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Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth
Former Brigadier Piet Byleveld is recognised worldwide as one of the best detectives of our time. If you commit murder and Piet Byl is called in, your place in jail is booked. If you harmed children anf he's on your case, you’ve sealed your own fate. And if you’re a serial killer on the loose, he will not stop before you are behind bars.
This book reopens the dockets of numerous murders that this courteous detective has solved over the years. Gruesome, tragic, exciting – and with the satisfaction that justice had prevailed.
In-between we get the measure of the man how he matured in the tough world of the Brixton Murder and Robbery Squad; how he prevailed over deep personal setbacks; and the values this farm boy carried with him to make an unprecedented success of society’s grimmest job.
This book reopens the dockets of numerous murders that this courteous detective has solved over the years. Gruesome, tragic, exciting – and with the satisfaction that justice had prevailed.
In-between we get the measure of the man how he matured in the tough world of the Brixton Murder and Robbery Squad; how he prevailed over deep personal setbacks; and the values this farm boy carried with him to make an unprecedented success of society’s grimmest job.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
44 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Hanlie Retief
7 books5 followersHanlie Retief is die skrywer van die topverkoper Byleveld. Sy is reeds drie keer as kreatiewe joernalis van die jaar aangewys, het twee ATKV-veertjies ontvang en was twee keer finalis vir die Mondi-toekenning. Sy is wyd bekend vir haar weeklikse onderhoude met bekendes in Rapport. In 2011 verskyn ’n keur uit die onderhoude in haar boek Hanlie Retief gesels met. Sy woon en werk in Kaapstad.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 26, 2018
This was a very interesting read about the exploits of South Africa's most famous detective, a specialist in serial murder. Maybe it was the translation from Afrikaans, but the narrative was a little flat and unemotional considering the subject matter -- the detective preferred camping out at some hideous crime scene to dealing with his disastrous marriage. Maybe the author was matching her writing to Byleveld's dry, "just the facts ma'am" manner of speaking. I was a little thrown that when the victim was a pretty white woman, we heard every detail of the crime, where if the victim was black we often wouldn't even get the name or the date of the offense. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but...
January 30, 2012
yeah - this was okay
i did expect it to be less boring considering the man and his history - and what he does
i wonder if the author or the man was the problem
the result was a bit like swimming in jelly
i did expect it to be less boring considering the man and his history - and what he does
i wonder if the author or the man was the problem
the result was a bit like swimming in jelly
Read
August 11, 2016Love the man and his stories but at times I absolutely cringed at the writing. Hopefully a true master of crime writing will some day rewrite his stories.
June 12, 2017
Whilst learning about history, regardless of era; whether more recent or ancient. One is taught that the author is subject to bias; perception is influenced at the time writing; and personal opinion. Hanlie Retief takes this to the extreme though. Although there are blithe attempts to cover up this fact, it is pitifully obvious that she has more than a school yard crush on Byleveld. The reader is slogged along for the ride; often at times gratuitously so.
It is such a pity as the subject matter is fascinating and had the potential to be an absorbing read. Ms Retief comes across as more of a groupie than a biographer. Perhaps if one has dozens of posters and pictures on their wall, thrown their underwear towards their idol in public, one would better relate to this drivel.
This poor representation of a fascinating life, that made a valuable contribution, is sadly more best suited in lame, nameless magazines at the front rack of the local 24/7 corner café. Or best marketed to bored housewives whose reading repertoire rarely ventures outside of the Huisgenooit magazine and Mills & Boon.
It is such a pity as the subject matter is fascinating and had the potential to be an absorbing read. Ms Retief comes across as more of a groupie than a biographer. Perhaps if one has dozens of posters and pictures on their wall, thrown their underwear towards their idol in public, one would better relate to this drivel.
This poor representation of a fascinating life, that made a valuable contribution, is sadly more best suited in lame, nameless magazines at the front rack of the local 24/7 corner café. Or best marketed to bored housewives whose reading repertoire rarely ventures outside of the Huisgenooit magazine and Mills & Boon.
June 11, 2017
Although the subject matter is interesting, I didn’t enjoy the writing style at all! I really wasn’t interested to hear that she picked up Piet Byleveld here and dropped him there etc. It isn’t a proper biography and neither does it deal with his various cases in any depth. I felt it was just a skim over things by someone who is clearly ‘taken’ with him. I finished the book as I was interested to read about his cases. There’s something strange about the paper and cover of the book too – it’s extremely heavy for a paperback – not pleasant. In my opinion, it’s an OK book and worth reading if you’re interested in the cases he worked on and to learn a bit about the man himself, although one could probably get that information off the internet.
