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angelamichelle's review against another edition
[Murders for witch doctor in Botswana.]
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
The latest installment in the Detective Kubu series introduces a new police officer -- Samantha Khama -- who I look forward to seeing more of in future offerings. Khama is a rare breed in the Botswana police force, namely she's female, and is paired up with the intrepid Kubu. As is the case in other books in this series, the authors blend in Kubu's personal life and tackle real issues that give readers an opportunity to learn. This story brings in the grisly business of using human body parts for muti, as well as politics. When several young girls and adults who possess desirable traits disappear, Kubu and Khama must act swiftly before another soul is lost. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series on many levels -- the characters are ones I want to spend time with, the mysteries are always satisfying, and I get a chance to learn about a part of the world I don't know enough about.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Dikeledi’s sister Lesego has not come home from school. It has been hours. Dikeledi fears something has happened to her sister. She tries to get the police to search for her but they think that Lesego is a runaway. No one takes an interest until another girl goes missing and her father gets involved.
Detective Kudu and his new partner, Samantha Khama investigate the disappearances of the two girls. What they find is a witch doctor that is making muti out of human remains.
Deadly Harvest is my first introduction to a detective Kubu mystery and the writing duo of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip as Michael Stanley. I have to say that after reading this book I am very impressed by this duo. This book was way better then I thought it would be. Mr. Sears and Mr. Trollip have developed a good formula for their writing. I could not tell where one left off and the other one began.
I like detective Kubu. However another person I was drawn to was his new partner, Samantha. Samantha helped to bring the human aspect to this story. Whereas Kubu was the more level headed one and could bring good insight with his experience as well.
The storyline featured in this book was scary. I can picture this exact situation still happening in some parts of the world. Thus this is another reason why I was so intrigued in reading this book. Don’t let your chance slip away without reading Deadly Harvest!
Detective Kudu and his new partner, Samantha Khama investigate the disappearances of the two girls. What they find is a witch doctor that is making muti out of human remains.
Deadly Harvest is my first introduction to a detective Kubu mystery and the writing duo of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip as Michael Stanley. I have to say that after reading this book I am very impressed by this duo. This book was way better then I thought it would be. Mr. Sears and Mr. Trollip have developed a good formula for their writing. I could not tell where one left off and the other one began.
I like detective Kubu. However another person I was drawn to was his new partner, Samantha. Samantha helped to bring the human aspect to this story. Whereas Kubu was the more level headed one and could bring good insight with his experience as well.
The storyline featured in this book was scary. I can picture this exact situation still happening in some parts of the world. Thus this is another reason why I was so intrigued in reading this book. Don’t let your chance slip away without reading Deadly Harvest!
thissarahgray's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Medical trauma
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
Some of the very best crime fiction explores issues that are relevant to the society in which it is set. Michael Stanley's Kubu series, set in Botswana seems to have really hit its straps in that department in the last couple of books, with DEADLY HARVEST reaching a particular high. The fourth book in the Detective Kubu series, here the author(s) are exploring the disappearance of a number of young girls. The suspicion is that these girls are the victims of a powerful, unknown witchdoctor, looking for victims to incorporate in his muti, or traditional African healing, potions.
This is, needless to say a rather confrontational storyline. Built as it is into questions of the powerful and powerless in society, and the ravages of AIDS and HIV within families throughout Botswana.
The confrontational is handled well though. The style of these stories is slightly mannered (for want of a better description), there's a tone in the writing that fits with the style and personality of Detective Kubu. Measured, careful, considered and slightly formal, Kubu is an interesting man with a balanced life. The storytelling itself is also nicely balanced with time in the personal and family life, which doesn't pull focus from the main investigation line. In DEADLY HARVEST the authors have also introduced a new, female investigator in Detective Samantha Khama. A serious foil to Kubu's measured nature, Khama is more driven, impulsive, emotional if you like. Mind you, that doesn't come across as a male versus female thing, rather the senior more experienced policeman and the young gun with things to prove, and a few things to learn.
I must admit I love this series, and DEADLY HARVEST as much as I loved the last book. It's current day, it's got that educational look into real life in a developing nation. It is measured and polite, and somehow feels very very African. If you've not read any of the Kubu series then there's no time like the present. Each book would work on its own if you need to dive in, but as is always the case with these series, if you can start at the beginning of Kubu's journey and work through it with him, then so much the better.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/deadly-harvest-michael-stanley
This is, needless to say a rather confrontational storyline. Built as it is into questions of the powerful and powerless in society, and the ravages of AIDS and HIV within families throughout Botswana.
The confrontational is handled well though. The style of these stories is slightly mannered (for want of a better description), there's a tone in the writing that fits with the style and personality of Detective Kubu. Measured, careful, considered and slightly formal, Kubu is an interesting man with a balanced life. The storytelling itself is also nicely balanced with time in the personal and family life, which doesn't pull focus from the main investigation line. In DEADLY HARVEST the authors have also introduced a new, female investigator in Detective Samantha Khama. A serious foil to Kubu's measured nature, Khama is more driven, impulsive, emotional if you like. Mind you, that doesn't come across as a male versus female thing, rather the senior more experienced policeman and the young gun with things to prove, and a few things to learn.
