The History of Blood

Col Vaughn de Vries #3

by Paul Mendelson

When the South African Police Service receive a panicked call for help from the wayward daughter of a former Apartheid-era politician, they discover only her body but, within it, a message which will take Colonel Vaughn de Vries and Don February of the Special Crimes Unit on a journey through their country - and their country's past - to decipher and resolve.

As organised crime grips South Africa, new players arrive in Cape Town, determined to exploit the poor and hopeless, promising redemption. While other government agencies snap impotently at the small fish, De Vries, linked by a personal connection, resolves to follow this trail to its source and take it down from the top. As decades old webs of corruption and influence are exposed, and the boundaries of morality blur, his decisions begin to impact on his friends, colleagues and family.

Shortlisted for the Crime Writer's Association Gold Dagger 2014 (Crime Novel of the Year)

Praise for Paul Mendelson:

'An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting . . . the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both' Lee Child

'Mendelson is fast becoming a worthy rival to Deon Meyer . . . raw and atmospheric' The Times

'Mendelson plots so smoothly and writes so powerfully' The Guardian

'A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld' Philip Glenister

'The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction' Brian McGilloway

Genres: Crime

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2016

About the author

Paul Mendelson wrote stories at school when he should have been doing other things, but went on to become the, then, youngest ever playwright performed at the National Theatre, with his play, "You're Quite Safe With Me". This was followed by further work for theatre and, briefly, for television.

For twenty years, Paul has written on mind sports, such as bridge, poker and casino games, becoming the UK's best-selling author within his genre. He has contributed to magazines and newspapers worldwide, has a weekly bridge column in the Financial Times, and also writes interviews and features.

His debut crime novel, "The First Rule of Survival" was published in 2014, making the short-list of the CWA Golden Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year.
His second novel, "The Serpentine Road" was short-listed for several awards, including the CWA Gold Dagger again - an almost unheard of achievement - and received great acclaim in South Africa where it's political elements chimed with many that were in the news at the time.
Book 3, "The History of Blood" was published in July 2016, receiving accolades from reviewers in the national press in the UK, Eire and South Africa. It has been chosen as a Recommended Summer Read, Thriller of the Week and Thriller of the Month.
"Apostle Lodge" is his fourth novel set in Southern Africa, released for export on November 2017 and in the UK in February 2018, and it has received plaudits from around the world, hitting the top-ten Bestseller List in South Africa throughout the Christmas period.
Mendelson's fifth novel is set in England with a new detective.

Paul's novels now appear as audio books, Large Print books, and have been translated into French and German, with more languages to come, including Afrikaans (for the huge crime reading market in South Africa)

Each of the novels in the Vaughn de Vries series are set in Southern Africa, the novels allowing Paul's creative writing once again to come to the fore, and providing the perfect excuse to return to his beloved Cape Town to gain inspiration and time to write.

Paul lives in London (and, sometimes, Cape Town) with his two and four-legged family.

Reviews

[Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never read a crime thriller set in South Africa before and being really quite unenlightened about the specifics of how dismantling apartheid affected the police force of the nation, I was a little uncertain if this novel would be for me. Thankfully, in the hands of author Paul Mendelson I had the ideal guide with his masterful approach to storytelling and his ability to educate the layman in the history and politics of a fascinating country. The History of Blood is a powerful crime thriller, with a palpable sense of danger and the knowledge that this is not the stuff of merely fiction, but rather an all too sinister depiction of the corruption which runs rife through a nation.

This is the third in the series featuring Colonel Vaughn de Vries and his colleagues at the Special Crimes Unit and by virtue of a half page authors note, Mendelson manages to make light work of explaining the changes to the force since the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994. The dismantling of apartheid left every area of society touched by the changes and repercussions which resonated through the nation. Many regarded apartheid simply as a transitioning, or rather giving away, of power from the Nats to the ANC. One of the first things this led to was the removal of the military style rank structure within the police force and in becoming the SAPS of the modern day, the difficulties facing Afrikaners officers were magnified. From the passing over for promotion to the excessive scrutiny which officers were placed under, the new underdogs fighting against being marginalised are the white Afrikaners. That the Special Crimes Unit is seen as one of the last vestiges of the apartheid regime, having maintained their position in the SAPs despite the changes of the past twenty years irks many. Detractors are keen to discredit them and the team are only too well aware that the powers that be are just waiting for an excuse to take down what is viewed as the final bastion of white only privilege. Multiracial, interdepartmental cooperation is the new way of things and as de Vries states, "is there another country where everything, absolutely everything, is political?"

