A Deadly Covenant by Michael Stanley

 

First Line: Amos Sebina peered through the dust at the bucket of his backhoe.

 

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.

 

~

 

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

Facets of Death by Michael Stanley

First Line: The early-morning sun promised a scorcher of a day, and David "Kubu" Bengu's clothes were already damp with sweat-- not unusual for a man of his size in a hot climate.

Fresh from university, David "Kubu" Bengu is a newly minted sergeant in the Botswana police force-- and some of his co-workers resent the fact that he hasn't come up the hard way like they have. Dealing with them will be a test of his people skills, but right now, he has more important fish to fry.

The richest diamond mine in the world has just been robbed of 100,000 carats of diamonds. Police immediately suspect an inside job, but when the robbers are found killed execution-style and the diamonds are still missing, the investigation changes.

Now Kubu not only has to find the diamonds and the mastermind of the robbery, but he's also working on a case of missing luggage at the Gabarone airport. It's not going to be long before everyone knows why he's on the fast track.

Longtime fans of Michael Stanley's wonderful Detective Kubu series should love this prequel. Readers who've never met the wily detective before can easily start with Facets of Death, find themselves hooked, and move on to the rest of the series. 

We meet Kubu on his very first day on the job, and we also get to see him meet the woman who will become his wife. We see how Kubu deals with jealousy in the workforce, and-- heavens above-- does this young man soak up knowledge like the proverbial sponge! He makes mistakes, learns from them, and begins to learn to trust his instincts. Facets of Death is great for learning Kubu's backstory.

But, as in all of Michael Stanley's books, that's not all we learn. There are two excellent mysteries to solve (the diamond robbery and the missing luggage at the airport), and we learn how the police forces in Botswana and South Africa cooperate with each other. If that's not enough, there's information about the diamond business to absorb as well.

Some readers love Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I read three or four of them and found them a bit too precious (pun intended). I was thrilled when I discovered Detective Kubu. Michael Stanley provides the same insights into the people and culture of Botswana, the same knowledge of the country, but with mysteries that have more bite. I'd no more miss a Detective Kubu mystery than I would forget to brush my teeth in the morning. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting David "Kubu" Bengu, get your hands on a copy of Facets of Death. You can thank me later.

Facets of Death by Michael Stanley

eISBN: 9781464211287

Poisoned Pen Press © 2020

eBook, 336 pages

Police Procedural, #7 Detective Kubu mystery (prequel)

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

Dying to Live by Michael Stanley

First Line: Detective Sergeant Segodi looked down at the dead Bushman and frowned.

When the body of a Bushman found near the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana is sent to Gabarone for autopsy, the pathologist finds a few surprises. The cause of death is a broken neck, but although the dead man is obviously very old, his internal organs look remarkably young. Dr. MacGregor calls Assistant Superintendant David "Kubu" Bengu with his findings. Kubu has many irons in the fire at that moment, so he files away the information to get back to as soon as he can. When the Bushman's corpse is stolen from the morgue, Kubu knows that this case has suddenly become high priority.

Once again, the writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip has crafted another excellent mystery in a series I think is the best one set in Botswana. There are many interwoven threads in the plot: motives, suspects, the actual crimes committed-- and they all keep the reader guessing as the story progresses. 

In addition to one fine mystery, these two writers bring their setting to life, and they always teach me something about the country, the people, and the culture. This time, the crimes involve muti (charms and/or spells concocted by witch doctors), AIDS, animal poaching, and biopiracy. Also, I found one historical fact stone cold sobering: the last permit to hunt a Bushman was issued in 1936. Always nice to know that at one time you could obtain a permit to legally hunt human beings, isn't it?

As good as the mystery is, as good as the setting is, it's the characters that make this a winning book (and series) for me. Kubu is distracted in Dying to Live because his little adopted daughter, Nono, is very ill. He may be an astute investigator, but he is also a family man and takes his responsibilities there very seriously.

Since he is distracted, we get to see more of a new character, Detective Samantha Khama, who takes her job so seriously that she can forget to smile or laugh. This time, she is not happy with Kubu. Kubu has assigned a missing persons case to her. The missing person is Botlele Ramala, a witch doctor. Kubu knows that Samantha loathes witch doctors and the tragedies their muti potions can cause, and this is his way of teaching her that everyone counts, or nobody counts. Since readers know from the beginning how Samantha feels about this particular case, it is very interesting indeed to watch her work it. I am glad that she's joined the cast of characters.

