Discover new selections
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$6.00

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $13.00

Save: $11.01 (85%)

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Laura Rahme
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Signare of Gorée Kindle Edition

by Laura Rahme (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings
An Agatha Christie style mystery meets Isabel Allende.

1846. In the heat of West Africa, the French navy uncovers the corpses of two French soldiers. Inspector Maurice Leroux arrives at the island of Gorée. It seems death has come to this small colonial outpost off the Senegal coast, home to the prosperous mixed-blood women known as the signares.

The navy suspects that the Bambara people, emboldened by approaching emancipation, may be out for blood. While confronted by the locals’ strange magical beliefs, Maurice remains skeptical. Does malevolence play a part, or are these deaths accidental, brought upon by the brutality of nature in an island known as the white man's grave?

But when murder strikes, it becomes clear that a killer is stalking Gorée.

Swept by a mystery unlike any he has known, Maurice meets Signare Angélique Aussenac. The proud métis, deserted by her wealthy Bordeaux lover, casts her spell upon Maurice.

But beyond the throbbing sounds of the tam-tams and the glittering signare soirées, danger lurks. Someone is watching. And the deaths go on.

Could the killer be one of the rich Bordeaux merchants? Or are they hiding among the powerful signares?

A historical mystery spanning France and Sénégal, The Signare of Gorée explores a world of magic, murder, and passion.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    301 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 9, 2024
  4. File size
    3.9 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review



"Engaging, revelatory storytelling that evokes the dynamics of the mid 19th century." - NetGalley Reviewer, librarian

"Conjuring a haunting page in Gorée's history, Laura Rahme weaves folklore and a touch of magic realism into an often harrowing but always riveting tale." - SP Krause, Award-winning screenwriter

"A compelling mystery dripping in ancient culture and superstitions, the land of Goree and its people swept evocatively across the pages, as Rahme demonstrates her mastery of story-telling." - Goodreads librarian, Top NetGalley Reviewer

"If you enjoy murder mysteries and want something that has all the ingredients of a good one, plus a really original setting, look no further. It's also essential reading for anyone with an interest in this part of Africa or period of history." - NetGalley Reviewer

"Murder mysteries are ten a penny, but this one stands out for its unusual setting and historical context.' - NetGalley Reviewer

"The novel is set against the rich historical backdrop of Gorée Island, and Rahme does an excellent job of bringing this unique setting to life. The vivid descriptions and historical details were definitely a highlight for me, immersing me in a time and place that I knew little about before." - NetGalley Reviewer, librarian

From the Author

"Born in Senegal like my father, I dearly wanted to write a novel set on the island of Gorée. From an early age I had been fascinated by its past.

For four centuries, Africa's western coast served as ports of departure for slave trading ships bound for the American continent. Unlike what you might have heard, the island of Gorée off the coast of Senegal was not the largest slave exporting center in Africa. That title goes to the Kingdom of Loango which stretched across parts of modern Angola and Congo. Playing a lesser role in Senegal's human traffic, Gorée was nevertheless home to one of many concentration camps where slaves were held and readied to be shipped to the Americas, embarking on a harrowing sea passage where only an average sixty percent would survive. Other exporting locations in Senegal included the island of Saint-Louis, Rufisque, Karabine, and Ziguinchor.

I beheld this tragic historical past, but I could not find a story I liked to go with it.

Then ten years ago, I stumbled across an online article about the powerful female traders who lived in both Gorée and Saint-Louis. Of mixed blood, bearing a title derived from the Portuguese word, senhora, which means lady, these signares came from a world that has long vanished. Captivated by these women who ran businesses and were so independent in many ways, I promised myself that I would write a novel that featured signares.

When I began writing The Signare of Gorée in 2022, I chose to feature the signare whose villa, still visited today, has made her famous all over the world: Anna Colas Pépin. In 2013, Barack Obama himself had visited Anna Colas Pépin's house. Yet he, along with many who are not aware of the 'captiveries' or official slave holding establishments that existed on the island - notably in its old military forts, see the house as the main slave holding place from which captives departed Gorée, and call it, 'The House of Slaves'. With this in mind, I was keen to bring Anna Colas Pépin to life.

Things were working out. I had my setting, and I had my signares. But what I most wanted for this historical mystery was a cultural beat, a magic realism flavor of the brand I had tasted with stories like Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits. All my novels weave in a touch of the supernatural. Even my French chef biopic, The Secret of Chantilly, plays with fairy tale elements and often blurs the lines between reality and the wondrous realm. For The Signare of Gorée, I dearly wanted to highlight Senegalese folklore. My aim was to marry local cultural beliefs with the more cerebral aspects of the mystery. It turned out to be great fun and the result was just what I would expect of a story set in Senegal. Because when one studies Senegalese culture, one very often encounters syncretistic belief systems and behaviors.

