"Brazzaville Beach" by William Boyd

Hope Clearwater makes a discovery while observing chimpanzees in their native habitat that runs her afoul of her boss; she's in Africa because she ran afoul of her bipolar husband first.

Her discovery of chimpanzees at war is deadly to her employment. She's forced to sit at Brazzaville Beach in exile from all employment, family, and career. Eventually she returns to work and vindication - whether this will endear her to the ethologists' establishment is not really known.

I'm not sure why the scenes of her on the West Aftican beach stay with me at the expense of the rest of this well-told story. Hope (she of the very evocative name) faces the abyss from the edge of the world, keeping her toe-hold, not being denied.

A worthwhile read.