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Russell Quant #5
Sundowner Ubuntu
A mother's pain. A million dollars. A missing son. Desperate to right old wrongs, a new client hires Russell Quant to locate her son, Matthew, lost to her for twenty years. But can money relieve remorse?
Through good old-fashioned detective work, Russell peels away the layers of a carefully concealed life, grown from the seeds of traumatic childhood violence. Tracking Matthew's life from the schoolyard drug culture of a pleasant prairie city's underbelly to the stunning vistas, vibrant townships, and tinderbox safaris of Africa, Russell finds much more than he was looking for.
Ever adept at making both friends and foes, Quant runs a gauntlet of uncharted danger as worlds collide. Thrust into the unfamiliar role of bad guy, stymied by seemingly insurmountable distrust and base fear, Russell cuts a blistering swath through covert threats and overt bullets. But as he searches for his Canadian needle in an African haystack, the brutality escalates. Confronting his own role in the cause and effect of scars and anger, retribution and revenge, Russell Quant faces a difficult question: What happens when the prodigal son resists the return?
Through good old-fashioned detective work, Russell peels away the layers of a carefully concealed life, grown from the seeds of traumatic childhood violence. Tracking Matthew's life from the schoolyard drug culture of a pleasant prairie city's underbelly to the stunning vistas, vibrant townships, and tinderbox safaris of Africa, Russell finds much more than he was looking for.
Ever adept at making both friends and foes, Quant runs a gauntlet of uncharted danger as worlds collide. Thrust into the unfamiliar role of bad guy, stymied by seemingly insurmountable distrust and base fear, Russell cuts a blistering swath through covert threats and overt bullets. But as he searches for his Canadian needle in an African haystack, the brutality escalates. Confronting his own role in the cause and effect of scars and anger, retribution and revenge, Russell Quant faces a difficult question: What happens when the prodigal son resists the return?
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First published October 15, 2007
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287 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Bidulka
32 books248 followersAnthony Bidulka is the author of the long-running Russell Quant mystery series, two thrillers featuring Disaster Recovery Agent Adam Saint, a stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, and a stand alone mystery novel, Going to Beautiful (2023 Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel) and the Merry Bell trilogy mystery series. The third and final book in the Merry Bell trilogy, Home Fires Burn, will be released June 2025.
Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:
“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”
Reviewing the Evidence:
...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!
Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...
Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment
...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake
Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.
Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.
In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.
Anthony's Books:
The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)
Going to Beautiful (2022)
Set Free (2016)
The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)
The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).
Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:
“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”
Reviewing the Evidence:
...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!
Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...
Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment
...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake
Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.
Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.
In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.
Anthony's Books:
The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)
Going to Beautiful (2022)
Set Free (2016)
The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)
The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 20, 2012
Rating: a very very narrow full 3* of five
This is Russell Quant's fifth mystery outing.
It's not the best book in the series. It's exciting. It's got Russell in love at last. It's just not all there, exactly. Things don't hang together. Stuff that should be easy is hard for the character, because it needs to be for plot reasons, and that's just not a good sign for the future. Things that simply don't make sense are gaily skipped past, with seldom a nod at their improbability.
A hate crime committed twenty years ago has frightful consequences in the present day. Why? Dunno. So Russell can go to South Africa? Whatever.
I am concerned, Anthony Bidulka, because I see this as an incomplete book, maybe it should have been 60pp longer, and some extra time spent on motivating me to care about the criminal and also preparing me for the central love event which pretty much comes outta nowhere.
Because this is a very good idea, and it's not handled with the usual Bidulka verve. What went awry? Something did. And I will buy the next book, of course, but not the one after that if I feel I'm getting the same half-attention in that one too.
Recommended. Barely.
This is Russell Quant's fifth mystery outing.
It's not the best book in the series. It's exciting. It's got Russell in love at last. It's just not all there, exactly. Things don't hang together. Stuff that should be easy is hard for the character, because it needs to be for plot reasons, and that's just not a good sign for the future. Things that simply don't make sense are gaily skipped past, with seldom a nod at their improbability.
A hate crime committed twenty years ago has frightful consequences in the present day. Why? Dunno. So Russell can go to South Africa? Whatever.
I am concerned, Anthony Bidulka, because I see this as an incomplete book, maybe it should have been 60pp longer, and some extra time spent on motivating me to care about the criminal and also preparing me for the central love event which pretty much comes outta nowhere.
Because this is a very good idea, and it's not handled with the usual Bidulka verve. What went awry? Something did. And I will buy the next book, of course, but not the one after that if I feel I'm getting the same half-attention in that one too.
Recommended. Barely.
July 12, 2012
3.5 stars.
I like this series, because it takes me around the world and I like Russell and his friends, they always provide an interesting background to the story.
