This is a mystery written by Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, hence, the author "Michael Stanley". The mystery takes place in South Africa. Sears lives in South Africa and Trollip spends time both in South Africa and Minnesota. This is their first book and the reader is introduced to Detective Kubu. Kubu is Setswana for hippopotamus. He was given this name by a school mate due to his large size and disposition. The hippopotamus is known to be a seemingly docile animal but can also be one of the deadliest.

A body is found at a watering hole, the body has been torn apart by hyenas. There is little left for identification. The body has been separated from the head, the teeth have been removed from the jaw, the left arm is missing, and the tips of the fingers have been cut off.

Detective Kubu is assigned to the case and starts to unravel the mystery. The only problem is that every time Kubu seems to be making headway, the mystery keeps getting more complicated.

The body cannot be identified and there are not reports of a missing person that fits the profile of the body. Kubu's investigation leads him to a diamond company that is affiliated with the government. The company is responsible for most of the revenue in Botswana and the CEO may be involved, not only in the murder, but in a scheme to steal diamonds.

After several more murders, there will be a total of six, the investigation is trying to determine if diamonds are being stolen from the mine, or are they being seeded in the mine to make the mine seem more valuable than it really is.

This is a story of corporate and individual greed, family disloyalty, and retribution. A mystery that will have you turning and looking is several directions at once. It is a great start for Detective Kubu, who I am sure will be back to solve another case or maybe pick up the left over pieces from "A Carrion of Death".