This book, while non-fiction, reads like a mystery novel. It is written by a British academic, an authority in African religions, who helps the London police after they find the body of a young boy who appears to have been killed in ritual sacrifice. The story of the investigation is interspersed with the author's reflections on his time in Africa, and his personal encounters with traditional African religion and beliefs. The plot is fast-moving and fascinating, while grim, and I liked the fact that the author stayed true to the facts and didn't try to tie everything together in the way a fiction writer probably would have. This is quite interesting but I found it odd at first. It's a mixture of autobiography and - I suppose - non-fiction crime. The style is a bit clunky in places, especially in the brief and pretty pointless descriptions of new people (usually police officers). It's slightly oddly structured and inconclusive, like the investigation which it's ostensibly about. I would never have chosen this myself and I'm not sure it added to my life but it was different; interesting to get another perspective on a seemingly alien culture.
What do You think about The Boy In The River (2012)?
Compelling, informative but uncomfortable reading.
—luvly
A very interesting angle from the professor
—Libbyruth117