Set primarily in Cape Town at the end of 2015, when Colonel Vaughn de Vries is called to a seedy hotel which rents rooms by the hour he wonders why a seemingly straightforward suicide has triggered a Special Crimes Unit call out. On getting to the hotel he discovers that the victim is Chantal Adam, daughter of an apartheid era politician who was assassinated in 1994. Chantal was adopted by her uncle, Charles Adam, and lived a life of privilege culminating in a glamorous modelling career which saw her move to America only to very swiftly fall from grace as she fell into a drug fuelled scene which has seen her return to her home country a shadow of her former self. Crucially, why has Chantal called the police reporting she was being held prisoner in the motel only to then commit suicide? After discovering that the victims actions were deliberate and her suicide just that, the post mortem reveals that her body holds the secrets, with a stomach full of condoms containing 120 grams of pure cocaine and a message intended to be found after her death. As the situation begins to look more sinister, with links to the sex trade, human trafficking and a twenty-two year old murder, investigations get rather too close to some of those in the highest echelons of power. That de Vries has a tenuous personal connection to the victim through his daughters schooling is not lost on him, as he considers how vulnerable his own two girls are. With the added complication of a female colleague set on honey-trapping de Vries, things are never easy for our man!

Director of Special Crimes Unit, Brigadier Henrik du Toit is everything that de Vries is not; diplomatic, political and media-savvy and whilst he might not like de Vries methods he knows their ambitions are united in seeing justice dispensed. De Vries is a man to whom pleasantries are anathema and is both hot-headed and unafraid to challenge superiors. Warrant Officer Don February is the man whom du Toit trusts to moderate the aggression of de Vries and as a black university educated officer he is quiet and diligent and the two make a rather unique combination which pays dividends.

The History of Blood is a powerful, impressive and thought-provoking read and served as a wonderful introduction to this series. Indeed, Mendelson is to be commended with how well he has weaved a tale of corruption and revenge with a history of a country. An educating and enlightening read, all the more explosive as the subject matter and story it tells is unedifyingly realistic take with profound consequences. Set against the rugged coastline, rolling hills and the oppressive and unrelenting humidity, Mendelson manages to deliver not only a political story but an atmospheric and all consuming study of a society struggling to overcome the shackles of its past. The History of Blood also serves as a timely reminder of the extent to the injustices which have blighted a nation.

Although I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway and was a newcomer to the series I found it such an enlightening and engrossing experience that I have since ordered the first two novels in the series and intend to read future outings. As the old South Africa collides with the optimism of the post-Apartheid changes in Colonel Vaughn de Vries, Mendelson has created an icon who stands head and shoulders above the petty racial and social tensions which have beleaguered the SAPS. Willing to give a no holds barred view on the politically correct changes, de Vries has no time for the bureaucracy which has stifled the boundaries of justice. The History of Blood is a novel which packs a real punch and shows that the woes of a nations history are far from easy to move on from. Very highly recommended.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonel de Vries is the lead investigator for the Serious Crimes Unit in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a white career police officer at a time of momumental change in his country where the old order has been replaced by positive discrimination towards the indigenous peoples of the country.
When the daughter of a formally influential white politician calls the Police Service for help saying she's been kidnapped; they tace her to a seedy hotel more frequented by pimps and prostitutes.
However, the response is too late; Chantel Adam is dead, possibly at her own hand. The questions are many the answers too few. Vaughn de Vrais is unhappy to accept it as a suicide as she was known to him and in her death he sees the potential for life as she was the same age as one of his own daughters. Why would she ask for help and then kill herself. He finds she was being used to swallow drugs and take them to the Asia but amid the packets of drugs is a note from her saying she cannot go home.
A police procedural with serious issues as a political thriller set in the steamy world of a new South Africa. Where being a white officer his work is scrutinised and his motivations often questioned.
I love the tenancity of de Vries in his approach to solving this case; I enjoy the way he commends respect from others but clearly has weaknesses and characters flaws but above all he sees his job as a personal crucade with no social, political or ethnic constraints. He takes up a case as a personal crusade, determined to find all the answers before it is closed.
This often brings him into conflict with his superiors and when the villians use threats and intimidation it is met with an opposing force. However, when his own are threatened he appears close to breaking himself and at a lose for friends and a means to keep his loved one's safe.
An incredible novel that takes the reader out of Cape Town, into the coastal southern cape across to Kruger Park and into Tanzania.
It shows the worst in human nature towards young women, endangered wildlife and anyone who threatens their livelihood. Mendleson stirs the pot of South African politics and identifies corruption and collusion within a society that holds up so much hope.
In the end it is just a wonderful backdrop to an age old story. How the events of one day in history can still cause ripples and destruction further down the generational timeline.
I have enjoyed all three novel by this author and commend them to all who like original crime stories and political thrillers.

