Title: Things Unseen

Author: Pamela Power

Type: Mystery

Pages: 216

Published: 2016

Emma is the wife of a wealthy Joburg gynae, Rick, a man who likes to be in control and enjoys a bit on the side. Craig, Emma’s ex-lover who relocated to the UK with a high-profile policing job, returns for a visit – opportunely as it happens as Emma’s mother is murdered and found with her knickers round her ankles. All fingers point to Surprise, the immigrant gardener but Emma is convinced they are wrong. The arrival of Rick, Emma’s errant and alcoholic brother now living in Australia opens more cans of worms and they just keep wriggling to the twist at the end.

All is brought to an abrupt end the evening of the reunion when Emma, distressed about not being able to reach her mother nor their domestic worker Lizzie on their phones, abandons the alumni gathering and rushes back to discover her mother brutally murdered in their home, a mansion on a vast property meant for a large family with kids. Despite many attempts, Emma and Rick are childless. Their infertility is a source of great distress to Emma. The couple drifts further apart during the murder investigation and the tensions between them escalate upon the arrival of Ross, Emma’s troubled brother who lives in Australia.

Emma is convinced that the main suspect in their mother’s murder – their gardener who is missing – could not be responsible for the gruesome deed although most clues point to the contrary. When her mother’s lawyer explains the unexpected wishes of the dead woman to her family, everyone is taken by surprise. And then Emma encounters a sickly-sweet smell in their garden and the events of the night of the murder take on another evil twist.

Any more information would constitute a spoiler, but you will find this to be an exciting and atmospheric page turner. While remaining true to the realities that form the South African landscape, and not shying away from issues like shocking crimes against women and children, the narrative is cleverly laced with humour, which makes it a delight to read, even though the subject matter is essentially quite dark. The main character Emma is particularly funny at times and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story, despite her faults. The quirky foibles of middle/upper class South African living are also not left untouched by the author’s sharp wit. Things Unseen is at smart and entertaining story and will make a great book to tuck in your suitcase for the holidays.”

Things Unseen had me gripped from the very beginning, from the protagonist’s internal world to the spine-tingling murder scenes and shocking discoveries, Pamela doesn’t hold back for even a second! Her pace writing style brings you face to face with the good, the bad and the ugly of the characters. The events that unfold lead us to question how well we know those closest to us and how well we truly know ourselves.