When a human skeleton is discovered at the site of a controversial new dam in remote northern Botswana, rookie Detective Kubu is drawn into a terrifying local feud, and discovers a deadly covenant that could change everything…

‘A wonderful, original voice – McCall Smith with a dark edge and even darker underbelly’ Peter James

‘Stanley gets everything – the dialogue, the terrain descriptions, the plot beats – right … and with a complex and endearing protagonist’ Publishers Weekly STARRED review

‘A real page turner, perfect for those who like their mysteries complex, and want something a little different’ Strand Magazine
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While building a pipeline near the Okavango Delta, a contractor unearths the remains of a long-dead Bushman. Rookie Detective David ‘Kubu’ Bengu of Botswana CID and Scottish pathologist, Ian MacGregor, are sent to investigate, and MacGregor discovers eight more skeletons.

Shortly after the gruesome discoveries, the elder of a nearby village is murdered in his home. The local police are convinced it was a robbery, but Kubu isn’t so sure … and neither is the strange woman who claims that an angry river spirit caused the elder’s death.

As accusations of corruption are levelled and international outrage builds over the massacre of the Bushman families, Kubu and his colleagues uncover a deadly covenant, and begin to fear that their own lives may be in mortal danger…

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’My favourite writing duo since Ellery Queen’ Ragnar Jónasson

‘Great African crime fiction’ Deon Meyer

‘Michael Stanley weaves together the core mystery and the landscape of Africa in magical ways’ Bolo Books

‘Kubu is an excellent, if large, companion for readers entering his unfamiliar land’ Reviewing the Evidence

‘What an outstanding read!’ Kings River Life magazine

‘The African Columbo’ Entertainment Weekly