Death of an Effendi: A Mamur Zapt Mystery - Hardcover

Pearce, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590580664 ISBN 13: 9781590580660

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Pr, 2004

Synopsis

When an effendi, one of the Egyptian elite, is murdered in Cairo during a gathering of financiers, the Chief of Cairo's Secret Police, Gareth Owen, enters the ancient City of the Crocodiles to find the truth amidst greed and corruption.

About this title

Review:

Praise for Michael Pearce:

‘Pearce takes apart ancient history and reassembles it with beguiling wit and colour’ Sunday Times

‘Marvellously convoluted... Dryly and deeply funny’ Literary Review

‘The beguiling Mamur Zapt sleuths around turn-of-the-century Cairo with verve and panache’ Time Out

‘Impeccable historical details ... enjoyable reading’ Sunday Telegraph

From the Back Cover:

Cairo 1909. The murder capital of the world, where deaths are two a piastre. But the death of an effendi? That is something different. Because effendis – the Egyptian elite – are important. Especially if – in a country ruled by foreigners – they happen to be foreign.

When Tvardovsky, an effendi and a foreigner, is shot at a gathering of financiers, Gareth Owen – the Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo’s Secret Police – is called to investigate. But is he the right man for the job? In some countries, if someone goes for a walk, or a boat ride, with the Head of the Secret Police and doesn’t come back, it’s best not to ask any questions. And there are powerful people who might have preferred Tvardovsky dead.

As the maverick financier said, before going on the fatal shooting party, there were still crocodiles in Egypt. Of all kinds. And perhaps the place to look for them was Crocodopolis, the ancient City of the Crocodiles, where the financiers were to hold their meeting. It is when the crocodiles start cooperating, said Tvardovsky , that you really have to watch out ...

PRAISE FOR MICHAEL PEARCE

THE LAST CUT

“The whole novel is a joy”
GERALD KAUFMAN, 'Scotsman'

“Plot and dialogue as perfectly pitched as ever”
PHILIP OAKES,'Literary Review'

THE FIG TREE MURDER

“Michael Pearce’s light touch and witty dialogue make this series a continuing delight”
SUSANNA YAGER, 'Sunday Telegraph'

“effortlessly funny and engaging. Packed, as ever, with fact, flavour and the kind of insouciance which makes history lighter than air”
PHILIP OAKES, 'Literary Review'

THE MINGRELIAN CONSPIRACY

“As ever, Owen is worldy wise, droll and eminenetly at home in his adopted city”
DONNA LEON, ' Sunday Times'

“As beguiling, amusing and painlessly informative as its predecessors”
JAMES MELVILLE, 'Ham and High'

About this edition

• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Pr
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1590580664
• ISBN 13: 9781590580660
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 207