October 26, 2012
To give a book a five star rating, means it comes highly recommended.
If you reading this book, you either fascinated by the legend which is Piet Byleveld or you read crime novels or non fiction regarding. To me, the book was Patricia Cornwell on steroids. The book is as much about Mr Byleveld as it is about each of the victims, murderers and their respective families.
I read the book in a total of four hours and yes, I wanted to go make sure the back door is locked by the end. Mine dumps, high hill shoes, dresses and my choice of nail colour has all been questioned.
Read it!
If you reading this book, you either fascinated by the legend which is Piet Byleveld or you read crime novels or non fiction regarding. To me, the book was Patricia Cornwell on steroids. The book is as much about Mr Byleveld as it is about each of the victims, murderers and their respective families.
I read the book in a total of four hours and yes, I wanted to go make sure the back door is locked by the end. Mine dumps, high hill shoes, dresses and my choice of nail colour has all been questioned.
Read it!
March 4, 2012
Grizzly but compelling reading. Everyone in my Bookclub has rated this book 9/10. I tend to agree.
August 28, 2018
As jy nie maklik gril nie, m.a.w. jy gee nie om wanneer 'n lyk beskryf word of om na grieselrige liggaamlike verwysings te luister nie, sal jy die boek interessant vind (Byleveld vertel, bv. hoe een van sy sekretaresses 'n senuwee-instorting gehad het tydens een van sy ondersoeke - dit bloot omdat sy alles moes liasseer!). Ek het al so baie fiktiewe speurverhale gelees, dit was hoog tyd vir iets wat nie in iemand se verbeelding ontkiem het nie. Dis skrikwekkend om te dink in hoeveel gevaar ons leef - ons is meer as die helfte van die tyd gans onbewus van ons omstandighede totdat jy 'n moorddossier oopmaak en let op die besonderhede wat Piet Byleveld neerpen. Die kleinste dingetjie kan reuse gevolge hê ... en die laaste woorde in hierdie boek wys jou dat 'n mens nie te versigtig kan wees nie.
Hanlie Retief het klaarblyklik jare lank met hierdie speurder gewerk en 'n goeie verhouding met hom opgebou. 'n Mens kom dit agter uit die beskrywings van hom as persoon en wat hy vertel. Dit kom veral ten vore wanneer sy sy kommer oor haar beskryf, d.w.s. hoe sy by die huis kom en vergeet om hom te laat weet sy's veilig. Hy't haar "paniekbevange" gebel om te hoor of sy oukei is. Hoeveel van ons doen dit nog deesdae? Ons aanvaar maar net dat wanneer die kuier verby is en ons koers kies huis toe dat ons sal aankom - nie! Ons moet ons kinders se hande vat en seker maak hulle weet wat dit beteken om "veilig" te leef - Leigh Matthews is 'n skreiende voorbeeld (al is dit een van die sake wat Byleveld se roem weereens bevestig het).
Hierbenewens stel die boek dit duidelik: Dit maak nie saak onder watter omstandighede jy grootgeword het nie, om 'n misdaad te pleeg aldan nie, bly 'n keuse.
'n Laaste onderhoud: https://www.netwerk24.com/Stemme/Meni...
Hanlie Retief het klaarblyklik jare lank met hierdie speurder gewerk en 'n goeie verhouding met hom opgebou. 'n Mens kom dit agter uit die beskrywings van hom as persoon en wat hy vertel. Dit kom veral ten vore wanneer sy sy kommer oor haar beskryf, d.w.s. hoe sy by die huis kom en vergeet om hom te laat weet sy's veilig. Hy't haar "paniekbevange" gebel om te hoor of sy oukei is. Hoeveel van ons doen dit nog deesdae? Ons aanvaar maar net dat wanneer die kuier verby is en ons koers kies huis toe dat ons sal aankom - nie! Ons moet ons kinders se hande vat en seker maak hulle weet wat dit beteken om "veilig" te leef - Leigh Matthews is 'n skreiende voorbeeld (al is dit een van die sake wat Byleveld se roem weereens bevestig het).
Hierbenewens stel die boek dit duidelik: Dit maak nie saak onder watter omstandighede jy grootgeword het nie, om 'n misdaad te pleeg aldan nie, bly 'n keuse.
'n Laaste onderhoud: https://www.netwerk24.com/Stemme/Meni...