I was really really liking this story and its mystery up to 90%, then I began to feel detached from the story. There are several victims in this story and I felt that Russell was so deep into his situation that the original victim's trauma was a bit dismissed and I think it wasn't really fair. I felt that in the way the final confrontation was resolved, Russell showed just a fleeting and shallow sympathy, while I was experiencing this sadness for the "kid with a broken wing". He had just finished explaining how he flinched from every touch, he was being attacked by a dog, and I was feeling how terrified he was, even if his motivations were misguided. I was looking for a sort of rope to hold on to to be able to pass that moment, and I felt I was left alone.
I also find a bit improbable that Russell didn't verify the initial story more depthly. He gives a lot of explanations - records sealed, petty crimes, etc. - but still I couldn't believe he jumped into this case so blind.
Anyway, I enjoyed it and I have already bought the next two. The last sentence was baffling. I want to see what Russell will do.
I like this series, because it takes me around the world and I like Russell and his friends, they always provide an interesting background to the story.
I was really really liking this story and its mystery up to 90%, then I began to feel detached from the story. There are several victims in this story and I felt that Russell was so deep into his situation that the original victim's trauma was a bit dismissed and I think it wasn't really fair. I felt that in the way the final confrontation was resolved, Russell showed just a fleeting and shallow sympathy, while I was experiencing this sadness for the "kid with a broken wing". He had just finished explaining how he flinched from every touch, he was being attacked by a dog, and I was feeling how terrified he was, even if his motivations were misguided. I was looking for a sort of rope to hold on to to be able to pass that moment, and I felt I was left alone.
I also find a bit improbable that Russell didn't verify the initial story more depthly. He gives a lot of explanations - records sealed, petty crimes, etc. - but still I couldn't believe he jumped into this case so blind.
Anyway, I enjoyed it and I have already bought the next two. The last sentence was baffling. I want to see what Russell will do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2013
I cannot believe being an avid reader of mysteries, member of a gay men's book club, that I did not read this series of books, it is 3:30 am I was not able to fall asleep until I knew the ending of the story, wow, what a roller-coaster ride, I will simply need to do "my cucumber slice on my eyes" treatment today to look presentable! It was worth every minute!
What a story, cannot wait to get my hands on the whole series, what a treat to look forward to.
I also realize from finding Mr Bidulka on facebook there is a new book out, awesome, I have some catching up to do.
I hate reading the details of a mystery in a review, like giving most of the plot away is not what I like to read so I will spare you, take it from me get the book,settle in for several hours of great reading, by a CANADIAN AUTHOR! Things don't get much better.
What a story, cannot wait to get my hands on the whole series, what a treat to look forward to.
I also realize from finding Mr Bidulka on facebook there is a new book out, awesome, I have some catching up to do.
I hate reading the details of a mystery in a review, like giving most of the plot away is not what I like to read so I will spare you, take it from me get the book,settle in for several hours of great reading, by a CANADIAN AUTHOR! Things don't get much better.
June 29, 2025
I quite enjoyed the story. It's my first in this series so I'll definitely read more.
It struck a lot of feels for me since I have spent several months in SA on various trips and love the country to bits. However, as with most countries in the world right now, you may love the country but the government gives you the willies.
The author gets the flavour of Cape Town really well, so I'm assuming he's been there.
The mystery was well done, though I can't remember if we ever found out who the limping man was.
The one thing that kind of bugged me was that, on several occasions, he was upping the tension really well - and then he'd make some lame joke or comment and POOF, all the tension evaporated.
All together though, a really good read.
It struck a lot of feels for me since I have spent several months in SA on various trips and love the country to bits. However, as with most countries in the world right now, you may love the country but the government gives you the willies.
The author gets the flavour of Cape Town really well, so I'm assuming he's been there.
The mystery was well done, though I can't remember if we ever found out who the limping man was.
The one thing that kind of bugged me was that, on several occasions, he was upping the tension really well - and then he'd make some lame joke or comment and POOF, all the tension evaporated.
All together though, a really good read.
September 8, 2024
I'd love to meet Anthony Bidulka - if he's anything like Russell Quant, the protagonist in this series of detective/mysteries, he must be a fabulous fellow, fun for cocktails, canapes or coffee conversation. Although I have to think that life in Africa is a bit more complicated than what's described in this book, it was fun getting a taste. The mystery in this book had a somewhat predictable solution, although there were enough twists and turns along the way to keep me up long past bedtime, two nights in a row, reading more...and more. Its well worth the read, if just to discover the meaning of the word 'Ubuntu.'
July 3, 2021
The events are described in such a way that you feel as if you were watching a movie, sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen in a moment.
