Death of the Mantis - (Detective Kubu) by Michael Stanley (Paperback)

About the Book

The best book yet in one of the best series going: a serious novel with a mystery at its core that takes us places we ve never been. Timothy Hallinan, author of The Queen of Patpong

Mystery readers who have not yet made the acquaintance of larger than life African investigator Detective David Kubu Bengu are doing themselves a great disservice. Death of the Mantis is the third Kubu novel from author Michael Stanley following the critically acclaimed A Carrion Death and The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu and it plunges the robust manhunter into the chaotic center of a murder case involving nomadic Bushmen that is stoking the fires of prejudice and tribal hatred. Set in Botswana the fascinating equatorial country also explored by Alexander McCall Smith in his #1 Ladies Detective Agency novels Death of the Mantis is a book alive with the sights and sounds of an exotic and breathtaking land. The exploits of Stanley s singularly captivating policeman protagonist will delight you and keep you guessing."

Book Synopsis

"The best book yet in one of the best series going: a serious novel with a mystery at its core that takes us places we've never been." --Timothy Hallinan, author of The Queen of Patpong

Death of the Mantis is the third Kubu novel from author Michael Stanley--following the critically acclaimed A Carrion Death and The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu--and it plunges the robust manhunter into the chaotic center of a murder case involving a ranger found dead in a ravine, surrounded by three nomads, that is stoking the fires of prejudice and hatred. When the local police arrest them, Kubu's friend Khumanego insists that the arrest was motivated by racist antagonism, and Kubu must decide how to solve the emotionally charged case.

Set in Botswana--the fascinating equatorial country also explored by Alexander McCall Smith in his #1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels--Death of the Mantis is a book alive with the sights and sounds of a breathtaking land. The exploits of Stanley's singularly captivating policeman protagonist will delight you and keep you guessing.

From the Back Cover

In the southern Kalahari area of Botswana--an arid landscape of legends that speak of lost cities, hidden wealth, and ancient gods--a fractious ranger named Monzo is found dying from a severe head wound in a dry ravine. Three Bushmen surround the doomed man, but are they his killers or there to help? Detective David "Kubu" Bengu is on the case, an investigation that his old school friend Khumanego claims is motivated by racist antagonism on the part of the local police. But when a second bizarre murder, and then a third, seem to point also to the nomadic tribe, the intrepid Kubu must journey into the depths of the Kalahari to uncover the truth. What he discovers there will test all his powers of detection . . . and his ability to remain alive.

Review Quotes

"DEATH OF THE MANTIS is the best book I've read in a very long time. A fantastic read. Brilliant!" -- Louise Penny, New York Times bestselling author of Bury Your Dead

"DEATH OF THE MANTIS is the best book yet in one of the best series going: a serious novel with a mystery at its core that takes us places we've never been, thrills and informs us, and leaves us changed by the experience. I loved this book." -- Timothy Hallinan, author of The Queen of Patpong and A Nail Through the Heart

"Assistant Superintendent Kubu is back! In DEATH OF THE MANTIS, a killer stalks the Kalahari Desert--and it's a page-turner from start to finish. Michael Stanley's enthralling series with its very likable Botswana policeman is a must-read for anyone who enjoys clever plotting, terrific writing, and a fascinating glimpse of today's Africa. Kubu--DEATH OF THE MANTIS--Michael Stanley: the perfect mystery trifecta for any crime fan." -- A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Know-It-All

"Assistant Superintendent Kubu is back! A page-turner from start to finish. Michael Stanley's enthralling series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys clever plotting, terrific writing, and a fascinating glimpse of today's Africa. Kubu--DEATH OF THE MANTIS--Michael Stanley: the perfect mystery trifecta for any crime fan." -- Charles Todd, New York times bestselling author of A Matter of Justice

"Impossible to put down, this immensely readable third entry. . . delivers the goods. Kubu's painstaking detecting skills make him a sort of Hercule Poirot of the desert. . . . This series can be recommended to a wide gamut of readers." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"Stanley creates a seamless and complex mystery, replete with the unique atmosphere of modern Botswana. The mystery plot is neatly combined with scenes of Kubu's home life and family." -- Booklist

"Kubu's third recorded case is again alive with local color and detail and, refreshingly, offers his fullest mystery plot yet." -- Kirkus Reviews