Book Jacket

 

rank 1656
word count 108840
date submitted 08.06.2010
date updated 10.06.2010
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Romance, History...
classification: universal
complete

The Flamingo Room

Jerold Richert

A terrific story that captures the many complex aspects of Africa. Adventure, love, betrayal, suffering and redemption this book has it all - Amazon review

 

Back cover blurb. From the terrorist camps of Mozambique to the cloistered halls of Cambridge and beyond. The Flamingo Room moves with breathtaking speed to its violent conclusion back where it all began, in a remote corner of Zimbabwe's great game reserve of Ghona re zhou, place of the elephants. Fiction entwines closely with fact, and is the first of a series of novels to explore the myths surrounding Zimbabwe's ancient ruins, their origin, and controversial link to King Solomon and the Phoenicians. It had been called the archaeological myth of the century, but to Chris Ryan, a part-time soldier, tracker, pilot and owner of a game sanctuary, the age-old controversy surrounding the origin of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins was the last thing on his mind. Then his young wife is murdered by terrorists and the trail reaches across the world. To find the killers he seeks help from an eccentric museum curator and a hieroglyphics expert in Cairo. Originally from Zimbabwe, jerold Richert was himself a part-time soldier, tracker and professional pilot, and has a passion for Africa, its ancient history and wildlife. He lives with his wife in Queensland, ASustralia.

 
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tags

action, adventure, africa, ancient, arab, fgm, fiction, gold, history, islam, phoenician, rhodesia, romantic, ruins, sheba, solomon, terrorist, thrill...

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9 comments

 

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j. marie wrote 309 days ago

This has raised the bar of my expectations from this site. I will no longer be shelving anything that doesn't at least promise this standard (with a good edit!) Why has this book not continued to climb? Is it because, like myself, you don't send out spam messages begging reads? All I can hope is that you have already published it somehow. It is the first truly finished book I have read here (notwithstanding a few very minor typos). The pace and the amount of well researched (or experienced) detail is extraordinary and I'm surprised that it hasn't won hearts in the current clime. The solid gold prose wins mine. Backed and 6 stars.
j.marie

philip john wrote 678 days ago

Good to know that Wilbur Smith has finally lost his monopoly on books about this part of the world. No time to read all of the book right now but what I have read so far - pitch and the first couple of chapters - has me hooked. Well done!

Philip John (Dead Reckoning/The Ambassador's Last Post)

Barry Wenlock wrote 698 days ago

Hi Jerold, I read chapter one and enjoyed it. The sense of Africa is really there and time and again you demonstrate your knowledge both with the descriptions and the dialogue (using the insult kaffir, for instance).

I was with Chris and Fuli in their jeep as they swerved to miss the elephant dung and at the poisoned water hole.

Fuli's sympathy with the Nkosi is well explained, as is his disinterest in the dead zebra.

Reference is made to Samora Machel on the radio stations and then the incident with the burning of the hides and Chris' beating and rescue. All good.

The incident with Hennie Joubert and the attacking plane is very dramatic.
Julia is introduced and there's a good deal of back story regarding her and Cris' relationship.
Then Chris' journey to Australia, wild buffaloes and low on fuel...high adventure, or what?
What a ride. Bravo!
Backed with pleasure,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

SusieGulick wrote 699 days ago

Dear Jerold, I love how you have covered from 689BC to now - :) something that I knew nothing about - that's one way to get a history lesson. :) Thanks. :) Well done! :) Your pitch & prologue are excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :)
Could you please take a moment to back my TWO memoir books? Thanks, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"...authonomy quote.
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs.

Mike LaRiviere wrote 706 days ago

Gerald,

Flamingo Room is a literary pictoral journey through a dark and mysterious continent. You have a most unique sense of the mores and practices of a culture dating back before chronology can accurately document. This is an archeological, geographical, and high adventure masterpiece that deserves publication.

You have developed the storyline sufficiently to bring along the most critcal and analytical reader who might scrutinize the backdrop, lines, phrases, words, and nuances of your work, waiting like a nit picking vulture to pick the flesh off any failed or flawed carcass and literary carrion. No problems here and flawlessly done!

The interplay and relationships of the separate and diverse races and social groups were accurately and interestingly portrayed to the point of being seemless and credible. The plots and subplots were strong, interesting, and informative. I felt like I was there, in lion country, smelling the rotting and bloated carcasses, gas fires, and engine exhausts, and feeling frustrated at the senseless carnage next to the poisoned pools.

Female circumcision was only one instance where you depicted the inhumanities that go on in an unenlightened world. The abussive use of non-white labor was another.

You painted vivid word pictures that included the dry dust of a parched land, the lawlessness that pervades that region, and the cruel and inhumane treatment of anyone not white. Poaching, militancy, murder, retaliation, hardships,and the tenuous or illusive veneer of safety and justice all framed this excellent adventure.

Louis L'amoure knew about the West and cowboys and wrote many many books about it. You know Africa/Zimbabwe and Australia as well as he knew his backdrop. But that is the case with many people. Where you are different is that you have a gift and wordcrafting skill that allowed you to place what you have in your head onto paper, and can explain it in believable and artistic terms terms to an uneducated reader who will finish your book a more informed and satisfied person.

Well Done on all counts. You have my backing and two thumbs up for your efforts.

PawPaw Mike LaRiviere
Eden's Door

philmc wrote 707 days ago

Swap-Read? PhilMc, deep State

soutexmex wrote 713 days ago

Welcome aboard, Jerold. Since this book is already published, I'll just SHELVE automatically.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book on the website, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Burgio wrote 713 days ago

THE FLAMINGO ROOM
This book is an interesting blend of old myths and modern day action. You have a set of good characters for this; each is unique and you know how to flesh out a character in just a few quick words. The dialogue is another strength. You mix different dialogues for different people well. Makes this a good read. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

yasmin esack wrote 713 days ago

I will buy this book. Millions would too. Epic, masterpiece are just some of the words to describe it. Imaginative, realistic, great characterizations. Absolutely stunning account of African life and the abuse of its heritage

Backed

1