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Knucklebone
Sangomas and cops don’t mix. Usually. But this is Joburg, a metropolis that is equal parts flash and shadow, and where not everything can be easily explained. Ian Jack, a disillusioned former police officer, teams up with Reshma Patel, a colleague from his old life, to investigate a routine housebreaking gone bad. But when they uncover links to a possible animal poaching and trafficking syndicate, things go from complicated to dangerous to downright evil.
Set against the richly textured backdrop of a livewire African city, this fast-paced thriller offers a disturbing contemporary take on justice and morality. To be read with the lights on.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2018
3 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Nechama Brodie
12 books19 followersAlso writes as NR Brodie.
South African journalist, author and academic.
South African journalist, author and academic.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 17, 2022
2.5 stars
Hmmm this was ok, I liked the Joburg setting, showing the melting pot of culture and beliefs as well as the incorporation of sangomas. Rhino poaching and the trafficking of animal parts for purposes of magic (or muti) is not new in South Africa so it was a good theme to explore in a novel.
The problem is that I expected a crime novel but what I got as more of a supernatural thriller. Sometimes it’s difficult to marry expectations with reality and the story never really gripped me.
Hmmm this was ok, I liked the Joburg setting, showing the melting pot of culture and beliefs as well as the incorporation of sangomas. Rhino poaching and the trafficking of animal parts for purposes of magic (or muti) is not new in South Africa so it was a good theme to explore in a novel.
The problem is that I expected a crime novel but what I got as more of a supernatural thriller. Sometimes it’s difficult to marry expectations with reality and the story never really gripped me.
April 5, 2018
“Everything is real, Mr Jack. It all depends on what you want to see”
3.5 stars. This is the author's eight book, but her first novel. It starts similar to many local whodunits, with a standard house break-in, but from there it quickly morphs into something much more magical. Knucklebone looks at some South-African issues like crime and animal poaching, but what makes it unique is the inclusion of things like witches, sangomas and tokoloshes. Billed as a supernatural thriller, the author manages to create an entrancing and dark atmosphere while keeping the chapters short and fast-paced. My only complaints are that I would have liked a bigger focus on character development, and a more satisfying ending. Not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a standard mystery, I highly recommend this for anyone wanting a glimpse into deepest, darkest Africa with our varied beliefs and traditions. I'm holding thumbs for a follow up.
June 15, 2018
Edgy. Gripping. Had-me-at-the-edge of my seat type of book. I loved every page of Knucklebone.
I attended the launch of Knucklebone a few weeks ago and I was hooked, lined and sinkered before the launch was over. It had all the elements which made an excellent thriller. Set locally, around my favourite city. Throw in the drama and the vibe from a boisterous township, a plot which reads like "I bring back lost lovers" pamphlet, big black birds, spells, charms, izangoma, amadlozi, water, fire...how are these not ingredients for a catchy and suspense-filled thriller propelled by magicality.
Ian and Reshma carry the plot to near back-breaking point supported by the wise always-appears-when-she-is-most-needed MamRejoice and Nandi, who walked in like a breeze on a cloyingly hot summer afternoon. Myra and her coven of witches. Edgar. Philip. Dingaan. The Chinese men. All these characters added and lifted the story.
You'd expect a story with a witchy theme, pagan rituals, izangoma and amadlozi to be dark and dystopian. Knucklebone was seeped in reality and no event was otherworldly. Such a believable tale of events.
You will never look at knucklebones, shells and offal the same after this Knucklebone.
I attended the launch of Knucklebone a few weeks ago and I was hooked, lined and sinkered before the launch was over. It had all the elements which made an excellent thriller. Set locally, around my favourite city. Throw in the drama and the vibe from a boisterous township, a plot which reads like "I bring back lost lovers" pamphlet, big black birds, spells, charms, izangoma, amadlozi, water, fire...how are these not ingredients for a catchy and suspense-filled thriller propelled by magicality.
