Treasure of the Golden Cheetah

In her fifth adventure, Jade del Cameron is still debating whether or not to accept the marriage proposal of American pilot, Sam Featherstone, when she lands a job as a safari guide. Both Sam and Jade are upset when they learn Jade's old acquaintance, Harry Hascombe, is leading the safari, but Jade refuses to back out, needing both the money and a paid trip to Kilimanjaro so she'll have material for magazine articles. Jade is surprised, but not upset, when her young friend Jelani stows away on the safari with her pet cheetah, Biscuit. She needs a friendly face in between skirmishes among the Hollywood actors on the safari and Harry's inappropriate comments. Jelani fears for Jade's life, especially after the movie's producer is murdered by a crazed native who turns a knife on himself. Someone needs to keep Jade safe from a murderer. As their party treks up the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, more drama plays out among the movie actors than what goes on in front of the cameras. Their trip is also plagued by sabotage, and, when she intervenes in a catfight between native women, Jade is followed by a dangerous curse. Death is stalking their party, and while Jade untangles the murderous intrigue among the Hollywood safari-goers, Jelani makes it a full-time job to watch over her. Meanwhile, Sam learns some disturbing information about one of the safari party, and he tries desperately to reach Jade with a warning before it's too late. Though there still has been no resolution of the relationship between Jade and Sam, there was some ink devoted to their thoughts on the matter. Jade has feelings for Sam, but fears being tied down as a wife and mother, while Sam admires her strength and courage but fears constantly for her safety. I confess I found their dithering on the subject distracting. Either Jade will marry Sam and continue her adventures with him, or she won't. I'm getting tired of waiting for the decision. The series would be all the better for developing their relationship and making Sam a permanent fixture, and I can imagine many intriguing plot lines that could be followed in this way. It is a tired cliché that adventure heroes must go solo, and since Sam was introduced a few books ago, one I hope this series will not adopt. That said, this is one of my favorite mystery series with an excellent locale and great characters. The mysteries are an intriguing combination of old-fashioned sleuthing mixed with African lore. The last two books suffered slightly with Jade and Sam's dithering, but it's a hump I hop the series will soon be over, and I impatiently await Jade's next mystery.

If Jade del Cameron were a guy, most people in the Africa of the 1920's would think she was a little foolhardy, took a few too many risks, but wouldn't really be fazed by her actions. Because she is definitely a woman, a woman who thinks she knows what she wants and goes after it, the man in her life has some problems accepting her behaviors. This causes some problems. Jade, in this adventure, in on a safari to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanganyika. She's riding herd on three actresses and the woman serving as their maid; the safari is for the purpose of shooting an action/romance film loosely based on something along the lines of King Solomon's Mines. There are the usual tensions one might expect among actresses, and the director seems to be taking the script a little more seriously than perhaps he should. Jade finds herself, and others, in danger. Arruda seems a bit more entranced with the mythical in GOLDEN CHEETAH than in previous novels, but it isn't out of character. The setting is glorious. One wonders what can happen to Jade after this.

Once again Suzanne Arruda kept me up late with the adventures of Jade del Cameron. Her stories are fun, with enough historical details and African adventure to be satisfying. Can't wait for #6!

I absolutely LOVE this captivating mystery series!! "Treasure of the Golden Cheetah" is the fifth installment chronicling the exciting adventures of photojournalist Jade del Cameron in 1920's colonial East Africa. As the story begins, a Hollywood movie crew has assembled in Nairobi, Kenya. Jade has been hired to help escort the crew up Mount Kilimanjaro to begin filming the dramatization of an ancient tale, in which King Solomon's son, Menelik, has been buried on the mountain with his father's treasure. Her job is to supervise the troupe's actresses and keep them safe. Even before the group embarks, the film's producer is stabbed to death in a murder-suicide. The expedition is soon marked by sabotage, danger and intrigue. Jade unravels the mystery with the help of her pet Cheetah and a native friend. A surprize ending leaves me eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series. Ms. Arruda has brilliantly crafted a suspenseful plot and compelling characters that kept me enthralled until the very last page. The storyline is masterfully interwoven with fascinating African folklore and traditions. Her vivid descriptions and lush imagery paint an exquisite picture of the scenic beauty of the Kenyan countryside. I truly loved this entertaining book and I very highly recommend it!

She is known as the lioness Simba Jikefor her courage, honesty, strength and ability to get out of tough situations. Photojournalist Jade Del Cameron likes Africa and constantly risks her life for a story. In 1920 she is part of a safari that is heading towards Mt. Kilimanjaro with actors filming a movie on the treasures left by King Solomon's son Melinek. While she is doing a feature on the Hollywood group, she also considers Sam Featherstone's marriage proposal. Jade loves Sam, but fears marriage will confine her as she knows he will want to keep her safe while she is a risk taker needing her freedom. The trek proves dangerous with people dying starting with the producer. The deaths initially look like tragic accidents until Jade finally concludes there is a predator amongst the safari. Doing her job, Jade knows she is caught in a precarious situation, but with her friend Jelani the healer and her pal Biscuit the cheetah, Jade vows to end the serial killing spree. 1920 Africa as always owns this fascinating amateur sleuth tale starring a brave heroine who marches to her own drummer. Jade is independent and tough but is also tender and caring. With a nod to Hemingway, the whodunit is fun, but the TREASURE OF THE GOLDEN CHEETAH is as much a great historical as it is a mystery. Harriet Klausner