An Act of Murder

by Tom Eaton

It hasn’t been a great week for struggling actor Arnold Prinsloo. His career has hit rock bottom, he’s about to be evicted from his cottage in Melville, and worst of all, Zelda, the love of his life, has finally run out of patience and left him. But when Arnold is accused of murdering insurance billionaire JP Mulder, his problems are only just starting. Now, Arnold must tackle the greatest and most dangerous acting role of his pretending to be a hard-boiled East Rand detective in a race against time to clear his name, win back Zelda, and finally take off these way-too-tight polyester pants. The curtain is rising …

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Tom Eaton is an author, screenwriter and columnist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Since establishing himself as a satirist for the Mail&Guardian and writing the bestselling The De Villiers Code, he has worked across media and genres, from print and digital to film and television. His fourth novel will be published by Penguin Random House in 2025.

Reviews

[Alistair Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun to read. Made me laugh quite a few times. A delightful main character in Arnold Vosloo. Pure entertainment, which is not normally the kind of book I go for, but it really delivers on that and was just what I felt like. I have a soft spot for Carl Hiaasen, and it’s very cool to have a South African version of him in Tom Eaton.

[Lara Dunwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such fun to read - I laughed out loud many times, and I'm not usually a laugh-out-loud reader. The wry wit, sharp characterisation, the funny twists and turns in the plot - all had me hooked.
The main character was deeply relatable - Arnold Prinsloo *wants* to be a main character in his own life, but has been side-lined (or has a tendency to side-line himself) until the events of the novel drag him centre-stage. There are highs and lows at every turn - the author knows how to play with generic expectations in a way that reassures the reader (yes, there are cliff-hangers at the end of chapters) and yet continues to surprise (not a simple whodunnit after all).
Arnold Prinsloo sleuthed his way into my heart, led and/or/maybe mis-led by many clues, confessions and evasions. He races through the plot in exactly the way only a Tom Eaton hero could, if he were trying to clear his name, stay alive, remember his lines, keep his friendships going and win back either his landlady or his girlfriend (hopefully both).
I loved this book, couldn't recommend it more highly, and can't wait for the next one.

[Jade Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny book. Would highly recommend

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about An Act of Murder other than this—what an absolute delight of a read! Tom Eaton has crafted a cosy, comedic crime novel that’s equal parts mystery, laughter, and heart. By the time I reached the end, I felt sad that the story was over, but thrilled to know Arnold Prinsloo had sleuthed his way into my heart.

Plot Summary

Arnold Prinsloo is not having the best time. His acting career has crumbled, his relationship with Zelda (the love of his life) is in tatters, and his landlord is inches away from throwing him out of his Melville cottage. But things take a darker turn when Arnold is accused of murdering billionaire JP Mulder after partygoers see him looming over the victim’s body, weapon in hand.

With the detective on the case recovering from surgery, Arnold has just one week to prove his innocence. And what does he do? He assumes the greatest role of his career—a hard-boiled East Rand detective named Superintendent Fergus Ryan. Arnold sets out to uncover the truth, navigating suspects, clues, and chaos while trying to win back Zelda and keep his head above water.

Themes

- The Quest for Redemption: Arnold’s journey is not just about proving his innocence—it’s a chance for him to reclaim his dignity and step out of his self-pity.

- Friendship and Loyalty: With the help of his landlord, JP’s head of security, and other colourful characters, Arnold learns the true value of camaraderie and support.

- Comedy in Crisis: Eaton skilfully balances tension with humour, reminding readers that even in dire circumstances, a good laugh can make things bearable.

- Identity and Reinvention: Arnold’s transformation into “Superintendent Fergus Ryan” allows for hilarious escapades but also reflects his deeper need to reinvent himself.

What Worked For Me

- Witty Writing: Eaton’s sharp, laugh-out-loud humour had me snorting into my tea more times than I care to admit. His turn of phrase and knack for comedic timing are brilliant.

- Quirky Characters: Arnold is a deeply relatable protagonist who dreams of being the hero in his own life but keeps sidelining himself until circumstances demand otherwise. The supporting cast—Zelda, Daniel, Carmen, and many others—are equally memorable, bringing charm and chaos to the story.

- Engaging Plot: The twists and turns kept me hooked, and while I didn’t always guess the “whodunnit,” it was so much fun following Arnold as he pieced it all together.

- Unlikely Hero: Arnold’s underdog arc is incredibly satisfying to watch, with his hapless nature often turning into surprising resourcefulness.

Who Will Enjoy This Book?

If you love character-driven stories packed with wit, humour, and heart, this book is for you. Fans of cosy crime, laugh-out-loud mysteries, and endearing underdog protagonists will thoroughly enjoy An Act of Murder. It’s the kind of novel that leaves you smiling even as it keeps you guessing.

Conclusion

Tom Eaton has struck gold with An Act of Murder. It’s a book that expertly blends mystery, comedy, and charm, creating a deeply satisfying read that entertains from start to finish. Arnold’s journey from struggling actor to accidental detective is both hilarious and heartwarming, and the twists kept me on my toes until the final page.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Whether you’re looking for a gripping mystery or a good laugh, this one delivers on all fronts. I, for one, cannot wait to see what’s next for Arnold Prinsloo.

Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the chance to read this book! 

