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ATDrake · 08-31-2010, 07:45 PM

Well, responding to the OP's request, one series I've read that I'm pretty sure I can safely recommend is Suzanne Arruda's 1920s colonial Kenya-set (well, technically British East Africa until it later officially became the Kenya colony) amateur sleuth Jade del Cameron mysteries.

There's a certain amount of violence due to all the murders and adventuring in the bush with gun and camera and wildlife and thugs, but the lead characters' relationship remains unconsummated, and none of the secondaries are getting any action onscreen.

And while I can't vouch that the books are entirely free of what you might consider profanity, I do know that there's nothing stronger than the very occasional "hell" or "damn" spoken after a fair amount of provocation. (Edit: on second thought, maybe this won't fit your requirements after all, if you want to avoid that particular phrasing entirely.)

Mind you, it being 1920s colonial pre-Kenya, if you're planning on reading stuff to your kids, you may or may not be uncomfortable with some of the racial attitudes expressed by the less sympathetic characters. But I suppose you can use it as a learning lesson, if you feel so inclined.

Also, the author not only does her historical research, but shares it online on her website and blog, and it's a fun and informative read.

Anyway, if you happen to like Out of Africa/White Mischief/Denys Finch-Hatton/Beryl Markham type stuff, I recommend the series, which is a pretty decent romp in that setting.

Oh, and anyone happen to want more colonial Kenya stuff, I also give a high recommendation to the PBS Mystery! mini-series Heat of the Sun, which stars Trevor Eve (of Waking the Dead fame) as an exiled London detective reassigned to Kenya in lieu of jail. Also Susannah Harker (Pride & Prejudice, Colin Firth version) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).

Mind you, I think there's slightly more swearing, and definitely mature themes (though to highlight period cultural problems, rather than gratuitous exploitation).

Best version to get is the UK release, which is uncut (aside from having cropped the widescreen aspect ratio to 4:3), though the US release has the Diana Rigg episode introductions. I happen to own both.

08-31-2010, 07:45 PM	#31
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Well, responding to the OP's request, one series I've read that I'm pretty sure I can safely recommend is Suzanne Arruda's 1920s colonial Kenya-set (well, technically British East Africa until it later officially became the Kenya colony) amateur sleuth Jade del Cameron mysteries. There's a certain amount of violence due to all the murders and adventuring in the bush with gun and camera and wildlife and thugs, but the lead characters' relationship remains unconsummated, and none of the secondaries are getting any action onscreen. And while I can't vouch that the books are entirely free of what you might consider profanity, I do know that there's nothing stronger than the very occasional "hell" or "damn" spoken after a fair amount of provocation. (Edit: on second thought, maybe this won't fit your requirements after all, if you want to avoid that particular phrasing entirely.) Mind you, it being 1920s colonial pre-Kenya, if you're planning on reading stuff to your kids, you may or may not be uncomfortable with some of the racial attitudes expressed by the less sympathetic characters. But I suppose you can use it as a learning lesson, if you feel so inclined. Also, the author not only does her historical research, but shares it online on her website and blog, and it's a fun and informative read. Anyway, if you happen to like Out of Africa/White Mischief/Denys Finch-Hatton/Beryl Markham type stuff, I recommend the series, which is a pretty decent romp in that setting. Oh, and anyone happen to want more colonial Kenya stuff, I also give a high recommendation to the PBS Mystery! mini-series Heat of the Sun, which stars Trevor Eve (of Waking the Dead fame) as an exiled London detective reassigned to Kenya in lieu of jail. Also Susannah Harker (Pride & Prejudice, Colin Firth version) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing). Mind you, I think there's slightly more swearing, and definitely mature themes (though to highlight period cultural problems, rather than gratuitous exploitation). Best version to get is the UK release, which is uncut (aside from having cropped the widescreen aspect ratio to 4:3), though the US release has the Diana Rigg episode introductions. I happen to own both. Last edited by ATDrake; 08-31-2010 at 07:50 PM. Reason: Just read the preceding post, which popped up while I was typing this one up.