Mamur Zapt and the Return of the Carpet

Pearce, Michael

ISBN 10: 0953144623 / ISBN 13: 9780953144624

Published by Post Mortem Books, Hassocks, 1998

About this Item

Limited Edition, 1 of 250 copies, without dust jacket, as issued. Signed by Michael Pearce directly on the limitation page. Light soiling to covers, else book in fine condition.

Seller Inventory # 022103

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mamur Zapt and the Return of the Carpet
• Publisher: Post Mortem Books, Hassocks
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0953144623
• ISBN 13: 9780953144624
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mystery
  • Signed First Editions
  • Modern First Editions

About this title

Synopsis

The Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo's CID in the heyday of (the indirect) British rule, focused on political, not police, matters. With the bustling new century, the loosening of imperial ties, and the rise of nationalism, his was a busy office. The attempted assassination of a veteran politician raises the spectre of a major terrorist statement at the capital's principal religious festival where the faithful celebrate the Return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.

Easily navigating multiple nationalities, three principal languages, and four competing legal systems, not to mention the intricacies of shadow and actual governments, Captain Owen, the Welsh incumbent, bolsters the Mamur Zapt's office with the aid of a host of memorable characters.

Review

In his 1988 debut, Michael Pearce, who grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, memorably navigates the swirling cultural and political cross-currents of his chosen period and place, bringing to an historian's confidence the creative intelligence of a born novelist. -- John Coleman, Sunday Times