This is the eighth book in the Detective Kubu series and the second with him as a young man. "Stanley gets everything—the dialogue, the terrain descriptions, the plot beats—right." —Publishers Weekly STARRED review Brilliant! The pair, known jointly as Michael Stanley, has brought to life Botswana’s flora and fauna, its days and nights, its culture, mythology, and superstition, and more than enough murder in this second prequel in their Detective Kubu Mysteries. . . . What an outstanding read! A top contender for my Best of 2022! — Kathleen Costa , Kings River Life "I found A Deadly Covenant completely intriguing and engrossing, and the Bushman scenes fascinating. Vividly painted scenery, and I can feel the oppressive heat. Talk about Sunshine Noir!" – Kwei Quartey , author of the Emma Djan and Darko Dawson mysteries "The unmatched beauty, spirit, and mystery of Africa never fails to come to life in Michael Stanley's award-winning Botswana-based Detective 'Kubu' series. A Deadly Covenant is an irresistible page-turner and a powerful contribution to the Kubu saga." – Jeffrey Siger , author of the Andreas Kaldis series ______________________________________ Detective Kubu is still new to the Botswana Criminal Investigation Department . . . smart, eager to learn, but naïve. Scottish pathologist, Ian MacGregor, is sent to rural Botswana to investigate the skull of a long-dead Bushman that was unearthed by a backhoe. Kubu goes along to watch and learn. A cold case. Not interesting. Then MacGregor discovers eight more skeletons, all murdered. But how long ago? No one in the area knows anything about the massacre. Or so they claim. The cold case hots up when an elder of the nearby village is murdered at his home. The local police believe it was a robbery, but Kubu thinks otherwise. As does a strange woman, who claims it was an angry river spirit. The situation gets more confusing when the strange woman is found dead, apparently killed by a crocodile. How do the recent murders link to the dead Bushmen, if at all? Kubu and his colleagues have to navigate the politics of a rural village as they try to solve the puzzle. And when they uncover a deadly covenant, they fear that if they don’t solve the puzzle quickly, the killer may take still more lives, including their own. A Deadly Covenant is a compelling, character-driven mystery perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Tony Hillerman, William Kent Krueger, and Alexander McCall Smith. "Edgar finalist Stanley's excellent eighth mystery featuring Botswana's Det. Sgt. David Bengu ... Stanley gets everything—the dialogue, the terrain descriptions, the plot beats—right. More prequels fleshing out this complex and endearing protagonist would be welcome." - Publishers Weekly starred review "Brilliant! 5/5 A top contender for my Best of 2022!" - Kathleen Costa, Kings River Life "The sandy stretches of northern Botswana may appear simple but they have a complex past and a complicated present that will not yield to comfortable resolutions. Kubu is an excellent, if large, companion for readers entering his unfamiliar land." - Yvonne Klein, Reviewing the Evidence "I am really enjoying these prequels in the excellent Detective Kubu mystery series." - Cathy Cole, Kittling Books "Kubu, despite personal insecurities concerning love and social skills, sets his keen mind to work, absorbs, solves - gains confidence in handling police procedure, single-malt whiskey, and love." - Ethan Boatner, Lavender Magazine. "Michael Stanley weaves together the core mystery and the landscape of Africa in magical ways." - Kristopher Zgorski, Bolo Books "The resolution is far more complex than I imagined, keeping me in suspense until the final pages." - Aubrey Nye Hamilton, Kevin's Corner "A Deadly Covenant is an irresistible page-turner and a powerful contribution to the Kubu saga." - Jeffrey Siger, international best-selling author of the Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series. "I found A Deadly Covenant completely intriguing and engrossing... Talk about Sunshine Noir!" - Kwei Quartey, award-winning author of the Emma Djan Ghana mysteries