ISBN 9781776380374
Format Trade Paperback
Recommended Price R320.00
Published April 2025

[Helen Van Der Rede · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about An Act of Murder other than I absolutely loved it! As a former East-Rander, I can confidently say Eaton nailed Superintendent Fergus Ryan along with the other characters in the book. The story is about an actor - Arnold Prinsloo - who is part of the entertainment crew at billionaire JP Mulder's birthday party. The only problem is that a little later the same evening, partygoers witness Arnold looming over a very dead JP, holding what looks to be the murder weapon. Fortunately for Arnold, Lady Luck gives him the smallest of breaks. The detective assigned to his case has had to undergo surgery granting Arnold one week to solve the mystery himself. He steps into character as the East Rand detective - Superintendent Fergus Ryan - and sets out to find the real murderer.
This is the most important role he has ever had to play and, with a little bit of help from a few good friends, his landlord and JP's head of security, he succeeds.
What any description of this book can't portray is the snort-tea-through-your-nose, laugh-out-loud moments. It doesn't portray how, at first, you want to shake Arnold out of his debilitating self pity yet end up rooting for him as he moves from one murder suspect to the next, slowly unravelling one clue after another.
I am quite terrible at guessing the who-dunnits in any novel, but I'd like to think that Eaton will have you guessing until fairly close to the end. There is a satisfying finish with a little bit of a twist - this is not the last that we'll see of Arnold Prinsloo. Let's leave it at that shall we?

[Tanya Meeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold Prinsloo is having a very bad day. In fact, he’s having quite a few bad days. His career has hit the skids, his girlfriend has left him, he’s about to be thrown out of his apartment – and now he’s been accused of murdering one of the country’s wealthiest men. The only way out? Take on the greatest and most dangerous acting role of his life: becoming the hard-boiled East Rand superintendent Fergus Ryan.

An Act of Murder is a proper romp-along with Arnold as he navigates his way to finding the murderer and proving his innocence – and getting back into Zelda’s good books. A well-plotted, beautifully written cosy-crime with heart, Eaton’s deft handling of the murder, the villains, and the reveal is gripping and the end deeply satisfying.

But the real success of this book lies with how well he has imagined the cast of characters and the relationships that bind them, whether it’s the romance between Arnold and Zelda, his friendship with Daniel and Carmen, or the unexpected buddy-cop relationship he strikes up with Guys. (Also Frau Bohm, Trenton Beaverbrook & Associates, and Bordeaux Le Clercq!)

If wonderful, light-hearted, kind and funny, character-driven stories are your jam, you’ll love An Act of Murder.

[Ana Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold Prinsloo is a struggling actor whose lack of ego-management has landed him in hot water. It doesn’t help that his agent has a dubious sideline hustle… His landlady is threading eviction if his rent isn’t paid and he has nowhere to turn. Arnold’s luck takes a dramatic turn when he’s offered a gig performing at a millionaire’s birthday party. What follows is wild ride, full of dramatic twists, hilarious encounters, and a wickedly clever plot.

I devoured this book in under 24 hours, and simply didn’t see the finale coming! That’s saying something, given my usual knack for whodunnits!

The main character, Arnold, is infuriating at first. I thought he deserved every bit of trouble that came his way. But as the story unfolded, I realised he’s just a flawed good sort who needed a kick in the right direction.

Tom Eaton’s writing is compelling, witty, and engaging, making this a rare novel that I couldn’t put down. I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner!

If you’re looking for a page-turner with humour and adventure that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further. Highly recommended! 📚👏

[Louise Fincham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Eaton is a brilliant satirist. His essays and columns are in a class of their own. I was bemused to find this novel in my local bookshop. How would Mr. Eaton transition from satirist to murder mystery novelist? Extremely entertainingly and engagingly so, as it turns out. He also escapes the trap of being a South African writer relying too much on local colloquialisms to flesh out his characters and his plot. Great fun and most amusing. I hope that we see more of the intrepid Arnold Prinsloo soon.

[Melissa Attree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and immediately felt sad that it was over! I had such incredible fun reading this, the unlikely hero, the quirky and lovable supporting characters, the hilarious descriptions and turn of phrase on each page.

The journey to the big reveal kept me guessing and the twists and turns meant I was throughly entertained. A truly beautiful, fun read, I can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Act of Murder has everything - a fantastic cast of quirky characters, humour, dark humour, drama, friendship, love, a little bit of sex, Dobermans and a plot that will keep you guessing. There’s even a car chase - the world’s slowest car chase to be sure, but a car chase nonetheless. It’s an action-packed thriller that sees the hapless, bumbling Arnold Prinsloo take on the role of the tough Superintendent Fergus Ryan to solve a very cosy murder.

[Sim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read!

[Ingrid Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deftly written and enjoyable popcorn read. Congrats to the author, it deserves to do well.

[Alet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter crap! If I read the word :"heckle" one more time I'm going to be sick

[Judy Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read: I felt the tension, laughed out loud and enjoyed the characters. Fast- paced and funny.

[Cassidy Mihalik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, easy read. It’s a fab “no it was him, wait never mind she definitely did it” type of book. Perfect holiday book. Also loved the fact that it was South African!

[Don Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it mildly entertaining - Very unrealistic characters - I was relieved to get to the end

[Anne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was fun! An entertaining read from one of South Africa’s top satirists. A murder mystery with an hilariously tragic hero, Arnold Visser (not to be confused with Arnold Vosloo).

[Book club, recommended by Karen, who said she’d LOL’ed her way through it]