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Mamur Zapt #1
The Mamur Zapt & the Return of the Carpet
The Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo's CID in the heyday of (the indirect) British rule, focused on political, not police, matters. With the bustling new century, the loosening of imperial ties, and the rise of nationalism, his was a busy office. The attempted assassination of a veteran politician raises the spectre of a major terrorist statement at the capital's principal religious festival where the faithful celebrate the Return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.
Easily navigating multiple nationalities, three principal languages, and four competing legal systems, not to mention the intricacies of shadow and actual governments, Captain Owen, the Welsh incumbent, bolsters the Mamur Zapt's office with the aid of a host of memorable characters.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1988
44 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Michael Pearce
65 books52 followersMichael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. He returned there later to teach, and retains a human rights interest in the area. He retired from his academic post to write full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 19, 2020
The new secret police chief of Egypt - the Mamur Zapt - is an English appointed agent - although Owen says he is Welsh. He must keep a lid on all the revolutionary parties before the country rebels.
A few bystanders take an interest in the police procedures of the Parquet
They became aware that a small crowd was watching them with interest.
“I think your half million is beginning to arrive,” said Owen.
“It’s unreal to reconstruct without a crowd,” said Mahmoud. “It’s impossible with one.”
He walked across the Place to where Fakhri might have observed the scene from his arabeah. For a moment he stood there looking. Then he walked slowly back to Owen.
“Just fixing it in my mind,” he said, “before I talk to them.”
Two heavily laden brick carts emerged at the same time from adjoining streets and then continued across the Place abreast of each other. A car coming out of the Sharia el Teatro was obliged to brake suddenly and skidded across in front of two arabeahs which had just pulled out of the pavement. All three drivers jumped down from their vehicles and began to abuse the drivers of the brick carts, who themselves felt obliged to descend to the ground, the better to put their own point of view. Other vehicles came to a halt and other drivers joined in. Some Passover sheep, painted in stripes and with silver necklaces around their necks, which had been trotting peacefully along beside the Ezbekiyeh Gardens, abandoned the small boy who was herding them and wandered out into the middle of the traffic. In a moment all was confusion and uproar. The Place, that is, had returned to normal.
“That,” said Mahmoud resignedly, “is that.”
Some one in the British army is selling arms to Egyptian Nationalists
“The trouble is,” said Owen, “the Sirdar will never do anything.”
“Oh yes he will. This time. The Agent was on to him directly. He’s at risk, too. Great minds think alike for once.”
“You reckon the memo might have some effect?”
“It already has. Sirdar’s already kicked some people up the ass.”
“He has?” said Owen happily.
“He certainly has.”
Paul leaned forward and spoke a trifle more quietly but just as vehemently.
“And with bloody good reason,” he said. “Because do you know what came out? The Old Man demanded to know if anything had been stolen recently. The SPG had to tell him. And—can you believe it? It turned out that a box of grenades had vanished from Kantara barracks only last Tuesday! Grenades! A box! Jesus!”
“Kantara?” said Owen. “That’s interesting.”
“Is it? Well, perhaps it is to you. I must say, Gareth, they’re pretty impressed with you. Timely prescience, the Agent called it. Even the Sirdar thought it was damn good intelligence work.”
“Well, there you are,” said Owen modestly.
“But what interests me,” said Paul, “was that it was a whole bloody box. Could cause absolute havoc if they start chucking a few of those around. And it’s just when we’ve got all the festivals coming up! We’ve got the Carpet next week and the place will be stiff with notables all hanging around for someone to take a pot shot at. Even the Khedive has been persuaded to come to receive the plaudits of his loyal and appreciative subjects. And I’m organizing our side! Christ!”
“The Agent?”
“And the Sirdar!”
“McPhee’s very good,” said Owen.
“He’ll have to be,” said Paul gloomily, “if the Army is issuing arms to the whole population of Egypt.”
Family ties and obligations bind all of Egypt together
You remember that girl? Leila? The one my father made pregnant?” asked Zeniab.
“Mustafa’s wife’s—”
“So that’s his name, is it?” she said. “Yes. That one. Well, my father is not such a monster as you think. He always looks after the women. He asked Guzman to take her in as a washerwoman. Guzman is an old friend of his. They worked together for the Khedive even before my father became a minister. I was coming to see how she was.”
“I thought she was staying with relatives?”
“She is. She comes in daily. They live not far from here. They are very poor. They couldn’t manage if she didn’t work.”
“Mustafa spoke of others providing. Did he mean your father?”
“Surely not,” she said. “He would never accept anything from my father. That’s why my father had to be indirect.”
