‘This is a book on two levels. At its most basic it is about a young girl who sets out to investigate why plants are going missing in an English suburb. This seemingly simple premise leads to an exciting thriller which takes the reader on a roller coaster ride. It plays out in both England and South Africa. This is during the apartheid era and the depiction of life for black South Africans during this time is superb. The characters are well rounded and come across as real. The reader can almost palpably feel the anger emanating from Thabo, a young Black teenager. Natalie, the main character is also real and the reader sees her grow and develop throughout the book.

The settings also play a large part in the book. They are beautifully drawn and the reader can imagine them perfectly. Veitch Smith contrasts them and then skillfully pulls them together.

Fiona Veitch Smith is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more from her. This is a book I can highly recommend.’

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“Definitely not your run-of-the-mill romantic thriller. What starts off as an investigation into missing plants turns into an international thriller. I couldn’t put it down.” – Abidemi Sanusi, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize nominee.

You can order The Peace Garden through any bookshop or online retailer. Or, you can buy a signed copy through The Crafty Publishing shop. If you would like to have it signed to you or anyone else, please make a note of this in the comments section when you pay. Or drop us a line through the online contact form.

I was part of the storytelling team at the last Heaton Festival, two years ago, and debuted the first in the Young David series, David and the Hairy Beast. Lots of fun

“This story takes a strange course – from the theft of plants in 1990, to attempted murder and assassination plots in 2001, by way of South Africa in the apartheid years. All bound together around the wonder and the challenge of growing things. Along the way, we meet some marvellous characters – all of them drawn with depth, with colour, with humour and with a deep sympathy. As events unfold the central character, Natalie, has to confront some deep issues, such as courage and justice and love and belonging. Through it, we can see her growing, and perhaps we grow a little along with her. A wonderfully well crafted book.”

It really touches me when readers time the time to write such encouraging words. Thank you. If you’ve read the book then please consider leaving a review too. And if not, well, you know what to do … Check out The Peace Garden at Crafty Publishing.