

Lily and Quinton find themselves in a very uncomfortable situation. They have lived and worked in Africa years before, but this is different. They are living in Dr Hawthorne's house with his loyal and trusted staff and are surrounded by a comprehensive security detail. However it isn't long before Lily is the target of a vicious attack and it is made clear that whatever secrets resulted in Dr Hawthorne's death, they are now threatening Lily and Quentin.

This is the first novel by T.M. Clark that I have had the privilege to read. I found this to be a great page turner, with a fast paced story-line and many twists and turns. It is clear that the author has done extensive research on the setting, characters and languages and this all helps the reader to imagine the characters.

I commend TM Clark for this novel and am very grateful to Harlequin Mira and Beauty & Lace Book Club for the opportunity to write this review; thank you.

[Jen McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a rollercoaster ride but I loved every word. The people of Africa in the cast of characters are treated with love and respect, as are the animals and plants. The true to life details make the book a great work of fiction while also being educational. I cannot recommend more highly.

[Trace Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another amazing read .Tina's books just keep getting better .looking forward to her next adventure .

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read.

[Nigel Copeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flamingos and violins

A great story hence the 5 stars. Definitely one to read with many twists and turns you will not be disappointed.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book with the beautiful African setting and evil tainted-pharmaceuticals plotline. It makes you laugh and makes you cry as you continue to flip the pages until the very end. And yes, it does feature some very nice flamingos - including a cute baby! A gripping read.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating reading, indeed.

Set in South Africa, Dr Lily and her Austrian husband Quintin try to make sense of what happened to her predecessor, Dr Ian, and why her patients are dying in such big numbers. Something is clearly going on but will this also cost Lily her life as well?

I loved the relationship between Lily and Quintin, they were so lovely together. I also enjoyed good people from whatever cultural background, coming together to do the right thing. There was a lot of evil happening behind the scenes and there was so much unnecessary suffering, but there was a lot of love too. I thought little David and Diamond sounded adorable.

You can clearly see that the author loves the country of her birth and getting to know a little more about its inhabitants was really interesting.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the ARC, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Carolyn HOLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved each and everyone of Tina’s thrillers. Each one explores a different face of Africa and shows us what is hidden in the darkest continent behind the magnificent animals and a people with a powerful belief in hope and that it will be better tomorrow. I will not repeat the story except to say that amongst the trouble Lily and Quintin together must face another insidious enemy for which they have no treatment and as yet no cure. A disease that will bring them to their knees.
T M Clark goes on her way to triumph with each of her wonderful books and I look forward to her next that delves into the disgusting underbelly of Africa.
I loved it ❤️🌟

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5W-vbZAQ...

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an action packed story about corruption in the medical world.

Lilly is a doctor that works for the world health organisation and she is called back to Africa when people from the Sans tribe are not improving event though they are been given anti virals to fight the AIDS epidemic. Africa has bad memories for Lilly and her husband but there is no way she can refuse to return she needs to get to the bottom of what is happening. In Africa she works with Piers a local police officer who has a connection to the Sans tribe. With her predecessor been murdered there is obviously more going on here than there appears Can she discover what is going on with the medication even though she is dealing with multi national pharmaceutical companies and corrupt police. Will she also become a victim You will have to read to see I guarantee that you won't be able to put this book down once you start it.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me just say that I am very happy that I requested for a review copy of this book and that I was able to finish it two days after it was released! This is my 1st book read from Australian author, TM Clark, and it definitely did not disappoint. I always find myself requesting for books that are medically related maybe it’s because of the fact that I am a nurse and I can totally understand the terms and scenarios. The writing style is beautiful, I enjoyed how the story went and I was never bored. Usually, I read a book’s first three chapters and then I will decide if I will still continue to give it a go or give up. I found myself liking this one soooo much. It is very engaging and fast-paced. I finished it in two days because I still had to work. If I weren’t working, I probably could have finished it in 5 hours or so. The main characters are all sooo amazing. Dr. Lily Winters is the protagonist. She is fierce and an oathbound doctor who cares about her patients genuinely and I admire her dedication in finding out the truth despite all the threats on her life. Her husband, Quintin, is husband goals OMG! A very supportive man who unconditionally loves his wife that he is willing to move to the other side of the world just for her to accomplish her tasks. I couldn’t find the right words to explain how legit their feelings for each other are and how Quintin looked after Lily until the very end (Darn! So hard to make a review without spoiling anyone.) This book is phenomenal because it discussed important issues or topics in today’s world such fake and ineffective medicines, medicinal use of cannabis, Alzheimer’s Disease, corruption in the police system, and crimes committed in our society for money. Kuddos to the author for discussing these issues which serve as an eye-opener for everyone. Readers might not understand some of these things fully but we still get to have a glimpse and that’s more than enough. The setting is also fresh for me because I’ve never read a book set in Africa before so I really enjoyed learning about this country, its people, and the culture. I am a fan of diversity so five amazing stars for this epic masterpiece!

