Category: News

Slaying in Sedgefield to release on 12 May 2025

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Cape Town, South Africa – April 3, 2025 – Acclaimed South African author Sally Partridge is set to captivate young adult readers once again with the release of her latest novel, “Slaying in Sedgefield,” on May 12, 2025.

This eagerly awaited sequel to “The Witches of Hogsback” continues the thrilling adventures of teenage sleuth Zelda Scott.

In “Slaying in Sedgefield,” Zelda is persuaded by her friend Song to spend the holidays at a secluded lakehouse on a private island in Sedgefield. The invitation comes from Megs, a childhood friend of Song’s who has risen to fame as a social media influencer. What promises to be a retreat filled with glamour and festivities soon turns ominous as the group becomes isolated by sabotage and a raging fire. Zelda must unravel the mystery and identify the unseen threat before it’s too late.

This novel marks Partridge’s second foray into the young adult mystery genre featuring Zelda Scott. Fans will be pleased to know that Marius, a character from the first book, makes a return in this installment. The cover of “Slaying in Sedgefield” was unveiled on December 1, 2024, generating significant excitement among readers.

Reflecting on her previous work, “The Witches of Hogsback,” Partridge drew inspiration from the enchanting town of Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. The novel received praise for its vivid setting and engaging narrative. As Partridge noted, the resurgence of teen crime capers has allowed her to contribute her unique voice to the genre.

“Slaying in Sedgefield” promises to deliver the same blend of suspense, dynamic characters, and atmospheric settings that readers have come to expect from Partridge’s work.

The novel will be available in bookstores and online retailers nationwide starting May 12, 2025.

Leo Jantjies and the Esports World Championship Shortlisted for the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award

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I’m thrilled to share that Leo Jantjies and the Esports World Championship has been shortlisted for the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Awards in the Chapter Books & Graphic Novels category!

Continue reading “Leo Jantjies and the Esports World Championship Shortlisted for the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award” →

New in 2024: Apocalypse at the end of the street

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Happy New Year!

I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than to share some good news.

A new year means new stories to enjoy! And this year I am excited to have a short story included in a new anthology for kids – Apocalypse at the end of the street, out this February from Lapa.

Continue reading “New in 2024: Apocalypse at the end of the street” →

Join me for the launch of my first children’s book

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My first children’s book for ages ten and up, Leo Jantjies and the Esports Championship, is coming out in August 2023 from Human & Rousseau and features amazing illustrations by Johann Strauss.

Leo Jantjies loves playing Theatre of Gods and Heroes (TOGAH). He’d play all day and night if he could – if it weren’t for nuisances like school and chores. The game has quickly become part of the professional esports scene where teams from around the world compete for millions of dollars in prize money. When a clip of Leo playing TOGAH goes viral, he doesn’t expect to be branded the best King Shaka player in the world. And he certainly doesn’t expect to get a call from a pro team to recruit him for the Esports World Championship in Paris! But soon Leo, his best friend Fiks, and his sister Lauren jet off to Europe for an adventure none of them thought was possible. 

The launch is happening on Saturday 5 August 2023 at 12:00 Exclusive Books V&A Waterfront. ACGL will have gaming setups available for kids to play games like FIFA, Brawlhalla, Rocket League and Minecraft, plus there will be plenty of snacks to keep everyone energised. It’s going to be a blast.

RSVP to events@exclusivebooks.co.za

Upcoming July events

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The Witches of Hogsback is officially haunting bookshop shelves and online stores nationwide. The book transports readers to the atmospheric mountain town of Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. And while I’m all for immersive storytelling, I really wanted to bring the pages to life. So, I wrote a murder mystery game based on the book.

Continue reading “Upcoming July events” →
Sea Star Summer

Sea Star Summer awarded the Percy Fitzpatrick Prize

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My sixth novel for young adults, Sea Star Summer, has been named as the joint recipient of the Percy Fitzpatrick Prize for youth literature awarded by the English Academy of South Africa.

My co-winner (twinner?) is Penny Lorimer for Luntu Masiza Tells the Truth.

This is what the judges had to say:

“There were two novels that stood out. Both are not only well-written and – crafted, but also explore current issues as part of the lived experience of the protagonists and are very distinctly youth-centered. Both are engrossing and embody hope.”

Published in 2020, Sea Star Summer follows sixteen-year-old Naomi’s journey of self-discovery while on holiday in the Eastern Cape town of Jeffrey’s Bay. 

You Magazine wrote:
“A story about young love and self-discovery which cements Partridge’s status as one of SA’s best young adult authors.”

The award ceremony will be taking place in July.

Out this May – The Witches of Hogsback

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Inspired by the absolutely breathtaking mountain town of Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, and my love of a good old-fashioned whodunnit, comes my eighth book for young adults, The Witches of Hogsback.

It has been a dream in the making.

As a child, I devoured anything by R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike and yes, Agatha Christie. I love the fast pace, whittling down the list of suspects and navigating the red herrings. Today there has been a resurgence in the good ol’ teen crime caper, and I am beyond excited to have finally added my own interpretation to the mix.

My crime solver and lover of true crime podcasts, Zelda Scott is a detective for the new generation. Smart, quick-witted and razor-tongued, she’s ready to put herself in danger to unmask killers, and find justice for those society has turned its back on.

After a humiliating breakup, she gatecrashes a school hiking trip to Hogsback, and discovers a wild world of intrigue, secrets and mystery.

Here’s the blurb: 

A girl on a high school hiking trip to the mountain town of Hogsback.
A fatal accident.
A coven of witches who seem to be the obvious suspects.
None of these are what they appear to be.

Zelda is a self-proclaimed do-gooder who simply cannot stay silent if she sees something wrong. Unfortunately, this doesn’t win her any popularity votes. Even her boyfriend Dylan couldn’t put up with it anymore.

Desperate to escape from everything for a while, Zelda signs up for a school hiking trip to Hogsback. Her illusion of having a nice, relaxing time shatters when she stumbles across a mystery nobody seems to care about: the death of local teen Stefan Dale.

Soon, Zelda finds herself knee deep in trouble: from having her room vandalised to nearly being killed by an unknown assailant. Someone clearly doesn’t want her looking into Stefan’s death. Her prime suspects are a group of teenagers known as The Witches of Hogsback, but are they really the most dangerous people in the forest?

The book will be hitting all good bookshops and online stores in the coming weeks. I’ll update this post with links when they become available.