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Later 20C : In Cambodia there is a belief that a white crocodile, a character from ancient mythological tales can foretell death ….. “Fate will find you”
White Crocodile
What you need to know before your trail
Tess Hardy had wanted to forget Luke, her violent ex-husband. And she does until one day she gets a call from him in Cambodia where he is working clearing mines. He sounds different, very very scared. And then two weeks later, he’s dead.
Tess travels to Cambodia, to the killing fields to try and establish what actually took place there. There seems to be a series of killings and as the circle of death expands with teenage mothers and their babies abandoned, the infamous white crocodile is blamed.
Meanwhile back home in Manchester, England, another investigation is underway as a Cambodian girl has just been found murdered. Sex trafficking is also a major concern
How are the events in Manchester and Cambodia connected and just what is the White Crocodile?
Travel Guide
Cambodia, a country well known for its killing fields and Khmer Rouge and the darker side of its history is now the setting for a story of the true horror of mine fields and the destruction that they cause both physically and emotionally.
The story set in Battambang is an interesting one due to the subject matter and the intrigue of the crimes which surround the village.
The sense of place is astounding and haunting in equal measure. The locals are terrified as much of the land surrounding their town used to be good farming land which they depended upon for their livelyhood but which is not usable due to the horrors buried within. As a result of this, the living conditions are grim and deprived. The White Crocodile haunts them all –
“It come to Cambodia at time of important change and was Present at birth of Cambodia. When Khmer Rouge took country, White Crocodile seen. This minefield. When this minefield found, White Crocodile here”
“Fate, the white crocodile is fate”
The scenes gets under your skin not only for the graphic evocation of a real horror existence but also of the realization of just what kind of work these Mine Clearing centres do everyday. KT Medina has herself worked within the Royal Engineers and at Jane’s Information group so her knowledge and insight are used to full and dramatic effect.
The heartrending moment that a young girl scrapping for coins t feed her family sees a beautiful butterfly in the ground. In reality this is a brightly coloured mine in a mine field
“A bright green butterfly, sparkling like a gem. Nothing more to say. The tears fall as reality dawns.”
Battambang in in reality a nice town and well known for being the leading rice producing province of the country. It was also a significant spot during the days of the Khmer Rouge and so this is a perfect and poignant setting for the story and for the country in which it is set.
And over in Manchester the horrors of sex trafficking and the treatment of foreigners and foreign workers brings its own sense of raw emotion.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information:
Twitter: @KateTMedina
Facebook:/authorktmedina
Web: ktmedina.com
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