[Wal.li · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zanzibar

Eine verzweifelte junge Frau ruft bei der Polizei an. Wenig später wird sie tot in einem heruntergekommenen Motel aufgefunden. Sie war eine Schulfreundin von Colonel de Vries Tochter und startete vor einigen Jahren voller Hoffnung in die USA. Nun war sie zurück in Südafrika desillusioniert und krank. Was hat zu ihrem frühen Tod geführt? Gemeinsam mit der örtlichen Kollegin entdeckt Vaughn de Vries, dass die Tote von weiteren Personen zum Motel gebracht wurde. Möglicherweise haben diese noch weitere junge Frauen rekrutiert, denen vielleicht noch geholfen werden kann. Übereifrig bringt die neue Kollegin die Untersuchung und sich selbst in Gefahr.

Die Nachwirkungen der Apartheid in Südafrika noch lange nicht überwunden. Wie Pendel bewegen sich gesellschaftliche Gegebenheiten von einem Extrem ins andere bevor sie sich in der Mitte auspendeln. So erfahren die weißen Polizeioffiziere, dass ihre Karrieren nicht gefördert werden. Zum einen vielleicht und hoffentlich eine heilsame Erfahrung, zum anderen aber eher mies, wenn sie objektiv gute Arbeit leisten. Und noch immer halten sich einige, die dem alten System anhängen, in Schlüsselpositionen, in denen sie mehr Einfluss ausüben können als ihnen eigentlich zustehen sollte. Und genau in solche Kreise ist die Tochter eines Politikers, der vor langen Jahren bei einem Anschlag getötet wurde, hineingeraten.

Dieser dritte Fall mit Vaughn de Vries greift wieder ein brisantes Thema auf, Ausnutzen von Beziehungen, Korruption, das Gedeckt werden durch höhere Kreise. Doch leider wirkt die Untersuchung irgendwie nicht richtig abgeschlossen und einige Spuren werden nicht richtig verfolgt. Die Sache verliert sich etwas in de Vries’ lamentieren und seinem nicht immer angemessenen Verhalten. Darüberhin geht meiner Ansicht nach auch die Spannung verloren. Und die eigentlich gute Zusammenarbeit von de Vries und seinem Partner Don February, die von ihren unterschiedlichen Sichtweisen lebt, findet kaum statt. Zwar ist dieser eigentlich gut angelegte Kriminalroman etwas mühsam zu lesen, weist aber doch genügend spannende Momente auf, um die Neugier auf die Lösung aufrecht zu halten.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read a lot of crime fiction set in South Africa, but found this very enjoyable. Excellent police procedural as Colonel Vaughn de Vries investigates what looks like a suicide but quickly develops into a far more sinister story. From a crime fiction standpoint alone, this is a good story. But the intricacies of the fear and corruption within the system and the political and racial tension of a post-apartheid South Africa gives the novel an extra edge.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know whether I really enjoyed this book because it captured South Africa so well, or because reading South African fiction is still a novelty, or because it really was just that good.