Strong, complex mysteries. Wonderful settings that pull you right into the heart of the story. Characters that grow and change over time and endear themselves to readers. Haven't read one of Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu mysteries? I suggest you start with the first book, A Carrion Death. You've got some excellent reading ahead of you!

Dying to Live by Michael Stanley

eISBN: 9781466881563

Minotaur Books © 2017

eBook, 325 pages

Police Procedural, #6 Detective Kubu mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley


 

A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley

First Line: Assistant Superintendent David "Kubu" Bengu was enjoying his dream.

The smartest detective in the whole of the Botswana police, Assistant Superintendent David "Kubu" Bengu, is thrown headlong into a nightmare. Why in the world would someone want to murder his father, Wilmon, a good, frail man suffering from Alzheimer's? Kubu has no idea, but he is determined to catch the killer as quickly as possible-- which is problematic since his boss forbids him to be involved in the case.

Rationally, Kubu knows that he shouldn't be part of the investigation; it could taint any potential evidence they find and let the murderer go free. But he's feeling anything but rational. Director Mabaku is glad he can send Kubu off to check into the apparent suicide of a government official, and when the Assistant Superintendent gets there, he finds a murky picture of Chinese mine owners, a mysterious man with connections to the U.S. Embassy, and lots of possible corruption. But no matter how intriguing this suicide is, nothing is going to keep his mind off catching his father's killer.

In some ways, A Death in the Family is a departure for this wonderful series. Having read all the books with tremendous enjoyment, I know that Kubu has always had a close and loving relationship with his parents. Wilmon Bengu's death is catastrophic for Kubu. Kubu has been in many tight situations, but readers have never seen him grief-stricken or enraged. He comes within a whisker of throwing his entire career away. He scarcely eats throughout the book, and Kubu is a man who has always been passionate about his food. His impatience, his frustration, his grief are felt throughout the book like a steady but subtle vibration in the air. Kubu's frame of mind will make readers turn the pages faster and faster in order to unmask the killer.

The investigation in A Death in the Family is a very complex one with many threads, and it was fascinating to watch those threads being pulled out, examined, and woven into a satisfying conclusion. The facts the writing team of Michael Stanley includes in the story are fascinating. Yes, we learn more about the inner workings of the Botswana government, but it's Wilmon's struggles with Alzheimer's and this country's funeral traditions and those of kgotle (a structured and rather familial type of town meeting) that add so much texture and richness to the book.

Is an angry Kubu as readable as a funny Kubu? Most definitely! If you love Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, are you going to like Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu? Chances are very good that you will. To be honest, I prefer Kubu to Precious Ramotswe-- there's a bit less charm and more bite to the stories of Michael Stanley. You can step in just about anywhere in these books, but Kubu's life isn't an unchanging one. Start at the beginning with A Carrion Death so you won't miss one little bit of my favorite-- and the best-- detective in Botswana. The entire series is excellent.

A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley

ISBN: 9781250070890

Minotaur Books © 2015

Hardcover, 368 pages

Police Procedural, #5 Detective Kubu mystery

Rating: A

Source: the authors 

Predators by Frederick Ramsay

First Line: The lion blinked and shifted its weight to one side, hoping the dull pain that deprived him of sleep would abate. It didn't.

The U.S. State Department has asked Leo Painter, CEO of a large mining, energy, and real estate business, to travel to Botswana. Both Leo and his country would love to access Botswana's resources, but the CEO also has another dream: building a resort and casino on Botswana's Chobe River. It remains to be seen if Painter's business partners will allow him to do so.

This standalone by Frederick Ramsey shows the ruthlessness of the business and animal worlds with two storylines. One is of Sekoa, an old, ill lion who's been supplanted as the alpha male of his pride by a younger, stronger male. As Sekoa fights for survival, he's shadowed by a pack of hyenas that is waiting for him to make one mistake. The second storyline involves Leo (the Lion?) Painter, an old Chicago businessman with a weak heart, who has his own pack of human hyenas: his stepson, his stepson's wife, and various business associates. Ramsay shows that one world is every bit as deadly as the other just as he also shows us that Sekoa and Leo aren't as bad as we'd originally thought.

