When a backhoe operator unearths the skeleton of a long-dead Bushman while building a pipeline in Botswana's Okavango Delta, young detective David Bengu (called "Kubu") and Scots pathologist Ian MacGregor are sent to investigate. The first thing MacGregor finds is eight more Bushman skeletons.
The investigation becomes more confusing when an elder of the nearby village is murdered. Local police want to label it as a robbery gone wrong, but Kubu disagrees. A local woman, thought to be rather strange because she says she talks to a river spirit, doesn't think it was a robbery either, and then she is found dead... apparently grabbed by a crocodile on the riverbank.
When allegations of corruption are leveled and international outrage builds over the massacre of Bushman families, Assistant Superintendent Mabaku joins Kubu and MacGregor. The three men have their work cut out for them in trying to ascertain how these recent murders link to the dead Bushmen, but the more they investigate, they begin to uncover a deadly covenant that may well put their own lives in danger.
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I am really enjoying these prequels in the excellent Detective Kubu mystery series. It is a treat to watch Kubu's occasional misstep as he learns the intricacies of his job. Assistant Superintendent Mabaku-- normally seen only at his desk in high dudgeon-- was a marvelous addition to the cast. The writing team of Michael Stanley shows us how Mabaku mentored the young detective, teaching him valuable lessons that would help him become the powerhouse investigator of the later books.
While Kubu investigates in A Deadly Covenant, some of the inner workings of village politics are laid bare, as well as the past and current treatment of Bushmen-- people who seem to be universally reviled while not being well-known at all. (Par for the course, eh?) Kubu learns much about interpersonal relationships and how to navigate them-- Mabaku sees to that-- while he shows what kind of young man he is, worrying about a backhoe driver who will go without pay if he cannot work. Perhaps the most telling of all is Kubu's response to the lackadaisical yet brutal local policeman. When the policeman says, "A promise like that is made so you can get rid of him. It does not obligate you to do anything," Kubu replies, "...when I make a promise, I intend to keep it." He's just the sort of person you want on your side.
As engrossing as the investigation is, the icing on this very delicious "cake" is Kubu's courtship of his future wife, Joy. He misses seeing her and agonizes over each thing he says to her during their brief phone calls. Did he just make a fool of himself? Why was she so abrupt? Will she ever want to see him again? He's such an idiot! The humor and hopefulness of these scenes are in perfect contrast to the often dark underbelly of the investigation itself.
Now I'm all caught up with Detective Kubu and must wait for his next investigation. Will it be another early one? Or will we see him as the established and well-known investigator? Does it really matter? Any book featuring this detective from Botswana will be one to look forward to with a great deal of anticipation... and to savor every word once it is in my hands.
A Deadly Covenant by Michael Stanley
ISBN: 9780997968989
White Sun Books © 2022
Paperback, 352 pages
Police Procedural, #8 Detective Kubu mystery (prequel)
Rating: A
Source: the authors
I'm so glad you enjoyed this so well, Cathy! Prequels don't always work well, but this set of prequels is one of the exceptions. I always find there's such a sense of place and local culture here, and I love the way the Kubu character grows.
ReplyDeleteMichael and Stan's prequels work so well because they're really showing Kubu's evolution into the topnotch investigator that he becomes. And the landscape and culture? Marvelous!
DeleteI've got to try one of these books just for that Botswana setting!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love the characters, too, Lark.
DeleteI've got to get started on this series. I've always loved Alexander McCall Smith's series set in Botswana and Kubu sounds like a worthy successor to Precious Ramotswe.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell anyone, but I've read both series and much prefer Michael Stanley's Kubu.
DeleteI'm not a fan of Alexander McCall, but from what you say here, it sounds as if I should give Michael Stanley a try. I hope the wait for the next in the series isn't too long; that's why I'm almost afraid to completely catch up on any of my favorite series. The only two I've done that on are Burke's Robicheaux books and Craig Johnson's Longmire series. I've only one Louise Penny book left to read and I'm reluctant to read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of Alexander McCall Smith either, Sam. I think this makes us two of a rare breed.
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