“The Lioness,” by Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday, 336 pages, May 10, 2022.

In 1964, actress Katie Barstow and her new husband, David Hill, owner of a Beverly Hills art gallery, think it will be great to honeymoon in the Serengeti. They bring their Hollywood friends to Tanzania.

Their guests include Katie’s brother, Billy Stepanov, her best friend, Carmen Tedesco, and Terrance Dutton, the Black actor who stars alongside Katie in the controversial film Tender Madness. The group of nine nicknames themselves The Lions of Hollywood.

They have an entourage of 17 Kenyans and Tanzanians. Charlie Patton is head of the photo safari. Benjamin Kikwete is one of the rangers. Terrance is one of only three Black guests Benjamin has ever worked for.

The wealthy Americans expect civilized adventure with amenities including waterproof canvas bathtubs and a kerosene-powered ice maker. What they get is a kidnapping gone wrong after Russian soldiers storm their camp and take them hostage. “The mantra for most of us? Just stay alive.”

This is told from the perspective of travelers and staff. Each chapter starts with a blurb from newspaper or magazine articles as the stories of their pasts unfold. The multiple characters are distinctive enough to keep track of and their points of view are woven together.

As the number of characters dwindle, readers wonder who will be killed by the kidnappers or attacked by wild animals. Sort of like Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” but with lions.

This is an intense, fast-paced, character-driven novel with a shocking, twist-filled plot. The author gives some clues, but you’ll still be surprised by the revelation of who is behind it and why.

Chris Bohjalian really is a master storyteller and no two of his novels are alike. He is the author of 23 books. This is one of the best of his works and one of the best novels of the year. Don’t miss this one.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

THE LIONESS
by Chris Bohjalian
Doubleday Books, Doubleday
Pub Date: May 10

I like the books written by Chris Bohjalian and when he hits a home run, it is so far out of the park, it lasts a lifetime. When he strikes out, he really strikes out.
I found this book to be boring, none of the characters were interesting and I had to force myself to read to the end. And even then, I said so what.
I see that several people have enjoyed it so I'm glad that it will reach a myriad of people.
But it is not up to his style and talent.

"A luxurious African safari turns deadly for a Hollywood starlet and her entourage in this riveting historical thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant.

Tanzania, 1964. When Katie Barstow, A-list actress, and her new husband, David Hill, decide to bring their Hollywood friends to the Serengeti for their honeymoon, they envision giraffes gently eating leaves from the tall acacia trees, great swarms of wildebeests crossing the Mara River, and herds of zebras storming the sandy plains. Their glamorous guests - including Katie’s best friend, Carmen Tedesco, and Terrance Dutton, the celebrated Black actor who stars alongside Katie in the highly controversial film Tender Madness - will spend their days taking photos, and their evenings drinking chilled gin and tonics back at camp, as the local Tanzanian guides warm water for their baths. The wealthy Americans expect civilized adventure: fresh ice from the kerosene-powered ice maker, dinners of cooked gazelle meat, and plenty of stories to tell over lunch back on Rodeo Drive.

What Katie and her glittering entourage do not expect is this: a kidnapping gone wrong, their guides bleeding out in the dirt, and a team of Russian mercenaries herding their hostages into Land Rovers, guns to their heads. As the powerful sun gives way to night, the gunmen shove them into abandoned huts and Katie Barstow, Hollywood royalty, prays for a simple thing: to see the sun rise one more time. A blistering story of fame, race, love, and death set in a world on the cusp of great change, The Lioness is a vibrant masterpiece from one of our finest storytellers."

And this is classic Hollywood in Africa!

This novel tells the story of a famous and popular movie star who generously takes her close family and friends along on her honeymoon safari. The group of seven, accompanied by guides and servants, expects an adventure that is comfortable, fascinating, and safe. Readers will know from the first sentences of the prologue that things will go terribly wrong, however, so what compels us to keep reading? It could be the alternating chapters by various characters describing their back stories and relationships to each other. It could be the sense of an inside view of Hollywood during an earlier time. Or it could be the hope that in spite of the evidence things are not as bad as they seem. And of course Bohjalian is a master story teller. Nonetheless, I was sorry I continued reading, and couldn't help wondering why this book was written.

Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled at the opportunity to read The Lioness. Mr. Bohjalian writes such a variety of fiction - from contemporary thrillers to historical fiction from very different periods. The common thread is they are all well-written and compelling enough that I race through reading them.

The Lioness takes place in 1964 Tanzania as actress Katie Barstow and her new husband take a group of family and friends on an African safari. The suspense kicks in almost from the very start and never lets up. As the group of nine is taken hostage and split up, we hear from each character's perspective throughout the book. In fact, my one criticism of the book is that there are too many characters to follow. Each short chapter focuses on what is currently is happening to the character, then tells a bit of backstory, then comes back to the present. With so many people to follow, I found myself flipping back to remember who was who.

Despite that, this story is hugely entertaining and educational as related to world politics of the 1960's and African wildlife (Mr. Bohjalian went on a real-life safari as research). The harrowing situations bordered on gruesome, as both animal and human predators preyed on the group. This author tells an amazing story no matter the time period. I can't wait to read what he come up with next.

I will recommend this widely to readers who enjoy historical fiction with thrilling storylines.

Thanks to the publisher, Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

THE LIONESS
by Chris Bohjalian
Doubleday Books, Doubleday
Pub Date: May 10

Chris Bohjalian never fails to keep his readers mesmerized, and his newest, The Lioness, is a perfect example of his brilliance.

The setting: The Serengeti in Africa in 1964.

Characters: A Hollywood starlet, her new husband, and the friends invited on their safari honeymoon.

Storyline: Things go terribly awry, as all nine in the party are kidnapped. Told from different POVs, which add depth to the gripping narrative.

If you're a Bohjalian fan, this is a must-read. If you've never read the author's books, The Lioness will turn you into a fan. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, Doubleday, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#TheLioness #ChrisBohjalian #Doubleday #NetGalley #mysterynovels #womensfictionnovel #historicalthriller #AfricaHistoricalFiction #SerengetiNovel #safarigonewrongnovel #bookstagramcommunity

It is 1964 and A-list actress Katie Barstow is marrying David Hill, who runs a failing art gallery. They spend a portion of their honeymoon in Paris, and then take off for a safari in the Serengeti, along with Katie's brother & his newly pregnant wife, Katie’s best friend, Carmen Tedesco & her husband Felix ,Terrance Dutton, the celebrated Black actor who stars alongside Katie in the highly controversial film Tender Madness, Reggie Stout - Katie's publicist, and Peter Merrick - Katie's agent. The plan is to take plenty of photos during the day, drink a lot of gin & tonics around the camp at night, and then go home with lots of stories to regale everyone with. What they do not expect is to be kidnapped, their guides to bleed out, wild animals to attack and drag members of their party off, and having guns held to their heads.
This book was a little different from the usual books that this author writes, but it was equally good in my opinion. It started off a little slow, but once I really got into it, I couldn't put it down. It was a unique blend of general fiction about old Hollywood, and action/adventure in the Serengeti. It also had a bit of an Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians)" feel to it. You really wanted to root for everyone in the honeymoon party to survive, and I found all the facts about the various animals trees & plants there fascinating. I definitely think anyone who enjoys a good action/adventure story, Agatha Christie novel, or just really good fiction will enjoy this one.

1960’s Serengeti, Hollywood starlet Katie Barlow, her husband, and a handful of friends head out on a photo safari. Within days of arriving, they’re taken hostage and not everyone will survive the kidnapping. Filled with meaningful history surrounding The US & Russia’s involved in Africa during the mid 1900’s, this is a story of the lengths we’ll go to survive.

This is such a unique story & I loved the way it’s narrated. I know some readers have a hard time with multiple narrators and perspectives, but I personally really enjoy getting to know more than one or two characters, which is why this works for me. Each chapter is seen from the perspective of a different character, so we have quite a few (10) view points to keep track of, which some readers may find this hard. However, I felt it really added color to the story and enjoyed getting to know the characters motives and getting a glimpse into their past. I also, thought it’s a bit sad, thought the way we experience each character’s death to be fairly intimate. The way Bohjalian chronicles the events of the safari and ties them in with the characters history and death was brilliantly executed.

