The Harbinger - Softcover

Graham, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 038070806X ISBN 13: 9780380708062

Publisher: Avon Books, 1990

Synopsis

When Nigel Mansell, beset with his own personal problems, investigates the death of a white labor official in South Africa, he finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and conspiracy more far-reaching than he could have imagined

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Beginning with a murder in a train-station restroom and climaxing with the exposure of a conspiracy that brings a nation to the brink of revolution, this smart, suspenseful first novel merges the style of a police procedural and the scope of a Ludlumesque tale of international intrigue. It is told, however, with one distinguishing variationits South African setting, where homicide inspector Nigel Mansell must fight resistance to his investigation of a union leader's murder from his own department as well as the from the security branch and, finally, the highest levels of government. As Mansell's probe uncovers a ministerial plot to seize control of his country's gold mines, and as the chain of betrayal and deceit grows, Graham's byzantine plotting becomes somewhat overbooked with extraneous characters and minor twists. Despite a few labored sections, this is an impressive debut, with a hero whose feelings of duty and disgust compel attention, and a vividly detailed, convincing portrait of South Africa that enhances the story at every turn and marks Graham as a writer to watch. 50,000 first printing; $75,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This novel gets off to a fast start with the secret return of exiled black leader Christopher Zuma to South Africa and the murder of white union official Ian Elgin in a railway station lounge "for blacks only." Port Elizabeth Chief Homicide Inspector Nigel Mansell takes charge of the murder investigation but finds his efforts frustrated by Major Hymie Wolff of South Africa's National Security Branch. Then Mansell meets the beautiful, enigmatic Delaney Blackford, a lady attorney for Elgin's union who comes to take a personal interest in Mansell. As his investigation causes him to crisscross South Africa, Mansell is drawn deeper into a web of international intrigue. Full of danger, suspense, and plenty of surprises, this novel will keep the Ludlum crowd eagerly turning pages to its exciting conclusion. William C. McCully, Park Ridge P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Avon Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 038070806X
• ISBN 13: 9780380708062
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400