The De Zalze Murders by Julian Jansen (Tafelberg)
The Van Bredas looked like the perfect family - wealthy, successful and well-connected, living a seemingly picture-perfect life at the upmarket De Zalze estate in Stellenbosch. But one night in January 2015 this all came to a bloody end when three of the family members were brutally axed to death. Marli, the teenage daughter, suffered amnesia from the trauma and has no recollection of the horrific night. Henri is the only person who knows what happened. Suspected of the triple murder, he has tried to prove his innocence in court - leaving the country to speculate as to whether it was him who wielded the axe against his own family.
Hap by Lesley Beake (Tafelberg)
Lucy, 16, from New York, is recovering from a recent, traumatic experience and, when she joins her father in South Africa at the fictional West Coast town of Barclay Bay, she attempts to make sense of her ordeal. But she is deeply affected by those around here, present and past. Hap, an early ancestor, makes a deep impact on Lucy in her heightened sense of emotion and perception. This book is recommended reading for 12- to 18- ear-olds and won the 2017 Sanlam Gold pPize for Youth Literature.
South Africa - Landscapes by Struik Travel & Heritage
This splendid "picture" book shows the beauty of our country in all its resplendent finery through 150 beautifully-taken photographs by a host of top cameramen from Shaun Adey, Roger de la Harpe, Alan Proist, Keith Young and Nigel Dennis to mention just a few. Sweeping vistas, breathtaking scenery and superb wildlife are all evocatively captured - from the Cape winelands to the craggy Cederberg to pristine dunes in Natal and the awe-inspiring Drakensberg. Travel vicariously through this book or, with the holidays upon us, get in your car and get driving to one of our truly beautiful spots.
