The Arabella Homeowners’ Community Trust was privileged to welcome Deon Meyer to Arabella on 24 February for a fundraiser event. Acclaimed nationally and internationally for his novels over a number of years, many of us in Arabella are avid fans of his novels, with troubled detective Bennie Griessel and his counterpart, Vaughan Cupido favourite characters!  It was when his most recent novel – Leo – featured a murder on the Arabella Golf Course that I thought it would be wonderful if Deon could come to the “scene of the crime” and talk more about his work. Writing a letter of invitation that included a description of our Trust projects, I was amazed to receive a prompt response from him, indicating his willingness to participate in such a fundraising event.

Plans for the event were undertaken, with input from fellow Trustees, generous support from the hotel and assistance from the Engagement Committee. Tickets went on sale, and we were overwhelmed when these sold out very quickly – such a demand that the event had to be moved from the originally intended venue in the hotel to the larger space of the Golf Club!  Irna van Zyl – another well-known author based in Hermanus – very kindly accepted our request to conduct the interview with Deon. Knowing each well, this combination of two excellent novelists promised an evening of comfortable interaction and a mutual sharing of interesting insights.

What a wonderful evening we all enjoyed! The interview was preceded by a wine tasting by Escape Wines, with food available for those who had come directly from other commitments. Once settled for the interview, the hour flew past as both authors chatted easily with anecdotes, humour and generous sharing of knowledge about the writing journey, its challenges and its satisfactions… After the formal interview, members of the audience asked questions of Deon, all of which he answered thoroughly, thoughtfully and considerately.