'Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction' - Peter James
Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido are languishing in Stellenbosch. Run-of-the-mill police work in the leafy university town is a far cry from their previous life in the elite HAWKS. But when a student is found dead on a mountain trail, the two detectives find themselves trying to unpick a stubbornly difficult mystery.
In the north of the country, meanwhile, a beautiful wildlife guide is recruited by a group of special forces soldiers to act as a honeytrap, part a dangerous multi-million-dollar heist that goes tragically wrong. Then back in Stellenbosch, a local businessman is found murdered in what looks like a professional hit - suffocated by fast-action filler foam sprayed down his throat. A message to keep silent - but about what?
You need a cool head to unravel it all, because sadly, the thieves and criminals are as likely to be in government - or even the police - as on the streets. You need to stay calm, focused - and sober. Benny may be sober these days, but he's not feeling calm. Solving this puzzle is turning into a deadly race against time and there's another date that's coming towards him like an express train. Alexa has fixed the date for their wedding. Big trouble, on every front.
**WINNER OF THE AKTV PRIZE FOR BEST AFRIKAANS THRILLER OF 2024**
GRIESSEL AND CUPIDO ARE EXPECTING A QUIET LIFE
Detectives Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido remain on duty in beautiful Stellenbosch, but run-of-the-mill police work in a leafy university town famed for its vineyards is a far cry from their previous life in Cape Town fighting crime at the highest level. For now, Benny has more pressing things to worry about - it's the countdown to his wedding day on 12 June.
BUT THE PEACE IS ABOUT TO BE SHATTERED
When a student is found dead on a mountain trail, and the key suspect, a local businessman, is found murdered in what looks like a professional hit delivering a message - suffocated by fast-action filler foam sprayed down his throat - Griessel and Cupido both know this the work of professionals.
Benny also knows he needs a cool head to untangle this web of deceit, and to manage the incessant pressure. He needs to stay calm, focused - and sober. And it all needs to be wrapped up by 12 June.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING. AND CHAOS IS COMING...
Praise for Deon Meyer:
'One of the best crime writers on the planet' Mail on Sunday
'Storytelling at its best' Michael Connelly
'One of the giants of crime fiction' El Mundo
'Crime writing at its best' Tess Gerritsen
'Up there with the best in the world' The Times
Reader reviews:
'A commendable book, in a fantastic setting, by an excellent author'
'You can always depend on Deon for a good read and this is tough, raw and exciting'
'Simply brilliant!