Mendelson KNOWS South Africa, the good and the bad. While reading this book, one can smell the braai vleis and the fresh dry air of the game parks, while feeling horribly frustrated at all the red tape and political decisions. For readers who don't know what braai vleis is, let alone what it smells like - in other words, anyone who has never been to SA before, Mendelson gives a very good guide to the country and the political changes that happened after Apartheid.

The crime itself is chilling, especially as it is all too real in MANY countries. Chopping off this head is only going to make another grow. But it does a good job of explaining the dangers out there, and the way in which these huge criminal organisations work.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy crime novels. While not the best I have read, it definitely carries something original with it.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little Brown for an advance copy of The History Of Blood, the third novel in Mr Mendelson's police procedural series set in Cape Town.

The police receive a call for help from a young woman in a seedy motel but when they turn up she is dead. Colonel Vaughn de Vries of the Special Crime Unit immediately recognises her as Chantal Adam, daughter of an assassinated politician, former friend of his daughters and, more recently, a famous model down on her luck. He begins his investigation by looking in to her recent past and what he finds pushes it far beyond a simple case of suspicious death.

I am new to Mr Mendelson's writing and have not read the first two novels in the series but I will remedy this as I loved The History Of Blood. It has a great plot and a logical, linear timeline with each line of enquiry leading to some information and more questions which I always like in a novel but its real winning aspect for me is its realism. This is not a novel which shies away from either the harsh realities or politics of policing in South Africa.

Vaughn de Vries is in an invidious position in the modern South African police force. He is good at his job but his methods are rather rough and ready and viewed with suspicion - as one character puts it his modus operandi is "suspicion leading to evidence" rather than the preferred "evidence leading to suspicion". This causes a lot of interdepartmental friction as he treads on various toes. His main problem, however, and why Internal Affairs are desperate to sack him is that he is white and started his career during apartheid. I think Mr Mendelson does an amazing job of educating the reader in post apartheid race relations without interrupting his plot line or preaching as it all seems to occur naturally. I would also say that I have never read another police procedural where lack of budget so obviously affects the investigation.

I was very impressed with The History Of Blood and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in South Africa ruled by ANC, the book follows a white detective from a special unit focused on major crimes trying to solve apparent suicide of a young girl from a prominent SA family, whilst trying to deal with "positive" discrimination in a largely corrupt police force, ruthless ivory and drug smugglers and threats to his family.
Mendelson has constructed a fast moving story of a single minded policeman unpicking a case in which nobody else is really interested, at least not until another policewoman gets murdered. His characters come across as real people with real people's problems, and the settings and organisational behaviours seem entirely plausible. Good read.

[Durinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd in the series, loved every one of them so far. I have the next in the series to read. Its wonderful how the characters and story line has evolved over the first 3 books so far. This one is centered mostly around Cape Town.

This book dealt with very current issues occurring in South Africa, very frightening and extremely violent not only against human beings but against the wildlife as well, destruction of wildlife and horrific senseless poaching of rhino horn for Asian countries!! I wish more people would read these kinds of books to spread the word about senseless illegal poaching and shipping of rhino horn and elephant tusks, because although it is fiction it paints a pretty realistic picture of the murderous traits of poaching and destruction of wildlife, as well as the seedy side of drugs affecting the nation and inevitable corruption. As an ex-South African (now living overseas) I know what has been written is almost 99.99% true life, but woven into a fictitious story line.

Well written, Paul Mendelson, you have a way with words.

[Paul McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been fantastic. The first book "The first Rule of Survival" set up all of the characters, and what makes them tick. The second book "The Serpentine Road" really started to bring everything together. It is this third book in the series "The History of Blood" where the flow of this police procedure series begins to shine like you knew it would.
Take what for many readers is an unknown country (South Africa, specifically Cape Town), add in all of the politics regarding the post apartheid government, exceptionally well crafted storytelling, truly evil bad guys, and a cop who is always thinking about the victim and will do anything to get the criminal, and you have a wonderful ( 3 books so far) series. The next book in the series is rumored to be coming in October.
All three books are available on Kindle, or you can buy the paperbacks from Book Depository.