Botswana comes out as the real winner in Predators. It's portrayed as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, and rightfully proud of that fact. It's a jewel of great price and great natural wealth being circled by packs of hyenas (with names like Russia and America) just waiting to strike. I loved the setting and the wildlife depicted in this book. The people of Botswana are shown putting up with the idiocy of tourists because at this point in time tourism is the major source of their livelihood. But once these people are "off the clock," they have their own lives and their own customs.

For me, the best characters in the book were Sekoa the lion and Sanderson the game ranger. I was hoping for a different outcome for that noble old lion even though I knew it wasn't realistic. Sanderson has difficulties in her own life. Her son is dying of AIDs, just like her beloved husband did. She fears for her daughter, eyeing any young man her daughter favors with great suspicion. But what can she do, other than to slip condoms in her daughter's purse and to try not to nag? Sanderson is level-headed and thinks well on her feet, which is good because she is working a man's job and has to outmaneuver the dated way of thinking of her male counterparts on an almost hourly basis. In my opinion, Sanderson is worthy of her own series.

But of all the things I enjoyed about this book, it's Leo Painter and his crew that ultimately knocked the scales out of balance. Between acolytes and family, it was a surfeit of dishonesty, double-dealing, greed, stupidity, and bimbosity. I had to fight the urge to skip the sections dealing with Painter and Crew so that I could focus on Sekoa and Sanderson instead. Ramsay added occasional flashes of humor in Leo's sections that fell flat for me. Perhaps if I hadn't been so disgusted by these Chicago invaders, I would have appreciated the humor more. There's a lot to like about Predators. I just wish I'd been tough enough to deal with the human hyenas.
  

Predators by Frederick Ramsay

eISBN: 9781615951666

Poisoned Pen Press © 2009

eBook, 250 pages

Standalone

Rating: C+

Source: Purchased from Amazon 

Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley

First Line: As she walked home, Lesego's head was full of Christmas.

Assistant Superintendent David Bengu of the Gaborone Criminal Investigation Department (known by everyone as "Kubu") has barely had time to make the acquaintance of the CID's first woman detective, Samantha Khama, when his superior tells him he needs to devote his time to a death threat on a popular political candidate. Samantha seems to be a bright, very intense young woman who's determined to focus on crimes against women. Since Kubu now has very little time to mentor her, he agrees when she asks to be put in charge of a cold case concerning missing women and children. In quick succession two young girls go missing after being seen getting into cars, and the political candidate is murdered. Kubu and Samantha have their hands full-- and what neither of them realizes is that their cases will entwine. There is a powerful, and very deadly, witch doctor at the heart of both their investigations.

Every voracious crime fiction reader loves to be in at the start of an excellent series and watch it improve and flourish with each subsequent book. That's exactly what's happened with the Detective Kubu series penned by the talented writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip.

Their series is set in the fascinating country of Botswana, familiar yet so very different from the Botswana of Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe. As Kubu interacts with other characters, we learn of the traditions, customs, foods, and land in which the books are set.

During the investigations of Deadly Harvest, we become more familiar with the political climate as well as muti, a type of traditional medicine widespread in southern Africa. Unfortunately some witch doctors resort to the use of human body parts in the making of their medicines and potions, and stopping this horrendous practice is a driving force in the book. It's the skillful weaving together of the cold case and the murder of the political candidate that builds suspense to such a point that I still find it hard to believe that Deadly Harvest is almost 500 pages long.

As with any good series, Sears and Trollip know that the books are only as good as the recurring characters-- and what a marvelous cast they've created! We see Kubu with criminals and other police officers, and we get to see what a happy, solid relationship he has with his wife, his daughter, and his parents. As his parents age, problems begin to arise, and I feel certain that we'll be able to read more about this in future books. Kubu's superior officer is a good man, which makes a nice change from all the other fictional police detectives who seem to have to deal with pencil-pushing idiots who only protect and serve their own careers. I was a bit doubtful about the addition of Samantha Khama to this wonderful cast. At first she's so intense and fanatical that I wanted to tell her to loosen up, but I knew she'd either treat me to some sort of diatribe, or glare at me and stomp off in the opposite direction. But the longer she investigated, and the more she worked with her fellow officers, my attitude changed. I'm really looking forward to reading more about her.

