Abroad, McLeod started writing; during her stay in Belgium she had the opportunity to do research in the archives[2] of The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Emmerich, and Köln.

In 1986 the McLeods returned to Suriname and in 1987 her debut novel Hoe duur was de suiker?

The first print was sold out within a few weeks and Cynthia McLeod became the most famous Surinamese novelist overnight.

[2] For eight years subsequently McLeod studied the social structure and life of that period, which allowed her to position Elisabeth as a rich free black person in this society dominated by prejudices and white supremacy.

She organizes free educational trips for Surinamese school youth with her motorized vessel, the Sweet Merodia.

[10] Brother Mambo: Finding Africa in the Amazon, JD Lenoir with Phil Ceder (Kutukutu).