I purchased THIS book at a sale and chose it because I did not have much choices. The synopsis seemed interesting. I also have the habit of choosing at least one new author whose books I have never read before to give myself a wider scope for appreciating new genres and styles of writing.
Richard Crompton is a former BBC journalist and producer, living in Nairobi where the story is set so he truly brings to life every scene and gives a vivid description of parts of Nairobi.
What grabbed my attention at the very start after the foreword was a page titled, The Origin of Death which gives readers a traditional Maasai story on the subject matter before the author begins his storytelling THAT is in diary entry style. Reading becomes more structured in a good way.
The Honey Guide is a very fascinating mystery novel which will keep you in suspense and guessing who the culprit is till almost the end of the story so get ready to turn the pages till you reach the conclusion.
Detective Mollel is a Maasai warrior first and foremost and he takes his work seriously to the extent that he is transferred to the duties of traffic police until a brutalised body of a Maasai woman turns up in a park.
Mollel is summoned to investigate the case. There’s a looming presidential election and the police force is under pressure to keep the peace whilst upholding law and order in a sprawling megacity where death is a fact of life and life is cheap.
The overworked police wants to write off the body as another dead prostitute but when Mollel senses there’s more to the case, he takes it upon himself to investigate further. It leads him to another prostitute who identifies the body and starts helping him.
Honey gives Mollel information about a powerful and influential church Minister and his wife who together run an outreach program for young girls to be off the streets. The couple have connections with a businessman who’s also involved in the case. Kiunga, who is assisting Mollel in the investigation does not trust Honey but supports and does his best to help Mollel.
Mollel puts his family in danger when he gets more embroiled in the case and even defies his superior to solve the mystery of the dead Maasai woman.
The ending is totally unexpected.
The storyline is gripping and flows with exceptional details for a great read. I’m recommending this book.