Dying to Live by Michael Stanley

I am delighted to be today's stop on the blog tour for Dying to Live by Michael Stanley. Dying to Live is being published by Orenda Books on 12 July 2017.

Dying to Live
By Michael Stanley
Published by Orenda Books (12 July 2017)

Publisher's description

When the body of a Bushman is discovered near the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the death is written off as an accident. But all is not as it seems. An autopsy reveals that, although he's clearly very old, his internal organs are puzzlingly young. What's more, an old bullet is lodged in one of his muscles... but where is the entry wound? When the body is stolen from the morgue and a local witch doctor is reported missing, Detective 'Kubu' Bengu gets involved. But did the witch doctor take the body to use as part of a ritual? Or was it the American anthropologist who'd befriended the old Bushman? As Kubu and his brilliant young colleague, Detective Samantha Khama, follow the twisting trail through a confusion of rhino-horn smugglers, foreign gangsters and drugs manufacturers, the wider and more dangerous the case seems to grow. A fresh, new slice of 'Sunshine Noir', Dying to Live is a classic tale of greed, corruption and ruthless thuggery, set in one of the world's most beautiful landscapes, and featuring one of crime fiction's most endearing and humane heroes. 

My verdict
Dying to Live fits into the crime genre 'sunshine noir', thanks to its dark plots set in a sunny climate. The term 'sunshine noir' also describes how this series makes me feel. The stories explore the vile side of human nature, yet somehow still manage to lift my mood. Each time, it's like coming back to an old friend - slightly older and slightly wiser - with familiar places and familiar characters.

I always feel like I've learnt something about African culture by the time I've reached the end of a Detective Kubu book. Dying to Live is no exception, covering a diverse range of topics (yet again), including traditional medicines, HIV and AIDS, illegal drug manufacturing, local bushmen and rhino-horn smuggling, Fascinating stuff!

This Detective Kubu series is as much about the Botswana setting and colourful characters as the underlying plots themselves. While there's a lot of police procedural in these books, it's broken up perfectly with Kubu's personal life. Detective Kubu is a family man - not the usual damaged detective seen so often in modern crime fiction. His personal problems are very much family problems, which makes him not only realistic but also extremely likeable.

I can't recommend this series highly enough. This is sunshine noir at its best, with plenty of twists, turns and surprises. The next Detective Kubu book can't come soon enough.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher.

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A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley - Blog Tour

Today it's my stop on the blog tour for A Death in the Family by Michael Stanley. A Death in the Family is the second Detective Kubu novel published by Orenda Books.

A Death in the Family
By Michael Stanley
Published by Orenda Books (15 July 2016)
ISBN: 978-1910633229

Publisher's description
Faced with the violent death of his own father, even Assistant Superintendent David 'Kubu' Bengu, Botswana's keenest mind, is baffled. Who would kill such a frail old man? Set amidst the dark beauty of modern Botswana, A Death in the Family is a thrilling insight into a world of riots, corruption and greed, as a complex series of murders present the opera-loving, wine connoisseur detective with his most challenging case yet.

My verdict
More sunshine noir from the Michael Stanley duo. Yet again, this book combines an intriguing murder mystery with the stunning yet dark setting of Botswana. Although A Death in the Family is the fifth Detective Kubu book, it could easily be read as a standalone.

A Death in the Family is certainly a modern detective novel, with its in-depth insight into Botswana corruption, greed and technology. Yet it's also timeless, with the older generation clinging to their traditions and fierce national pride.  The Michael Stanley duo write vividly and poetically. Botswana is portrayed in all its glory, with its sights, sounds and aromas, creating a stunning setting.

This time Kubu is investigating (although only unofficially) a crime that's very close to his heart when his beloved father is found murdered. Normally a gentle giant, Kubu struggles to keep his emotions, frustrations and anger in check, especially as he is being kept in the dark about the ongoing investigations.

To ensure he stays out of the way, Kubu is sent to investigate the death of a government official and riots in a local mining town. He gradually uncovers a tangled web of corruption in high places, linked to a local mining project, Chinese businessmen and the US embassy. Yet he still can't keep away from the investigation into his father's death.

A Death in the Family is as much about Kubu's anger, grief and love for his family as it is about the crimes and investigations. Unlike many other fictional detectives, Kubu comes from a loving stable family, one that I, as a reader, feel very much part of. The rest of the characters are also well developed and realistic, bringing the entertaining yet emotional plot to life.

I love these Detective Kubu novels. They're compelling and warming -  an intelligent combination of crime and thriller covering serious and fascinating issues.  Ideal for fans of Alexander McCall Smith's No 1 Ladies' Detective agency and the Death in Paradise TV series (& books).

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley - BLOG TOUR REVIEW

I am delighted to be today's stop on the blog tour for Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley, which was published by Orenda Books on 15 May 2016. Read on for my review.

Deadly Harvest
By Michael Stanley
Published by Orenda Books (15 May 2016)
ISBN: 978-1910633441

Publisher's description
A young girl goes missing after getting into a car with a mysterious man. Soon after, a second girl disappears, and her devastated father, Witness, sets out to seek revenge. As the trail goes cold, Samantha Khama - new recruit to the Botswana Criminal Investigation Department - suspects that the girl was killed for muti; traditional African medicine. She enlists opera-loving wine connoisseur Assistant Superintendent David 'Kubu' Benga to help her dig into the past. But as they begin to find a pattern, Kubu and Samantha suddenly find they are in a race against time...

My verdict
Deadly Harvest is a brilliant crime novel set in a sunny climate. I absolutely loved its exotic setting - not only did the book interest and entertain me but I also learnt so much from it. Botswana truly comes alive on the pages, with its aromas, sights and sounds, as well as political background, providing a fascinating culture to explore further.

The plot concentrates on witch doctors and the use of human remains in traditional African medicines. This is based on a true story, when a young girl went missing in 1994. If you've been following some recent newspaper stories, you'll realise that hunters selling body parts to witch doctors is still very much an ongoing problem. The underlying tragic and horrific truth really brings the book to life. There's also mention of AIDS and HIV, raising often forgotten health issues affecting Africa today.

The book is beautifully written and gripping from the first page until the last, with a few surprises along the way. Who is kidnapping young girls by enticing them into their car? Why has no one seen these girls again? This is a modern mystery, yet feels timeless, as the detectives search for clues.

I loved Detective Kubu and his stable family setting, which provided some lighter moments amidst all the darkness, corruption and deception. His character proves that detectives don't always have to be driven by inner turmoil, as seen so often in crime fiction. He was a complete contrast to Samantha Khama, the new female detective who is far more hot headed and ready to dive in without thinking first. I thought there would be a more explosive clash of personalities, but both characters managed to develop a professional relationship that worked for them.

Deadly Harvest has dark and sinister undertones because of the subject matter. But I loved every word and didn't want it to end. This was my first Detective Kubu book, but certainly not my last. I have already added this series to the list of books that I'll read again and again and recommend to everyone I know. I'm so excited that I don't have to wait TOO long before I can read the next Detective Kubu book!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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