July 28, 2020
This is a very well written true crime book. It also contained interesting information about South African history that I never knew about (90's kid) it explained the many fascinating cases that Mr Byleveld solved and definitely made me more informed about crime and trust (this is also very good to read for some awareness tips). The book did not come with a warning and it did affect me emotionally weeks after I read it. There is no holding back here. The truth is blunt, raw and sad but Good cops like Piet definitely make you think that there are people out there that will catch evil at all costs.
January 20, 2022
I was not mentally prepared for the beginning.
Of course you don't expect a happy-go-lucky narrative when reading about serial killers, but I at least imagined she would ease you into the cases, and to be honest, the switches between the cases and Piet's life were a bit anti-climatic for me. That said, I still could not put this book down. Every spare minute was appointed to the next page. A good read if you don't mind detailed descriptions of crime scenes.
Of course you don't expect a happy-go-lucky narrative when reading about serial killers, but I at least imagined she would ease you into the cases, and to be honest, the switches between the cases and Piet's life were a bit anti-climatic for me. That said, I still could not put this book down. Every spare minute was appointed to the next page. A good read if you don't mind detailed descriptions of crime scenes.
December 13, 2021
I’ve only heard of Piet Byleveld and finally had a chance to read the book. Read it through in 5 days but kind of started getting boring at the end. I’m not much of a fan regarding his personal life, preferring the investigations and murder parts and wishing there was more of that. Not the best writing but did read the English translated version - 3.5 rating
October 31, 2021
What a disappointment, the book was written so bay that you struggle to read. The stories and cases could have been spell bounding but the writer could not translate that into a proper flow. Really disappointing
August 11, 2018
A chilling but enthralling first-hand account of what makes serial killers tick. The fact that it's based on real-life people makes it even more disturbing.
January 11, 2020
This South African Detective was one of the best.
June 14, 2020
A gripping book. It gives you great insight into Byleveld the man, the escalation of his career to super-sleuth and the gift he has for solving crimes.
March 23, 2021
Dit blyk duidelik dat Piet Byl geen Sherlock Holmes was nie. Eerder 'n werksverslaafde wat deur geluk en 'n paar geselsies reggekry het wat speurders veronderstel is om te doen.
May 9, 2021
Great book, couldn't put it down. It's a translation though and the quality in writing is not the best. Would like to read the Afrikaans original. But all in all a good book.
Read
April 6, 2024I'm
March 16, 2025
Gripping and terrifying!
August 20, 2019
I very rarely buy or read tabloids. In early June 2017, however, there were not one, but *two* cover lines in that week’s edition of YOU magazine which piqued my interest enough to make me pick up a copy, whilst stuck in bumper-to-bumper trolley traffic in my local Woolies’ check-out queue.
The first, ‘Henri and Girlfriend Loved Up in the Park’, was an exclusive pictorial showing family axe murder accused Henri van Breda taking a break during his trial, cosying up to his better half in Cape Town’s public Company’s Garden. I have been fascinated by and speculated endlessly on this horrific case since the story broke in January 2015.
And the second, ‘Farewell, Top Cop: Piet Byleveld’s Moving Last Interview’, was an intimate conversation with the legendary detective who had lost his battle with lung cancer just a few weeks prior. He was 66 years old, with a career spanning almost four decades in the South African Police Service (SAPS). I have always been somewhat in awe of this softly spoken “man hunter”, with his Caesar haircut, hooded eyes, and fearsome reputation for being able to crack even the most challenging of cases, helping to bring dozens of notorious murderers, serial killers and rapists to book. It was a sad, yet heartwarming article about the inner peace and much longed-for happiness he had finally found over the past few years, in the arms of his second wife.
Just a few months later, I found a copy of ‘Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth’ in my local library. It was a book I had been meaning to get my hands on since its release in 2011, the year following Byleveld’s retirement from SAPS. Originally written in Afrikaans by journalist Hanlie Retief, and translated into English, it is a gripping read. A retrospective on the most high profile cases on which Byleveld worked, as well as a window into his private life.
From humble beginnings as a self-confessed “wimpy farm boy from the Waterberg” (page 24), who had plans to go to varsity and then dedicate his life to serving God, Byleveld did an about-turn after completing his national service in the Defence Force, and chose to join SAPS instead. He became a workaholic early on in his police career to escape the stress of a loveless, emotionally abusive marriage, which he endured for most of his adult life. He was also a chronic asthmatic, who chain-smoked, and swore by a cocktail of Grand-Pa headache powder and Coke, to get himself through long and grueling shifts.
Through Retief’s tight and fast-paced storytelling, we are taken on a thrilling, sometimes chilling, behind-the-scenes tour of Byleveld’s world. We become privy to the machinations of his razor sharp mind, the old skool investigative techniques he employed, and his uniquely empathetic style of interrogating suspects, which enabled him to gain their trust, and then extract a confession.
This book shines a light on the dark and depraved underbelly of society, populated by violent psychopaths and sexual deviants, and offers an insight, through Byleveld’s eyes, on what makes this type of criminal tick. He believes the perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot be rehabilitated. Something inside them is broken, damaged beyond repair. It is obvious to me that many of them suffer from undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness and/or personality disorders, the catalysts for which can often be traced back to early childhood trauma. Frequently, though not always, the compulsion experienced by a man to rape and/or kill seems to stem from a highly dysfunctional relationship with his mother. Asserting dominance over and inflicting pain and humiliation on his victims becomes a way for him to gain a sense of autonomy and power and control. Byleveld believes if these men, who show no remorse for their actions, are released back into society, it’s just a matter of time before they re-offend.
This view is backed up by police forensic psychologist Prof. Gerard Labuschagne who, during the trial of Sipho Dube, testified that serial killers are not candidates for rehabilitation. He matter-of-factly informed the court that “no rehabilitation programme exists for serial killers and rapists”, and that “no serial killer has ever been released from a South African jail.”
This is as much a dossier on Byleveld’s illustrious career as it is a cautionary tale about the reality of serial killers and rapists who will continue to quietly hunt amongst us until they get caught. Sadly, it is doubtful we will see another SAPS detective of Byleveld’s calibre for many years to come. I loved the inclusion of colour photos throughout. It really helped bring some of the characters and crime scenes to life. Apart from a typo on page 89 - the date should read 1998, not 1988 - it was a good, solid read. Highly recommended for fans of the true crime genre.
PS. If anyone can tell me what an “upright white hearse” (page 261) is, I would be most grateful! I suspect it may be one of those ‘lost in translation’ foibles between Afrikaans and English, but I stand to be corrected.
The first, ‘Henri and Girlfriend Loved Up in the Park’, was an exclusive pictorial showing family axe murder accused Henri van Breda taking a break during his trial, cosying up to his better half in Cape Town’s public Company’s Garden. I have been fascinated by and speculated endlessly on this horrific case since the story broke in January 2015.
And the second, ‘Farewell, Top Cop: Piet Byleveld’s Moving Last Interview’, was an intimate conversation with the legendary detective who had lost his battle with lung cancer just a few weeks prior. He was 66 years old, with a career spanning almost four decades in the South African Police Service (SAPS). I have always been somewhat in awe of this softly spoken “man hunter”, with his Caesar haircut, hooded eyes, and fearsome reputation for being able to crack even the most challenging of cases, helping to bring dozens of notorious murderers, serial killers and rapists to book. It was a sad, yet heartwarming article about the inner peace and much longed-for happiness he had finally found over the past few years, in the arms of his second wife.
Just a few months later, I found a copy of ‘Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth’ in my local library. It was a book I had been meaning to get my hands on since its release in 2011, the year following Byleveld’s retirement from SAPS. Originally written in Afrikaans by journalist Hanlie Retief, and translated into English, it is a gripping read. A retrospective on the most high profile cases on which Byleveld worked, as well as a window into his private life.
From humble beginnings as a self-confessed “wimpy farm boy from the Waterberg” (page 24), who had plans to go to varsity and then dedicate his life to serving God, Byleveld did an about-turn after completing his national service in the Defence Force, and chose to join SAPS instead. He became a workaholic early on in his police career to escape the stress of a loveless, emotionally abusive marriage, which he endured for most of his adult life. He was also a chronic asthmatic, who chain-smoked, and swore by a cocktail of Grand-Pa headache powder and Coke, to get himself through long and grueling shifts.
Through Retief’s tight and fast-paced storytelling, we are taken on a thrilling, sometimes chilling, behind-the-scenes tour of Byleveld’s world. We become privy to the machinations of his razor sharp mind, the old skool investigative techniques he employed, and his uniquely empathetic style of interrogating suspects, which enabled him to gain their trust, and then extract a confession.
