It makes sense to me that this book is the first one in the “Clare Hart” series! If you read my review of “Like Clockwork”, you would have seen that I was a tad confused about some ‘backstory gaps’. “Daddy’s Girl” makes a lot more sense in that regard, seeing as it is in the book that Clare meets Riedwaan Faizal for the first time. I did technically “skip” the second book in the series, noted to be “Blood Rose” though.

As we came to expect from Margie Orford’s crime thrillers, “Daddy’s Girl” is dark and gritty, and not for the faint-hearted. It can be graphic at times, mirroring the real-life realities of gangsters, brutality against women, murder and corruption.

There are quite a few plot twists, with a large number of characters, so make the effort to become familiar with “who’s who”.

The story is compelling and riveting, and the tension increases at a break-neck speed as the clock is ticking, wondering if Riedwaan’s kidnapped daughter is still alive and if she will be found in time.
This solid plot is a sterling example of contemporary South African crime fiction, addressing topical social and political issues.

• Complex relationships
• Clock is ticking
• Realistic, investigative journalist
• Fast-paced, solid plot, emotionally charged
• Compelling and riveting

With thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
The edition I read was the November 2022 re-release paperback from Jonathan Ball Publishers ISBN 9781776192571