I must admit I love this series, and DEADLY HARVEST as much as I loved the last book. It's current day, it's got that educational look into real life in a developing nation. It is measured and polite, and somehow feels very very African. If you've not read any of the Kubu series then there's no time like the present. Each book would work on its own if you need to dive in, but as is always the case with these series, if you can start at the beginning of Kubu's journey and work through it with him, then so much the better.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/deadly-harvest-michael-stanley
liberrydude's review against another edition
5.0
I think I enjoyed this one the best of the four in the series. Kubu investigates the disappearances and presumed murders of some girls and an albino for their body parts for use in muti-medicine from traditional healers or as some call them-witch doctors. The authors also introduce a new character, a woman detective, Samantha Khama, who has a lot of energy and drive as she fights for a chance in a culture where women are supposed to stay home or take care of children. The contrast between Kubu's family life with his wife and daughter and the ghastly crimes he is investigating is stark. Kubu has tenacity but he is able to enjoy himself and not be a slave to work like Inspector Montalbano, who also enjoys a good meal when brainstorming. This mystery had a good pace to it with some misdirection and the conflict between doing things by the book and the politics of policing was constant and rather riveting.
mgarner82's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
This CID crime series is set in Botswana and feature Assistant Superintendent Kubu and his supporting cast of his boss, his family and his CID support staff.
Spoiler: In this book, he deals with the African problem of muti, which is basically a charm from witchdoctors or medicine made from herbs from traditional healers. The problem with the charm muti is that they sometimes contain human parts and the witchdoctors get them by abducting and killing their victims. The human victims include young girls/men to provide vigor or albinos who are supposed to be "magical" or have unearthly powers. This last is a problem in E. Africa as there was a killing spree of them a few years back.
Under the guise of crime novels, this series appear to want to underscore problems with Africa. Book #1 dealt with the big mining companies and corruption. Book #2 dealt with neighboring Zimbabwe. (I haven't read book #3 yet). And this one #4 deals with superstition and muti. This book also very complimentary towards Botswana showing how modern its inhabitants, the police force and justice can be. The accused are given full rights including rights to a lawyer to defend them, rights to a trial and protection against police violence.
The strong points of this series and book is the writing, which is easy to read and follow, the "exotic" setting of Botswana and the lovely character of Kubu. Kubu really is a pleasant character to follow. He's smart, funny and a gourmand and his family is a pleasure to read about also.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in police protocol books and Botswana.
Spoiler: In this book, he deals with the African problem of muti, which is basically a charm from witchdoctors or medicine made from herbs from traditional healers. The problem with the charm muti is that they sometimes contain human parts and the witchdoctors get them by abducting and killing their victims. The human victims include young girls/men to provide vigor or albinos who are supposed to be "magical" or have unearthly powers. This last is a problem in E. Africa as there was a killing spree of them a few years back.
Under the guise of crime novels, this series appear to want to underscore problems with Africa. Book #1 dealt with the big mining companies and corruption. Book #2 dealt with neighboring Zimbabwe. (I haven't read book #3 yet). And this one #4 deals with superstition and muti. This book also very complimentary towards Botswana showing how modern its inhabitants, the police force and justice can be. The accused are given full rights including rights to a lawyer to defend them, rights to a trial and protection against police violence.
The strong points of this series and book is the writing, which is easy to read and follow, the "exotic" setting of Botswana and the lovely character of Kubu. Kubu really is a pleasant character to follow. He's smart, funny and a gourmand and his family is a pleasure to read about also.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in police protocol books and Botswana.
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
Detective Kubu is good for the soul.
Each time I read one of these detective novels I learn more and more about Botswana. Yes, detective novels expose corruption, but it also shows the good.
A new character has been added in the form of a female detective. I hope she continues forward in future novles.
Each time I read one of these detective novels I learn more and more about Botswana. Yes, detective novels expose corruption, but it also shows the good.
A new character has been added in the form of a female detective. I hope she continues forward in future novles.
karenchase's review against another edition
4.0
So, this is another easily digestible Botswana-set mystery by the writing team that makes up Michael Stanley. As usual, the language is simple -- do people in Botswana really talk like that? Alexander McCall Smith creates the same kind of atmosphere with his dialogue and descriptions in the No. 1 Ladies series. For me it suggests a simpler time and place, although Stanley (unlike Smith, who merely suggests from time to time) does not shy away from the rampant AIDS that colours every part of society and culture in Africa today.
The story is simple but sinister: a witch doctor is stealing children for magical power potions, and various politicians and members of the police force are tied up in this nasty business. There is corruption and justice and vindication. It never gets too scary, and things wrap up fairly nicely in the end. I'm not a very insightful mystery reader: I tend to be surprised by the culprit, and stuff like that. But in this case, I picked up on the clues well enough near the end that I wasn't exactly surprised by how it came out. However, it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the conclusion.
This was just the kind of light-ish read I was in the mood for, and it certainly hit the spot, especially while I wait for the next Precious Ramotswe romp to be released in paper.
The story is simple but sinister: a witch doctor is stealing children for magical power potions, and various politicians and members of the police force are tied up in this nasty business. There is corruption and justice and vindication. It never gets too scary, and things wrap up fairly nicely in the end. I'm not a very insightful mystery reader: I tend to be surprised by the culprit, and stuff like that. But in this case, I picked up on the clues well enough near the end that I wasn't exactly surprised by how it came out. However, it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the conclusion.
This was just the kind of light-ish read I was in the mood for, and it certainly hit the spot, especially while I wait for the next Precious Ramotswe romp to be released in paper.