The Steam Pig

Kramer and Zondi Mystery #1

by James McClure

In the debut mystery featuring Lieutenant Kramer and Detective Sergeant Mickey Zondi set in South Africa, a beautiful blonde has been killed by a bicycle spoke to the heart, Bantu gangster style. Why?

Genres: Mystery, Africa, South Africa, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Police

247 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

James Howe McClure was a British author and journalist best known for his Kramer and Zondi mysteries set in South Africa.

James McClure was born and raised in South Africa and educated in Pietermaritzburg, Natal at Scottsville School (1947–51), Cowan House (1952–54), and Maritzburg College (1955–58). He worked first as a commercial photographer with Tom Sharpe, who later wrote a series of celebrated comic novels, and then as a teacher of English and art at Cowan House in 1959-63, before becoming a crime reporter and photographer for the Natal Witness in his hometown of Pietermaritzburg.

His journalistic career saw him headhunted first by the Natal Mercury and then by the Natal Daily News. After the birth of his first son, he moved to Britain with his family in 1965, where he joined the Scottish Daily Mail as a sub-editor. From there, he moved to the Oxford Mail and then to The Oxford Times.

His first crime novel, The Steam Pig, won the CWA Gold Dagger in 1971. He resigned as deputy editor in 1974 to write full time. He added to his series of police procedurals based on his experiences in South Africa, featuring the detective partnership of Afrikaner Lieutenant Tromp Kramer and Bantu Detective Sergeant Mickey Zondi.

McClure also wrote a spy novel set in Southern Africa - Rogue Eagle - which won the 1976 CWA Silver Dagger, a number of short stories, and two large non-fiction works that won wide acclaim: Spike Island: Portrait of a Police Division (Liverpool) and Copworld: Inside an American Police Force (San Diego).

After publishing 14 books, he returned to the bottom rung of "The Oxford Times" in 1986, as his police books had made him aware of how much he had missed working with others - his intention being to write in his spare time. What proved his most popular Kramer and Zondi novel then followed, The Song Dog, but journalism soon became all consuming. He became editor in 1994 and three years later The Oxford Times won the Weekly Newspaper of the Year award, beating all comers from across the United Kingdom.

He was promoted to editor of the Oxford Mail in 2000, and spent the next three years on a variety of objectives to enhance the quality and revenue of the county's daily paper. That done, he decided it was time to again step down, and retired to return to writing. He was working on a novel set in Oxford and had just started his own blog when he came down with a respiratory illness and died on 17 June 2006. He lived in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

Reviews

[James Thane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was published in 1971 and is set in the South Africa of the Apartheid era. It features a biracial team of detectives, Lieutenant Kramer, an Afrikaner, and Sergeant Zondi, a Bantu who assists him. As the book opens, a beautiful blonde music teacher in her mid-twenties has been murdered by someone who poked a sharpened bicycle spoke into her heart. This is the technique of a Bantu gangster, but is this a gang-related killing, or is it just supposed to look that way in an effort to throw off the investigators?

The case turns out to be very complex and takes a number of unforeseen twists and turns before building to a very surprising conclusion. The strength of the book lies in its portrayal of life in South Africa during this era, and the relationship between Kramer and Zondi is especially revealing. In a society as carefully delineated as this one, each has a very specific role to play, and there can be no hope of solving this crime unless the two work in close harmony.

With the growing interest in international mysteries, it's nice to see an entry from South Africa. James McClure ultimately wrote eight books in this series, and I'll be looking forward to reading more of them.

[Sherry Schwabacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Steam Pig showed up as an offering on Book Bub today and I realized I hadn't reviewed it when I originally rated it. I have to say I loved the whole series. The contortions that Apartheid forced Lieutenant Kramer and Detective Sergeant Zondi to adopt in order to work together were so unbelievable. The reader caught a glimpse of that evil system.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Switched babies were standard intrigue a century ago, but this time we have switched bodies. One is an elderly beggar woman, the other a beautiful young blue-eyed blonde who isn't. How did it happen, why--and where are the mourners?

I wanted a change of pace and certainly got it with this novel. Written in 1970 and set in South Africa when apartheid was still in force, I'm sure some of the subtext escaped me. There were a few reactions and meaningful pauses that went straight over my head, but that didn't detract from what is a fast-paced police procedural. While the author doesn't go out of his way to denounce the racist system, the reader is made aware that beatings and torture of witnesses (well, witnesses of colour) was SOP. But what was the deal with the plastic duck? Lt Kramer is neither a superman nor a wounded, sensitive colossus--he's just a cop with a job to do.

