The Death of an Effendi

By: Michael Pearce

Narrated by: Nigel Carrington

Cairo, 1909. The murder capital of the world, where deaths are two a piastre. But the death of an effendi? That is something different.

Effendis, the Egyptian elite, are important. Especially if, in a country ruled by foreigners, they happen to be foreign. Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt, is called in to investigate. But is he the right man to be investigating?

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 questions. And powerful people might have preferred Tvardovsky dead.

As the maverick financier said, before going on the 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 co-operating, said Tvardovsky, that you really have to watch out....

©1999 Michael Pearce (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

One of the best of the British mystery writers

I've been reading Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt books for years and have rarely been let down. They are always eagerly anticipated, and this one is right up there with his best. I have not liked Pearce's other series, but the Mamur Zapt is just plain beguiling. The atmosphere of Egypt at the beginning of the 20th century is portrayed beautifully. I wish I could have been there and seen it - Pearce clearly loves the place and the period and so will you. Oh, and good characters and a well thought out mystery - what's not to like?

Lots of detail on foreign culture.

Michael Pearce's mysteries are interesting and appealing if you like to be immersed in historical fiction set in countries we don't read much about. I have read or listened to 3 of his novels and haven't become bored. To me they are at least as good as John Grisham. The narrator, Nigel Carrington can do many different characters plausibly; he is very good.

International financial skullduggery in early 30th century British-run Egypt

The layers of administration as well as cultures in Egypt under the Khedive just before World War I are a fascinating mix of the exotic and the parochial. Coptic Christian clerks, Greek investigators, British bankers, Egyptian lawyers, Egyptian nationalists and as well as shadowy figures manipulating the Egyptian economy for their own ends are all part of the world watched by the titular head of the Khedive’s secret police, the Mamur Zapt. He is of course a British civil servant, but one who is quick to point out he’s not an Englishman, but a Welshman. Fluent in Arabic and familiar with the Egyptian culture of the French speaking wealthy pashas as well as the less affluent servants, farmers and donkey boys, he unravels the puzzle of a murder of a Russian financier attempting to arrange a farmer’s’ cooperative.