Actually I'm looking forward to much more than reading more about Samantha Khama. I'm hooked on Botswana, a large, wily detective known as Kubu ("hippo"), his family and friends, and the mesmerizing stories written by two men known as Michael Stanley. May there be many more investigations to come!

Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley

ISBN: 9780062221520

Harper © 2013

Paperback, 496 pages

Police Procedural, #4 Detective Kubu mystery

Rating: A+

Source: the author

Death of the Mantis by Michael Stanley

Title: Death of the Mantis
Author: Michael Stanley
ISBN: 9780062000378
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, 2011
Paperback, 448 pages
Genre: Police Procedural, #3 Detective Kubu mystery
Rating: A+
Source: the author

First Line: The desert glowed in the dawn light.

In this wonderful third entry in the Detective Kubu mystery series set in Botswana, Detective David Bengu (call him Kubu, please) finds himself torn between the orders of his superior officer and the request of a beloved childhood friend.

As little boys, Kubu and his Bushman schoolmate Khumanego are the ones who are "different"-- the outsiders. As a result, they became close friends. Once they left school, however, they lost track of each other, so when Kubu first sees his old friend, he is overjoyed. Khumanego has become an advocate for his people, and he believes that the incarceration of three of his fellow tribesmen shows racial motivation on the part of the local police. When a second, and then a third, murder occurs in the same area-- both pointing to the nomadic Bushman tribe-- Kubu's superior changes his tune and lets the detective go to investigate. When Kubu arrives and begins to piece clues and facts together, he finds himself on what may well turn out to be a one-way trip into the unforgiving Kalahari Desert.

The writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip have outdone themselves. I was held captive by this book! The descriptions of the Kalahari Desert reminded me of journeys my husband and I have taken out into the desert here: the vastness, the immensity of the sky, the seeming emptiness, the heat, the sun...the sense of being the only people on the face of the earth. Temper that with Kubu and his wife Joy adjusting to life as the parents of a demanding little baby, and you have a book that covers a lot of territory and a lot of emotions-- and covers them all very well indeed.

I welcomed learning some of the legends and customs of the Bushmen, but for me what was foremost was the story itself. Sears and Trollip have written a compelling mystery with a tightly woven plot and excellent misdirection. Just as I became convinced I knew whom the killer was, I'd be proven wrong and given another false set of coordinates for my GPS-- and away I would go. I finally realized the killer's identity and still hoped I was wrong.  When Kubu's investigation led into the depths of the desert, I became anxious for his safety. As I said, I was completely caught up in this book!

Do you need to read the other two books in the series before reading this one? No, you don't. Personally I think you're a bit touched if you want to miss a single chapter in the life of one of my favorite detectives!

Learn More from Amazon.

Learn More from The Book Depository.

Learn More from Your Indie Bookseller.

The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu by Michael Stanley

Title: The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu
Author: Michael Stanley
ISBN: 9780061252495, Harper Collins, 2009
Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural, #2 Detective Kubu mystery
Rating: A+

First Line: The farewells had been said many years ago, so Goodluck hugged his old comrade and left without a word.

Not too long ago, I read a book called A Carrion Death and fell in love with a country and a character. The country is Botswana. The character is a policeman with the unlikely nickname of Kubu ("hippopotamus"). When I discovered that the second book in this mystery series was about to be published, I succumbed to temptation and pre-ordered it. I'm glad I did. The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu fulfills the promise contained in the first book.

This time around, two men are found murdered in a bush camp on the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana. Detective David "Kubu" Bengu is assigned to the case. One victim is a tourist from South Africa. The other is Goodluck Tinubu, a Zimbabwean who had been teaching in Botswana for several years. A third person, thought to be a dissident wanted in Zimbabwe, has disappeared. The local police seem unable or unwilling to provide much help, so Detective Kubu must rely on his own instincts to track down the killers. Almost from the beginning he realizes that everyone involved has something to hide and that unraveling each clue will take all his skill.

