Alois is the Chicken Thief, an intelligent young man struggling to find his way in a southern African country wracked by political unrest and a crumbling economy. A chance encounter gives Alois the opportunity to make some fast money, and hopefully improve his future. However, his assignment goes horribly wrong and he unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of a complicated and perilous struggle to rescue a war hero and transform the political landscape. Though something of an unlikely hero, Alois ultimately learns that both dreams and justice are within his grasp.
Described as a cross between Dan Brown and Alexander McCall Smith, The Chicken Thief reads at a cracking pace, is dramatic and colourful, and will appeal to lovers of quality fiction. In essence a political thriller, it is particularly topical and poignant in relation to recent events in North Africa and the Middle East. Australian author, Fiona Leonard, has travelled a fascinating road across four continents to arrive in her current home in West Africa. Her life experience, including years spent living in southern Africa, has contributed to the creation of this deeply evocative novel, the rich construction of its realistic characters, and detailed, depiction of both the political and physical landscape.
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