Ian and Reshma carry the plot to near back-breaking point supported by the wise always-appears-when-she-is-most-needed MamRejoice and Nandi, who walked in like a breeze on a cloyingly hot summer afternoon. Myra and her coven of witches. Edgar. Philip. Dingaan. The Chinese men. All these characters added and lifted the story.
You'd expect a story with a witchy theme, pagan rituals, izangoma and amadlozi to be dark and dystopian. Knucklebone was seeped in reality and no event was otherworldly. Such a believable tale of events.
You will never look at knucklebones, shells and offal the same after this Knucklebone.
July 10, 2018
This is way more than the standard Johannesburg thriller the blurb may lead you to expect.
It’s one of those novels where the early stages have you reading with mounting unease, because you just know something very bad has happened, but you’re not sure what. Revelations and half-revelations keep up the suspense, evil is everywhere, and the hair-raisingly atmospheric climax is hugely dramatic and terrifying.
A bonus is that the book is packed with diverse, extremely powerful women – whose assistance the male protagonist Ian Jack definitely needs.
As a former Johannesburger, I enjoyed the familiar settings.
It’s one of those novels where the early stages have you reading with mounting unease, because you just know something very bad has happened, but you’re not sure what. Revelations and half-revelations keep up the suspense, evil is everywhere, and the hair-raisingly atmospheric climax is hugely dramatic and terrifying.
A bonus is that the book is packed with diverse, extremely powerful women – whose assistance the male protagonist Ian Jack definitely needs.
As a former Johannesburger, I enjoyed the familiar settings.
November 21, 2018
With a dearth of traditionally published speculative fiction in South Africa, I'm tickled pink to get hold of NR Brodie's Knucklebone*. I've been reading her non-fiction for a while, and I love her style, so I was dead keen to see what her fiction would be like, and I was not disappointed.
Set in Joburg, Knucklebone is a fast-paced occult-noir primarily from the point of retired cop Ian, and his unintended partner Reshma, as they are plunged into a shadowy world of witches, sangomas and poaching/animal parts smuggling rings.
Brodie brings her setting to life with a large, varied cast of memorable characters, many of whom have in-your-face attitudes that I enjoyed immensely. Her writing is precise without losing the ability to evoke, and she keeps her chapters short, so the story moves along at a breath-taking pace. So if you're like me and don't have extended periods to read, this novel is perfect. Of course, if you're anything like me, you'll be tempted to read just one more chapter before bed.
The brevity and fast pace does have its down side, however. While the story picks up pace as it winds to its conclusion I feel that it loses some of its impact near the end with the introduction of a whole passel of new characters who all play small roles before exiting stage left. I understand that they each contribute to the resolution, but gained the sense that it diluted some of the punch that the climax would have had, especially for Ian as a central character. I'd have liked to have seen a bit more development or, failing that, a paring down of the number of characters.
This being said, it was not a dealbreaker for me, since I was already on board for the ride. Brodie dips into South Africa's melting pot of cultures to produce a story that dances with many traditions, both African, Eastern and Western, and the end result is a delicious melange. Knucklebone is the kind of novel that will appeal to lovers of both fantasy and thrillers, in my opinion, and if you like your fiction with a more than healthy dollop of magic, then dip into this one.
* This is a hint to South African publishers that there are oodles of talented SFF authors in the country worth investing in, so do open your doors to queries in these genres.
Set in Joburg, Knucklebone is a fast-paced occult-noir primarily from the point of retired cop Ian, and his unintended partner Reshma, as they are plunged into a shadowy world of witches, sangomas and poaching/animal parts smuggling rings.
Brodie brings her setting to life with a large, varied cast of memorable characters, many of whom have in-your-face attitudes that I enjoyed immensely. Her writing is precise without losing the ability to evoke, and she keeps her chapters short, so the story moves along at a breath-taking pace. So if you're like me and don't have extended periods to read, this novel is perfect. Of course, if you're anything like me, you'll be tempted to read just one more chapter before bed.
