Book details:
Book Title: The Signare of Gorée
Author: Laura Rahme
Publication Date: 9th September 2024
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages:301
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An Agatha Christie style mystery meets Isabel Allende.
1846. In the heat of West Africa, the French navy uncovers the corpses of two French soldiers. Inspector Maurice Leroux arrives at the island of Gorée. It seems death has come to this small colonial outpost off the Senegal coast, home to the prosperous mixed-blood women known as the signares.
The navy suspects that the Bambara people, emboldened by approaching emancipation, may be out for blood. While confronted by the locals’ strange magical beliefs, Maurice remains skeptical. Does malevolence play a part, or are these deaths accidental, brought upon by the brutality of nature in an island known as the white man's grave?
But when murder strikes, it becomes clear that a killer is stalking Gorée.
Swept by a mystery unlike any he has known, Maurice meets Signare Angélique Aussenac. The proud métis, deserted by her wealthy Bordeaux lover, casts her spell upon Maurice.
But beyond the throbbing sounds of the tam-tams and the glittering signare soirées, danger lurks. Someone is watching. And the deaths go on.
Could the killer be one of the rich Bordeaux merchants? Or are they hiding among the powerful signares?
A historical mystery spanning France and Sénégal, The Signare of Gorée explores a world of magic, murder, and passion.
Available in #KindleUnlimited
Dubois stared at the slaughtered goat on the ground. He had to hide the weapon. The Wolof did not employ such knives. It would be evident that a Frenchman had murdered the animal.
Behind him, the rattling sound persisted. How odd it was. It almost resembled a musical instrument. Feeling a mounting anguish, he turned once more, searching in the darkness. But aside from the heavy winds now blowing across the palms and swaying the straw huts, there was nothing.
Except… a strange murmur had risen.
It was hard to make out. Was it the waves? Gorée was only three hundred meters by a kilometer. One was never far from the sea. But no, the sound was unlike that of the waves.
It was growing louder, nearing him.
Dubois stumbled back, then almost tripped over the goat. He fumbled out of the farm, cursing that he’d not brought his sword.
And then he noticed that the rattling sound followed after him. Was he imagining it?
How odd that a black mass now hung over him, stifling the moon’s rays.
The knot in his throat tightened.
Dubois hurried onto a dirt path flanked by the windswept palm trees.The sky that had once been littered with stars was pitch black, and all around him, there shone no light. Stranger still, a persistent drone filled his ears. And behind him, that ominous instrument rang out from afar.
Someone was following him. Why could he not see them?
Dubois panicked. Clamping his hands to his ears, he raced toward the port. Fear pulsed through his limbs. And as he picked up speed, almost at once, he knew it, felt it, regretted it. He never should have sought to outrun it. But he was the live wire, and it had responded to him.
Seeing Dubois run, the black mass above him swirled with vengeance. It curled upon itself, paused, and then swelled, finding him. Like a wave, it engulfed him, plunging him into darkness. Dubois felt the pain like a thousand swords on fire. His agonising screams broke through the night at the very instant when thunder blasted the skies.
Laura Rahme is the author of seven historical novels. Born in Dakar, Senegal where she spent her early childhood, she moved to Australia at the age of ten. A graduate of two Honors degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Psychology, she has worked over two decades as an IT professional. Her greatest joy comes from travel, researching history, and penning historical mysteries. She now lives in France with her screenwriting husband.
Author Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurarahmegram/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/teranga/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laura-Rahme/author/B008P7CF8K
Tour hosted by: The Coffee Pot Book Club
Thanks so much for hosting Laura Rahme today, with an enticing excerpt from her novel, The Signare of Gorée.
Take care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club