ISBN: 1-55690-795-8 Order from: Recorded Books
A tale of suspense and politics in English-ruled Egypt, this mystery satisfies the reader with both intellectual puzzle and exotic color.
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 Return of the Carpet.
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, ironic, expediently pro-British even if sympathetic to the nationalist course, is called in to investigate a case of stolen grenades. One of the most visible ceremonies in Egypt: the annual return of the blessed Carpet from the pilgrimage to Mecca, is about to take place. Owen is responsible for the safety of it all: the dignitaries, the self-indulgent nominal ruler Khedive, the powerful and resented commander of the British Army in Egypt, as well as the real ruler, understated Consul General. As well as enormous crowds.
With a ceremony like that, a missing case of powerful grenades is enough to give nightmares to any law enforcement official. Especially they have apparently fallen into the hands of extremists, determined to use them to assassinate and create panic.
With enormous pressure, Owen investigates the case, while trying to keep from offending the local powers. Especially if some of the powers are intriguingly attractive.
Full Review: Colorful and confusing Egypt is a more than the background—it's the subject of most of Owen's investigations, as well as the root cause of the crimes. From crushing poverty in the villages to enormous wealth of the Pashas and the foreign interests, Egypt is a country of contrasts, contrasts that invite violence while providing fertile soil for the plots of extremists of all kinds.
Owen is both sympathetic and sometimes ruthlessly expedient. His job is less justice than stability—although his own decency demand some attempt at both justice and mercy. The investigation is both interesting and twisty, and the resolution is satisfying, even slightly telegraphed.
This is a pleasant book, and the start of a pleasant series, enjoyable more for the characters and the local color, than for the puzzle-solving part of the investigations.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 7; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 1988, Recorded Books, 1992, Audio cassette, 5 cassettes
ISBN: 1-55690-795-8 Order from: Recorded Books