Finding Maubee

by A.H.Z. Carr

A calypso, a favorite of St. Caro's street bands, went as follows:

Let us tell you the story of David Maubee,
Who sought for a life of tranquilitee.
He had to pay money to eight different women,
SO now he robs tourists wile they are swimmin'.
He have found the way of life which is safest and surest--
Like all of us here he live on the tourist.

Did one of the tourists Maubee "lived" on die by his hand? Xavier Brooke, a good policeman and a friend, has to find out. The whole island of St. Caro is against him.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

222 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Albert H. Z. Carr was a consulting economist for several major corporations, an economic adviser to the Roosevelt presidency, and a consultant to the Truman presidency. Carr authored several books, and his writing appeared in Harper’s, The Saturday Evening Post, and Reader’s Digest.

Reviews

[Antonella Imperiali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Da una Nota alla fine del racconto:
Con «Arrestate David Maubee», Carr si è tolto la soddisfazione di scrivere l’unico giallo della sua vita e di vincere nello stesso tempo uno dei premi più prestigiosi assegnati annualmente dai Mystery Writers of America.
[Premio Edgar Allan Poe per la migliore opera prima, 1972]

Una piccola isola dei Caraibi, hotel da sogno, mare, spiaggia, villaggi, porticcioli ed insenature, piccole alture da cui godere panorami mozzafiato. Ambientazione perfetta per le vacanze, ma anche per un delitto, magari due, che - anche a causa di attriti fra nativi e turisti - è facile attribuire ad un uomo, il David Maubee del titolo. Nero, giovane, bello, fa impazzire tutte le donne e alle donne non sa dire di no.
Troppo facile...

L’idea non è male, la trama c’è, i colpi di scena non mancano, le usanze e i riti magici colorano e rendono più interessante lo scenario, ma la scrittura piuttosto elementare, quasi atona, rende il racconto un po’ piatto.
Peccato, speravo in qualcosa di più dinamico.

2,5/5


🌎 LdM: Caraibi

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on a Caribbean Island under American governance, Finding Maubee follows the native police chief as he works to solve a tourist's murder. The portrait of a culture that hasn't (yet) been marred by American politics and money--though they are present, is well drawn and ironic. The character of the self-controlled and clever hero, along with his relationship with his wife, have interesting and sometimes unexpected elements. The mystery itself is satisfyingly complicated, with red herrings strewn across the path all the way to the end.

[Kbg503 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very big fan of the movie "The Mighty Quinn", so it took me awhile not to keep looking at how the novel and the screenplay differed and to just enjoy a nice detective story. Even though the setting is made up, it's interesting to read about island culture, the tourism industy, race relations, government, and voodoo.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly intelligent Afro-Caribbean cop must solve an obeah-linked murder on an island paradise.
Edgar Award for Best First Novel (1972); A Garland Classic of Crime Fiction.

[Bruna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insolito e divertente giallo caraibico, la storia del fuorilegge Maubee, al quale il simpatico investigatore protagonista del libro deve dar la caccia, pur credendolo innocente dell'omicidio di cui viene accusato, anticipa le atmosfere di un recente e gradevole telefilm franco-britannico, noto in Italia come "Delitti in Paradiso".

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved my trip to the Caribean. Will look for more of his books.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: David Maubee lives on St. Caro's where he robs tourists. One of them dies. Policeman Xavier Brooke has to find out if Maubee did it.