This book shines a light on the dark and depraved underbelly of society, populated by violent psychopaths and sexual deviants, and offers an insight, through Byleveld’s eyes, on what makes this type of criminal tick. He believes the perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot be rehabilitated. Something inside them is broken, damaged beyond repair. It is obvious to me that many of them suffer from undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness and/or personality disorders, the catalysts for which can often be traced back to early childhood trauma. Frequently, though not always, the compulsion experienced by a man to rape and/or kill seems to stem from a highly dysfunctional relationship with his mother. Asserting dominance over and inflicting pain and humiliation on his victims becomes a way for him to gain a sense of autonomy and power and control. Byleveld believes if these men, who show no remorse for their actions, are released back into society, it’s just a matter of time before they re-offend.
This view is backed up by police forensic psychologist Prof. Gerard Labuschagne who, during the trial of Sipho Dube, testified that serial killers are not candidates for rehabilitation. He matter-of-factly informed the court that “no rehabilitation programme exists for serial killers and rapists”, and that “no serial killer has ever been released from a South African jail.”
This is as much a dossier on Byleveld’s illustrious career as it is a cautionary tale about the reality of serial killers and rapists who will continue to quietly hunt amongst us until they get caught. Sadly, it is doubtful we will see another SAPS detective of Byleveld’s calibre for many years to come. I loved the inclusion of colour photos throughout. It really helped bring some of the characters and crime scenes to life. Apart from a typo on page 89 - the date should read 1998, not 1988 - it was a good, solid read. Highly recommended for fans of the true crime genre.
PS. If anyone can tell me what an “upright white hearse” (page 261) is, I would be most grateful! I suspect it may be one of those ‘lost in translation’ foibles between Afrikaans and English, but I stand to be corrected.
August 30, 2024
The writing style was... odd. There was probably a bigger part of the book dedicated to Piet Byleveld's personal life than to the cases and how he solved them.
January 2, 2017
I thought this book would have more about his methodology or the inner workings of the cases but it seemed to glance over them rather quickly. It instead it was nearly equally parts focused on Piet Byleveld's personal life and some of the high profile cases he worked. However, the way Retief chose to get into the cases does more in the way of praising Byleveld for his police savvy without really delving deep into his ability to solve crimes. He comes across how he is - stoic, reserved, intuitive, and forceful. While the reader does learn more about his life outside of the station, this book didn't really dig deep into the mind of the detective, and didn't share any information that couldn't have been garnered from archived newspapers. It provides a look at some of the higher profile murder cases to have taken place in South Africa over the last several decades, but came across as stale in its delivery.
February 11, 2017
True South African crime stories about Piet Byleveld, one of the best detectives
May 4, 2016
A swift factual telling of the stories of some of South Africa's most notorious serial killers. Simultaneously Retief guides the reader through the rise of super cop Piet Byleveld.
For me the book does not as much highlight Byleveld's superhuman talents, as much as his drunken dedication, and his simple human passion to see justice served in a nation that has slowly begun to awaken from the dream of a "rainbow nation", to a reality of violent crime and widespread governmental incompetence.
Byleveld is accurately portrayed as an imperfect man who promised justice to the bereaved, and delivered at a profound cost. He shines like a cigarette in a dark alley. More rock than rock star, Byleveld is a national hero and proof that a humble man can make a difference in a nation of indifference.
For me the book does not as much highlight Byleveld's superhuman talents, as much as his drunken dedication, and his simple human passion to see justice served in a nation that has slowly begun to awaken from the dream of a "rainbow nation", to a reality of violent crime and widespread governmental incompetence.
Byleveld is accurately portrayed as an imperfect man who promised justice to the bereaved, and delivered at a profound cost. He shines like a cigarette in a dark alley. More rock than rock star, Byleveld is a national hero and proof that a humble man can make a difference in a nation of indifference.
April 3, 2014
So this is the book I bought from the dinner I went to with a friend. I've just got round to reading it now because my boyfriend borrowed it first. I ploughed thru it in 2 days. It was an easy and fascinating read. Honestly. I had no idea South Africa was so high up there on the Serial Killer list ... I mean we watch all these tv shows and movies set in America and I guess somehow I always associate most Serial Killers with there. But after reading this I know we could have our own tv show or movie.
Piet Byleveld has an amazing track record, I was truly impressed and, I won't lie, I'm a little nervous now that he's retired ...
After a quick browse on wikipedia, I'm a little annoyed that all the South African Serial Killers just about all seem to have their own page, but Piet Byleveld doesn't ...
Piet Byleveld has an amazing track record, I was truly impressed and, I won't lie, I'm a little nervous now that he's retired ...
