A Carrion Death (Paperback)

Murder and collateral tumult in contemporary Botswana.Ranger Andries Botha and professor of ecology Bongani Sibisi find a corpse being devoured by vultures on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. They assume the victim is a poacher, but some details, like the very public location of the body, raise questions. The pair reports their finding to David Bengu, known as "Kubu," the assistant superintendent of Botswana's Criminal Investigation Department. An expansive and life-loving family man, Kubu proceeds to investigate. The case advances by inches; after much leisurely legwork through interesting local color, Kubu learns that the victim is probably a German tourist involved in some violent scrape. But many other plotlines compete for his attention. His childhood friend Angus Hofmeyr, who gave Kubu his nickname, and Angus's twin sister Dianna return to the area after recently inheriting their father's Botswana Cattle and Mining Company. Dianna is involved in a hot, risky affair with the manager of the local diamond mine. Blackmail, drug smuggling and corporate theft are waiting in the wings. A stately debut whose pseudonymous authors, Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, are both experts on the region. Their generously detailed portrait of Botswana and of larger-than-life Inspector Kubu augur well for the proposed series, though mystery fans might wish for a more streamlined whodunit. (Kirkus Reviews)

In this mesmerising crime debut, Michael Stanley uncovers the real Botswana: a modern land caught between traditional culture and globalism, colonial paternalism and independence; a beautiful, vibrant country threatened by the poverty, crime and brutal trade in blood diamonds of its neighbours

Poachers, witch doctors, diamond-smuggling and corruption: welcome to the world of Detective Kubu...They find the first body -- or what the hyena had left -- near a waterhole considered magical by the local bush people. A string of clues suggests that the victim was murdered and his identity hidden. For Assistant Superintendent David 'Kubu' Bengu, it's obvious from the start that sinister forces are at work. On the surface a convivial figure with a passion for his wife, his wine and his music, Kubu is a clever and resourceful lawman, well versed in Botswana's deadliest secrets. As Kubu follows a blood-soaked trail, marked by lies and superstition, he uncovers a chain of crimes linked to the most powerful figures in the country -- influential enemies who will stop at nothing to remove those who stand in their way!

General

Imprint:	Headline Book Publishing
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	April 2008
Authors:	Michael Stanley
Dimensions:	236 x 162 x 13mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	416
ISBN-13:	978-0-7553-4405-5
Categories:	Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > Crime & mystery > General
LSN:	0-7553-4405-7
Barcode:	9780755344055

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