Not my normal fare, but it was quite a fascinating read--lots of subtle humor and cultural observations. The setting goes back to Tamar Myers being a child of missionaries herself in the Congo in the 50s. Nothing like vivid childhood memories to make a story come alive! Set in the Belgian Congo (which became Zaire and is now Congo), it's ostensibly about a diamond and a chance to make a new life. So you've got a village (think Agatha Christie) and all sorts of back stories--cultures, class, tribal differences, etc.---and you have a nifty little mystery. Definitely for Alexander McCall Smith readers and perhaps Colin Cotterill fans too.