At the launch of Tooth and Nailed at Kalk Bay Books last Friday night there was something slightly surreal about looking in the audience and seeing celebrity crime writers Deon Meyer, Joanne Hichens, Michael Stanley (aka Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip) and Chris Marnewick staring back at me. As I said on the night, it was like being an amateur actor putting on a performance and spotting Robert de Niro and Quentin Tarantino sitting in the stalls.

This was all thanks to ace interrogator Mike Nicol. As well as generously agreeing to question me on the night (and he did a stellar job, leaving no plot-hole unturned), Mike organised a krimi feast at the Annex restaurant afterwards. It was a wonderful night, filled with delicious food, great conversation and much hilarity. Thanks a million to Mike, Ann, all at the Annex and Kalk Bay Books and everyone who came to the launch.

Tomorrow night (Thursday, August 5) there will be another launch at the fabulous Book Lounge. Mervyn Sloman says he’s forgiven me for the cameo appearance he makes in the novel, and I’ll be joined by Quinton Martins, who started and heads up the Cape Leopard Trust. Probably you’re wondering what the hell a famous conservationist is doing hanging out with a star-struck krimi writer, but all will be revealed. One of the plot strands in the novel was inspired by a close and terrifying encounter my family, Quinton and I had with a pride of lions during a camping trip in Botswana, and as one of the characters in the novel may or may not be based on Quinton himself, the claws will definitely be out.

To find out more about the vital work Quinton and his wife Liz are doing to save these beautiful animals, check out:

http://www.capeleopard.org.za/

Hope to see you at the Book Lounge!