Dancing with the Witchdoctor: One Woman's Stories of Mystery and Adventure in Africa

by Kelly James

In a series of moving and powerful stories based on her experiences as a private investigator, Kelly James draws us into the mystery that is Africa. A lone woman searching for the lost, she exposes us to a world where truth is ephemeral, and where compassion, though frail, still bleeds through the grit and dust. In "Detour" she investigates the apparent suicide of a beloved coffee plantation owner in Kenya. In "Gorillas and Banana Beer," James ventures into the jungles of Rwanda to catch a glimpse of the nearly extinct mountain gorillas, only to struggle for survival against merciless poachers in a village of forgotten children. In "Beira," at the edge of Mozambique and anarchy's ground-zero, James searches for a lost woman and her daughter. "Witchdoctor" takes James deep into Turkanaland, otherwise known as "hell on earth," to find a woman doctor who has disappeared. James's sanity and life hang in the balance in a surreal and ferocious closing to this compelling debut work.

"Dancing with the Witchdoctor is a testimony to the strength of women, one that reveals how even in a land where flesh withers in the sun, there is no better proof of humanity than when it is on the brink.

Genres: Africa, Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel, Short Stories, True Crime, Autobiography

235 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2001

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

James is a private investigator specializing in Africa. Her true-life tales are fascinating and harrowing. Her writing style is pretty good - very vivid descriptions. But I wonder if she truly "loves" Africa? It seems she has little good to say about it. She definitely does NOT like rich, urban, "spoiled" CEO types! I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it over Out of Africa or West with the Night.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if I (completely) believe these stories, but they are fascinating reading!

[Cherie Magnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three unbelievable stories of a woman-explorer/detective in Africa. All three were amazing, but the final story, the one of the title, I felt needed editing; a little long and repetitive. If these are all true, Kelly James leads a life beyond imagination of danger, intrigue, and culture shock. Although we don't learn much about the author herself (other than she has red hair and enjoys sex and drinking), she paints vivid pictures of specific places in Africa and the characters she comes across in her work.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly James is a private investigator working in Africa. She has written four short stories about her adventures, some life-threatening, while helping others with unsolved situations in various parts of Africa. She does an excellent job of revealing herself and the country she explores.

[Missa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started strong with a few interesting adventure stories, but ended weak with several chapters about the titular "witch doctor" in which the storyline and dialogue drag along.

[Carla Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

True or not true, I enjoyed the book.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories; takes you out of yourself and into another world. Guessing on when I read it; it was a pre-publication copy for review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any memoir that includes verbatim conversations held during a severe concussed state is a little suspect - and this one has an entire chapter with that type of conversation. Ms. James' memoir is certainly action-packed, filled with colorful characters and events. Are they entirely believable? I'm not sure (I'm not doubting that these things happened, or these people exist, or that she was involved, but memoirs aren't always reliable). That was one reason this wasn't a five-star.

The other was that for me, more on Africa would have been nice. Particularly during the Kenya/Turkana Land episode, the sequence of events got blurred (Kenyatta was in jail? or removed? or ??). While I recognize that that wasn't her purpose, for the vast majority of readers with no background for these countries, it would have been nice. Maybe a brief paragraph before or after each "episode".

I could see boys liking this, even though it's not a new story (published in 2001).

[Sandy D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection four autobiographical stories - rather disjointedly thrown together - all set in eastern Africa. The author specializes in investigating missing persons, suspicious deaths, etc., but she makes some supremely stupid decisions about travelling in war-torn regions. Not surprisingly, she has some very close calls with soldiers, native tribesman, and disease.

Interesting and forthright look at politics, colonialism, and poverty, and makes you glad you don't live in Africa. If you liked the Poisonwood Bible, you might like this. But I still wanted to smack the author for her foolhardiness.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman certainly has an interesting life... a private investigator in Africa. Unlike the Ladies Detective Agency, this is not fiction... at least if the author is to be believed.
It is also definitely NOT charming in its quirkiness.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about Africa, and I am a mystery buff to boot, so this was an irresistible combination for me. I loved her stories (true or not, I don't care), and would look forward to another book from her. Surely she has more to tell!

[Karen Kortsch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories were hard to believe and I didn't care for her writing style. If these stories are true, which is doubtful, her condescending tone and offensive language were irritating to say thw least. Nevertheless, I did finish the book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating read. It a short book of true stories from a female international private detective who investigates murders and disappearances in East Africa. I think that says it all.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admired the author's "grittiness". The descriptions of Africa, the culture, the people, the customs...make me want to travel there.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. However, it did not make me want to visit Africa. Which if you've read my other reviews you would realize is kind of astounding.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a fantasy masquerading as travel narrative. James clearly has only visited some of these places as a tourist, and others not at all, but the stories are entertaining.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read almost like a Peace Corps advertisement.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard to remember that these stories are non-fiction! Amazing stories of a woman who was a private investigator in Africa.

[Michelle Commeyras]

Really intriguing mysteries by an international investigator.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another memorable book that I read some time ago. Amazing stories here actually!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death...crocs...witchdoctors...almost unbelievable.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart, Florida
Gift from Chris Krieger

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, interesting stories from Kelly James experiences.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoir detective in Africa -- Memorable!