Death of An Effendi: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Michael Pearce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004 | Series: Mamur Zapt Mysteries

The latest in Michael Pearce's charming, award-winning series set in Edwardian Egypt. Cairo, 1909.The murder capital of the world, where deaths are two a piastre. But the death of an effendi? That is something different. Because effendis - the Egyptian élite - are important. Especially if - in a country ruled by foreigners - they happen to be foreign. When Tvardovsky, an effendi and a foreigner, is shot at a gathering of financiers, Gareth Owen - the Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo's Secret Police - is called in to investigate. But is he the right man for the job? In some countries, if someone goes for a walk, or a boat ride, with the Head of the Secret Police and doesn't come back, it's best not to ask any questions. And there are powerful people who might have preferred Tvardovsky dead. As the maverick financier said, before going on the fatal shooting party, there were still crocodiles in Egypt. Of all kinds. And perhaps the place to look for them was Crocodilopolis, the ancient City of the Crocodiles, where the financiers were to hold their meeting. It is when the crocodiles start cooperating, said Tvardovsky, that you really have to watch out…

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Fans of Pearce's delightful Mamur Zapt series will find this latest entry among the best of the bunch and clearly deserving of its shortlisting for the Ellis Peters Award. Captain Gareth Owen, Chief of Cairo's Secret Police (called Mamur Zapt), is asked to guard Russian financier Tvardovsky during a shooting party for potential Egyptian investors. But Owen fails. Tvardovsy, along with hundreds of birds, is shot dead, apparently by another member of the hunting party. Before Owen can set the investigatory wheels turning, Tvardovsky's body is spirited away, and another Russian is imprisoned for murdering him. Owen and his colleague Mahmoud are furious that the foreign effendi's death has not been properly investigated, and they're positive the wrong man has been jailed. But when the pair attempt to unearth the truth, they are thwarted at every turn. Their tenacity eventually pays off, and they crack the case, but even these two experienced investigators are shocked by the bizarre story that emerges. Witty and beguiling, with an amusing cast of characters, this story also offers a charming glimpse of turn of the century Cairo. The Mamur Zapt series has been underappreciated for too long; let's hope this one brings Pearce the wider audience he has long deserved. Emily Melton
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Review

Once again Michael Pearce has effortlessly brought to life the city and surround ­ing background. His dia ­logue is particularly good." - Sunday Telegraph

*Starred Review* Fans of Pearce’s delightful Mamur Zapt series will find this latest entry among the best of the bunch and clearly deserving of its shortlisting for the Ellis Peters Award. Captain Gareth Owen, Chief of Cairo’s Secret Police (called Mamur Zapt), is asked to guard Russian financier Tvardovsky during a shooting party for potential Egyptian investors. But Owen fails. Tvardovsky, along with hundreds of birds, is shot dead, apparently by another member of the hunting party. Before Owen can set the investigatory wheels turning, Tvardovsky’s body is spirited away, and another Russian is imprisoned for murdering him. Owen and his colleague Mahmoud are furious that the foreign effendi’s death has not been properly investigated, and they’re positive the wrong man has been jailed. But when the pair attempt to unearth the truth, they are thwarted at every turn. Their tenacity eventually pays off, and they crack the case, but even these two experienced investigators are shocked by the bizarre story that emerges. Witty and beguiling, with an amusing cast of characters, this story also offers a charming glimpse of turn of the century Cairo. The Mamur Zapt series has been underappreciated for too long; let’s hope this one brings Pearce the wider audience he has long deserved. -- Emily Melton, Booklist (6/01/2004)

The twelfth installment in this wonderful, ironically funny, mystery series, DEATH OF AN EFFENDI was a treat to read from start to finish. With a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural nuances of the period, Michael Pearce successfully transports the reader to Egypt in the early part of the twentieth century, sketching out quickly and with a few well placed phrases and sentences the special interests that many foreign powers had in the region, and the frustrations that the locals felt about living in a country under the yoke of a foreign power. But that's just for starters. For, of course, Michael Pearce also manages to marry a clever and cunning mystery subplot to the political one, and tells his story in such a completely wry and gently humourous manner that, before you know it you've spent an entire afternoon imagining yourself in Egypt, walking the narrow bazaar streets with the Mamur Zapt in search of evil doers and trying to maintain the status quo. Fast paced and simply told, DEATH OF AN EFFENDI proved to be a memorable and worthwhile read. I not only enjoyed this installment thoroughly, but also came away with a better picture of what was going on historically. Shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Award for Best Historical Novel of the Year (in 1999), DEATH OF AN EFFENDI should have won that award; unfortunately, it didn't. So, hoping to mitigate that oversight, I'm awarding the novel the BLACK DIAMOND for excellence. -- Sheila Nathan, I Love A Mystery Newsletter

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590580664
• ISBN-13: 978-1590580660
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great early twentieth century Egyptian police procedural, June 29, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death of An Effendi: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In 1909 Egypt the Mamur Zapt, Gareth Owen, joins several VIPs on a shoot that makes him feel like a duck out of water as most of the effendi attending are financiers or royals. However, during the gala, someone shoots the Russian Tvardovsky. As expected by his position, Owen begins to investigate to determine whether the death was an accident or a homicide with his only clue being that the foreign victim discussed crocodiles in Egypt.

Prince Fuad interferes with the Mamur Zapt inquiries trying to insure that an accident is reported if he cannot stop the investigation. However, Gareth continues to look into the matter with the diligence he always brings to his job though he worries about the repercussions from the royals, especially how Fuad will react. Fuad increases the pressure for Owen to conduct a sham, but he refuses.

The Mamur Zapt series consistently provide some of the best early twentieth century police procedural tales on the market. The latest entry, DEATH OF AN EFFENDI, is a fabulous tale that as usual provides an intriguing glimpse at Egypt in 1909 where foreigners heavily influence what happens to the country. The investigation is top of the line as Gareth struggles with Prince Fuad's reluctance and with potential witnesses fearful of alienating foreigners and or the Mamur Zapt. Fans of historical mysteries will appreciate this tale that brings to life a bygone era whose impact remains strong almost a century later.

Harriet Klausner