Here is the sequel to Olive Clarke's first novel 'The Blessing of the Sun' and it continues the tale of the wild cats. In 'The Golden Claw' its owner is given access to the spiritual world and can be an influence for good or evil. Now we look critically at the motives of the tribe's elders, each of which have an interest in the claw's mysterious owner, Mankie, and are determined to acquire the golden claw. Mankie is mated to the beautiful Brightness, but their destinies are irreconcilable. The senior cats are in turmoil at the death of their current leader; so who has the future of the tribe at heart, and who wants only their own selfish plans accomplished? We are kept in suspense till the final pages of the story. The tale is peppered with unexpected encounters at a crucial point in the life of any of the cats, by a friend or relative of theirs who is now 'with the Eternal'. We have a glimpse of the nature of the Divine, of forgiveness, acceptance and the sense of 'preparing a place' for the eminent arrival of the next cat into Eternity.