The brevity and fast pace does have its down side, however. While the story picks up pace as it winds to its conclusion I feel that it loses some of its impact near the end with the introduction of a whole passel of new characters who all play small roles before exiting stage left. I understand that they each contribute to the resolution, but gained the sense that it diluted some of the punch that the climax would have had, especially for Ian as a central character. I'd have liked to have seen a bit more development or, failing that, a paring down of the number of characters.
This being said, it was not a dealbreaker for me, since I was already on board for the ride. Brodie dips into South Africa's melting pot of cultures to produce a story that dances with many traditions, both African, Eastern and Western, and the end result is a delicious melange. Knucklebone is the kind of novel that will appeal to lovers of both fantasy and thrillers, in my opinion, and if you like your fiction with a more than healthy dollop of magic, then dip into this one.
* This is a hint to South African publishers that there are oodles of talented SFF authors in the country worth investing in, so do open your doors to queries in these genres.
June 14, 2018
Ian left his days as a cop behind him, and is now a student; research has overtaken crime as his primary daily focus. However, when he's on a routine call out at the security company that is helping him gather research for his paper, things go awry. A panic button heralds two young men in an apparent robbery, in which one of the duo is pronounced dead on the scene. Yet when questioned, the deceased arrested partner falls into a diabetic coma. yet according to a nurse at the hospital, the young man is afflicted by more than low blood sugar. she tells Ian and Captain Reshma Patel that their suspect has been possessed.
Soon enough, the duo discover that the young man was training to be a sangoma, and that dark deeds previously isolated to urban legends and stories are, in fact, real.
Full review at http://girlreviewsbook.blogspot.com/2...
Soon enough, the duo discover that the young man was training to be a sangoma, and that dark deeds previously isolated to urban legends and stories are, in fact, real.
Full review at http://girlreviewsbook.blogspot.com/2...
June 5, 2019
A gripping read!
Knucklebone kept me on the edge of my seat from page 1. It’s interesting and scary and relatable. There is no annoying and embarrassing South African ‘cheese’. Full of authentic South African flavor. Gives Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch a run for their money.
Knucklebone kept me on the edge of my seat from page 1. It’s interesting and scary and relatable. There is no annoying and embarrassing South African ‘cheese’. Full of authentic South African flavor. Gives Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch a run for their money.
July 21, 2018
I don't think I've given a 5-star rating to any book before. Not even Pride & Prejudice. But holy hell this book was brilliant.
I now I started reading it on the 12th, but I think the total time spent actually reading and immersed in the pages was only a matter of hours. If I said this was a page turner it wouldn't do it justice.
Set against the City of Johannesburg, South Africa- a place I am lucky enough to call home, the story opens with Ian Jack as he waits in a squad car owned by a private security firm as he does research for his thesis. He's an ex-cop turned student. What starts out as a routine panic alert ends up in the streets of Alex and involving Wiccan's and iSangoma's.
This is an incredible story that intertwines the illegal animal and rhino trade, a crooked vet who works for the Joburg Zoo and a taxidermist/ Romanian witch.
I loved every word on every page and I started to panic as I neared the end. I also wished it were real, I wished I was friends with the main characters. I just loved them, Tiny, MaRejoice and Ian. Never mind Reshma and Issie! Maybe it was because I also know the streets and area's NR Brodie wrote about.
Absolutely implore everyone to read this. Phenomenal. I might have to buy this just to add it to my library (a friend lent me this copy!)
I now I started reading it on the 12th, but I think the total time spent actually reading and immersed in the pages was only a matter of hours. If I said this was a page turner it wouldn't do it justice.
Set against the City of Johannesburg, South Africa- a place I am lucky enough to call home, the story opens with Ian Jack as he waits in a squad car owned by a private security firm as he does research for his thesis. He's an ex-cop turned student. What starts out as a routine panic alert ends up in the streets of Alex and involving Wiccan's and iSangoma's.
This is an incredible story that intertwines the illegal animal and rhino trade, a crooked vet who works for the Joburg Zoo and a taxidermist/ Romanian witch.
