ISBN: 0-7887-0090-1 Order from: Recorded Books
A satisfying tale of old Egypt, with a convoluted investigation, politics, some desert adventure and a dash of romance.
Reviewed by David on September 21, 2002
Genre: Mystery (Historical, Police Procedural, Politics, Egypt)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The mamur Zapt and the Men Behind.
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.
It started mysteriously: a minor (very minor) English functionary was attacked by two men shotting rifles. Luckily, the men missed. Soon, several Englishmen reported being followed by Egyption in European clothing, apparently with ill intent. The vague reports became much more specific with Mamur Zapt himself is followed by two men.
Owen's investigation is complicated by the bombing of a student cafe. Several people are hurt, at least two are killed by the explosion. And yet nobody has seen the bomb-thrower. The bomb is very similar to another one, thrown, but not exploded, at a resented Pasha. Are the two terrorist groups related?
Owen's investigation take him to the salt warehouse in the desert, and back into ugly politics of foreign interests and gun-running.
Full Review: A well-drawn, colorful and dangerous Egypt serves as a background for this police procedural. The intelligent Owen investigates all possible clues, and comes up empty. And yet his relentless pursuit of possible links at long last creates some theories, some of which mislead, while others allow Owen to prevent further deaths. Possibly the most complicated investigation in the series, the plot details seem a bit convoluted at times, but ultimately result in a satisfying, realistic solution.
Touches of humor and romance are sprinkled through this tale of investigation, adding emotional appeal to the intellectual puzzle.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 7; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 1991, Recorded Books, 1994, Audio cassette, 5 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-0090-1 Order from: Recorded Books