The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu delves a bit more into the political side of life in Botswana: life in remote villages far off the grid, how the police of Botswana and South Africa try to work together, and how tense life can be when a border is shared with a country like Zimbabwe. The setting of the Okavango Delta is wonderful, especially for someone like me who's grown up watching dozens of National Geographic specials.

Political-- and wild-- animals aside, the true strengths of this book can be found in the labyrinthine plot where no one is who he seems to be and no one's motivations are clear-- and in the excellent characterizations. In fact this is one of the few series where I enjoy the main character's home life and family as much as I do the mystery.

Kubu, his co-workers and his extended family are delineated with such care, respect and gentle humor that I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover that each one of them is a real person. Even if they are not, they became real in my mind as the pages turned. Reading these books is to learn of traditional family life in Botswana, and to learn that co-workers around the world love to joke with each other:

"Kubu, I've got to go. See if you can arrange things for the rest of the day so that you don't drown any of my detectives, don't start a war with Namibia, and don't release a horde of murderers into the community. Do you think you can handle that?"

In only the second book of what I hope is a very long series, I savored a complex plot, a setting that can literally sink its teeth into a reader, and cast of characters that live and breathe on the page. All of this is written by two talented men who aren't afraid to shake things up and let me know that I should not take Detective Kubu or any of the others for granted. Life is short. Life is uncertain. Bad things can happen to good people. I am most definitely looking forward to the third book in this series!

I know that some of you probably saw "Botswana" and immediately thought of the series written by Alexander McCall Smith. You're probably wondering how Detective Kubu "stacks up" against Precious Ramotswe. I've read Smith's series. Both are wonderful at portraying Botswana for the armchair travelers amongst us who like to be taken to faraway lands. However, for a true mystery lover like me, Detective Kubu definitely has the edge. Michael Stanley's series is one not to be missed.

Note: The book contains maps, a cast of characters (with the pronunciations of each name) and a glossary, all of which can be very helpful for readers. I scanned the maps and the cast of characters before I began reading and seldom referred to them again, so don't be afraid that you're going to wear those pages out once you've started reading the book!

A Carrion Death by Michael Stanley

Title: A Carrion Death
Author: Michael Stanley
ISBN: 9780061252402/ Harper Collins, 2008
Genre: Police procedural, #1 in the Detective Kubu mystery series
Rating: A

First Line: The hyena moved off when the men shouted.

The half-eaten body of a man is found on a remote game reserve, and Assistant Superintendent David Bengu of the Botswana Police Department is sent to investigate. Known as "Kubu" (Setswanan for "hippopotamus"), Bengu is a large man who's deceptively amiable. The more he searches for the killer, the more clues he finds that all seem to lead back to Botswana's largest company: the Botswana Cattle and Mining Company...and the bodies begin piling up.

Kubu looked out of his window. I've made an idiot of myself to an inspector from the South African Police. I've asked my friend to do something inappropriate that I can't justify in any logical way. And I now have six bodies, or parts of bodies, and missing persons--count them, six--and I don't know why or who or what is going on. But I'm going home to the wife I love, and my dog, and my dinner. I think I'll treat us to a decent Shiraz. So the hell with all of them!

He locked his office and left.

This book is compulsively readable. Kubu has an annoying boss, Mabaku, who likes to hobnob with the rich and shameless, but (wonder of wonders), Mabaku wants everyone held accountable to the same rules, which makes a refreshing change. Kubu is a determined investigator who still insists on regular meals and time spent with a family that he adores. The intricately woven plot moves quickly, but also gives a very strong sense of place:

Now it was a Gaborone suburb with shopping malls and fast-food outlets. All that remained of the past were the baboons that frequently swarmed over the buildings and parking lot. Soon someone would complain loudly enough, and they would be captured and moved, or shot for being a nuisance. You can't stop progress, he mused, but wouldn't it be nice if we managed it better?

As I read and pieced together clues, I also learned about mining diamonds, Bushmen, and traveling in the Kalahari Desert. Those who enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency stories will find A Carrion Death presents a grittier and sometimes grisly portrait of Botswana, but a portrait that is just as captivating and addictive. Once again I've found a new mystery series to follow. The South African writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip have a winner on their hands.