The Unexpected Guest : A Novel Out of Africa

by Samantha Ford

As darkness descends on the bush a child appears at a watering hole opposite a game lodge. The guests watch in horror as she collapses in front of them.Jack Taylor, a London journalist now living in South Africa, is given the exclusive to investigate the child’s mysterious past. A past the child is unable to help him with.Jack’s investigation takes him deep into the sinister world of international crime, and a journey to Zimbabwe where he finds an abandoned ranch watched over by someone with desperate secrets of his own, which he is unwilling to share.Set against the magnificent backdrop of the South African bush. The Unexpected Guest is a fast-paced story with twisting unexpected possibilities, taking Jack down a trail of deception, lies, murder and tragedy until he discovers the bitter truth of what happened to the little girl and how she ended up alone on a dark night in the bush.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2021

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but could have been better told, it dragged on a bit too long. Somewhat spoiled by bad editing and boring dialogue. Enjoyed reading about the African Safari lodges. The ending was rushed through when it could have been more a part of the whole novel.

[Mary Ellington]

Another interesting book about Africa. Not really a who-done it kind of mystery, but suspenseful enough that I keep reading. I never really thought about visiting Africa. While I haven't exactly changed my mind, now that I've read 2 books about it, the lad sounds like a beautiful place to experience all kinds of life and wonder.

[Tracey Gass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me feeling sad and melancholic. My husband is from Zimbabwe and his family and friends were all involved in the troubles and problems with the government and their take over of the farms and land. I am South African and lived near the Kruger National Park for 4 years. Many elements in this book touched me because I could relate to them. Zimbabweans and South Africans are spread out all over the world because of the corruption and mismanagement by their governments and the whole situation is out of our control. Poaching is also a very sad topic especially if you’ve ever seen an elephant or rhino in the wild.

[Mark Cellier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all five of Samantha Ford’s Africa series books. All have weaved an intriguing story of bush and safari life in East and South Africa. Very few, if any, writers paint the evocative picture of these parts of Africa as Samantha does. Brilliant. The Unexpected Guest, the last, so far, in the series, is a tour de force. Gripping and emotional. I look forward very much to the next in the series. Thank you for these books.

[Sue Whaits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down

Besides taking me back to my homeland, South Africa, the author took me on an amazing journey of the Kruger Park using her words conjure up memories, sounds and smells from the depths of my being. A fabulous story of truth and reality, woven into a beautiful story of hope, love and kindness.

[Karen G Clesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Samantha Ford's books!!

She takes you to the interiors of Africa, then allows all the colors, smells and sounds to fill your senses! This particular book sends a little girl to the shore of a watering hole near big game. You've got to pick up a copy today to solve the mystery! This one is her best work yet!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

compelling story

Very well done story. A small child appears at an African luxury camp that caters to international tourists. She is very ill and is unable to communicate effectively. This is the story of unraveling the mystery of who she is and how she ended up lost and alone in the wild.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story is engaging and holds the readers’ interest, the author’s writing leaves a lot to be desired. Her prose is jerky and clumsy with frequent overuse of description that is used repeatedly and monotonously. Having said that, if you can wage your way through often clumsy and trite narrative you do want to know how it ends, she holds your interest. .

[Kathy Dough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unexpected Guest

Samantha Ford has done it again. She makes Africa come alive! It's another novel filled with mystery, intrigue, and even some romance. When I'm reading one of her novels, nothing else gets done, nothing! I will read until I'm finished with the book, unless it's 2 am, then I get up early to finish. Then on to her next one. She's definitely my favorite author!

[Sarah H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth it

Writing is simply not good! Terrible grammar, inconsistent punctuation, absurd amount of irrelevant description and wandering, uninteresting backstories for minor characters. Dialogue is stilted and unbelievable, and the main white characters seem condescending and vaguely racist.

[Nigel Copeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A babe that changed lives

What an exciting story by this author hence the 5 stars. People who were not friends became friends did they solve how the unexpected guest arrived you will have to read the book to find out.

[Mrs Carol Kaye]

as good as any Wilbur Smith book!

Having lived in Africa for a short time it invoked memories, of the heat, the dust the poverty and beautiful people living there. Wonderful characters, I could almost taste the dust, the heat the smells.
Great book

[A Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing book

Another amazing and enjoyable story. I was catured from the first to the last page. Love the story and would recommend it escpecially to those who loves the African bush.

[Tricia Fullerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Captivating Read

This book was amazing. Simply put, it weaves an emotionally charged tale amidst Africa's beautiful landscapes . Haven't been this excited about an author in a while, just downloaded three more of her books. So looking forward to experiencing them.

[Morgan Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, especially if you love Africa and southern Africa. An unexpected end in the book The Unexpected Guest. A huge compliment to the author for describing the situation in Zimbabwe in a realistic way, a far cry from the political correct crowd.

[D L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Africa it’s greed and beauty

A powerful story to explain how a mystery child emerges from the bush in front of guests at an expensive game lodge. Full of intrigue as the mystery unravels. A heart searching story well written.

[sandra l DICKSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing and beautiful story with reality

Terrific and heartbreaking story, with beautiful African sky’s and descriptions of the bush, the ocean and British African connections loved it!

[Douglas Cnudde · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Very good from beginning to end. The author has a way of describing the events from storms to sitting out on a warm evening watching the animals come to drink it seems one is also there. Also enjoyed the storyline and the various characters. DC

[Bez Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

compelling and entertaining

Great read - intrigue, sadness and happiness entwined with the stories of indomitable men and women striving to fight the greed of ruthless people who care about nothing but making money - sadly there are too many such people in this world today.

[Vanessa Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Samantha Ford, bringing the sights and sounds of Africa to your door. A thriller with a twist.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it when a book engages and teaches - this one accomplished both tasks!

[carmo van uden]

Read all her books and loved them all. This one was even better. I'm waiting for the next one.

[Dee Hahessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic description of Africa felt I was there amm would not be a great fan of writing found it repetitive a bit dull. Saying that not my usual kind of book

[Gail Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and interesting. Explores.some thought themes for Africa.

[Jennifer Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A really poor read , simple writing style … almost Enid Blyton style . Very predictable and immature.
Not for me sadly .

[sue duncanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

One of the best books that I have read for a long time took me back to days in africa

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but a little too drawn out. I found some of the exact thoughts or conversations written in the author’s other books. I am a huge fan, so I noticed. As always a well written story.

[Robert Rohman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read very much in the genre of Tony Parks

[Amelie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading through Ms. Ford's oeuvre, I am consistently frustrated by the frequent misuse of punctuation--misplaced commas and incorrect apostrophes abound--and incomplete sentences. Additionally, she has a tendency to miss opportunities to identify speakers in conversation, leaving the reader to suss out which character is speaking which lines.

These are not major issues, singly, but the number of errors distracts from reading her books and negatively impacts my enjoyment of them. Better editing would make a world of difference!