To Skin a Leopard

Book One of the trilogy

Deceit of the Empire

Embark on a riveting adventure in the heart of 19th-century Cape Colony, South Africa. Join Jamie Fyvie and Iain McColl as they voyage to Cape Town on a mission from the Secret Field Police.

They set out to thwart the nefarious ELOS, a malevolent force entrenched within the Cape Government's military ranks.

As they face mutineers at sea, Jamie and Iain's bravery is put to the test, not only to safeguard themselves but also to protect two young women whose destinies intertwine with theirs in the Cape.

Pursued by a relentless ELOS assassin, our heroes navigate the treacherous frontier, evading death at every turn. The stakes escalate as they uncover clues to a centuries-old Templar treasure, sought by their merciless enemy.

Meanwhile, amid the chaos, Xhosa tribes wage a brutal conflict against the British Army, fighting fiercely to reclaim their homeland and freedom from an unyielding general who shows no mercy.

Experience a tale of courage, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of a tumultuous historical era.

To Skin a Leopard

Available as ebook or paperback from:

Draft2Digital/Smashwords

Amazon.com

These novels are based on factual historical events. Experience the captivating tale of TO SKIN A LEOPARD, the first book in the epic DECEIT OF THE EMPIRE series set against the backdrop of 19th-century Cape Colony. Set in a time of British colonisation and influenced by the historical struggles of the Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape, this gripping story introduces protagonists Jamie Fyvie and Iain McColl. Recruited by the Secret Field Police, the duo sets out on a perilous mission to uncover and dismantle a ruthless, covert organisation known as the ELOS, deeply embedded within the British Army.

The malevolent ELOS aims to annihilate the Xhosa tribes to assert dominance over Southern Africa. Jamie and Iain must intervene to thwart these dark ambitions, protect the Xhosa community, and prevent survivors from falling prey to enslavement. Their journey leads them to untangle ancient mysteries tied to the Knights Templar, hindering the ELOS's quest for hidden treasures to further their nefarious plans.

Throughout their expedition to Cape Town, Jamie and Iain face daunting challenges, including mutiny and treachery from ELOS affiliates. As the plot thickens, Jamie navigates complex personal dilemmas, discovering unexpected romantic feelings for a woman's stepdaughter in the midst of danger and intrigue.

Top customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story is well written and believable.

By Amazon Customer

Format: Paperback

Being very interested in history and loving South Africa (I lived there for a number of years), this book was a ‘must read’, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story is well written and believable; the characters and settings, realistic – I remember seeing the Elephant’s Eye from the highway whilst in Cape Town.

The protagonist likes to think he is an adventurer, as does his friend. He is a charmer but tough, with a big heart and a sense of justice. He has a fighting spirit and does not suffer fools gladly or shy away from threatening behaviour. He may be a bit rough and ready, but you can see the attraction for a young lady.

A perfect book to take on a long journey or while lazing on the beach on holiday. I would definitely recommend it.

Looking forward to reading the second book!

Prophets of Death

Book Two of the trilogy

Deceit of the Empire

Prophets of Death

Available as ebook or paperback from:

Draft2Digital/Smashwords.

Amazon.com

As the 19th century unfolds in the

Eastern Cape Frontier of Southern

Africa, the Xhosa clans find

themselves facing betrayal.

Surprisingly, the Royal Navy

is nowhere to be found while the

slave ships drop anchor along the

Eastern Cape coast.

The Xhosa chiefs are at a crossroads,

contemplating whether despair will

drive them to heed the false prophets'

words and initiate a deadly course of action.

Jamie Fyvie and Iain McColl stumble upon a

mysterious clue that may lead them to

buried treasures left by the

Knights Templar centuries ago.

However, the vengeful spirits of the

Knysna Forest and the uncertainties

lurking in the mountainous terrains

challenge the veracity of the ancient clue.

With loved ones at stake and assassins

from the ELOS on their trail, Jamie and Iain

face a race against time to thwart

the masterminds behind a potential genocide.

The ELOS, a malevolent and secretive society, has successfully infiltrated key governmental institutions in Britain and the Cape Colony. As a result, they now wield control over the British Army and Navy within the colony itself. The pervasive influence of the ELOS has even led to the suspension of the Secret Field Police in London. Shockingly, the governor of the Cape Colony has been covertly replaced by a senior figure within the ELOS, aiding in a treacherous plot to eradicate the Xhosa natives completely.

Initially operating undercover for the Secret Field Police, Jamie Fyvie and Iain McColl find themselves thrust into a perilous situation where they must now operate independently. Racing against time, they strive to locate and apprehend the leaders of the ELOS before their nefarious schemes can come to fruition. Their urgent mission is further complicated by an ELOS assassin determined to eliminate them in pursuit of clues to a long-lost treasure hidden by the enigmatic Knights Templar.

Pursuing a trail of cryptic clues, the duo receives unexpected assistance from an unknown source as Jamie bravely infiltrates a debauched gathering organized by the Cape Town elite - a group known for indulging their darkest desires within the clandestine domain of the ELOS. Their objective: to unmask the puppet master pulling the strings within the organisation.

As the clock ticks relentlessly, the fate of the Xhosa hangs in the balance. Will the tribal chiefs heed the warnings of their ancestors' prophecies and rally their people to confront the impending threat, or will they be driven toward a path of unavoidable catastrophe and bloodshed?

In a desperate bid to secure the hidden treasure, thwart the despicable slave trade targeting the Xhosa community, and shield their loved ones from the insidious reach of the EnLightened OneS, Jamie and Iain find themselves locked in a race against time against the malevolent forces of the ELOS.

Weep the Righteous Warrior

Book Three of the trilogy

Deceit of the Empire

For more than twenty years, the Xhosa

clans have been trapped on overcrowded,

unproductive land with a bleak future,

oppressed by the British Empire.

The sons of the former chiefs are

rallying for war once again against

their old adversaries, the Mfengu

Levies and the Imperial British Army.

Jamie Fyvie, Iain McColl, along with their

families and companions find themselves

under siege from an unidentified attacker.

The unexpected appearance of a British

Secret Service agent marks the resurgence

of their longstanding enemy, the ELOS,

who seek control of the diamond mines

and revenge against Fyvie and McColl.

With their businesses and homes under threat,

Jamie and Iain embark on a mission to confront

the enemy and outmanoeuvre the ELOS

assassins across a volatile frontier.

Weep the Righteous Warrior

Available as ebook or paperback from:

Draft2Digital/Smashwords

Amazon.com

The ELOS have stealthily infiltrated the Cape Colony government, gaining the ability to manipulate the British Army and colonial militia forces. A cunning scheme ensnares the sons of the former chiefs into a deadly conflict. Chaos looms once more with the return of the ELOS, provoking the Imperial British Army to ride out along

the frontier for a decisive showdown of death and devastation.

KD Neill was born and raised in Scotland. Originating from Scotland, he ventured to South Africa for what was intended to be a brief stay of two years. However, his affection for the country and the continent, as well as its people and way of life, captivated him, leading him to spend more than half of his life exploring various Southern African countries. While he currently resides in Scotland, he harbours plans of imminently returning to South Africa.

His diverse talents extend to music, where he has thrived as both a composer and singer, having produced an impressive collection of albums, including a festive Christmas album. Eager to re-enter the recording studio soon, his musical journey has seen him share a venue with the likes of legendary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Shirley Bassey, and The Osmonds, among others.

Transitioning to a new chapter, KD Neill has fulfilled a lifelong ambition of penning a novel. His inaugural novel, "TO SKIN A LEOPARD," sets the stage for his trilogy "DECEIT OF THE EMPIRE." Following suit, the sequel "PROPHETS OF DEATH" and the final instalment "WEEP THE RIGHTEOUS WARRIOR" are readily accessible on Amazon.com and Draft2Digital/Smashwords. Dive into these captivating reads and embark on an enthralling literary journey.