June 14, 2008
Fifth in the series on a gay private detective from Saskatchewan. The good news--he eventually travels to South Africa on a case, and from that point the cultural and geographic details as well as the plot get more interesting. The bad news--at times this author seems more eager to show off what he can do with a clever simile or seductive red herring than use the most appropriate detail or nuance to maintain tone and development of the narrative. It seems to be too self-consciously about the author's sense of himself as a writer rather than his dedication to creation of characters and cosmology--sometimes, showing off is distracting and inappropriate rather than mesmerizing. And it might have been better edited. We meet many characters briefly that are not very well developed and do not advance the storyline much.
One error particularly annoyed me--perhaps I am being too picky here, but I'll cite it as an example of what the editor should have caught in helping the author develop the book. On p. 190 in dialogue the hero/narrator makes a witty reference to the film _The African Queen_ but a dazzling international diva/female photographer doesn't get the reference so he pauses to explain it is from a film. On p. 208 he references the film again to the readers in a plot development allusion, then on p. 220, he says three characters, including the aforementioned diva, respond to immediate danger in the manner they do because they know the story of that film so well! Either the female charcater knows the film or not--that should be consistent--but an even bigger question is how many allusions do we need to that particular movie?
Russell Quant is a positive ideal detective hero for gay men in many ways and also provides a welcome Canadian perspective. It will be interesting to see where this character goes next in his private life as a major romantic conundrum was tossed in, unresolved, in the final chapter.
One error particularly annoyed me--perhaps I am being too picky here, but I'll cite it as an example of what the editor should have caught in helping the author develop the book. On p. 190 in dialogue the hero/narrator makes a witty reference to the film _The African Queen_ but a dazzling international diva/female photographer doesn't get the reference so he pauses to explain it is from a film. On p. 208 he references the film again to the readers in a plot development allusion, then on p. 220, he says three characters, including the aforementioned diva, respond to immediate danger in the manner they do because they know the story of that film so well! Either the female charcater knows the film or not--that should be consistent--but an even bigger question is how many allusions do we need to that particular movie?
Russell Quant is a positive ideal detective hero for gay men in many ways and also provides a welcome Canadian perspective. It will be interesting to see where this character goes next in his private life as a major romantic conundrum was tossed in, unresolved, in the final chapter.
August 16, 2012
One of the reasons I read this series is to figure out what the titles mean and I enjoy the mysteries as well. Russell Quant is an amusing fellow with a tongue-in-cheek approach to life and he takes on the case of a missing person that eventually takes him to South Africa, then to Botswana and finally Zambia with dragging footsteps following him all the way. The reader makes some connections long before Russell does in this particular case and I for one was less forgiving at the end.
The dragging footsteps belong to a vicious person who had no remorse as he brutally went about damaging people and needed more retribution that psychological help.
UNBUNTU - the africans believe that a community must live harmoniously together, with out the care and watchfulness of their neighbors they are nothing. If a young foolish boy steals something the community cannot let him get away with it, because that would be like stealing from every one, so the thing is always returned. If a bad thing is done to one person in the community by another a retribution is exacted in some way - unbuntu.
The dragging footsteps belong to a vicious person who had no remorse as he brutally went about damaging people and needed more retribution that psychological help.
UNBUNTU - the africans believe that a community must live harmoniously together, with out the care and watchfulness of their neighbors they are nothing. If a young foolish boy steals something the community cannot let him get away with it, because that would be like stealing from every one, so the thing is always returned. If a bad thing is done to one person in the community by another a retribution is exacted in some way - unbuntu.
July 11, 2008
The fifth book in the Russell Quant Mystery series takes us from Saskatchewan, Canada to the safari lands of Africa; driven by a mother’s regrets and a son’s desire to never be found. Even if you’ve never read a Russell Quant Mystery, you’ll feel like he’s an old friend with the candid narrative and down to earth dialogue.
The story begins with a seemingly ordinary request from a mother wanting to find the son she let slip away twenty years ago. Russell soon finds out that this particular son does not want to be found. Unfortunately for Russell, that isn’t the only mystery facing him and he finds himself and those around him in danger. Once in Africa, Russell isn’t sure if he’ll ever see Canada again.
The best thing about this book is how engaging and easy to read it is. It isn’t overly confusing and it carries the perfect amount of suspense throughout. The twists and turns are many, yet they are delivered without a sense of impatience for moving the story along. Russell’s dialogue is believable, witty, and laugh out loud funny.
The story begins with a seemingly ordinary request from a mother wanting to find the son she let slip away twenty years ago. Russell soon finds out that this particular son does not want to be found. Unfortunately for Russell, that isn’t the only mystery facing him and he finds himself and those around him in danger. Once in Africa, Russell isn’t sure if he’ll ever see Canada again.
