The Mamur Zapt and the Night of the Dog

ISBN: 1-55690-824-5 Order from: Recorded Books

A pleasant, though at times slow, exposition of the early Twentieth Century Egypt under British domination, with local color and simplistic characters.

Reviewed by David on April 28, 2002

Genre: Mystery (Historical, Police Procedural, Politics, Egypt)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The mamur Zapt and the Night of the Dog.

Captain Owen, formerly of the Britich Army, is now attached to the English Consulate in Egypt—in fact, if not in name, the government of Egypt. The young man is the Mamur Zapt—the head of the political police in Cairo.

Owen is responsible for keeping the political and ethnic tensions from erupting—with a small staff and a smaller budget. While not a bad linguist, Gareth Owen is still learning about the culture and religions of Egypt. When rising tensions between the Copts and the Muslims result in murder, the investigation takes additional urgency, as leaders of both communities seem to fan tensions and riots, just as vital political decisions are made. Owen, helped and sometimes hampered by his staff, his colleagues in the criminal division, the visiting British dignitaries and his Egyptian lover, has an almost impossible job of keeping peace.

Full Review: This is a short, enjoyable novel of a rarely covered period. Egypt under British domination is bitterly resentful of the Colonial power, while internal enmities keep any local authority from rising. While greatly influenced by the Europeans fashions and philosophies, the local society is still driven by the centuries of tradition and faith, and the poorer inhabitants are a rich fodder for power-mongers.

Owen is likable, although rather naive and ineffectual at times. The secondary characters are colorful, well-defined, but sometimes are bit simplistic, having rather simple motivations. Nonetheless, most characters are interesting, and there is a notable lack of true villains.

Personal tensions, as well as the difference in English and Middle Eastern traditions provide both challenges and humor to Owen's running an essentially Turkish department in a multi-etnnic, mostly Arab community in an English Protectorate.

A pleasant diversion, this novel is enjoyable enough to induce seeking other books in this partly out-of-print series.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 4.5; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6.5;

ISBN: 1-55690-824-5 Order from: Recorded Books