Twenty years ago, Ray Campbell, now a cautious risk- management consultant, was a well-intentioned aid worker dedicated to improving conditions in Lubanda, a newly independent African country. He is forced to reconsider that year of living dangerously when a friend from his time in Lubanda is found murdered in a New York alley. Signs suggest that this most recent tragedy is rooted in the far more distant one of Martine Aubert, the only woman Ray ever truly loved and whose fate he'd sealed in a moment of grievous error. Martine Aubert was a white, native Lubandan farmer whose dream for her homeland starkly conflicted with those charged with its so-called development. But it was Ray's failure to understand Martine's commitment to her country that had placed a noose around her neck, one tightened by a circle of vicious men, cruel taunts, and whistling machetes. Ray's return to the passion he'd once felt for Martine makes A Dancer in the Dust the enthralling and moving story of two loves: Ray's love for Martine Aubert, and Martine's for a homeland that did not love her back.
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“Love of country prevails over romantic love, asaward-winning author Cook peels back the political machinations in a countryroiled with violent upheavals, deception, and betrayal in which internationalaid is not the panacea it might seem. While chronological shifts may beconfusing, Cook takes on international-relations issues here to riveting effect.”
— Booklist
“Cook displays an excellent grasp of the culture of African villages and of NGOs.”
— Publishers Weekly“Cook’s hallmark format of the present mixing with the past is evident. Less a murder mystery, the story is more about love and betrayal…[with] evocative, descriptive writing, a narrative that maintains interest, and a plot-twist ending. It will appeal to both the author’s fans and readers who enjoy more literary and politically oriented stories.”
— Library JournalBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Thomas H. Cook was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1947. He has been nominated for the Edgar Award seven times in five different categories. He received the best novel Edgar for The Chatham School Affair, the Martin Beck Award, the Herodotus Prize for best historical short story, and the Barry Award for best novel for Red Leaves, and has been nominated for numerous other awards.
Ray Chase graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in theater and a minor in cinema and television. He has since worked extensively as a voice-over artist. Among his dozens of audiobook narrations are Ian Douglas’ Heritage trilogy and Robert Olen Butler’s Christopher Marlowe Cobb thrillers.