Black thugs break into a South African animal sanctuary/farm and senselessly massacre the whites. This is present day. A 16-year old girl is down by the river at the time and not seen. Two black servants are at church and one white woman, the owner, away visiting Scotland. The story is about the aftermath of the atrocity; the 16-year old’s traumatic shock, her aunt’s family, who take her in, the neighbouring Sangomas (witch doctor) and her dead mother who watches the pain from above. She is our narrator. Spotted with African magic and teenage angst, this is a compelling, powerful read about the ability to heal after tragedy, but first the horror must be faced.
Yesterday, Sally was living in an idyllic South African farmstead with her teenage daughter Gigi. Now Sally is dead, murdered, and Gigi is alone in the world. But Sally cannot die. She lingers unseen in her daughter's shadow. When Gigi moves in with her aunt's family, Sally comes too. When Gigi's trauma stirs up long-buried secrets, Sally watches helplessly as the family begins to unravel. Then Gigi's young cousin develops an obsession with African black magic, and events take a darker turn. Now Sally must find a way to stop her daughter from making a mistake that will destroy the lives of all who are left behind.
Miranda Sherry lives in Johannesburg. Black Dog Summer is her first novel.
Photo credit: Hannelie Coetzee
A few words from the author herself:-
'I grew up in Johannesburg in a house filled with books. I was seven when I began writing stories. A few decades, and numerous strange jobs later (including puppeteer, bartender and musician), I finally finished an actual book. Black Dog Summer is my latest novel. I currently live in Johannesburg with the love of my life and two weird cats.'
Click here to read more from Miranda Sherry on writing her first book.