The imagery though is what really made this story for me. The depictions of the animals and the landscape were beautiful. I loved that both Katie and Carmen had deep respect and fascination with nature. I’ve never been to Africa, but I have been on Safari in Indian to see Tigers, and Bohjalian completely captives the essence of a safari in my humble little opinion. As a note though and fair warning the depictions of violence (by both animals & man) while well done can be can be graphic.

I wouldn’t say this is a fast read but it is well written and really stuck with me after I finished reading. For some reason it’s categorized as a historical fiction / thriller, & while there is some suspense, I think it gives a false impression of what this story is about. For me it read more literary than anything as it does touch on quite a few topics in the 1960’s such as race, policies, fame, and more.

This is a fabulous story with complex characters and the perfect amount of suspense. I highly recommend reading this if you’re in need of a captivating drama.

The Lioness comes out May 10, 2022! Huge thank you to Doubleday Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.

Chris Bojalian never disappoints me, and this seems to be one of his best novels to date. I wasn't so sure about a book set in the 60's, not my favorite decade, but I couldn't put this one down. There are so many themes and topics, many of which are still current concerns along with impeccable research, suspense and social commentary. Book clubs will have lots to discuss.

Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the copy of The Lioness. I don’t know how Chris Bohjalian books fell off my radar but they are definitely back at the top of my list. I really didn’t know what to expect from this book, but once I had read for a couple of hours I had to force myself to take a break so I could be somewhat productive.
The writing drew me in and the way each chapter started with a gossip/news item that turned out to be relevant to the chapter was masterful. I also loved how we learned about the characters in the past and how it relates to the present.
At first I had no idea what was going on or even what the book was about. (The pitfalls of ebooks when you can't read the description on the back cover and just read the next book on the list!) When the action started it just didn’t let up. The story ended up being much more than I expected, and I especially loved how everything happened for a reason.
We get to know the characters so well, and they all have distinct personalities and foibles. I admit I did get confused once in a while about some of the relationships, but that was my fault because I was reading the book so quickly!

Chris Bohjalian is one of my top favorite authors, so I was super excited when this ARC became available. For someone who is so prolific as he is, I am constantly amazed at the brilliance of his writing. How does he do it?!

If you want a fast-paced historical thriller, don't miss this one. Bohjalian cleverly changes narrative and time periods to keep the reader on their toes. It does get a tad gruesome, but not explicity so (so perhaps don't read some sections while eating!).

Many thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a wild ride of a story. In 1964 a movie star’s luxury safari honeymoon turns into a nightmare. The wedding travel party, 3 couples and 3 single men head out into the Serengeti for the trip of a life time. They experience the stunning beauty of Africa but safaris can be dangerous. There can be threats from wildlife and humans. Told from various points of view we learn more about the 9 travelers and about their ability to survive.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

The Lioness starts off on a suspenseful note and never lets up. Katie Barstow and her new husband David take off with 7 friends on an African photo safari in 1964. But within days, they are taken hostage by Russian mercenaries at gunpoint, several of their guides shot dead. The group is divided into three, with each playing out very differently.
Each chapter features a different character’s POV to provide backstory and move things forward. Initially, I had to pay close attention to keep them straight, even with the list of characters provided at the beginning of the book. But each character was unique enough, as well as fully fleshed out, to soon easily keep straight. The story is different in that we hear from characters as they die. This isn’t a happy story where everyone survives. In fact, it’s almost the opposite and I began to wonder if anyone would survive. The violent creatures here are both two and four legged.
The story dwells on strength, courage and the things we’re willing to do to survive. Those of you that consistently read my reviews know I have a definitive definition of what makes a book historical fiction, as opposed to a story that takes place in a different time. This is historical fiction at its best. It tackles the involvement of the US and Russia in Africa in a meaningful way.
A trigger warning - if violence upsets you, steer clear of this book. It’s good, but it’s extremely graphic.
My thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advance copy of this book.

In 1964, a group of friends goes on a camera safari in the Serengeti. One of the biggest female stars of the day, her new husband, agent, brother, sister-in-law, and friends are set for the trip of a lifetime. They will be viewing the beautiful scenery and animals returning to the camp each evening for drinks and dinner. The trip is going according to plan until they see another group arriving. This wasn't planned. Who are these intruders? Do they need help? How were these people able to find this group?

