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lian_tanner's review against another edition
4.0
A detective novel set in Egypt, with a Sudanese protagonist, an ex-cop who left/was thrown out of Sudan after the death of his wife and child. The backstory of what happened in Sudan gradually unfolds as the mystery in Egypt progresses. It sounds very like the rise of Nazi Germany - I guess the collapse of rule of law, the rise of the most brutal elements of society and the targeting of anyone who disagrees is much the same wherever it happens and within whatever ideology, whether Nazism, communism or extreme Islam. This is a book of humour and integrity as well as sadness. Well worth reading.
maggymags's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. New author for me and he did not disappoint. Set in Cairo, a nice change of scenery. The main character Makana grew on me quickly, also a nice change from most modern angst ridden, baggage toting fictional private detectives/policemen etc.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a 4.5 star book for me. Makana is a Sudanese ex-cop who fled his country and ends up in Cairo. To get by he works as a private investigator. Makana is described as a scruffy character, living in a precarious, slapped together house on a riverbank - all he can (barely) afford. When he gets behind on his rent, his landlady, a widow with several children, sends one of them up the power pole to disconnect his electricity.
One day Makana has a well-dressed visitor. He is the right hand man of one of the wealthiest men in Egypt, Saad Hanafi, who wants Makana to find the missing star player from his football (soccer) team. At the same time, Makana meets a desolate British woman looking for her daughter missing since she was seven years old and disappeared in a near by market. For reasons I never quite understood, Makana becomes convinced that the two disappearances, though many years apart, are connected.
The Cairo of Makana is corrupt (not a surprise) and delapidated. Everywhere Makana's investigations lead him are studies in contrast - either super luxurious, private and gated communities, or dirty, impoverished and dangerous places. Makana has big losses in his past that we learn about in this book. He is still pursued by Sudanese militia members who forced his exile. Yet despite his poverty and constant threats from all sorts, Makana is an upbeat man with a keen intelligence, which makes this series attractive and one I will read more of.
One day Makana has a well-dressed visitor. He is the right hand man of one of the wealthiest men in Egypt, Saad Hanafi, who wants Makana to find the missing star player from his football (soccer) team. At the same time, Makana meets a desolate British woman looking for her daughter missing since she was seven years old and disappeared in a near by market. For reasons I never quite understood, Makana becomes convinced that the two disappearances, though many years apart, are connected.
The Cairo of Makana is corrupt (not a surprise) and delapidated. Everywhere Makana's investigations lead him are studies in contrast - either super luxurious, private and gated communities, or dirty, impoverished and dangerous places. Makana has big losses in his past that we learn about in this book. He is still pursued by Sudanese militia members who forced his exile. Yet despite his poverty and constant threats from all sorts, Makana is an upbeat man with a keen intelligence, which makes this series attractive and one I will read more of.
wintermute314's review against another edition
1.0
Convoluted story and a protagonist who discovers plot elements hardly discoverable. The only thing I liked was the Cairo backdrop.
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