I loved every word on every page and I started to panic as I neared the end. I also wished it were real, I wished I was friends with the main characters. I just loved them, Tiny, MaRejoice and Ian. Never mind Reshma and Issie! Maybe it was because I also know the streets and area's NR Brodie wrote about.
Absolutely implore everyone to read this. Phenomenal. I might have to buy this just to add it to my library (a friend lent me this copy!)
November 1, 2021
An appropriately complex take on magic.
This thriller creates a lively portrait of Johannesburg, with isangomas, cops (and former cops), and later witches investigating some weird goings-on.
Outstanding work that expertly balances the complexities of several contrasting views of magic with the need to tell a gripping story. It's been a while since I read a real page-turner that's also a smart and sensitive take on complex issues, and well researched.
It's especially good because of everything it doesn't do. Particularly in not demonizing any single tradition, or whitewashing another. Well worth your time.
This thriller creates a lively portrait of Johannesburg, with isangomas, cops (and former cops), and later witches investigating some weird goings-on.
Outstanding work that expertly balances the complexities of several contrasting views of magic with the need to tell a gripping story. It's been a while since I read a real page-turner that's also a smart and sensitive take on complex issues, and well researched.
It's especially good because of everything it doesn't do. Particularly in not demonizing any single tradition, or whitewashing another. Well worth your time.
July 12, 2018
My friend bought this for me on her trip to South Africa for her work. The novel is set in Joburg, South Africa, and explores the poaching and trafficking of parts of endangered species for purposes of magic. I enjoyed this police thriller with a heavy dose of supernatural creepiness and horror. It’s not published in the U.S., but I’m hoping it will be. Parts of it remind me of how magic and crime were blended in George C. Chesbro’s Mongo mysteries. In all, a creepy, good read!
February 8, 2021
Ian Jack is one knuckle head,he just can't leave stuff alone.What starts as a break-in grows into something bigger than he had ever imagined. He is taken by surprise into a whirlwind world. He is tenacious,unrelenting and stubborn.The cop in him never stops investigating,even the tiniest little thing,leads somewhere.
I must say its not what I was expecting at all. It kept me hostage until I finished it,I couldn't put it down.
I must say its not what I was expecting at all. It kept me hostage until I finished it,I couldn't put it down.
November 30, 2021
Unexpected and fantastic
This book took a turn into the surreal, that I as not expecting but loved nonetheless. At its heart, it's a classic detective novel but one that will surprise you at every turn.
This book took a turn into the surreal, that I as not expecting but loved nonetheless. At its heart, it's a classic detective novel but one that will surprise you at every turn.
January 19, 2019
Get ready for a brilliantly written South African crime thriller. My full review can be read here: https://highwaymail.co.za/300903/sa-b...
January 31, 2019
Gripping and unexpected. Really enjoyed.
June 18, 2019
Interesting story and intermingling of fantasy and reality (reminded me a bit of Aaronovitch's books in this way) with vivid descriptions of Johannesburg. Fast paced and easy to read.
August 20, 2021
Devoured this. Scary and fascinating!
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September 19, 2018*Quotes are only from first third of book to avoid spoilers.
~Nobody used clocks to tell the time any more.~
~These animals, they have not learned that the city is not a place for the wild...They still try to hunt at night. And then the hunters, they turn into prey.~
~Sometimes the truth depends on what you believe.~
~It is like a river...There is one side - the side where we are, humans, the world. And on the other side is another world, the spirit world. If you want to cross over from one side to the other, you must cross the river. And to cross the river you must pay a price.~
~It had been a mistake to go to the library.~
~Second guesses will get you killed.~
~Nobody used clocks to tell the time any more.~
~These animals, they have not learned that the city is not a place for the wild...They still try to hunt at night. And then the hunters, they turn into prey.~
~Sometimes the truth depends on what you believe.~
~It is like a river...There is one side - the side where we are, humans, the world. And on the other side is another world, the spirit world. If you want to cross over from one side to the other, you must cross the river. And to cross the river you must pay a price.~
~It had been a mistake to go to the library.~
~Second guesses will get you killed.~
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews