Cobra (Benny Griessel) - Hardcover

Deon Meyer

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1444723758 ISBN 13: 9781444723755

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2014

Synopsis

Celebrated as the “King of South African crime,” Deon Meyer is a world-class thriller writer, whose gripping plots probe the social and racial complexities of his native country. In his latest brilliant page turner, the bodies of three people are found at an exclusive guest house in the beautiful Franschhoek wine valley. Two of them were professional bodyguards, but the British citizen they were meant to be protecting is nowhere to be found; left behind are his brand new passport, new suitcase, and new clothes. And the spent shell cases bear a chilling engraving: the flaring head of a spitting cobra.

Meanwhile, in Cape Town, a skilled pickpocket is using his considerable talents to put his younger sister through school. But one day he is caught in the act. Security guards begin to question him, only to be killed with consummate ease by a stranger who leaves behind the distinctive shell cases.

With the help of his colleagues, Detective Benny Griessel rushes to untangle a case that only grows more complex. The British man’s passport turns out to be a fake, but the British consulate is decidedly unhelpful. And then the pickpocket’s sister is abducted. From Cape Town’s famous waterfront to a deadly showdown on a suburban train, Cobra hurtles towards a shocking finale—and someone may not make it out alive.

About this title

About the Author

Deon Meyer is an internationally acclaimed, prize-winning author of crime novels, including "Blood Safari, Thirteen Hours," and "Trackers." His books have been translated into twenty languages. He lives on the western coast of South Africa.

Review

Shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association International Dagger
A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Mystery & Thriller for Fall

Mr. Meyer, the leading thriller writer in his native country, traffics in crime-novel situations familiar the world over: drunken cops, charming robbers, dangerous murderers, sudden violence and sometimes, issues of race. Mr. Meyer’s South Africa, however, is unique. His books, translated from Afrikaans, are usually set in the Cape Town region, where mountains spectacularly meet the sea on the Horn of Africa. Amid these vistas his detective confronts his own and his country’s tortured past and the legacy of Apartheid.” Wall Street Journal

Meyer . . . vividly depicts the story of South Africa in his novels, from the hope and turmoil of the fall of apartheid to the corrupt and desperate aspects of present-day Cape Town. . . . Meyer’s novels have an insistent forward motion, and the ones featuring Captain Griessel in particular have a pleasing relentlessness.” Los Angeles Review of Books

An excellent South African thriller featuring one of the best ensemble casts of policemen currently pounding the crime beat.” Deadly Pleasures

Meyer’s assured fourth Bennie Griessel thriller takes the Cape Town homicide detective to South African wine country. . . . Suspense builds as the action shifts between Griessel’s and [Cape Town pickpocket] Tyrone’s increasingly life-threatening exploits.” Publishers Weekly

Meyer combines intricate plotting, a compelling cast, and timely themes in this fourth novel featuring Captain Benny Griessel. . . . Meyer has added another provocative novel to his impressive oeuvre.” Booklist

A chase-themed thriller set in the tense political climate of post-apartheid South Africa. . . . As always, Meyer writes with a strong sense of character and an eye on post-apartheid politics.” Kirkus Reviews

Deon Meyer’s series . . . grow[s] richer and more sophisticated with each new book. This progression makes Cobra the most dazzling of the bunch.”—Toronto Star

In this ninth thriller, Deon Meyer shows his mastery of the form once again. He tells a great story with suspense that doesn’t let up. Highly recommended.” I Love a Mystery

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1444723758
• ISBN 13: 9781444723755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352