Death Of The Mantis A Detective Kubu Mystery (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This is the darkest of the Kubu series so far. A park ranger is found dead surrounded by three Bushmen who claim only to be trying to help. However, their arrest takes Kubu into a complicated case involving a childhood Bushman friend, racial prejudice, promise of hidden riches, more killings and ultimately Kubu's own survival. Michael Stanley does an excellent job providing the cultural, geographical and historical aspects of the setting along with a complicated mystery to try and solve. Likewise, the characters become more realistic as this series progresses. I skipped from the first book to this one, as my library did not have the second available. As I'd hoped, the writing matured a great deal from the first one, and the few faults I found with A Carrion Death were not evident here. I really like this series, Kubu is very likable and as in the "other" Botswana detective series (about which a funny joke is made in this novel) the country of Botwana and the nature of Africa is a mystical and engaging character all on its own. I'm glad to see that the authors have grown in their writing capabilities and look forward to reading more about Kubu and his work.
What do You think about Death Of The Mantis A Detective Kubu Mystery (2011)?
Another brilliant 'Kubu' mystery. A pleasure to read about Botswana while in Botswana.
—nyapj06
and 1/2. Another engrossing Detective Kubu story, though it drags a bit at times.
—dnntppn
who done it? Kubu will find out. With lots of relationships tested.
—Taryn
