The Lupane Legacy

Joshua Denham and Devon Kerr, Book 1

By: Darby G. Holladay

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Ghosts of a Revolution . . . Patrick Khumalo was only five when his entire village was massacred before his eyes. For twenty-nine years the desire for justice has burned inside him . . . but now it's lit a fuse.

The Lupane Legacy is a story of tangled family ties, of love, betrayal, and revenge. From the halls of power and intrigue in Washington, DC, to the dark secrets of postcolonial Africa, this international thriller will pull you into a world where nothing is black and white, and everyone has something to hide.

©2014 Darby G. Holladay (P)2015 Manor Minor Press

Critic reviews

"Engrossing.... A recommendation for even the most seasoned thriller reader." (Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review)

Nothing in this story was simple

Lupane Legacy is an interesting thriller that maintains two story lines coming together seamlessly into one climatic experience. Beginning with Patrick, a Zimbabwean, who survived his village’s massacre when he was five. Patrick has grown up keeping his head down and his eyes open. Waiting for years, he finally has the key information to expose those that massacred his village and family. He does not hesitate to implement his plan to share that information.

The second story line centers on Denham and Kerr who meet and fall in love. He is a former Marine born into a wealthy and established family; her, a member of a business focused intelligence agency hiding behind a banking career. Denham is sucked into the intrigue because of family and his money; Kerr because of her new found love and career. Throughout, intrigue and politics, as well as one man’s obsession blend the two story lines together to create an exciting thriller.

As with any first book of a series there is a lot of “building” characters and history. This can get bogged down at times but overall, it was not too much. I found Kerr and Denham’s passion for one another a little lacking but as I said it takes time to build those relationships.

It was interesting to see how far Patrick was willing to go to get revenge. It makes one wonder how far one would go to get revenge if in the same situation.There were threads within the story that called into question power vs corruption, revenge vs redemption along with relationship issues – work, love, truth and deception.

Several twists made the story interesting and jaw dropping. Nothing in this story was simple – there were so many hidden things that took a little bit to reveal. It was well worth the wait. It was a complicated but a well-constructed story. The characters were well developed although I thought the conversation between Denham and Kerr towards the end was a bit tame.

The narrator did an excellent job. He spoke clearly and kept his characters straight. His voice provided the correct amount of inflection for the emotion needed. Plus he has a pleasant voice.

I had no issues with the production, it was well done! I recommend this audio book. A must read if you enjoy thrillers.

Audiobook provided for review by the publisher.

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Vivid Storytelling

This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review and I’m very glad I jumped on the change to get it. The book is listed as a thriller but I’m not sure it’s true in the traditional sense. If you’re looking for non-stop action and fight scenes this probably isn’t your book. In “The Lupane Legacy” the author builds intrigue throughout the book only to bring it to a crescendo near the end.

What the author does really well is telling the story so thoroughly that it makes the reader feel as if they are actually there. He is able to describe the scenery and surroundings vividly without clichés. In addition he gives great background on the characters in a succinct way so that you know there history and what they’re thinking, without it being too long winded and boring. This really brings the story to life and is right up there with some of the best story telling out there.

Mr. Heitsch does a great job will all of the accents and characters. His narration is well done and well timed which really helps bring the story and characters to life!

Enjoyable, easy & realistic politics/spy thriller

Darby Holladay has created a pleasant, nicely paced thriller, with characters that feel realistic, fleshed out and approachable. The locations feel well researched, the motivations completely believable, and the resolution satisfying.

I confess, I was a bit lost at times by some assumed ability on the reader/listener's part to associate with elements of upper middle class DC beltway life (honestly, like I know what a specific golf hole on a specific course is sufficiently to get a metaphor?) ... but having a number of friends who work in the same area and with similar kinds of people, I particularly appreciated the more real world feel of people who are, in essence, spies.

