When a Botswana mine is robbed of 100,000 carats of diamonds and the thieves are murdered execution-style, Botswana’s Detective Kubu begins a terrifying international investigation in the prequel to the award-winning Detective Kubu series.
Recruited straight from university to Botswana’s CID, David ‘Kubu’ Bengu has raised his colleagues’ suspicions with his meteoric rise within the department, and he has a lot to prove…
When the richest diamond mine in the world is robbed of 100,000 carats worth of gems, and then the thieves are killed, execution-style, Kubu leaps at the chance to prove himself. But where are the diamonds? And what role does a witch doctor and his son play? Does this young detective have the skill – and integrity – to engineer an international trap? Or could it cost him everything, including his life…?
A riveting, chilling prequel to the award-winning Detective Kubu series, Facets of Death introduces the beloved Kubu and his richly described native Botswana, in a dark, sophisticated thriller that will leave you breathless.
Facets of Death by Michael Stanley is published in paperback by Orenda Books on 29 April 2021. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour.
Facets of Death is the prequel story to the existing novels in the Detective Kubu series. It's a wonderful. introduction to this magnificent character and allows the reader to get a real feel for him, his background and his introduction to the world of police work.
David Bengu is know to all as Kubu - the Setswana word for hippopotamus. Kubu is a hefty guy and whilst he could be offended by his nickname, he embraces it and treats it as a form of affection. This is Kubu all over; his sunny personality, his ability to smile even when faced with complex puzzles and his wholesome belief in others defines his whole personality.
We join Kubu on his first day as a Detective with the Botswana police force. His colleagues are not that welcoming as he's leapfrogged straight into the role of Detective. He hasn't served time as a Constable. However, Kubu takes this into his stride and despite annoying people sometimes, he soon wins them around, always pleasant and always appreciative. It is very hard for anyone to be cross with Kubu for long.
Two complicated and intricate cases are presented to Kubu. One, the mysterious case of some missing suitcases. Seemingly stolen en route to London and Paris. The second case is far more serious, involving the theft of diamonds, murder and witch craft.
It is Kubu's enquiring mind and ability to think outside of the box that speeds the investigation along. Sometimes he is a little impatient and puts himself at risk, but the end result always outweighs the dangers. Luckily for Kubu!
The authors have woven a good dose of witch craft and local folk lore into this story. It's fascinating to read just how much power a witch doctor can hold in this part of the world. Even the most high ranking, and powerful characters have second thoughts when they are faced with skeletons of dead animals, associated with the witch doctors in the area.
The diamond robbery is a complex and intriguing case and these authors have presented this so well. It's an entertaining and compelling story that takes unusual and unexpected routes some times. I stayed up well into the night to finish this one, I was desperate to see if Kubu was right and delighted by his methodical approach and his enquiring brain.
Facets of Death is an atmospheric and captivating crime story, with a brilliantly created lead character that nobody could help but love. It's a smart thriller, with a difference. Devilishly clever and utterly compelling. Highly recommended by me.
Both natives of Africa, we have traveled regularly together to Botswana and Zimbabwe over the past twenty years to experience the country with its wide diversity and interesting peoples.
Our books reflect the authentic Africa of the 21st century: not merely the politically unstable, desperately poor Africa of the nightly news, but also the emotional conflicts of people with one foot in traditional culture and the other in Western-instigated globalism.
The new Africa is not a safari jungle, but a collection of diverse groups and nations struggling to find their way in a rapidly changing context.
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