Book Title: The Signare of Gorée
Author: Laura Rahme
Publication Date: 9th September 2024
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 301
Genre: Historical Mystery / Historical Fiction
The Signare of Gorée
By Laura Rahme
Blurb:
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 Senegal, THE SIGNARE OF GORÉE explores a world of magic, murder, and passion.
Buy Links:
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Author Bio:
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
Book Excerpt:
The villa had filled fast. There was barely enough space left upon the balcony. Downstairs, well away from the dancing, Germain de Salase now spoke with what appeared to be a signare’s maid. Maurice wondered whether he ought to rescue the young woman but a hard glint in her expression told him she could likely defend herself from De Salase.
While the lively dancing continued, Anna Colas had taken it upon herself to outsmoke all the men present. Her voice rose once more across the balcony.
Retreating to one of the rooms upstairs where numerous army officers were gathered, Maurice was eager to find respite from the loud music. Still annoyingly by his side, Candeau helped himself to fried parcels and dipped them in tomato and onion relish.
“You should try these,” he said with his mouth full. “They are Portuguese fish pasties. The locals love them.”
“I’m beginning to think your so-called duties of escorting a detective are designed to fill your stomach,” observed Maurice. Curious to try, he gestured to the Wolof servant who presented him the platter with a smile.
Nearby an animated conversation stirred a group of ground and naval officers.
“And what do you make of this warrior queen nonsense, commandant?”
“Let us send them one of our generals and we shall see how warrior-like she is!” boasted Commandant Robert.
Maurice froze as roars of laughter greeted the senior officer’s words. Perhaps Armand Laporte was not wrong and while, to date, the French adopted a peaceful demeanour, a latent energy, quite opposite in nature, threatened to topple this peace at any moment.
Was this where the settlement at Dakar was headed? He dreaded the thought.
Candeau leaned in, to whisper into his ear. “The lingeer of the Waalo kingdom, on the mainland, died last month,” he explained. “She has been succeeded by her sister, Ndaté Yalla Mbodj. It is she they are discussing.”
“What is a lingeer?” asked Maurice.
“It is a powerful female figurehead of the Serer people, much like the male equivalent, the brak. Ndaté Yalla Mobdj became lingeer early this month. She has since been causing the French administration much strife.”
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Thank you for hosting Laura Rahme today, with an excerpt from your fascinating novel, The Signare of Gorée. Take care, Cathie xo The Coffee Pot Book Club