Customer Reviews

The Sands of Windee (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte Mystery Series #2)

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I greatly enjoyed this book. The half-Caucasian, half-aborigine Detective Inspector Napolean Bonaparte (Bony to his friends) becomes involved in this case hoping he's found the perfect murder. A man named Marks visits Windee Station then vanishes. The local police assume he was lost in the bush but Bony has reason to think differently. This mystery is populated with a host of interesting outback characters, aborigines, blackmailers, secondary mysteries, and an awe-inspiring fire. The vision of 1930's Australia is exotic to us in this day and age, yet presented with complete understanding. It is worth noting that Bony and his contemporaries are well aware of his biracial status and some of the language used may bother some. The original copyright of this story is over 60 years ago though, and Mr. Upfield's heart and intentions are in the right place.

This Australian author gives the reader an accurate and vivid glimpse into life and love...and murder... in the Australian outback. In this book, the renowned half-caste, Bony, the detective who has never left a case unsolved, does just that in this story. For the first time ever, Bony realizes that he is not perfect. Finding that he is torn between the complete truth and the happiness of another, he decides to make a noble sacrifice. The characters will make you laugh, and the descriptive settings give the reader a rare glimpse into the harsh and dangerous interior of Australia.

A friend who had run across Arthur Upfield books years ago recommended them to me as mysteries that are more than mysteries. He was pleased with the sense of a different place that was incorporated with the mystery story. "Sands of Windee" is the first of Upfield's books that I have read and I heartily agree with his assessment. In addition to a very good mystery story, you are presented with a remote part of Australia in a very different time than we live in today. The detective, Napoleon Bonaparte, is an excellent character, and well supported by other well developed characters. The plotting is also strong and keeps you interested in the developing story. Through it all, you have that sense of a different time and place, a different pace of living, but familiar emotions and motivations. I think this is much better than a "typical" mystery and a very notable book. It was delightful to read, and, now I am working my way through other books in the series (also delightful) as I am able to find them.

In 1929 Arthur Upfield was working as a boundary rider in western Australia, while also mulling over a plot for The Sands of Windee. He needed a method for disposing of a body without a trace, and a mate made a good suggestion. Unfortunately another mate was listening and used the method to commit his own murders! Upfield testified at the trial a year after finishing his book.

The Sands of Windee was Upfield's second novel featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon (Bony) Bonaparte of the Queensland Police.

In a police report Bony reads about the disappearance of a man named Marks at Windee station in New South Wales. He's convinced Marks was murdered, not lost in the bush, and senses the presence of a crime worthy of his great gifts. Bony, a half-caste, combines in his person the best hunting skills of the white race and the Aborigine.

The plot is quite complex and includes a scandalous subplot. All the characters are terrific. The great generalship of the station owner, the intelligence and beauty of his daughter and the eccentricities of his station hands totally engaged my interest. And there's an ancient Aborigine chief who can read thoughts and evoke hypnotic visions. I was fascinated by Upfield's observations on the mental powers of the Aborigines.

But Australia itself is the most riveting character of all, with its scorching winters, exotic landscape, horrendous bush fires and teaming wildlife. The reader is also treated to two riotous social events - a tin-kettling among the whites (honoring newlyweds) and a corroboree among the Aborigines.

Upfield's Bony mysteries are fast going out of print, so I suggest buying them all, and quickly. The Lure of the Bush is the first, but you can jump into the series at any point. Bony is always Bony.

AFTER ORDERING THIS BOOK, WAS ADVISED THE SELLER HAD INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT SECTIONS OF IT WERE DAMAGED/MISSING SO...

THEY DID NOT SEND IT AND REFUNDED MY CREDIT CARD PAYMENT.

SINCE THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOK OF THIS AUTHOR'S SERIES IS UNAVAILABLE (OR PRICED TO SELL TO VERY SERIOUS COLLECTORS ONLY-- READ: EXORBITANT) I PROBABLY WON'T EVER GET TO READ THEM.

ANYWAY, I SHOULD BE HAPPY I DID NOT RECEIVE A DEFECTIVE BOOK AFTER PAYING FOR IT!