** This is taken from the back of the book, and from the inside cover, which contains comments about "Death in Zanzibar". My review follows. **
Murders multiply and romance blossoms on the island of Zanzibar, exotic setting of her bestselling novel Trade Wind.
To Dany Ashton it seems like the offer of the holiday of a lifetime when her stepfather invites her to stay on the strange and beautiful "Isle of Cloves". But even before her plane takes off, Dany's delight has faded as she finds herself at the centre of a frightening mystery. On her arrival at Kivulimi, the 'House of Shade', her unease turns to terror when she realizes that among the house-guests is a dangerous and ruthless murderer. Dany doesn't know who to trust . . .
SOME REVIEWS FOR DEATH IN ZANZIBAR:
'I recommend it wholeheartedly to those who fancy the idea of Agatha Christie with a touch of romantic suspense.'
~Auberon Waugh in the Standard
'A plot whirling round buried gold, a couple of murders, and suspects aplenty . . . bitchily gossipy; gently ingenious'
~Sunday Times
'Death in Zanzibar is a thoroughly engrossing novel. It has the rich and dramatic story of a romance and conflict which we have come to expect of M.M. Kaye, plus a diverting mystery which has a logical but very surprising climax. This should be a really double-double-plus, and indeed it is. My congratulations to the publisher, the author, and to her millions of devoted readers.'
~Mignon G. Eberhart
'A best-selling writer's first-rate murder mystery has been combined with a romance to tickle everyone's fancy . . .
'M.M. Kaye originally wrote this beautifully crafted . . . novel some years ago. She has revised it for this edition, and it is indeed worthy of another plaudit for this extraordinary writer.'
~San Diego Union
'Remember what it was like to lose yourself in a good book. A superb storyteller has taken over the classic mystery. Read M.M. Kaye's Death in Zanzibar and stop missing Christie.'
~Carol Brenner, Murder Ink
'[Death in Zanzibar has] the kind of plot, character and circumstances associated with the Christie era; exotic locaale . . . light romance . . . several politely executed murders, moneyed classes at play, cleaver amateur detective, neat resolution.'
Philadelphia Inquirer
'M.M. Kaye is a master at providing suspense . . . . Surprise twists mark the conclusion of this excellently written and conceived novel. The characters . . . are beautifully drawn. Death in Zanzibar is highly recommended.'
~UPI
'M.M. Kaye fans will probably delight in this early murder mystery . . . It [has] plenty of shivers . . . Kaye's mystery-love story unravels nicely . . . in an exotic setting.'
~Publishers Weekly
My Review
What would you do if your passport was stolen and a murder weapon was hidden in your hotel room when you were on a much-anticipated trip to Zanzibar? Would you go to the police and postpone your vacation? or would you do what Dany Ashton did, which was to panic, and take a seemingly easier route out in impersonating a drunken man's secretary, 'borrowing' her passport, and raveling yourself more deeply in the web of the murderer?
That is how 'Death in Zanzibar' begins. I will not reveal any more interesting plot twists to you, since I really want you to read it yourself. I think that out of all the "Death in . . ." books, this is my favorite. A short read at 270 pages, it may take a day or two of reading on and off to get through it, and it is interesting enough to make you forget life for a little while and go to Zanzibar. As Gonzo the Great (one of the Muppets) said in the movie Muppet Treasure Island, "Off to Zanzibar, to see the Zanzibarbarians!" And that's where you'll be going! Enjoy this book! =) Speaking of books, why not sign the guestbook now, or send me an e-mail telling me not to incorporate Muppet quotes in my reviews? =)
Back to the Table of Contents
Back to the "Death in . . ." Table of Contents