The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu-Michael Stanley

The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu
Michael Stanley
Harper, Jun 2009, $25.99
ISBN: 9780061252495

Botswana Assistant Superintendent David “Kubu” Bengu investigates the murders of two men at the remote Jackalberry bush camp. Both Sipho Langa a black South African tourist and the Goodluck Tinubu were guests. The problem with the identification of the latter based on his fingerprints is that Goodluck died almost three decades ago during the Rhodesian civil war.

The third Zimbabwean Ishmael Zondo has vanished with the cops assuming he is the killer on the run tying him to drug trafficking though camp manger Dupie says he took him to the airport. Bengu thinks otherwise as he feels Goodluck is the key to solving the homicides. So he is surprised that many people including his own father thought highly of Goodluck as a teacher. The case is going nowhere for him with the pressure upstairs to find the missing third guest and at home when his wife Joy is attacked.

The second Kubu Botswana police procedural (see A CARRION DEATH) is a terrific whodunit that focuses on the investigation, but also showcases the author team’s love of the landlocked South African country. In fact the leisure stroll through the countryside while making inquiries provides a deep look at this nation, but does take time from solving the case. Fans, especially those of The No.1 Ladies´ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy this engaging “geographical” murder mystery as Michael Stanley provides a deep look into this democracy.

Harriet Klausner