The Fig Tree Murder

Mamur Zapt #10

by Michael Pearce

Michael Pearce's tenth irresistible adventure for Colonial Egypt's the Mamur Zapt is fresh, funny, and "Still as fertile as your favourite oasis." Inevitably, as the tide of Nationalism sweeps the British Protectorate towards the realities of the dawning Twentieth Century, New Egypt is eroding the ways of the Old. But, as Gareth Owen, head of Cairo's Secret Police well knows, "The Old Egypt had a habit of rising up every so often and giving the New an almighty kick in the teeth." It's called the Tree of the Virgin. It's a sycamore, actually, not the English sort but the Egyptian, a species of fig. The tree is a site of religious interest, said to be a spot where the Virgin Mary hid herself from Herod's soldiers in its branches. Or perhaps the Virgin and Child rested there on their flight into Egypt. Whatever, it's perilously close to the gash being cut for the new electric railway running out of Cairo to the New Helipolis being built in the suburbs. Sinister power groups are jostling for position, but who dumped the body of the humble villager on the track? Was it mere chance? Had the victim been caught up in a traditional revenge killing? Or did someone want to halt construction? The Mamur Zapt, adept in picking his way through the local and national power structures, refers the removal of the body to committee. But, he has to ask, what is the significance of the Fig Tree? Does it matter that the caravans for Mecca gather only a mile or so away? And what of the ostrich that passed in the night?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Egypt, Crime, Murder Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. He returned there later to teach, and retains a human rights interest in the area. He retired from his academic post to write full time.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt series is one of my favorites. Set in early 20th Century Egypt, it fascinates me, not least because of Pearce's wit and intimate knowledge of the intersection of politics, culture, power and religion during this period. This tenth novel is a weaker entrant, but still a treat. Just don't start here if you haven't read several of the others.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sand gets everywhere while we are out and about with Owen and Mahmoud in the countryside looking for Ostrich, tracks, interesting conversation with the girl’s, gambling in religious law while riding donkeys, not camels, across the sands under the Egyptian sun.
Another fun frolick featuring the Cairo of with old landmarks, history, culture thrown in.
Enjoyable listen, thank you Michael Pearce for your words, much appreciated. :-)

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a quick read while waiting for my next book club book to arrive and this certainly fitted the bill. Witty, quick and entertaining - part of a series so I probably missed some of the nods to earlier stories but all in all, a good read.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series for its wry view of Egypt under British 'rule' in the early 1900's. This has all the political upheaval: native vs foreigner, rich vs poor, Copt vs Muslim, city vs country - all portrayed with humor. Added features for this book: ostriches and a (dead?) tree.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. A combination of social observation of how silly humans can be, wrapped around a basic police procedural.

I think I've read three or four of the Mamur Zapt series now, and I'll buy them whenever they appear on my radar.

[Keith Broz]

Good book.

[Sacha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an interesting way of telling a story, mainly through dialogue. If the book was longer I might not have stuck with it, as it only peaked my interest slightly. The ending disappointed me.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A work out of time, more to come.

[Amanda Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun but i got increasingly annoyed by the formatting. Would it be so bad to leave a gap or indicate a new section on some way when we move forward in time or change location?

[Debra]

Egypt circa 1910: "The Nationalist Party was predominantly secular. They were a modernizing party and modernizing, for many of them meant sweeping away much of the influence of the Church. Which the Church knew very well. The imam would have spotted this tactic a mile off. Even so, thought Owen, it might be worth keeping an eye on how successful the tactic was. Ordinary people might be less discriminating than the imam and if the Nationalists could add religious fervor to popular hostility then they could make a lot of trouble."

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting of colonial Egypt is fascinating, the plot adequate, but the characters didn't thrill me. I would probably read more in the series, as I expect the characters would grow on me over time. Part of the reason they didn't thrill me all that much was that the characterization is pretty spare. I also think that I might rather view this period through the eyes of an Egyptian, rather than through the eyes of a British official. But it's still an interesting look at this time period.

[Liz V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Belgian consortium is building a town out in the desert. The Mamur Zapt visits to see the tennis courts, just in time to come across a body near the railway. Though it seems to be a matter for the investigating Parquet, the consortium is concerned about the delay and the Copts, French and Muslims are fighting over a fig tree believed to be the spot where the Virgin Mary rested on the escape from Herod. So once again, the Mamur Zapt is embroiled in the investigation of murder.

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious performance by Bill Wallis, who manages the whiny "effendi, effendi" of the villagers to Zeinab's cold disdain to Owen's usual (and sometimes emotional) ride of confusion, stress, and clarity. I never want this series to end.

[Regine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry.

[Conny W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ein humorvoll geschriebener Krimi, über Ägypten in der Zeit der colonialen Spätphase.