HUNT AND BE HUNTED – THRILLS ON EVERY PAGE
I’M A SUCKER for a good thriller and Deon Meyer always produces a fast-paced tale that “grabs you by the throat and never lets go” (Wilbur Smith).
With South Africa high on the crime list, there is plenty of material to draw from and Meyer uses all the resources at his disposal to create his thrillers.
This latest Benny Griessel novel never disappoints and will have you hanging on every word. For those of you who have never met our Benny – he is Cape Town’s lovable captain of the Hawks. His mission is to bring the baddies to book, to keep sober and above all he’s a cop with scruples (unlike some of the stories you may hear about South Africa).
Along with Benny’s partner, the sharply dressed (if a bit overweight) Vaughn Cupido, Meyer brings the diverse characters of the Cape into sharp focus. Meyer has the ability to bring to life the enigmas that underscore very beautiful cities with a grimy underbelly.
Meyer brings in all the contemporary issues that beset the country: state capture, corruption, sexual misconduct, murder and a serious amount of mayhem.
Once you start reading, you’ll be up all night wanting to get to the furious finale – and it’s never predictable.
There are three threads to the story – a cold case that these two Hawks veterans are called in to investigate; a planned hit on a major public figure and a bit of romance as Benny tries to take the next step towards rebuilding his shattered personal life.
Meyer pulls the strands together with aplomb, but connections are not apparent from the beginning
– in fact they seem completely separate until the pace speeds up and the links are revealed.
I am always amazed by the intricate plotting and planning that goes into each of Meyer’s books. Enormous amounts of research bring every tangent that is taken to life. And not once does he lose you.
Cape Town: Why would ex-cop Johnson Johnson jump from the world’s most luxurious train? Who were the two elderly men who seem to have disappeared into thin air? What lies behind this death? This cold case poses more anomalies than most and when “suicide” is the official verdict – case closed, it becomes even more suspicious. Needless to say, that doesn’t stop our two intrepid cops.
Bordeaux: Ex-international hit man Daniel Darret has a new life, a new name and a new job – restoring old furniture. When he is called upon to make one last hit – and this on the corrupt president of his homeland – he is reluctant to awaken old skills, but when ex-associates start dying and Russian agents are in ferocious pursuit – what choice does he have?
And then back to Cape Town and Benny’s relationship with the lovely Alexa, who is also a recovering alcoholic – will he – won’t he?
Meyer is a brilliant strategist and like all great crime writers, he keeps you guessing all the way through this fabulous new novel. I can’t wait for the next in the series.