For local readers, a
book that relates to local experience and issues without being a doom fest is
good news. (Review by Margaret von Klemperer, courtesy of The Witness)
While the blurb describes Unsolicited as a debut novel, the front cover hails it as “A
Detective Fatima Matthews Mystery”, so presumably the central character, Fatima
Matthews, is going to reappear in further local crime stories. And that could
be something to look forward to.
Fatima is an overworked detective in Cape Town and struggling with the symptoms of menopause – hot flushes and brain fade. She’s hardworking and honest, and part of a police force that only wants a quiet, uncomplicated life and has its own, problematic internal politics. Unsolicited is not a state-of-the-nation novel, but, as it can so often be, crime fiction is a very good way of illustrating current realities.
When the novel opens, Fatima is facing a visit from her son’s Brazilian in-laws, who are not the easiest of house guests and who seem keen to persuade her beloved son to move to Brazil. And then a particularly nasty murder occurs which she has to deal with and solve, without, her superiors insist, involving the police in any adverse publicity. The victim is an editor at a local publishing company which is named after a South African bird, (as is the publisher of Unsolicited – probably not a coincidence).
To Fatima, the crime appears to be linked to a frustrated and rejected would-be author. Or maybe a successful author who wants to move on to an overseas publishing house. Or maybe a bookseller. Or, as the other cops would prefer, the victim’s boyfriend. There are plenty of dark hints and red herrings and odd characters who might or might not be involved. And there is a plagiarism scandal lurking in the background.
In fact, in the first half of the novel, there is so much going on that it requires a lot of concentration to keep things straight in the reader’s head. The narrative also shifts focus continually from Fatima and the hassles in her personal and work life, to the publishers and to a rejected manuscript that seems to presage the circumstances of the crime. But as the action heats up, Unsolicited becomes compelling, witty and fun. It makes for a lively read, and it is always great to be able to welcome a new South African writer. For local readers, a book that relates to local experience and issues without being a doom fest is good news. - Margaret von Klemperer
Unsolicited is published by Jacana: ISBN 978-1-4314-3597-5