In turns out there would be a further unique angle to my historical mystery set on Gorée island. It was not one I had imagined, and it took me by surprise."

 
This is an excerpt from an article published on the historical blog, When Angels Fly, on 12 September 2024.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CLXRXMML
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (September 9, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Laura Rahme

Laura Rahme

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Laura Rahme was born in Dakar, Senegal where she spent her early childhood. Dakar's poverty and raw beauty left a strong impression on Laura. Deeply inspired by her Lebanese, French and Vietnamese heritage, she has a passion for covering historical and cultural ground in her writing. Laura holds honours degrees in Engineering and Psychology. Her non-writing career has seen her in the role of web developer, analyst programmer, business analyst and Agile manager. She lives in Brittany, France.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
3 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • coffee and ink
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
    Goree is an island off the coast of Africa where the French, among others, once ruled, in the mid-19th century. The colonizers and the islanders have been enmeshed in each other’s history and blood for generations. When a Frenchman dies under strange circumstances, Maurice the inspector is sent from France to investigate what happened. More men die before Maurice is able to solve the first murder, but they are all connected by magic and revenge. Excellent writing and history, and highly recommended.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Perdita
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book has everything
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I LOVED this book. This is the book you slip to your best-friend, whispering, "read it." It has everything, emotions, suspense, magic, strong women, exotic locations and a fantastic plot. Situated on an island near Sénégal at the end of the slave trade, the characters and the island are so well-described, they suck you in. I loved the writing, the women, the smells, the colours . . . I loved everything about it! Read it.
    1 like
    Report
  • Nikitabooktiquehub
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful Blend of History, Culture, and Intrigue
    Reviewed in India on October 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    🖍️The Signare of Gorée🖍️ is a captivating historical mystery set in 1846, on the island of Gorée, Senegal. The French navy finds two dead soldiers, prompting Inspector Maurice Leroux to investigate. The story weaves through the tension of a colonial outpost, where suspicions arise against the Bambara people as they approach emancipation. The narrative vividly portrays the island’s complex cultural landscape, from the powerful signares to the mysterious local beliefs. 🌍🔍

    Maurice, the skeptical inspector, faces a world of magic and malevolence, questioning whether nature or something darker is behind the deaths. His encounters with Signare Angélique Aussenac add layers of intrigue and romance to the tale. Angélique, a proud and mesmerizing mixed-blood woman, becomes a key figure in Maurice’s investigation, blurring the lines between suspect and enchantress. ✨👀

    As murders continue to plague the island, the suspense heightens. Rahme expertly balances the thriller elements with the atmospheric descriptions of Gorée’s landscape, capturing the island’s beauty and danger. Each clue uncovers more secrets, leading Maurice to wonder if the killer is someone within the merchant elite or among the signares themselves. The mystery is unpredictable, keeping readers on edge until the end. 🔪💼

    With rich historical details and a suspenseful plot, The Signare of Gorée offers a glimpse into the lives of the signares and the French colonial world. It’s a story of love, danger, and cultural conflict that transports readers to a time and place often forgotten. An unforgettable journey into mystery and magic. 💫📜
    Customer image
    Nikitabooktiquehub
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Masterful Blend of History, Culture, and Intrigue

    Reviewed in India on October 9, 2024
    🖍️The Signare of Gorée🖍️ is a captivating historical mystery set in 1846, on the island of Gorée, Senegal. The French navy finds two dead soldiers, prompting Inspector Maurice Leroux to investigate. The story weaves through the tension of a colonial outpost, where suspicions arise against the Bambara people as they approach emancipation. The narrative vividly portrays the island’s complex cultural landscape, from the powerful signares to the mysterious local beliefs. 🌍🔍

    Maurice, the skeptical inspector, faces a world of magic and malevolence, questioning whether nature or something darker is behind the deaths. His encounters with Signare Angélique Aussenac add layers of intrigue and romance to the tale. Angélique, a proud and mesmerizing mixed-blood woman, becomes a key figure in Maurice’s investigation, blurring the lines between suspect and enchantress. ✨👀

    As murders continue to plague the island, the suspense heightens. Rahme expertly balances the thriller elements with the atmospheric descriptions of Gorée’s landscape, capturing the island’s beauty and danger. Each clue uncovers more secrets, leading Maurice to wonder if the killer is someone within the merchant elite or among the signares themselves. The mystery is unpredictable, keeping readers on edge until the end. 🔪💼

    With rich historical details and a suspenseful plot, The Signare of Gorée offers a glimpse into the lives of the signares and the French colonial world. It’s a story of love, danger, and cultural conflict that transports readers to a time and place often forgotten. An unforgettable journey into mystery and magic. 💫📜
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report