Book Review: The Camel of Destruction

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Camel of Destruction     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Michael Pearce
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Mamur Zapt # 7
Poisoned Pen, Aug 2002, $24.95, 250 pp.

In 1910, Gareth Owen serves as the Mamur Zapt in the British colony Egypt. Gareth’s job is to resolve crimes with political implications. When the economy was booming, Gareth often looked the other way. The recent economic collapse makes those cases he pursues that much harder as no one wants to cooperate.

When A Ministry of Agriculture civil servant dies at his work desk, Gareth claims potential political problems with this death. He leads the official inquiry even as pressure mounts for him to end the investigation immediately. Normally, Owen would heed the advise of the local establishment including his peers and superiors, but this time he stubbornly follows the money trail of the deceased though his actions places his position in jeopardy.

This historical who-done-it will excite readers on several levels. The story line contains an engaging police procedural, a fabulous look at a rarely seen time and locale (at least in western novels), and a glimpse into the hierarchy of the Empire where the sun never set. Historical, mystery, and political fans will enjoy THE CAMEL OF DESTRUCTION as Michael Pearce provides a triumphant look back into a bygone era through the microscope of a strong investigative tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner