robinwalter's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An excellent addition to the series,with nuance and depth.
hayesstw's review
4.0
A whodunit set locally in Southern Africa.
Detective Inspector David "Kubu" Bengu of the Botswana CID is asked to help with the investigation into the murder of a game ranger in the remote south-western part of the country. When a Namibian geologist discovers the corpse of another Namibian visitor Detective Kubu suspects that the murders are linked, and goes to Windhoek to follow up. There are tales of an old treasure map, purported to show the inland source of the alluvial diamonds on Namibia's coast. After checking other earlier mysterious deaths that had originally been thought to be accidental it seems that the Botswana police are looking for a serial killer who must be caught before he kills again.
I found it an enthralling story, perhaps because of the "local" angle. Most of the crime novels we get to read here are set far away on other continents. This one is relatively close, being set in neighbouring countries which we have visited.
Kang in Botswana, through which Insopector Kubu travels on his way to Windhoek, is 773 km from our house. For a whodunit fan in London reading about the exploits of Swedish detective Kurt Wallander by [a:Henning Mankell|22339|Henning Mankell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336761478p2/22339.jpg], Ystad, where Inspector Wallander is based is 1343 km from London. I did read a South African whodunit a few years ago, [b:What Hidden Lies|18108014|What Hidden Lies (Persy Jonas #1)|Michele Rowe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1371828685s/18108014.jpg|25429953]. But that was set in Cape Town, more than twice as far away as Kang in Botswana, and also further away than Ystad is from London.
The detective stories from Botswana that are likely to be most familiar to readers outside that country are the series that begin with [b:The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency|7061|The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)|Alexander McCall Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459953654s/7061.jpg|826298]. Be warned that this is nothing like that. These are not private investigators looking for lost pets and errant husbands. These are cops trying to catch a serial killer. I suppose one thing they do have in common, however, are that the scenes are well set, and the characters are well described.
As with some of the Inspector Wallander books, one of the factors in the killings is a cultural clash, in this case between Batswana cops and Bushmen. The first body is discovered by Bushmen, and they immediately become suspects. The only question I have about the authenticity of the setting is why so many of the character seem to have Zulu names. It's not impossible, of course, but it does seem a bit disproportionate.
Anyway, I recommend it to whodunit fans in southern Africa, and perhaps those further afield might enjoy it too.
Detective Inspector David "Kubu" Bengu of the Botswana CID is asked to help with the investigation into the murder of a game ranger in the remote south-western part of the country. When a Namibian geologist discovers the corpse of another Namibian visitor Detective Kubu suspects that the murders are linked, and goes to Windhoek to follow up. There are tales of an old treasure map, purported to show the inland source of the alluvial diamonds on Namibia's coast. After checking other earlier mysterious deaths that had originally been thought to be accidental it seems that the Botswana police are looking for a serial killer who must be caught before he kills again.
I found it an enthralling story, perhaps because of the "local" angle. Most of the crime novels we get to read here are set far away on other continents. This one is relatively close, being set in neighbouring countries which we have visited.
Kang in Botswana, through which Insopector Kubu travels on his way to Windhoek, is 773 km from our house. For a whodunit fan in London reading about the exploits of Swedish detective Kurt Wallander by [a:Henning Mankell|22339|Henning Mankell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336761478p2/22339.jpg], Ystad, where Inspector Wallander is based is 1343 km from London. I did read a South African whodunit a few years ago, [b:What Hidden Lies|18108014|What Hidden Lies (Persy Jonas #1)|Michele Rowe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1371828685s/18108014.jpg|25429953]. But that was set in Cape Town, more than twice as far away as Kang in Botswana, and also further away than Ystad is from London.
The detective stories from Botswana that are likely to be most familiar to readers outside that country are the series that begin with [b:The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency|7061|The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)|Alexander McCall Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459953654s/7061.jpg|826298]. Be warned that this is nothing like that. These are not private investigators looking for lost pets and errant husbands. These are cops trying to catch a serial killer. I suppose one thing they do have in common, however, are that the scenes are well set, and the characters are well described.
As with some of the Inspector Wallander books, one of the factors in the killings is a cultural clash, in this case between Batswana cops and Bushmen. The first body is discovered by Bushmen, and they immediately become suspects. The only question I have about the authenticity of the setting is why so many of the character seem to have Zulu names. It's not impossible, of course, but it does seem a bit disproportionate.
Anyway, I recommend it to whodunit fans in southern Africa, and perhaps those further afield might enjoy it too.
skinnypenguin's review
4.0
Good mystery. weaves in some cultural history of the area along with concern for one's family.
cspiwak's review
4.0
Enjoyable addition to the series. Characters continue to develop, plot is interesting with a little bit of history and culture for local color
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