Positive

Cultural Diversity is a major check

Medical Related story is always my cup of tea

Realistic and on point

Negative

Because it was so fast paced, I think that some characters were not given too much justification with how their story concluded

I was expecting more from the antagonist like more action-packed scenes and stuff, but I still enjoyed it.

Overall, I am satisfied and I highly recommend this to readers who are fan of stories that are diverse, mystery/crime themed, and medical related. I will surely read more books from the author given the fact that this one really got me engaged.

Thank you, Harlequin Books Australia, for my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review. This, however, does not change my opinion.

Xoxo,

Janna

[Sunshine Biskaps · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some books that you open and just can't put down until it's done. For me, this is not one of those books, unfortunately. I felt no connection to Lily Winters or her violinist husband Quintin Winters. Yes, Dr. Lily Winters is completely passionate about her career which is truly admirable. The plot of the story didn't capture me. Is it because her ex-colleague Dr. Ian had died in the beginning of the story? Or maybe it was the writing. Or even the dialogue. I felt as though the dialogue was not polished and a bit too forced, especially the conversations that Ian and Lily had with each other. The author attempted to make it very sweet, but in my opinion, the way the couple spoke to one another just felt very unnatural. I know a lot of married couples and I've yet to meet a husband that directly calls his wife "wifey". Even in the end when Lily gets sick, Ian is very saccharine by saying we are in this together and if it means we live in a shack together, that's what we will do. It's how everything was said that I found not believable, as though all the information was put one conversation and not discussed over time which is what usually happens when a major illness comes into a family. I may be the minority here.

I just can't figure out what it is that did not captivate me into the story. I didn't feel very connected to the characters. I didn't care much about why Dr. Ian was killed. I felt that South Africa was made out to be such a scary and evil place with many shady characters. I have been to parts of South Africa and didn't feel in any danger. I'm sure visiting is a total different ball game than actually residing there and being in the middle of a murder plot and attempting to save lives, though.

In a way, this book reminded me of Tandia by Bryce Courtenay. It could be because both were held in South Africa, and both were super long, unnecessarily so. I also thought of the book entitled Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I think it was just in reference to both being murder mysteries and both having references to nature. I loved Where the Crawdads sing, though. This book was a miss for me and I won't be in a huge rush to read any more of T.M. Clark's books. I feel bad for only giving it a rating of 2 stars, but I know many books won't appeal to everyone.

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.M. Clark’s Cry of the Firebird is a sweeping, emotionally charged adventure that combines the heart of a humanitarian drama with the intensity of a thriller. Set against the harsh yet captivating backdrop of the African wilderness, the novel follows a courageous doctor who must navigate both political danger and moral dilemmas in her fight to protect the vulnerable.

Clark’s storytelling brims with authenticity her depiction of Africa’s landscapes, its people, and its struggles feels lived in and deeply respectful. The tension of the narrative is balanced by moments of compassion and hope, grounding the action in genuine emotional stakes. Drawing comparisons to the works of Wilbur Smith, Clark distinguishes herself through her focus on empathy and human connection amid chaos.

Courage, conscience, and sacrifice are the heartbeat of this novel. Through its protagonist’s journey, Cry of the Firebird becomes more than an adventure it’s a story about perseverance, healing, and the unbreakable spirit of those who refuse to surrender even when the odds are insurmountable.

[Norah Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting adventure/crime story set in the badlands of South Africa with characters who are both memorable and believable will keep you rivited as complications follow one after the other. T.M. Clark weaves all the threads of this complex narrative together to a satisfying conclusion in both expected and surprising ways. Underlying the adventure story is a story of love and hope both of the characters for each other and for the land and the country. It's a page-turner you won't want to put down.

[Jennifer Antulov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this novel.
All the issues associated with Africa-corruption, crime, illness and death are handled with sensitivity. The prose is poetic, the characters are not stereotypical and the ending is sad, bittersweet.