South Africa through the eyes of Invictus

I was very pleased to discover that the movie Invictus is set around the same time as my cozy murder mysteries, "Murder @ Play" and "Murder @ Work". It's a beautiful reflection of what South Africa was going through in mid-nineties, all its fears and prejudices, all stemming from our overwhelming love for that amazing country.

Some trivia from Invictus:

• Did you know that when President Mandela shook the hands of the rugby players for the first time, some people in the audience thought it highly inappropriate... either for the president... or for the players????
• A debate is out whether the president should have used both hands when handing the rugby captain that cup of tea: it's African etiquette to do so (a sign of respect) - the issue is whether Mandela felt respectful. Caveat: Francois Pienaar should definitely have received it with both hands (a sign of gratitude). See links about African etiquette: http://hubpages.com/hub/manners-southern-african-countries and http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/africa.htm.
• What they said in the movie, it really is true about Nelson Mandela's eyes.

South Africa in 1994

South African News Headlines in 1994 (the time in which Murder @ Play is set):

• 10 May Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the first President of South Africa and FW de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki become joint deputy presidents
• The United Nations lifts its arms embargo on South Africa
• Princess Anne, Princess Royal, visits South Africa
• The African National Congress hold their 49th National Conference in Bloemfontein

"Murder @ Play" is here!

My copies of "Murder @ Play" have finally made it to New Zealand and I'm delighted to see that the cover is actually made up of tiny white bricks (i.e., it's not white the way it looks online) - it just goes to show that, amazing as the Internet is, The Real Thing is sometimes better!

Incidentally, if you read "Murder @ Play", you will notice that while some characters communicate by email, and while the solution relies on the detective's understanding of electronic files, the Internet plays no part in the story and Google is a word not invented yet (the book being set in 1994). Oh, and only affluent businessmen carry cell phones - which weigh more than a brick!

If you think that weird, wait till my next book comes out. That one is set in 1982... no cell phones, no Internet and spoiled rich kids play Atari TV games!!!! :-)

Is that your son's hand print on your cheek?

To see Yvonne's typical writing day (or night, as the case may be) and get a glimpse of how the "Murder @..." series is made, have a look at Mary Welk's interview with Yvonne.

What is the one thing you want readers to know about your book?

In the new free South Africa of 1994, men are still boss, women carry handguns for self-protection, and some mistakes can change your life forever.

When a body is found during their weekend away with friends, Christine Chamberlain must use her brilliant mathematical mind to prove her husband's innocence...
... whether he's innocent or not.

When it comes to your loved ones, is it possible to know too much?

To see more, please have a look at the interview on Bookland Heights.

The author

To find out more about Yvonne Walus, the author of "Murder @ Work" and "Murder @ Play", please see the interview on "Reading, Writing and Stuff that Makes Me Crazy":

(excerpt:)

Q: How many tattoos is "too many"?

A: One. Particularly if it's on my child.

See South Africa in this Book Trailer

Check out the latest book trailer for "Murder @ Play" by Yvonne Eve Walus, and see a lifestyle gone with the wind.

BUY the book here.

"Murder @ Play" - When the world was the same and South Africa was otherwise

Echelon Press, 2009