[Jc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is pretty confusing. The Colonel of the SAPS investigates the suicide of the daughter of a SA politician who was murdered several years before. This leads to a band od trafficking bad guys who are somehow related to the assassination of the politician. The investigation is not convincing as you don’t understand how the cops obtain their clues. The active participation of the English neighbour is quite mysterious. The link to the old events is not very clear, the hinted corruption is not demonstrated and the end leaves the reader unsatisfied. The only interesting bit is the atmosphere created by the extreme positive discrimination in SA.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

To begin with this felt very much like the best yet; a rich development of the series, but as the book progressed it seemed to me that many scenes were insufficiently explained; that there was over-much geographical detail at the expense of some of the actions, also a lack of explaining the reasoning behind those actions. Nevertheless I find Vaughn de Vries an interesting character and the insight into South African politics enlightening.

[Tamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for 4. There is a panicked call from a girl who is then found dead. Is it suic8de or murder and if suicide why place the call. This call leads Colonel Vaughn de Vries and his team of the Speical Crimes Unit down a rabbit hole of organized crime in South Africa. The blurry lines of corruption and threats that goes with those who don't play along... Paul Mendelson's writing is quite similar to Deon Meyer's writing...

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a well paced crime novel.
Set mainly in Cape Town with some scenes in other parts of South Africa and a showdown in Zanzibar.
I did find it a little stereotypical / racially biased which reduced the star rating for me.
I'd be interested to see if this bias is in other books or whether it was created by the context of this specific story.
It's part of a series, but the first I've read, and I felt it worked fine as a standalone novel.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just didn’t grab me. I started reading it as I was packing up to move home and town – so a very stressful time – hoping that it would grab me. I persevered to the end, but it just didn’t do anything for me. There are lots of things happening in the book and for me, not enough depth. However, perhaps I would’ve enjoyed it more if I’d read it at a different time in my life.

[Janet A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story in the series

With wonderfully complex & effective plotting, convincing and engaging characters, and atmospheric evocation of place, all the books in the Vaughan de Vries series are brilliant grown-up thrillers, easily on a par with Michael Connelly. This book is no exception.

[Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like the de Vries books but this time my heart wasn't in it. Every single female character was a victim. I grew tired of the manly men whose motivation for battling trafficking was having daughters and wives, as if violence against women would otherwise be acceptable.

[Robert Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

kept me returning time & time again..

Intriguing story line with De Vries ding his thing outside of SAPS guidelines once more. Having visited this beautiful country, I can envisage the trips made & people in the novel…

[Ernst Nieuwoudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

No 3 is just as good if not better than the previous two. The phenomenal writing skills of the author ten too one makes up for a few plot deficiencies, but you can not put this book down.

[Christine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atmospheric. A good read especially if yiu know the region. Look forward to reading installment 4.

[Flyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The ending however seemed to be a bit rushed, therefore giving it "only" 4 stars and not the full 5.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. You feel like you’re there.

[Димитър Тодоров · Rating 2 out of 5]

Сафари екшън криминале с действие (предимно в) Южна Африка. Но пълно с клишета и писано с назидателния тон на чужденеца англичанин, който ужким ги разбира южноафриканските политики, междурасови и междуетнически сантименти по-добре от самите южноафриканци и едва ли не чувства за свой дълг да ги освети. Подмамени за мулета момичета с пълни кореми с кокаин в презервативи, жертви на безперспективността за бялата работническа класа в съвременна Южна Африка (една – с прерязани вени край Кейптаун); избиване на носорози за контрабанда с рог в ловно имение край Крюгер парк, ескалирало до избиване и на хора; тръпнещ по отвлечена в гентрифициран джоб в западналия център на Йоханесбург дъщеря студента полицай от старата школа; криворазбрано африканерско братство; реминисценции за военни престъпления през войната с Ангола; политическо насилие по време на прехода; бели сержантки прелъстителки; гей персонажи в консервативния роден град на Фреди Мъркюри; съвестни провинциални полицаи калъри от новата школа; командоски акции в привидно туристически райове.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting murder mystery set in South Africa.
Great read!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Little, Brown Book Group via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.