The Dead Don't Dance

Jungle Beat #3

by John Enright

Rumored to hold more spirits than people, the remote tropical paradise To’aga frightens many Samoan locals—but not Detective Apelu Soifua. Reeling from the loss of his young daughter, Apelu retreats to the haunted island for a self-imposed exile. He spends his days drinking, trying to ignore the ghosts in his head, and receives few visitors other than a shamanistic recluse and a pair of dedicated marine biologists conducting research.

But after a crew of surveyors arrives, Apelu makes a disturbing discovery: foreign investors plan to build a resort hotel on the coast, a project sure to destroy the To’aga coral reef and shatter the island’s peaceful way of life. When tensions rise and someone—or something—commits a gruesome murder, Apelu must force himself out of retirement to solve the case. Can the heartbroken detective navigate both modern and mystical forces to find the killer and appease the angry spirits of To’aga, in this third book of the Jungle Beat Mystery series?

Genres: Mystery

252 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2014

About the author

John Enright was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1945. After serving stints in semi-pro baseball and the Lackawanna steel mills, he earned his degree from City College of New York while working full-time at Fortune, Time, and Newsweek magazines. He later completed a master’s degree in folklore at UC-Berkeley, before devoting the 1970s to the publishing industry in New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. In 1981, he left the United States to teach at the American Samoa Community College. He spent the next twenty-six years living on the islands of the South Pacific, working for environmental, cultural, and historical resource preservation. Over the past four decades, his essays, articles, short stories, and poems have appeared in more than seventy books, anthologies, journals, periodicals, and online magazines. His collection of poems from Samoa, 14 Degrees South, won the University of the South Pacific Press’s inaugural International Literature Competition. Today, he and his wife, ceramicist Connie Payne, live in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[James Aylott · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Dead Don’t Dance” is a standard hard-boiled murder mystery detective novel that just so happens to not be set in your not so typical crime noir locale! The book’s setting Ofu, a remote island in the South Pacific territory of American Samoa is what enticed me to read this excellent novel. Having made the trek myself (3 planes and one fishing boat over two days) I have always wanted to go back there, even if it was on this occasion only via fiction. This book certainly tapped into what is a mysterious and strange part of the world! I will certainly check out some of the other books in this series and hope one day to get myself back to Ofu.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime in the South Pacific. Wonderful characters and great scenery.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen reviews that state this one can be read as a stand-alone, which is probably true, but I'd still read the others first. Phil Gigante is a great fit as narrator for the series.

As for the story here, frankly I found the first third or so rather boring, with Apelu moping around on a remote island alone, grieving for his young daughter who'd died on cancer; he blames himself for not having insisted she be treated earlier. The wife and kids are in Western Samoa with her family, except for the older boy, Senele, who comes to live with Apelu later in the story. Anyway ... once one of the pahlonghi (white American) associated with the construction crew is murdered, the action picks up, or at least we have something to go on from there. The ending is quite rushed, almost tacked on, so I didn't really get why the victims were killed specifically?

The book filled time, but if I had to describe it in a single word: grim. Between Apelu's morbid moping, and the nasty characters, it was tough to actually like reading this one. I will give Enright credit for the way he so thoroughly coveys a sense of place and culture. On to the next installment, which just came out ... though probably not right away.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortly after acquiring John Enright's “The Dead Don't Dance”, I learned it was the third book in a series about a Samoan policeman named Detective Apelu Soifua. However, I quickly discovered that it was not necessary to have a knowledge of those first two books in order to enjoy this one.

Enright's Det. Soifua is a complex soul. In some ways, he reminds me of a cross between Tony Hillerman's Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, attempting to understand the ancestors' religion and their view of the world against the “modern” aspects introduced by the Europeans and Americans. In other ways, he feels like Tom Corcoran's Key West-based Alex Rutledge, working when he must but taking it easy when not. Toss in a bit of Hamlet, mourning a family member and dealing with associated upheaval while attempting to move forward with his life.

Overall, I found the book to be a good use of my time, and I have already acquired another in the series for future reading.

RATING: 4 stars.

DISCLOSURE: This book was provided to me free of charge in a random draw; the publishers hope for a review (and probably for a positive one) but one was NOT required for receipt of the book.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Apelu Soifua leaves Tutuila, Samoa after the death of his daughter. He leaves his son with cousins and his estranged wife takes his other 2 children to her mother's village. Apelu retreats to Ofu a more primitive Samoan island and his father's ancestral home. He plans to drink, clear some of the family land to maintain ownership and recover from his sense of guilt. Part of his land is in an area that is believed to be home to ancestral ghosts and borders a reef coast National Park. When developers come to try to take over some of this land strange things happen and people begin to die. Interesting look at Samoan culture as well as a mystery. Like this series a lot.

[Suzesmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

62🎧🇦🇸AMERICAN SAMOA 🇦🇸The third instalment in the Jungle Beat Series by John Enright opens with our loveable detective in a bit of a funk. He’s left the main island of Tutuila for the remote and haunted island of To’aga. His marriage had broken up, his eldest daughter has died, so Apelu retreats to his father’s traditional land to find peace. With the arrival of unwanted and authorised surveyors, corrupt resort developers and exploitative wildlife warriors we have a story of murder and mystery. A nice development in this episode is the introduction of Apelu’s eldest son, Senele, and a kooky elderly native. Another cracker of a read, and a new part of this island nation to explore🏝#🌏📚#readingworldtour2021 #readtheworld2 #worldliterature #readingworldliterature #reading #readingwomenchallenge #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #bookstagram #booklover #book #booknerd #bibliophile #travel #travelogue #fiction #nonfiction #nonfictionreads #travelbooks #ayearofreadingaroundtheworld #americansamoa #samoan

[Nitya Iyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

If there's one thing I canNOT stand, it's a character so wrapped up in self-pity that they can barely function. I can't stand it in my real friends and I simply won't tolerate it in fiction.

