Reviewed by Craig Sisterson
It is not just the Scandinavians that are penning great mysteries well worth being translated from other languages. One author well worth checking out is acclaimed South African Deon Meyer, whose action-packed and award-winning crime thrillers are becoming more readily available in English, translated from their original Afrikaans.
In BLOOD SAFARI, bargain-basement bodyguard Lemmer is hired by Emma le Roux as protection while she tries to find her missing brother, who supposedly died twenty years ago but may have resurfaced as the prime suspect in a recent killing of a witch doctor and four poachers. But it quickly becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Emma asking questions, and after the pair are attacked and almost killed, Lemmer decides to turn the tables, and go after whoever has been hunting them. Whatever the cost.
Overall, Meyer pens an absorbing and exciting story filled with intriguing characters, and some interesting African themes (the environment, history and politics) threaded throughout. There is plenty of intrigue - just who wants Lemmer and le Roux to stop digging? - and Meyer nicely evokes a sense of the layers and complexity of both modern South Africa, and the natural environment.
An enjoyable and gritty mystery in an exotic setting. I'll definitely read more of Meyer.
3.5 STARS
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