Michael Stanley – Facets Of Death

‘Facets of Death’ by Michael Stanley is a prequel to the Detective Kubu series of books which are set in Botswana.

This story takes us right back to the beginning, where Kubu has just left university and on his first day as a Detective in the police. Kubu is on the fast track route so his colleagues are either envious of him or just don’t like him for it. So he begins with a determination to prove his worth.
It turns out that it isn’t too long for him to do exactly that as he ends up with two very interesting cases. The first is a case of luggage that has mysteriously disappeared, either from the airport or from the actual flights. The other case is a suspected hijacking of an armoured vehicle carrying rough diamonds from the local mines. A case that will span several continents. As he begins to investigate it seems that this is bigger and deeper than first assumed. Will Kobo be able to solve this?

‘Facets of Death’ is a crime thriller that doesn’t just give us crime, it gives us a thrilling, suspenseful ride which being in Botswana makes it so much more. The fact that the mystery is also wrapped around the traditions, superstitions of local communities. Witch doctors, curses and black magic all play their part in this highly entertaining and enthralling novel.

The sense of place is cemented with the inclusion of black magic the authors have really brought the feeling of how people can even consider black magic, the heat that bears down and the power of the culture hits you and stays there, brilliant!

Kubu is a brilliant character, a larger than life man who has a personality that is always on the positive side, even when he is struggling to solve a puzzle within his case. A man who can think outside the logical lines and it makes a difference in his quest for answers. In fact, every character is well developed and each one is real enough to feel like you could know them, every one of them.

This, I am almost ashamed to say, is my first adventure with Kubu and Botswana. In another way, I am glad as I have started from the very beginning. I shall be reading the rest of Kubu’s adventures that’s for sure.

With massive thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for my place on the tour and the copy of this marvellous book.