The best thing about this book is how engaging and easy to read it is. It isn’t overly confusing and it carries the perfect amount of suspense throughout. The twists and turns are many, yet they are delivered without a sense of impatience for moving the story along. Russell’s dialogue is believable, witty, and laugh out loud funny.
January 31, 2015
True Story: I had to spend another couple of bucks to get free shipping on Amazon, so I went to the book section and spotted this one. I was just finishing up a book when it arrived so I decided to read it next. I wasn't too far into it when I learned that private detective Russell Quant was a gay man. Now, at this stage of my life, in my 68th year, I like to think of myself as pretty open minded as far as gay men go. You know, live and let live. Still, you're not apt to find me in the Gay Literature section of Barnes & Noble. So, when Russell Quant started mugging it up with his boyfriend Alex Canyon, I actually considered tossing the book aside and starting something else. But, I decided to stick with it. And I'm glad I did. It was an interesting story in many ways, spattered with humor, and with no more sex than any novel focusing on straight people.
January 18, 2016
I discovered Anthony Bidulka's Russell Quant series, about a gay private investigator who lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The first one had me hooked as I loved the setting, characters and plot. There was plenty of action to go around.
With Sundowner Ubuntu, I was provided with an added bonus of a trip to Africa a setting I always love. Quant is given the task of finding a client's estranged son. This boy was in quite a bit of trouble as a teenager and his father disowned him. After the father dies leaving the mother a wealthy woman she wants to reconnect with him.
What makes this series stand out is there are plenty of twists and turns which keeps the reader guessing. I would gladly recommend them for a mystery lover.
With Sundowner Ubuntu, I was provided with an added bonus of a trip to Africa a setting I always love. Quant is given the task of finding a client's estranged son. This boy was in quite a bit of trouble as a teenager and his father disowned him. After the father dies leaving the mother a wealthy woman she wants to reconnect with him.
What makes this series stand out is there are plenty of twists and turns which keeps the reader guessing. I would gladly recommend them for a mystery lover.
July 16, 2010
Fifth book in the series and although the mystery is interesting (it did manage to surprise me twice) the overall pace of the plot and character development is like watching paint dry. It's not that I don't love Russell and his circle of friends and foes, it's that the book read like it was stuck on the slow path. I have no idea what is giving me this impression, still I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens to the characters.
January 13, 2011
Read for bookclub but I kinda enjoyed this far fetched mystery for its funny, very sarcastic and colloquial dialogue--that is until the very last sentence of this book. Now I'm not to sure if I should continue reading this series to find out what that was all about or I should get out while I still can. Hmmm...
Oh, the other thing I really liked about it was the fact that the mystery is set in Saskatchewan and I could picture many of the places that the action took place in.
Oh, the other thing I really liked about it was the fact that the mystery is set in Saskatchewan and I could picture many of the places that the action took place in.
June 17, 2013
I received this book through a good reads giveaway. I found the book an easy read but did not keep my attention. I also found that the story line was a bit far fetched, starting In canada with a missing persons (that went missing 20 years ago after he was put Into reform school), continuing in Africa and then back to canada. The only thing I did like is the fact that part of it was based in canada.
June 15, 2013
I enjoyed the book. It was well written and kept my attention. This is a Russell Quant mystery and Quant is a private eye who lives in Saskatoon Canada, and he has 2 dogs and a house and a housemate and he is hired by an older woman to find her son whom she has had no contact with for 20 years and the trail takes Quant to several towns in Canada and Africa and back home again.
Frank
Frank
October 27, 2013
I thought this one was a bit stronger a mystery than the few before it. Very sad about how much character development takes place in between the books, though.
WARNING: there is animal harm in this book ().
WARNING: there is animal harm in this book ().
May 12, 2012
I stumbled on the Russel Quant series by accident, but I am soo happy I did. This series is amazing. The gay PI, even though the gay aspect is really minor. It is funny writing, captivating reading that I cannot put down. I love all the caracters of his story: Jared, Anthony, Sereena, Barbra,...
February 13, 2014
This one left me with mixed feelings... so many things I feel it doesn't quite fit, but overall I liked it.
And well, Russell, you have to be more carefull... now that you've meet a good boy to take home and meet mom, you almost got him killed!
And well, Russell, you have to be more carefull... now that you've meet a good boy to take home and meet mom, you almost got him killed!
November 8, 2014
Bidulka doesn't disappoint in this next adventure of Quant and his private detective work. A little disappointed to see Sereena back in the picture...thought she was gone. Good development of relationships and plenty of cliff hangers! http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
September 14, 2011
I love this guy! Read them in order, but read them...
November 4, 2013
cute mystery
October 23, 2011
Full of twists. Love in the air with the hunky boyfriend. Love the scenarios, Africa didn't look as good as it does now to me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews