The Last Cut

Mamur Zapt #11

by Michael Pearce

For millennia, Egypt has depended upon the waters of the Nile. Its annual floods fertilize the land. By the time Britain extends its dominion over Egypt, the Cairo Barrage is the key to control, its name taken from the French term meaning a dam or irrigation channel designed to increase a river's depth or to divert its flow. An attempt to blow up the Manufiyah regulator in the Barrage is not a petty matter. Gareth Owen, The Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo's Secret Police, is hurriedly summoned. He hasn't a clue what a regulator is. Nor can he identify the mysterious Lizard Man who seems to have a grudge against the whole Egyptian irrigation system. But he does know that the ceremonial cutting of the temporary dam thrown up each year across the mouth of the Khalig Canal restarts the whole irrigation cycle, allowing water to pour through the canal and signal the opening of dams all across the land. The cut will require policing. Especially as it is going to be the last cut before the canal is filled in. While this modernization will wipe out a health hazard, the Cairenes love the party that goes with the cut. They are less than happy with the dam. Things grow worse when a young woman's body is discovered at the site. Owen has to say it's extremely embarrassing. Is this the traditional ritual sacrifice? Or a sign of sabotage? A diversion? Or just plain murder?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Egypt, Fiction, Historical Mystery

210 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Berengaria · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Original English title:The Last Cut

shortish review for busy readers
Sometimes I just need to spend a little mental time in Egypt. Usually that's Pharaonic Egypt, but in a pinch, Victorian/Edwardian will do, too.

This novel, however, is more a discussion of the cultural climate in 1908 in Cairo, when the British were in charge and modernising the country at a rapid rate, than a juicy mystery.

The cosy plot is largely built on the thematic joining together of two cultural phenomenon: the final ritual breaking of an irrigation dam to make way for a modern water pipe system and the practice of female circumcision. (Get it: cutting)

While these two topics are dealt with in depth, so highly educational, the rest of the book is extremely thin.

No year is given; the reader is expected to know who the characters are already; the story starts virtually in media res or where a previous book left off; most of the focus is on the Egyptians as seen by the British, but virtually no view of the British or the colonial gov on themselves.

The use of superstition and the magical beliefs of the (modern) Egyptians as humour was also somewhat problematic.

In general, good on the culture, but substandard otherwise. An average 2.5.

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lizard Man meets Nile Maiden." - Paul

I prefer my Mamur Zapt with more Zeinab. I love Owen, but - Zeinab. I was pleasantly surprised to see the discussion/uproar over female circumcision, which I never suspected to be an issue, regardless of setting, and for several male characters, even natives, to be against the practice. The Lizard Man business was hysterical. This series doesn't get near enough attention, unless there is some cult following I'm missing. I'm just lucky a patron at work mentioned it to me - a rather annoying patron but with irregular insight - and obviously, I'm hooked. I hope Pearce never stops writing installments of this fantastic story.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember how or why I got started on this series (probably recommended because I love Amelia Peabody and her adventures in Egypt and these are also set in Egypt) but I'm glad I did. Obviously, you'd never pick one up just because of the cover. (This one is particularly terrible!)

Great, atmospheric little turn of the 20th century mystery set in Egypt. The Mamur Zapt (Owen) does his thing and all his friends do theirs. (Could have used a bit more Zeinab.)

Trigger warning: the mystery does contain a plotline related to the practice of female circumcision and the characters react in various ways to the issue.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a country where the desert constantly impinges on the fertile areas, water is a source of continual strife. Dams have allowed a measure of control and tripled the growing season, but water borne diseases have thrived, necessitating the filling in of irrigation channels as clean water can be piped in. Such changes are, however, not universally welcomed, as the Mamur Zapt realizes when the gate of a dam is damaged and a women's body is found in the cut due to be filled. Rumors are rampant, creating tension amongst religious groups and bringing women's lack of rights to the fore.

[Keith Broz]

Good book.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take exotic Cairo, drop in several interesting characters for a strong, enjoyable mystery.

Author Michael Pearce grew up in Sudan and has a deep understanding of Egypt and that part of the Middle East. Given today’s difficulties, this novel has much to teach us. Add to that some interesting characters an, intriguing tradition-bound activity as well as some bizarre practices, and you have all the makings of a fine novel.

Gareth Owen is the Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo’s secret police in an earlier era. As such Owen is responsible for maintaining the peace between competing religious groups and classes in the turbulent city. It is a time before modern transportation, a time of British rule, a time when the ritual annual flooding of the rich delta farm lands by the swollen Nile is a venerated and celebrated event.

When the river reaches it peak at the head of the delta after Spring rains, an earthen dam is breached in a carefully orchestrated event. The waters of the Nile roar down a canal through the city, signaling the opening of dams all along the waterways. Each year, the ritual of the preparation is handled by a different group of laborers, one year by the Jews, the next by Arabs. Because this is to be the last year of this canal flooding, there is contention as to which group should make the final cut. There are other rituals but in the days just before the cutting, the body of a young unmarried girl is found in the canal and one of the regulator gates in the diversion dam at the north edge of the city is damaged by sabotage. Was she murdered or did she die of a different kind of cut, ritual female circumcision. Are the two events connected? Was the dynamiting a political act of sabotage?

In addition to trying to ferret out answers to these questions, the Mamur Zapt must try to quell unrest, find the dam bomber and help identify a possible murderer. The twists and turns rival the alleys and streets of an African souk in their unregulated and demented-appearing mazes. The more Owen discovers the more layers are revealed to him. In the end, although readers will have to pay attention, all the important pieces and players are identified and laid in their proper place in this intriguing and enjoyable novel of dusty, hot, turbulent Egypt.

[Tbfrank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rich in detail about early 20th century Cairo and Egypt; story was well plotted; style is average.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like history and exotic locales for your entertainment any of the Michael Pearce mysteries are a must read.

[Regine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overworked metaphor "Bride of the Nile."

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful with its sparkling and scintillating dialogue... and the two Scots are marvellous