Alois is The Chicken Thief, an intelligent young man struggling to find his way in a southern African country wracked by political unrest and a crumbling economy. A chance encounter gives Alois the opportunity to make some fast money, and hopefully improve his future. However, his assignment goes horribly wrong, and he unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of a complicated and perilous struggle to rescue a war hero and transform the political landscape. Though something of an unlikely hero, Alois ultimately learns that both dreams and justice are within his grasp. The Chicken Thief reads at a cracking pace, is dramatic and colourful, and will appeal to lovers of quality fiction. In essence a political thriller, it is particularly topical and poignant in light of recent events in North Africa and the Middle East. Australian author, Fiona Leonard, has travelled a fascinating road to arrive in her current home in West Africa. Her life experience has contributed to the creation of this deeply evocative novel, and the rich construction of its realistic characters, and detailed, depiction of both the environs and the political atmosphere. The Chicken Thief is a highly engaging novel, with a gripping plot and huge appeal on an international level.
As a teenager, Fiona took two career aptitude tests. The first said she was unemployable, the second returned only one result - coroner. She decided to ignore both (and give up taking aptitude tests) and instead became in turn, an Australian diplomat, foreign and trade policy consultant, freelance writer, theatre producer, blogger, home schooler and author (and sometimes several of these at once).
She has a gypsy soul that has carried her across twenty countries on four continents, including one year long adventure driving across the USA and Canada with her husband, daughter and the dog.
Her love of Africa was forged during a three year posting to Zimbabwe. She now lives in Ghana, West Africa.
www.fionaleonard.net
