This is a very promising start to a series of mysteries starring Inspector David Bengu of the Botswana Police Department — universally called "Kubu" (Hippopotamus) because of his swimming ability. Joke. No, he's a very, very big guy. The location is Botswana, the same country that Alexander McCall's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series takes place, which I found a bit too twee for my taste. This book, although far from perfect, gives a grittily honest view of African life, at least once you step outside the national police force, the members of which are a collection of upbeat cop clichés. In fact, come to think of it, the villain's are pretty clichéd as well, but this true of all but the best mystery fiction, and the texture of the lives, the conveying of the landscape, and the general make-do aspect of ordinary African life is captured neatly, right from the start of the story, where a half-devoured corpse is found out in the bush. I found it all very enjoyable.