Pearce, Michael -THE MAMUR ZAPT AND THE NIGHT OF THE DOG

[LJ Roberts]

THE MAMUR ZAPT AND THE NIGHT OF THE DOG (Pol. Proc.-Cairo-early 1900s) - VG Pearce,
Michael -2^nd in series
A Crime Club Book/Doubleday, 1991- Hardcover

Captain Gareth Cadwallader Owen is the Mamur Zapth; head of Cairo’s political CID. When a dead dog is placed at the Coptic tomb and a Moslem Zikr dancer is murdered, it is up to Own to find out who is behind the escalating unrest. At the same time, he much find the money to support his investigation, resolve the marital problems of his office bearer, and entertain the niece of a visiting British MP while keeping happy his beautiful Egyptian girlfriend.

Pearce does a wonderful job of conveying the delicacy needed to maintain peace between religious and political factions. This look at the past is very relevant to the present. But he balances that nicely with the humor of Owan’s involvement in a marital situation. Pearce creates a wonderful sense of place and period. This is a fairly quick read, but a fascinating one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.