Review: DEATH OF THE MANTIS, Michael Stanley

• Format: Kindle (Amazon)
• File Size: 1119 KB
• Print Length: 417 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0755381157
• Publisher: Headline (September 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005CIOOR0
• Source: I bought it

Synopsis -  Amazon

The third novel in the fantastic Detective 'Kubu' Bengu crime series is set in the southern Kalahari area of Botswana - a place full of buried lost cities, incredible hidden wealth, ancient gods and, for thousands of years, home to the nomadic Bushmen.

When a fractious ranger named Monzo is found dead, fallen into a donga - a dry ravine - surrounded by three Bushmen, the local police arrest the nomads.
Detective 'Kubu' Bengu is on the case, which reunites him with his old school friend Khumanego, a Bushman and now an advocate for his people. Khumanego believes the arrests are motivated by racist antagonism from the police, as the Bushmen are claiming that they were at the murder scene because they were trying to help.
Soon after Monzo's death, Detective 'Kubu' learns of another case involving two botany students on their way back from a specimen-collecting trip but who were later found dead, seemingly poisoned, at a campground. Could the deaths be connected?

My Take

I have realised as I write this review that I have missed out on reading #2 in this series (THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU). I reviewed the first A CARRION DEATH in 2010 and really did mean to read #2 - I'm sure I have it somewhere..

I have really enjoyed DEATH OF A MANTIS. 'Kubu' Bengu has grown dramatically in stature as a detective and is held in high regard by the Botswana police force. Kubu still acts impulsively, makes decisions that are not always wise - in fact one puts his life in great danger. But now he has family responsibilities: a wife, a baby girl.

DEATH OF THE MANTIS is one of those books that makes the reader think. For a start - who is "the Mantis"?  One of the themes is the conflict between modern Western-style life and the indigenous culture of the Bushmen of the Kalahari. How far will the Bushmen go to preserve the old ways, to keep the sacred places hidden, and yet at the same time how do they pass on their culture?

Kubu is torn because one of his best childhood friends is a Bushman although Khumanego says he is trying to preserve the old ways by being an advocate for his people.
There are many reminders too that this is a dangerous land that Kubu is living in.

DEATH OF THE MANTIS is tightly plotted, has excellent character development, as well as passing on to the reader a great depth of information about Kalahari life. There's an interesting juxtaposition of technologies too - old maps and records, overlaid by GPS printouts.

Check what the authors have to say about the background to the book. You can also read the Prologue and the first chapter there.

My rating: 5.0

Other reviews to check

• Joyfully Retired
• EuroCrime (Michelle Peckham)
• AustCrime

If you are looking for a reading guide, there are 10 questions here.(pdf)
 
Awards for DEATH OF THE MANTIS

• one of six finalists for the 2012 Barry Award for best paperback original
• .one of four novels selected for the short list for Best Genre Fiction at the Minnesota Book Awards in 2012.
• one of five nominees for the Edgar Award from Mystery Writers of America for best paperback original in 2012.
• chosen by LIBRARY JOURNAL in the US as one of their top ten new mysteries for 2011.
• rated number 5 in THE STRAND MAGAZINE'S top 12 mysteries for 2011