McClure's greatest virtue is that when he is done, he stops writing, and you are left wanting more. Not "more" in the WTF? Explain that! sense, but just more. Fortunately there is more.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few years back I began exploring the crime series listed in the back of Soho Crime's mystery selections. The Kramer and Zondi investigation series set in South Africa by author James McClure was one of the series. The Steam Pig is the first book in this crime series. Well..... while there were things to like in this first book, like the main characters, a setting with which I was very unfamiliar, I have to say I just didn't get the mystery itself.

Basically, as I grasped it (or didn't), a young woman was found murdered, killed with a bicycle spoke through her heart. This is a typical Bantu assassin style murder. There is also confusion regarding the body at the coroner, even down to the girl's eye color. Lt. Kramer, a white police detective, is the first to begin the investigation and he soon brings in his partner, Bantu Sgt Zondi.

As I said at the beginning, I like the two main characters and also their working and friendly relationship, made more interesting as it is set during the Apartheid era of South Africa. I also quite liked Kramer's girlfriend, Widow Fourie, and how she is his sounding board as he thinks about the investigation and I do hope that relationship is further explored. I also liked Moosa, the Indian gentleman who Zondi starts to use as a CI in the township. Another character who I hope gets further development.

While I was aware of the Apartheid period of South Africa's history; the details provided in the story were an eye-opener and if I continue the series (I do have the next two books), I hope the author explores it more deeply. The lives of the victim and the possible suspects and witnesses are inextricably intertwined with South Africa's race distinctions and treatments and lives under Apartheid. What it means to be white, colored, Asian and how these distinctions impact the characters' lives make the story very interesting.

Unfortunately, I just found the mystery itself, somewhat labored and convoluted. I could blame fatigue for that, but the story did leave me wanting more. As I mentioned, I do have the next two books and I found the story interesting enough to explore further. But also somewhat disappointing. (2.5 stars)

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crime in taking place in Durban and another town in South Africa. Interesting background during Apartheid in the 20th century. Written by a South African who at age 25 moved to England.
I found the background illuminating, but didn't feel particularly drawn to any of the characters.

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An accident at the morgue reveals a plot to kill a beautiful piano teacher in South Africa.

I didn't care for this. The beginning assumed I knew more than I did, tried to be clever with its jumping around, and wasn't clear about what was going on, or what the POV characters perceived as going on. The ending came out of left field yet was predictable (money and power involved? who knew?!?), and I'm not entirely sure how the ending wrapped up. There was a joke; I didn't get it, or it was really kind of lame.

But I'm focused on plot stuff at the moment, so the plot issues are what bothered me. The characters were interesting, the location--South Africa during apartheid--was interesting, the conflicts were interesting. I just didn't know what was going on a lot of the time, and the author forgot to tell me why I should care. I feel like it was a book by a good early writer who needed a good edit but only got an average one.

[Maggie Heim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is the first in a series of mystery novels about a Afrikaaner detective and his Zulu partner during Apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. I really wanted to love the book so I would have a new mystery series in a foreign setting like Jo Nesbo or Henning Mankell. However, I found the pace of the story slow and the twists and turns somewhat predictable. I could tolerate a slow plot if the characters were well defined and interesting. But I must confess that it is hard to get enthused about immersing myself in the Neanderthal social situation that apartheid was, when what I want is a good mystery to solve. I may try another in the series to see if the stories of these characters become more interesting with more exposure.

[Eva Thieme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad as a look back in time into the workings of the South African police force during the Apartheid era and the convoluted relationships between the races, but I must say the story was confusing, especially toward the end. I felt the author was sometimes too cute with the dialog, but perhaps that is just the different type of English he uses. I often had to go back and reread entire passages to make sure I understood what had happened. The ending, however, was puzzling and disappointing, and I can only think he has set it up to be continued in his next novel, which I wasn't intrigued enough reading this one to go out and buy. I'll just have to leave that ending hanging in my mind's eye.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging crime fiction novel set in apartheid South Africa. An error at the undertakers led to the wrong body being cremated. This was fortuitous as no one would have known that a young 22 year old, pretty music teacher, Theresa Le Roux, had been murdered. She was murdered with a bicycle spoke. A technique perfected by Bantu gangs.

The wrongs of apartheid in South Africa, pre feminist chauvinism and police corruption are all represented here. Lieutenant Tromp Kramer is ruthless in extracting information and as racist as anyone else. He relies on his Bantu detective sergeant, Mickey Zondi, for helpful insights into white mans lives from his black houseboy perspective before he joined the police. Interaction between black and white are only allowed as far as the law permits.

Winner of the 1971 Gold Dagger Award.

This book was first published in 1971.

[Mar · Rating 2 out of 5]

He leído que el libro lo escribió en quince días.
Por la caótica manera en la que está escrito no me extraña.
También está escrito en los 70 en pleno Apartheid. Tienes que tener en cuenta el lugar y el contexto a la hora de valorar un libro.
Eso influye, no lo niego.
A pesar de eso me disgusta profundamente la manera condescendiente de hablar de los bantús, como si fuesen eternos niños, irresponsables y subordinados a la población blanca.
También me ha chirriando mucho frases despectivas hacia las mujeres.
Y la frase final del libro... Para olvidarla

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1971 and winner of the CWA Gold Dagger, The Steam Pig is a police procedural set in South Africa. The book is noted for its depiction of apartheid in South Africa in three respects. First, its matter of fact depiction of how apartheid was expressed on a daily basis and how it structured social relations and led to distinct geographies. Second, the complex relationship between Afrikaans ‘Tromp’ Kramer and his Bantu Sergeant Mickey Zondi, which is infused with asymmetrical power relations but also friendship and respect. Third, its complex plot that mixes polite white society with Bantu gangs, Indian shopkeepers, and colored families. Indeed, McClure doesn’t pull any punches in a book that interestingly can be read in different ways -- as an anti-apartheid tale and as an affirmation of the status quo (hence its popularity in South Africa). The result is an absorbing book with respect to the setting, politics and social relations, and the case that Kramer and Zondi are trying to solve. A big plus in its telling is the somewhat ambiguous relationship between Kramer and Zondi and their interaction. That said, due to the focus on the plot, neither character is that well developed and their back stories are barely explored. Moreover, the story stuttered at certain points and the end of the tale seemed overly rushed and little over-dramatic and it would have benefitted from an epilogue or a little more explication as to the fallout. Overall, a fascinating and entertaining tale of South Africa in the early 1970s.

[LuluBelle Runjes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to go back a couple of decades and read a good old apartheid era thriller. Maybe not a thriller, really, but more of police procedural. Actually, having recently read Ian Patrick’s book Devil may Deal, which I really loved, I actually think I prefer this one by McLure in the early 1970s. Both books are gripping and exciting in their own way. Ptrick sets his in today’s world of post-apartheid politics, while The Steam Pig is set against a background of grand apartheid in South Africa forty years ago and it shows you the day to day shenanigans of people trapped in that kind of race-relation scenario that seems so horrific from today’s perspective. The relationship between the Afrikaaner ‘Tromp’ Kramer and his black Sergeant Mickey Zondi is touching, and mixes up these complex race relations with mutual respect and admiration that makes for an endearing partnership. It’s an intriguing book, set in the world of apartheid, but revealing touching moments of companionship and really awful criminal action. I want to read more of this writer, but this was certainly a great introduction.

[Kamas Kirian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little crime story about a white South African police Lieutenant and his black partner during Apartheid. I read this for the first time back in '91 after getting a copy of it from my aunt, and I remember liking it but I couldn't remember much other than the basic premise.

I find the apartheid era rather fascinating to read about, and this book was my first real taste of it. Kramer is pretty well developed, but Zondi is still just kind of the main side character to go along with all the others. The criminal enterprise was rather clever, I thought. And all things didn't get wrapped up in the end, the story did move along at a nice quick pace.

The paperback (faber & faber) was formatted somewhat oddly. The font was quite small leaving large border areas. There were no obvious spelling/grammar mistakes but the foreign spelling of some words was somewhat interesting at times.

[Rodney Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got my e-reader but before I really get going I feel I have to catch up by reviewing a whole lot of books that I read in the last few months, before I forget them all. Top of the list is James McClure's The Steam Pig. I read it years ago and then read it again recently. It won the CWA Gold Dagger award in the seventies and is relatively obscure, undeservedly. It is a cop procedural and is a fascinating look into the guts of apartheid South Africa. You can see life during that awful time in all its racist bigotry. A great partnership between the Afrikaner ‘Tromp’ Kramer and his African sidekick Sergeant Mickey Zondi. It’s a compelling crime investigation revealing a lot about the social mores of the time. Perhaps a bit dated by today’s standards, but why should I penalise it for that? Five stars from me.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

McClure writes with in an unapologetic style about life and death in South Africa in the 1970's. As with any story of South Africa, from this time, racism tends to take the center stage whether intended by the author or not. But, in this case the author does not preach, he reports, and you are left to judge.

The story twists and turns but is somewhat predictable none the less. The characterization is good, the telling of time and place is good as well. I found the shifts in point-of-view to be too frequent and consequently a distraction and a minor annoyance rather than an added dimension. But, all in all, I thought it a good opening book and will be buying another book in this series soon.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

McClure's Kramer and Zondi mysteries are great books. Set in apartheid South Africa, and featuring an Afrikaaner lieutenant (Kramer) and Zulu sergeant (Zondi), they explore the tensions inherent in South African society while also featuring compelling mysteries. As one might imagine, the racial issues--the classifications, their terrible social, legal, and practical effects, and the grotesque inequities of South African society--are always present. But McClure explores other tensions, too. For example, interracial tensions between the disadvantaged minorities and cultural tensions between the English and Afrikaaner whites are also depicted. Gender norms and sterotypes, and the puritanical social norms enforced by the government are also shown.