After a quick browse on wikipedia, I'm a little annoyed that all the South African Serial Killers just about all seem to have their own page, but Piet Byleveld doesn't ...
May 3, 2012
Piet Byleveld, baasspeurder, oudbrigadier. Almal het al van hom gehoor en gelees. Op die boekomslag word geskryf hy 'word wêreldwyd gereken as een van die beste speurders van ons tyd'.
Die boek is nie net 'n biografie nie maar vertel ook van die sake waaraan hy gewerk het en opgelos het.
'n Deeglike speurder kom 'n mens agter terwyl jy die boek lees, terwyl hy besig is om 'n saak op te los sowel as by die hofsake. Hy het telkemale sukses behaal en geregtigheid laat geskied.
Die boek vertel ook van Piet Byleveld self, die man wat eers teologie wou gaan studeer. Van die plaas waar hy grootgeword het, sy verhouding met sy pa, sy eerste huwelik, sy aftrede en dan ook van die nuwe liefde in sy lewe en die beplande troue.
Beslis 'n baie interessante boek om te lees.
Die boek is nie net 'n biografie nie maar vertel ook van die sake waaraan hy gewerk het en opgelos het.
'n Deeglike speurder kom 'n mens agter terwyl jy die boek lees, terwyl hy besig is om 'n saak op te los sowel as by die hofsake. Hy het telkemale sukses behaal en geregtigheid laat geskied.
Die boek vertel ook van Piet Byleveld self, die man wat eers teologie wou gaan studeer. Van die plaas waar hy grootgeword het, sy verhouding met sy pa, sy eerste huwelik, sy aftrede en dan ook van die nuwe liefde in sy lewe en die beplande troue.
Beslis 'n baie interessante boek om te lees.
June 7, 2015
I liked this book. Why? Well, because local is lekker. I would give this book 3.5 stars.
It's an interesting read with a lot of insight into the old school police force in South Africa. It's a quick and easy read with well organized chapters. The cases are frighteningly scary and it is very sad to see what actually goes on on our doorstep. Yea sure this kind of thing happens every where in the world, but you don't read about it every day and to read some of the cases that took place is really eye-opening. Byleveld was a great serial murder detective and it's good to have read all the good work he did for our country. I'm definitely a fan.
Well done to the author! Good read.
It's an interesting read with a lot of insight into the old school police force in South Africa. It's a quick and easy read with well organized chapters. The cases are frighteningly scary and it is very sad to see what actually goes on on our doorstep. Yea sure this kind of thing happens every where in the world, but you don't read about it every day and to read some of the cases that took place is really eye-opening. Byleveld was a great serial murder detective and it's good to have read all the good work he did for our country. I'm definitely a fan.
Well done to the author! Good read.
March 8, 2015
3.5/5 Interesting though unsettling look at some of the key cases worked on by the renowned eponymous South African cop. There are some appalling people described within these pages. unfortunately the author is all too fond of cliche and sensationalist tricks to make the book work as a whole and the cases, while fascinating, only have a very loose biographical thread linking them. this is a great shame as Piet is a genuinely interesting and admirable man, clearly with great intelligence and integrity, and foregrounding him rather than the killers, would have worked much better. nevertheless a very interesting read while away in South Africa on holiday (hence the "unsettling"!)
November 19, 2011
4.5
This was a page turner of note!
I read Micki Pristorius's "Catch ME a killer" first and found it very interesting reading about some of the same crimes from different perspectives (the investigator and the profiler).
I did think it strange that Byleveld doesn’t mention Micki in his book but Micki mentions Byleveld...makes you wonder!?!
Anyway really good storyline, great writing!
I really, really, really hope this is not the last we hear from Byleveld and Hanlie – I’m sure Byleveld has many more case and clients we would find very interesting!
This was a page turner of note!
I read Micki Pristorius's "Catch ME a killer" first and found it very interesting reading about some of the same crimes from different perspectives (the investigator and the profiler).
I did think it strange that Byleveld doesn’t mention Micki in his book but Micki mentions Byleveld...makes you wonder!?!
Anyway really good storyline, great writing!
I really, really, really hope this is not the last we hear from Byleveld and Hanlie – I’m sure Byleveld has many more case and clients we would find very interesting!
July 16, 2012
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Many of the stories were familiar as one hears the cases progressing on the news, but here was an in depth account of how the killers were tracked down. I think SA is poorer for losing Piet Byleveld as he has retired from the police force. He iwas a magnificent and dedicated detective and well done to Hanlie Retief who put all this information into an enjoyable, albeit grim book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews