City of Blood

by M.D. Villiers

A story of survival, revenge and ultimately, redemption, City of Blood marks the arrival of a fresh new voice in crime fiction.
     Siphiwe, a nineteen year old orphan dreaming of a better life for himself and his adoptive family, is haunted by memories of the brutal murder of his elder brother. When a woman is stabbed on the street in front of him, Siphiwe rushes to her aid, desperate to stop history repeating itself, but in doing so unwittingly crosses the paths of two very dangerous men.

     McCarthy Letswe, notorious crime lord, has returned home to Johannesburg after several years in exile, determined to wreak his revenge on Abaju, the Nigerian gangster responsible for Letswe's forced departure. Awaiting Letswe is his beautiful girlfriend Lucille, and Progress Zebele, an ambitious man determined to do whatever it takes to impress his new boss. Siphiwe's actions have set him on a collision course with Letswe and Abaju, and as the violence on the streets intensifies, and the danger to those he loves most increases, Siphiwe is soon forced to seek help amongst criminals and police alike.

     A story of survival, revenge and ultimately, redemption, told in prose which is deceptively simple and utterly compelling, City of Blood marks the arrival of a fresh new voice in crime fiction.

Genres: Africa, Crime, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2013

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems a tough gig being a modern day crime writer. Picked this up randomly from a second hand pile, still with tell take stickers that the author had won the (maybe pre-Pandemic) prize of national book chain '3 for 2' promotion in its time. A guarantee for sales, but an author that does not seem to have been heard of again, despite the one time promotion.

I was intrigued by the Joburg setting, it's promise of street Tsotsis, racially compromised policing, corruption and Nigerian drug gang horrors. And the city is the star, the great African city with the deepest mine in the world within its borders the nightmare of Ponte City, it's street life and random violence.

But with its slightly clumsy POV switches, it's street characters deserting what must be unbelievable street smarts to excel in such a world, it gets lost amongst all the great contemporary voices in this genre, to be an adequate read only.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The person who recommended this book to me said that he didn't quite find the premise or the violence plausible, but I didn't have the same reaction. It was an interesting portrayal of life on the edges (both class-wise and crime-wise) of South Africa post-apartheid. In some ways it was (for me, at least) reminiscent of much of Coetzee, though (of course) not nearly as literary in its style.

[Maryam Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book in all its glory has not just shown me the brutalities of the Johannesburg streets but more how the people in those streets endure and remain optimistic with causes for harm right around the corner. The main character, an orphaned boy due to the lost of his family, runs from the trauma and is taken care of in a shelter. His trauma and past soon catches up with him like the circle of life, except this time he finishes it off and does not run away, like Simba in the Lion King.
Drugs and murder are evident in the streets with the rise of social ills like xenophobia. It is a constant theme in the book as it revolves around two gangs trying to reclaim the streets while our lead character is in the middle. We also see a side-view of the psychology of the policemen and women in all of this. How they get by with gangs and drug lords taking over and the citizens not trusting them as they should be trusted. People in this book are more scared of the gangs than the police, and it is understandable if killings are shown by gangs in broad daylight for citizens to see and showing off their power. We further see, the undying young people in all of this and how their mentality of what is right and wrong is affected.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gritty thriller in, for me, a new setting. I usually prefer thrillers based in the UK but this drew me in from the start, into the dark side of South Africa. A dark side with a story of hope flung in. As the blurb says on the back, neither the police nor the villains can be fully trusted. A coming of age tale written in a dangerous setting.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 ☆

"[...] for every hand raised in anger, for every bullet fired from a gun, for every drop of blood spilled on the soil of this land, there was someone crying. A mother, or a grandmother."

[Kerrie Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a little lost at the beginning of this. But, I swiftly picked up what was going on. All in all, I enjoyed it. Great storyline.

[Clare Grové · Rating 2 out of 5]

V for Villiers
2022 alphabet-of-african-authors

[placeholder notes …
Shift in narrator
Unresolved narrative
Disconnect between intended voice and content
…]

[Parvati Rotherham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite violent as you would expect from the title. A interesting, well written read giving you an insight into South Africa and it's troubles

[Estie Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Blood is an amazing story of a 19 year old South African, called Simphiwe, who got caught up in the violent world of crime in Johannesburg, trying to do good.

Martie de Villiers a South African living in London published her 1st book through Harville Secker in the UK, EU Countries, Canada and SA. The book was released on 9 May 2013. Her book City of Blood is receiving amazing reviews.
Martie went to London 9 years ago with the dream to publish a book in the UK. She was on the shortlist for the “Dagger Crime Writers Award” in 2009 but could still not find a publisher. In 2012 her fortune turned and her book “City of Blood” was accepted by Harville Secker. This is a South Africa Story about a 19 year old boy caught up in a word of violence and crime in Johannesburg.
She was interviewed by the BBC 4 Radio Program Front Row on Wednesday 8 May 2013, with excellent comments.
Please follow the link below to read tone of the reviews.
There is also a fantastic review in the May newsletter from crime website Shots magazine:http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/column_view... The editor Mike Ripley calls City of Blood a ‘stunning first novel’ and ‘a superior piece of work and proof, if further proof was needed, that South Africa is now a major player on the international crime writing scene’.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Blood, is a gritty novel that took me down onto the streets of Johannesburg, where warlords feud, and death is all around. Villiers really brings to life the city in all it's violent detail, and through the eyes of Siphiwe we see how temperamental the balance of power between the warring factions is.

The writing style is simple, clinical and at times cold which reflects the blasé attitude many citizens in the novel have towards death. It is quite shocking how prevalent crime is, and this really ramps up the tension, and makes you fear for all the characters.

In genre it is a satisfying blend of crime and memoir, as Siphewe struggles with events in the past, and battles to ensure the futures of himself and those dear to him. I found it hard to not read this book in every spare moment, a thrilling, action packed story, that maintains tension throughout. I just wish the ending wasn't so abrupt, the rush to the finale didn't do justice to the rest of the narrative.

[s st clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying reading this story set in post apartheid South Africa. The central character Siphiwe is nineteen, living in a charity home; both traumatised by and humanised by the tragic death of his brother. The complexities and consequences of this dynamic and what it means for Siphiwe as he interacts with both the local crime masters and the police are skilfully laid out for the reader.

[Martin Waight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very engaging read with excellent descriptions of South African life written in an easy style. I liked the book and would read more from the author.

I was provided with an advance copy of the book from NetGalley and am grateful for them giving me a chance to read this new novel.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Definitely a bit on the violent side, but an excellent portrayal of how gang culture is perpetuated from generation to generation. Even though it's set in South Africa -- where I've never been -- I felt a deep interest in the characters and the details of their lives.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly atmospheric, really enjoyed it

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very violent story set in post-apartheid Johannesburg well written and very exciting. The characters were well drawn and gained your sympathy.