Cry of the Firebird in Aussie Readers

Nov 18, 2019 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, own-read, won, net-galley, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, contemporary-fiction, 2019-release, mystery, read-on-kindle

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 patient ...more

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Nov 08, 2019 Helen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 conti ...more

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Nov 20, 2019 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-are, provided-by-publisher, aussie-author

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 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.
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Jan 13, 2020 Kellie Schache marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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