However, when I managed to push past the soggy first half of the book, I finally found an interesting enough mystery and some lovely Samoan scenery and culture.

[Ann Marie C. Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series was great! Kept my interest!

[Cathy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't put it any plainer than this: I love this series, and it just keeps getting better. But I also have to admit that when I began reading The Dead Don't Dance, you could've heard my groan all over town. I don't have that many pet peeves when I read crime fiction, but one of them is my intolerance for drunks. Having this book begin with a self-pitying man trying to drink himself into oblivion filled me with dismay; however, I kept reading on the strength of the two previous books in the Jungle Beat series. I'm so glad I did because The Dead Don't Dance is the best one so far.

The mystery is a strong one, filled with native legends, strong hints of the supernatural (or is it really?), shady people up to no good, and the environmental impact one resort could have on an entire area. The mystery alone makes the book good, but there are three more things that make it wonderful.

Enright is a poet, and it shows when he describes the Samoan landscape and wildlife. The man paints with words. He has also created an excellent character in Apelu Soifua. In the previous two books, he's mostly seen as a detective with only glimpses into his family life. In The Dead Don't Dance, we see him as an investigator naturally, but we also get to see him as a father spending time with his son. It is a relationship that adds depth and a wide range of emotions-- from humor to heart-stopping fear-- to the story.

Last but certainly not least is the author's depiction of Samoan culture, family life, language, and myths. It is a culture that is still trying to survive the aftermath of World War II as well as the present-day inroads of greedy, technology-laden American and European lifestyles. I've learned so much about this place and these people from reading his books-- anything from how land ownership is dealt with to how people travel from island to island (and much more). The author's lyrical and factual evocation of Samoa enriches every part of the book it touches. Story, writing style, character, and culture all combine in John Enright's Jungle Beat mysteries to form a series that I just can't recommend highly enough.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book. It was very well written and gave me an interesting view into the lives of island people and their culture. The book was a mystery but moved rather slow for me. I also had a hard time visualizing the settings. I had an even harder time with the dialog since so much of it was in another language then explained and translated. I found the story to be a bit confusing. Just not for me. I struggled to finish it because it did not capture my attention at all. However I can see how this would appeal to a wide audience of people and the writing itself is great, I just don't happen to be in that audience.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Win Copy

After the death of his daughter, Detective Apelu Soifua returns to his To’aga roots where he is involved in a grisly murder. As outside investors makes plans to build a resort hotel on underdeveloped island which includes part of his property. Clash between some of the natives against the development does not help the situation.

We are drawn into the world where tradition still exists with tribal followings. He takes his teenage son on his journey to find solace and the roots of their heritage. The world of the past present comes together.

[Kay Roseberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our chaos

I really enjoyed the Jungle series. .The author created mysterious events that develop the story. I highlighted the philosophical inserts he puts in his characters' thoughts and conversations. When I don't want to put a book down until I finish a book; it must be a good one. I had to read all the Jungle mysteries. So, maybe you should too!. It was a refreshing setting for me. It was an honest perspective on the life of this detective. Try it you will like this Apeul character.

[Helen Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 good books

I enjoyed all 3 books in this series so far. I read mysteries but especially enjoy those in an interesting setting. This book may or may not reflect 100% authentic Samoan verbiage and culture. But it was fun and interesting. All 3 of the jungle beat books are great in that they stand on their own. Each perfectly readable with separate stories with a good central character. Nice descriptions of people, events and places.

[Jen D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best Jungle Beat book yet. I was a little worried because Apelu was really getting on my nerves in the last one (Fire Knife Dancing), and the description of how he's drinking away the guilt of his daughter's death didn't grab me. But the new location really suits him, and the death is handled well. Looking forward to the next book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting setting. I liked the book. It took me forever to finish because I was in the midst of packing and moving for about 4 weeks, so didn't read regularly. I would definitely read more from this author.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a narrative standpoint I was much more captivated by the story than in the previous 2 books in the series. I have yet to get to Ofu, and haven't heard about all the myths out there, but even after reading this book I still want to go :-)

[Melanie McKissock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series, and this is the best of the series so far, to my mind. Apelu Soifua solves a series of brutal crimes in his own, unique way, against a backdrop of island rhythms and superstitions in American Samoa.

[Nancy Cook Lauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about politics and development in Samoa, one of our island neighbors to the south. Not only was it an entertaining read, it gave me some insight into the early political underpinnings of our own former island nation.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I can adequately express my happiness with this series. The books comprise a mystery series, true, but are also a slice of life in American Samoa, with love politics and community challenges.

[Rebecca Spence]

I loved the cross cultural aspect of this book - Samoan culture featured prominently and allowed us an insight into the wealth of their culture

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and this one was very good. The characters are well written and the setting is unique.

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! This is the best Apelu Soifua mystery yet! And for me, having never had the opportunity to travel to the Manu'a Island group, this novel serves as a cool travelogue as well.

[Dlmrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also goes by the title of The Dead Don't Dance (Jungle Beat Mystery)