These are some of the books our books editor received recently. They may be reviewed later

Sarah House

by Ifeanyi Ajaegbo (Picador Africa, price not available)

Nita, like many women looking to escape a small-town life in Nigeria, falls for Slim’s promises.

But she finds herself in the dangerous world of Nigerian human trafficking and prostitution. She meets Tega – a fellow slave lured into this world by Slim; she is sold to Madam, who runs Sarah House and makes money from women and children; Chief, a politician, likes her; and she has to survive Lothar, a porn film-maker.

It is a harsh existence and it gets more perilous when she discovers the child Damka’s bloodied clothes in Sarah House. She resolves to work with the police, despite the threat to her own life, to expose and bring down the establishment. Sarah House promises to be an honest and compelling story of human trafficking and prostitution.

Who Killed Hammarskjöld?

by Susan Williams (Jacana, price not available)

The death of Dag Hammarskjöld and his UN team in a plane crash in central Africa in 1961 is a mystery. The downing of the plane and the team’s demise ended a mission to bring peace to the Congo.

Many suspected sabotage and believed multinationals, the UK, Belgium, the US and South Africa of being involved in the disaster.

In this book, Susan Williams reveals secret documentary and photographic evidence on the matter. It shows that the conflict in the Congo was driven not so much by internal divisions as the West’s determination to hold on to real power. It also reveals that UK settlers of Rhodesia wanted to maintain white minority rule at all costs.

15 Seconds

by Andrew Gross (HarperCollins, R200)

Plastic surgeon Henry Steadman has a thriving practice in Florida. He’s divorced but has a good relationship with his ex-wife and is an integral part of his daughter’s life.

But he is being framed for a double murder. He is on the run and a manhunt is ordered.

Carrie, a state trooper, is the only person who believes he is being framed. As the evidence against Henry mounts, Carrie finds herself lying to her peers and trying desperately to keep the faith. The trail leads them to a father on a twisted path to revenge.

15 Seconds is another nerve-wracking thriller from Andrew Gross.

Siege

by Simon Kernick (Random House Struik, R195)

London is under attack and people are dead. Many more are going to die as gunmen storm the Stanhope Hotel in Park Lane.

The gunmen have given the government five hours to meet their demands before they blow up the building. As guests are gripped by fear for their lives one man, who is at the centre of all this, has information that is dangerous – so dangerous it must be kept safe at any price.

Will the guests survive?

Brothers in Arms

by Chris Schoeman (Zebra Press, R230)

At the outbreak of the second Anglo-Boer War in 1899, a number of Hollanders and Dutch expatriates joined the Boers.

Whether it was out of loyalty, their common ancestry, anti-British sentiments or merely a search for adventure we do not know – their reasons were different and complex. Brothers in Arms documents the trials and tribulations of these volunteers.

Hallowed

by Cynthia Hand (Egmont, price not available)

Another supernatural teen novel landed on my desk this week.

This time it’s about Clara who is part angel. It begins with a scene from her dream from which she is reeling after she is forced to make certain choices that will have repercussions in her life.

Torn between her love for Tucker and her destiny that will separate them, she also has to deal with the shocking revelation that someone she loves will die soon.

Whatever happened to good old Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys? Are there any contemporary teen novels written in that vein out there? Enough said.

Bitten

by Sarah Graham (Struik Lifestyle, R230)

It started with a blog – afoodieliveshere.com – then Sarah Graham wrote this book.

It is a book born out of a woman’s love of eating, cooking, sharing and writing about her love of food. Bitten is aimed at 20- to 30-somethings who share similar loves. It works on the premise that anyone can cook healthy, tasty and fun food.

Written pretty much as she writes her blog, Bitten draws me into Graham’s world and inspires even me to try out a recipe or two. - Meneesha Govender