The new arrivals to the camp are the stuff of nightmares. They have guns and a very specific agenda. Some members of the safari party will not make the trip home. What started as a beautiful trip turns frightening and ugly. This abrupt change is surprising and the author manages to conceal this twist until it happens. Their lives forever changed, who will survive?

The descriptions of scenery, animals, and camp conditions are all beautiful. The author has a true appreciation for the Serengeti. Her use of multiple viewpoints to tell the story provides a robust view of their situation. These friends find so much more than they could have anticipated and their story is not for the faint of heart.

Another good page turner from Chris Bohjalian. An African safari gone horribly wrong - not because of the wild animals but because of the human kind. Set in 1964, a Hollywood starlet treats a select group of friends to a life changing experience on a safari in the Serengeti. A wonderful experience until they are all kidnapped. I was in turn mesmerized, horrified, scared and on the edge of my seat.

Chris Bohjalian has long been one of my favorite authors, and I was surprised by my varied feelings about The Lioness. On one hand, the writing is excellent and the characters are top notch. I mean, who doesn't love glamourous Hollywood celebrity types?! Especially from the past. The book just mixes 1960s culture, Hollywood, history, and Africa together so well. The setting - a photo safari in the Serengeti, along with snapshots of Hollywood and various past locales - was a definite high point. You can always tell when an author does their research, and this book was no exception. As a reader though, there were times I was frustrated with the plot. Since each chapter opens with a new character and a new newspaper article of the past, it was difficult to keep track of each storyline and to really guess where the author was going because of the constant change. Every time I started to get invested in one character, the chapter ended and you were thrust elsewhere. At times I truly wanted to put down the book, but it was so intriguing that I did not. I am glad I persevered to the end as the ending was fabulous...and I did not see it coming. Overall, I'd rate The Lioness 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy to read. All opinions are my own.

I loved this novel so much that I blew off all my responsibilities, turned off my phone, and got lost in this mesmerizing world created by Chris Bohjalian. A masterful tapestry of heart-pounding suspense and deeply moving drama, The Lioness explores what it takes to survive the siren songs of old Hollywood glitter and the Serengeti’s majestic expanse. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Chris Bohjalian is a great storyteller. In The Lioness he ties together many stories.
It’s a story of Hollywood in its heyday of the late 50’s and early 60’s. The stars, producers, agents and publicists and those who follow in their orbit. While I was reading, I kept thinking about stars like Liz Taylor, Natalie Wood and Sidney Poitier.
It’s a story about Africa. Not a Disney version of Africa, but the real place and while the characters in the book are on a photo safari, they are in just as much danger as others who follow their famous guide in search of big game trophies to ship home.
The stories Bohjalian tells combine to form an epic adventure filled with suspense as well as a human drama set in a place both vividly beautiful and deadly within the blink of an eye. We see what makes these characters who they are and how they react as individuals and as part of a disparate group when things suddenly go wrong.
Not only are Bohjalian’s books entertaining, but they are also a learning experience. They showcase the research he does for each of his novels. In The Lioness he descriptively writes an accurate vision of the setting and the history of the time for the reader to absorb. I loved this book and will recommend it to all my friends and fellow readers.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lioness begins with a luxury safari in 1964 with movie stars, spouses, and their guides. As their safari progresses, an attack happens and their group gets picked off one by one. The story alternates between each character's point of view with flashbacks to their life prior to their trip to Africa.

I had a hard time getting into the novel, even with the attack at the beginning (not a spoiler) there were a lot of characters and a lot of switching POV and timelines to keep up with. However, once the story progressed, I was more invested and wanted to see what happened and how -- or if?! -- they could make it out alive.

Katie Barstow is America's sweetheart, an A-list actor who has just gotten married to her childhood crush, David Hill. She arranges for the second half of their honeymoon to be a photo safari in the Serengeti and brings an entourage of her closest friends and family. What should be a happy time quickly turns into a spectacularly bad time that not all of them will survive. While the animals of the Serengeti are dangerous, there are more dangerous animals afoot.