Customer Reviews

The Caterpillar Cop

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In this novel, the second published in his Trompie Kramer/Mickey Zondi series, Kramer and Zondi solve another murder case in Trekkersburg, South Africa. The novel's strength lies in the development of not only the two detectives, but also of the minor characters. The relationship between Kramer, a white South African and Zondi, his Zulu partner, which because of the political situation, neither man can openly acknowledge, is sensitively drawn.

McClure ranks right up there with Colin Dexter.

This Kramer and Zondi novel, one of eight in the series written before the author's death in 2006, was first published in Great Britain in 1972. It is now reprinted for our enjoyment. Unlike "The Steam Pig," which focused on the horrors of apartheid, "Caterpillar" centers its attention on the repressive sexual attitudes of the South African regime of that time.

The case begins when a 12-year-old boy is found strangled and with multiple stab wounds, with the area around his genitals virtually destroyed. Initially it is believed to be an act by a pedophile. It was known that the boy was spying on someone. As Lt. Kramer and his sidekick, Bantu Sgt. Zondi, investigate, a link develops to what is termed an accidental death of a visiting American teenager.

This novel is more akin to a traditional murder mystery, as the police procedural progresses, as opposed to the initial entry in the series, "The Steam Pig." A new twist to complement the by-play between Kramer and Zondi is the introduction of a young would-be detective, Pembroke, as a foil for the Boer detective. McClure's ability to offset grim details with amusing interplay between the characters is truly remarkable, as is the smoothness with which he develops the plot, especially with the twist at the end.

Recommended.

After Reading and totally enjoying The Song Dog, written in 1991 and found in a thrift store, I ordered all McClure's other books in this series going back to 1971. I just read the first one to come in the mail, Caterpillar Cop, and it was just okay. Written in 1972, Caterpillar Cop is about a young boy who is intent on solving a murder. It gets confusing at times, largely due to South African colloquialisms (I'm from NY) but also due to some confusing writing. The Song Dog was GREAT, very atmospheric, and I'm hoping to like something else by McClure as much.