Leopard at the Door

By: Jennifer McVeigh

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in Kenya in the 1950s against the fading backdrop of the British Empire, a story of self-discovery, betrayal, and an impossible love.

After six years in England, Rachel has returned to Kenya and the farm where she spent her childhood, but the beloved home she'd longed for is much changed. Her father's new companion - a strange, intolerant woman - has taken over the household. The political climate in the country grows more unsettled by the day and is approaching the boiling point. And looming over them all is the threat of the Mau Mau, a secret society intent on uniting the native Kenyans and overthrowing the whites.

As Rachel struggles to find her place in her home and her country, she initiates a covert relationship, one that will demand from her a gross act of betrayal. One man knows her secret, and he has made it clear how she can buy his silence. But she knows something of her own, something she has never told anyone. And her knowledge brings her power.

©2017 Jennifer McVeigh (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A dramatic historical period piece...[with] a harrowing, well-paced plot. McVeigh excels ratcheting tension in the plot, and she has a keen eye for the minutiae of everyday life in Kenya.... The novel is perfect for cold winter days." (The Free Lance-Star)

"Readers who want a story that keeps them on edge will enjoy this historical novel rich with emotional and sociopolitical drama." (Kirkus Reviews)

"[A] captivating and thought-provoking story....McVeigh’s beautiful prose and harrowing plot will quickly absorb readers, particularly those interested in 1950s Africa, by sensitively approaching themes of race, cultural evolution, and the humanness that unites us all." (Publishers Weekly)

IMPERIALISM

Wonderful story but very sad. Would love to see the movie! Great strength and so glad for how far we have come....or have we?

It was a bit hard to hear but I didnt want to stop

Though the book
kept my attention and kept me coming back for more it was hard to learn of the atrocities humans afflicted on each other with such utter disregard for the harm they caused. When will people in general stop judging different cultures as lacking and beleiving that their own way is the best way. When will the so called advanced civilization's stop trying to drag the people of cultures they find lacking into a way of life that is not of their own making?

One of my best ever books

A very engaging, eloquently written and beautifully read historical fiction that has had deep effect on me.

Non stop listening

A story, simple in its beginning evolves to a complex one with characters to match. Transported to the heat of Kenya, its beauty and tragedy are shown through innocent eyes coming of age during a revolution of both personal and cultural nature. Highly recommend.

must read

this book was great. it captures you from the beginning causing mixed emotions. I highly recommend it

Great Novel

So much of what happened in this period of the African history is covered in this book. I was so unaware of the extent of it. Jennifer McVeigh brings it to life in a compelling way. I couldn't stop listening. I'm so glad I have head phones so I could listen while I worked.

Atmospheric but melodramic

Excellent descriptions of Kenya, but characterization was overwrought and unsympathetic. The story was slow to start, and then turned melodramatic. Narration was good.

zebras

most memorable moments:. galloping horseback next to a heard of galloping zebras! I was there with wind in my face.

outstanding

lost in the story..absolutely wonderful and hated for it to end. listen to this marvelous tale.

Sum of Parts Better Than the Whole

At times lyrical and beautifully written, that strength did not fully compensate for the irritating characters. Even at the end, Rachel was no more self-aware than she was at the beginning as a young girl. The desire to crawl into the pages of the book and shake her to grow up was strong.

Sara and the father were one dimensional with no subtlety. Michael was the predictable educated and downtrodden native.

The current trend of writing everything in the first person present tense just does not work for this book.

Read Robert Ruark’s book Something of Value for a better story about the Mau Mau.