CIA conference rooms that haven't been updated since the 80's, office football bets, and small scale practical jokes are far more real to me than descriptions of Jason Bourne esque super computers and high powered spy agencies. When coupled with goals I can understand and very human desires? Even better. As an acquaintance once said "Listen.. 90% of my job (that I can't tell you about) is just boring office crap... and the other 10% is only marginally better"

The core plot did catch me off guard, I was expecting one thing and got another, tho I wouldn't have complained about an additional twist or two. I also liked that Holladay has created a world with military personnel, that does not simply devolve into endless gun porn.

I get it, it's a shotgun. Good. Move on.

I don't care about the details of this particular Mossberg, and how the autoload feature has been updated to work with the new XYZ spec Russian blah blah blah. MOVE ON ALREADY. I would guess Holladay has a similar response, because there were a number of cases where the narrative flipped the metaphorical bird to convention, and still got the details right. "Their guns didn't have silencers" because why the hell would they?

The narration is ably navigated by accomplished voice talent Paul Heitsch, who largely got out of the way of this one and let the story get on with itself. Accents were good, and subtly delivered, his pacing was excellent, and his diction is always rather impeccable. He and I pronounce "foyer" differently... but that is neither here nor there. ;)

The story is solid, and fun... nothing that needed a narrator to go above and beyond just help it get off the ground, and he lets this one use it's own wings... giving the impression that he's standing at our elbow and providing insightful commentary more than leading us with a flourish.

"The Lupane Legacy" gets a solid 4 from me. It wasn't a "HOLY COW!" that I'll listen to over and over, but I can honestly give it my most solid support, and my now comfortable endorsement: "Yep, I'd totally spend money on this one."

{Copy provided free in exchange for a review}

Fast Paced Excitment

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lupane Legacy to be better than the print version?

Yes, I think listening to the reader definitely improve the experience. Paul Heitsch has a great voice and the subtle nuances in his voice as he changes characters and locations really adds to the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think my most favorite character was Michael. He was so connected with his work and the people he worked with as well as the ones that worked for him. He had an intuitive sense about people and situations.

Which character – as performed by Paul Heitsch – was your favorite?

It is hard to pick one favorite. I was drawn to both Joshua and Devon although I have to say that for a man just entering the prime of his life he seems a little stogie. I guess I'd have to pick Devon for her courage and fortitude.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't feel I had an extreme reaction, but the ending left me with a feeling of being unresolved. It starts out in Africa with a horrific event and at the end I felt it was over, but the brutality and savageness was never answered with any sort of justice.

Any additional comments?

This is a definite read. I would not have chosen this book from it's blurb, but I'm glad I read it. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it. A well crafted story with characters that left you wanting to know more about them. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep you wondering and coming back for more.

interesting historical thriller

Where does The Lupane Legacy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This saga takes us over a long journey in several peoples intertwining lives and plays it out in an all too realistic to today's news manner. Has a strong romance angle that is very tastefully done. There were a few loose ends here and there technically as if the author did't really understand the gadgetry the character was using. Overall, a good read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lupane Legacy?

the shoot out

Which scene was your favorite?

the tunnel

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Desmond explained things to Constance.

Any additional comments?

This book is memorable and thought provoking.

Lupane Legacy

Any additional comments?

Extremely brutal and violent massacre in Zimbabwe. Khumalo is the one and only survivor. As it goes on the story gets more and more involved with different locations and different characters as well. The Lupane Legacy is very well written and definitely a page turner.

fast paced thriller (4½ stars from me)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

absolutely, this is a refreshingly different spy thriller story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I dont know ,....but it would bave you sitting on the edge of the seat through out

Any additional comments?

This new to me author starts the story with an young boy witnessing the slaughter of his whole family in the Lupane District Zimbabwe.
This is a fast paced thriller, travelleing back and forth through the continents, with a slight touch of romance too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook . exciting plot and really good narration (Paul Heitsch) really brought the carachters to life .
I'm glad to see that it's the start of a series .
Thumbs up from me !!