The relationship between Kramer and Zondi is fascinating. It is evident that they are close in many ways; Kramer's white colleagues often view their professional partnership skeptically or critically. It may be that Zondi is Kramer's only real friend, but that friendship is complicated by the fact that Zondi will never be seen as an equal--not those by around him and not by Kramer.

The mystery at the heart of The Steam Pig involves the murder of a young white woman with a mysterious past. The plot gives McClure a chance to illuminate some of the consequences of South Africa's elaborate racial classification system--its devastating effects and the way in which it could be used against people. The story gets a bit convoluted in the final third of the novel, but it's involving and sad. Kramer's reaction to what he learns and the people he comes into contact with makes him a more sympathetic character than many of his white compatriots. He seems enlightened. And then McClure reveals Kramer's last thought, and you realize just how embedded the racial and gender attitudes are.

[Jiří Pavlovský · Rating 3 out of 5]

Problém (alespoň můj) s touhle knihou, je ten, že McClure má zajímavé prostředí, zajímavé nápady, ale není zase tak zajímavý a dobrý vypravěč. Zvláště v dějovějších momentech ztrácí kniha na přehlednosti, a ne vždycky se autorovi daří vyprávění úspěšně uřídit a udržet spád a smysl děje. To podání knize škodí, protože detaily jsou vážně výborné, plus všudypřítomný cynismus a umolousanost. Chvílemi kniha až zabírá do satiry (ostatně celý případ vznikne na základě záměny mrtvých těl, díky kterému se vůbec podaří zjistit, že dojde k vraždě), a finále už se skoro blíží grotesce. O to víc zamrzí, že to není pojednané trochu zábavněji a úderněji. A že to už ve finále začíná být drobet zmatené.

Odehrává se to v JAR, v době apartheidu, kde dojde k zabití bílé učitelky hry na klavír. Problém je, že je zabita bodnutím drátem od kola do srdce, což je klasický černošský způsob vraždy. Díky čemuž se případ dostává do středu zájmu jak policistů, tak politiků.

Vzniknout to v dnešní době, asi se tam z rasismu stane hlavní téma – tady je to jako všudypřítomný podtext, který všichni, včetně hrdiny, berou jako něco úplně normálního. A překvapivě ideje fungují líp, když vás s nimi nikdo nemlátí do hlavy, když si sami můžete udělat názor.

Na druhou stranu, ono ani černá komunita tady není líčená v růžových barvách… a musím přiznat, že asi největší zvěrstvo apartheidu pro mě v téhle knize byla skutečnost, že bylo zakázané vlastnictví a dovážení magazínu Playboy. (I z důvodu, že by černoši neměli spatřit nahé bělošky, to by je mohlo přivést na zvrácené myšlenky.)

Jo, je tu spousta dobrých věcí – proto zamrzí, že mě to nebavilo víc.

[Sugar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read and a trope-filled peek into 1960s/1970s Apartheid South Africa.
In keeping with the era, the protagonist is white and the more-than-capable sidekick is a minority à la Green Hornet & Kato.
A good read, unless the reader struggles with dialects or is easily offended by policies of a (thankfully) bygone era.
Would be a good addition to a post-colonial lit class. Lots of good fodder for race, class, and “othering” types of discussion.

[John Cates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in apartheid South Africa - protagonists are a police team with an Afrikaner and a Zulu detective - the race/color based structure of society sounds so weird now - almost like a crazy future sci fi world.

[Heidi Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the 70s. Its hard to tolerate all the racism against anyone who isn’t white but its an inside lesson on life in apartheid. As far as mysteries go, it is so particular to the area and the time period. No Agatha Christie here.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief history lesson of apartheid that is hard to imagine today. Well worth the read. I’ll continue the series and learn more.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

South Africa.

Read it because it was set in South Africa. Police ty and solve milder of a young girl who taught music

[Jamie Teller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid. Rushes a bit at the finish, but as a whole very worthwhile.

[Regine]

Coarse.

[John Stisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good thriller but also a good insight into South Africa and with a lovely touch of humour.

[Helen]

Murder with a bicycle spoke. Theresa LeRoux was a pretty young music teacher who gave very private lessons. But for a mixup at the undertakers, no one would have known she was murdered.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty racist even if it is a book written about South Africa in the 70s.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant crime novel doubles as a biting satire of apartheid South Africa. Readers may be put off by racist terms in the book but they are used to highlight the brutal racism of the apartheid state. The smartest character in the book is clearly Sergeant Zondi, a wily Bantu cop who really solves the murder while his white boss, Lieutenant Kramer gets the credit. A cracking good read.

[Maggie Pinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one harder to follow than later novels in the series.