Two vicious murders, only hours apart. Normally a peaceful wilderness retreat, the Jackalberry bush camp has suddenly become a ghastly crime scene—and the details are still emerging when Detective David "Kubu" Bengu is assigned to the case. Zimbabwean teacher Goodluck Tinubu and another tourist have been found bludgeoned to death, while another guest at the camp—rumored to be a dissident wanted in Zimbabwe—has disappeared without a trace. With the local police unable—or unwilling—to provide much assistance, Detective Kubu relies on his own instincts to track down those responsible for the crimes. But a startling piece of forensic evidence from Goodluck Tinubu's murder adds a complicated twist to the investigation, and Kubu must work fast to solve a seemingly impossible riddle before any more Jackalberry guests meet their death. Suspecting that everyone at the camp has something to hide, the wily detective from Gaborone sets a clever trap to find the truth. The memorable Kubu of A Carrion Death returns in this gripping story of murder, greed, and hidden motives. Set in northern Botswana, amid lush vegetation and teeming wildlife, The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu captures the intense loyalties and struggles taking place at the country's borders—and the shattered dreams of those living just outside this modern democracy.
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"I've now read all three of the Detective Kubu books, and they are pretty much of a piece: if you like one, you'll like them all; if not, not. The characters are vivid and real, the murders usually fairly horrific, and the mysteries extremely complicated. The writing is very meat-and-potatoes, without much style calling attention to itself. For me, the real interest is the setting, a Botswana that seems like the older, more jaded sister of the one represented in the Mma Ramotswe books. The lore, from how to survive in the Kalahari, to how to talk your way past a hostile Zimbabwe checkpoint, is fascinating and seems absolutely authentic." — Jon (4 out of 5 stars)
"I've now read all three of the Detective Kubu books, and they are pretty much of a piece: if you like one, you'll like them all; if not, not. The characters are vivid and real, the murders usually fairly horrific, and the mysteries extremely complicated. The writing is very meat-and-potatoes, without much style calling attention to itself. For me, the real interest is the setting, a Botswana that seems like the older, more jaded sister of the one represented in the Mma Ramotswe books. The lore, from how to survive in the Kalahari, to how to talk your way past a hostile Zimbabwe checkpoint, is fascinating and seems absolutely authentic."
Together, Stanley and Prebble weave the threads of history, politics, culture, and murder into a tale that will intrigue fans of The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency and those who enjoy mysteries with exotic settings.
“A smart, satisfyingly complex mystery.”
“A brilliant sequel…Each character is memorable and adds depth to this tense and involving police procedural…[readers] will respond to the complex plots and palpable sense of place.”
“The author has created an excellent new venue for those who love to read about other cultures while enjoying a good mystery. Highly recommended.”
“Together, Stanley and Prebble weave the threads of history, politics, culture, and murder into a tale that will intrigue fans of the Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency and those who enjoy mysteries with exotic settings.”
" I enjoy any books about Africa. "
" First sentence - "The farewells had been said many years ago, so Goodluck hugged his old comrade and left without a word." "
" I love detective Kubu. He's a cross between Hercule Poirot and Columbo. A very good political mystery/police procedural. Starting the third in the series today. It's from the library so I plan to read it on my trip to my reunion. "
" A solidly modern African mystery novel. "
" Good, but not great. Having spent some time living in Botswana, I found it just to hard to believe. It was like Africa was cleaned up for Americans. "
" Did not keep my interest. Seems like one of those mysterys geared to "older women" "
" Great book, this is a wonderful series that takes place in Botswana. The mysteries are great, but what is even better, the main character Inspector David Bengu who is known as Kubu which means Hippo in Setswana. This is the second book in this series and I am impatiently waiting for the 3rd. "
" The Detective Kubu series are fun, fun mysteries. Some brutal moments, some touching, lots of character depth, all kinds of plot twists, and a unique setting make for exciting reading. Color me a fan. "
" Another enjoyable trek across Botswana with Assistant Superintendent David "Kubu" Bengu. The landscape comes alive and we are again treated to the great humanity of Detective Kubu. "
" A worthy followup to A Carrion Death featuring the intriguing Kubu Bengu, although it runs a little too long. The Botswana setting is evocative. "
" As good as the first in the series; an exciting plot, well rounded characters (literally, in the case of lead detective "Kubu," "hippopotamus"), and a crash course in recent history of the Southern part of Africa. "
" Another excellent read from "Michael Stanley." Enjoyed it very much. Look forward to others in this series. "
" Botswanan detective Kubu is called in to solve a double murder at a nature camp. More deaths follow, and Kubu has to labor to find the real motive for the killings -- without missing a meal. (Kubu is the Botswanan word for hippopotamus.) "
" Lots of local color and history of Zimbabwean revolution in the second book featuring Kubu. "
" I really liked this book, it had been awhile since I'd read a mystery. It was goofy and sort of creepy at the same time. The murder and mystery was clever, but ended up being simpler than I had hoped for. "
" I love this series set in Botswana...this is the second book in the series. Detective Kubu (the Hippo) is at his best, investigating deaths taking place at the tourist camp out in the bush. "
" I had hoped that the author duo that writes this series had figured out how to better share their responsibilities but alas they have not. improvement was only marginal which is a shame because I love reading books set in Botswana. maybe they just need a really good editor. "
" Fascinating look into life in Botswana written by 2 Botswana professors. Like other's have complained, the book comes off as sexist to Western readers but is well worth reading all the same. Somewhat simple story line but such an amazing look into life and history in Botswana, Zimbabwe. "
" A gripping, and somewhat gorey murder mystery set in Africa. After a trip to Tanzania last year, I was attracted to books set in Africa. I will read others by this author. Much of the setting resonated with me after my trip. "
" Wow. A book set in Botswana where the characters come off as actual people and not as simple minded, overgrown children. "
" Fun mystery story set in Africa. Can't say I really learned much about the culture, but maybe I learned a little! "
" Another good read with Dectective 'Kubu' "
Michael Stanley is the writing team of Johannesburg natives Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip. Sears lives in Johannesburg and teaches part-time at the University of Witwatersrand. Trollip was on the faculty at the universities of Illinois, Minnesota, and North Dakota, and at Capella University. A full-time writer, he divides his time between South Africa and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pair has had many adventures together, including tracking lions at night, fighting bush fires on the Savuti plains in northern Botswana, surviving a charging elephant, and losing their navigation maps while flying over the Kalahari.
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.
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