Sometimes it seemed to Owen that the whole of Egypt was bound together by intricate, interlinked systems of obligations, favours and rewards, subtle reciprocities, often to do with family, which connected people in unexpected ways. It was an immensely powerful moral system and if you lived in Egypt you could not escape its pressure. “This is my brother’s son,” Yussuf had said one day, presenting a grubby little urchin, and Owen had known that he was expected to do something about it. McPhee had found the boy a place in the stables and Yussuf’s standing with his family had been saved.
While you watch the Mamur Zapt recover the missing grenades you can also admire the stately architecture and market places of old Cairo.
Enjoy!
A few bystanders take an interest in the police procedures of the Parquet
They became aware that a small crowd was watching them with interest.
“I think your half million is beginning to arrive,” said Owen.
“It’s unreal to reconstruct without a crowd,” said Mahmoud. “It’s impossible with one.”
He walked across the Place to where Fakhri might have observed the scene from his arabeah. For a moment he stood there looking. Then he walked slowly back to Owen.
“Just fixing it in my mind,” he said, “before I talk to them.”
Two heavily laden brick carts emerged at the same time from adjoining streets and then continued across the Place abreast of each other. A car coming out of the Sharia el Teatro was obliged to brake suddenly and skidded across in front of two arabeahs which had just pulled out of the pavement. All three drivers jumped down from their vehicles and began to abuse the drivers of the brick carts, who themselves felt obliged to descend to the ground, the better to put their own point of view. Other vehicles came to a halt and other drivers joined in. Some Passover sheep, painted in stripes and with silver necklaces around their necks, which had been trotting peacefully along beside the Ezbekiyeh Gardens, abandoned the small boy who was herding them and wandered out into the middle of the traffic. In a moment all was confusion and uproar. The Place, that is, had returned to normal.
“That,” said Mahmoud resignedly, “is that.”
Some one in the British army is selling arms to Egyptian Nationalists
“The trouble is,” said Owen, “the Sirdar will never do anything.”
“Oh yes he will. This time. The Agent was on to him directly. He’s at risk, too. Great minds think alike for once.”
“You reckon the memo might have some effect?”
“It already has. Sirdar’s already kicked some people up the ass.”
“He has?” said Owen happily.
“He certainly has.”
Paul leaned forward and spoke a trifle more quietly but just as vehemently.
“And with bloody good reason,” he said. “Because do you know what came out? The Old Man demanded to know if anything had been stolen recently. The SPG had to tell him. And—can you believe it? It turned out that a box of grenades had vanished from Kantara barracks only last Tuesday! Grenades! A box! Jesus!”
“Kantara?” said Owen. “That’s interesting.”
“Is it? Well, perhaps it is to you. I must say, Gareth, they’re pretty impressed with you. Timely prescience, the Agent called it. Even the Sirdar thought it was damn good intelligence work.”
“Well, there you are,” said Owen modestly.
“But what interests me,” said Paul, “was that it was a whole bloody box. Could cause absolute havoc if they start chucking a few of those around. And it’s just when we’ve got all the festivals coming up! We’ve got the Carpet next week and the place will be stiff with notables all hanging around for someone to take a pot shot at. Even the Khedive has been persuaded to come to receive the plaudits of his loyal and appreciative subjects. And I’m organizing our side! Christ!”
“The Agent?”
“And the Sirdar!”
“McPhee’s very good,” said Owen.
“He’ll have to be,” said Paul gloomily, “if the Army is issuing arms to the whole population of Egypt.”
Family ties and obligations bind all of Egypt together
You remember that girl? Leila? The one my father made pregnant?” asked Zeniab.
“Mustafa’s wife’s—”
“So that’s his name, is it?” she said. “Yes. That one. Well, my father is not such a monster as you think. He always looks after the women. He asked Guzman to take her in as a washerwoman. Guzman is an old friend of his. They worked together for the Khedive even before my father became a minister. I was coming to see how she was.”
“I thought she was staying with relatives?”
“She is. She comes in daily. They live not far from here. They are very poor. They couldn’t manage if she didn’t work.”
“Mustafa spoke of others providing. Did he mean your father?”
“Surely not,” she said. “He would never accept anything from my father. That’s why my father had to be indirect.”
Sometimes it seemed to Owen that the whole of Egypt was bound together by intricate, interlinked systems of obligations, favours and rewards, subtle reciprocities, often to do with family, which connected people in unexpected ways. It was an immensely powerful moral system and if you lived in Egypt you could not escape its pressure. “This is my brother’s son,” Yussuf had said one day, presenting a grubby little urchin, and Owen had known that he was expected to do something about it. McPhee had found the boy a place in the stables and Yussuf’s standing with his family had been saved.
While you watch the Mamur Zapt recover the missing grenades you can also admire the stately architecture and market places of old Cairo.
Enjoy!
August 25, 2024
The Goodreads description is very accurate. The book opens with the attempted assassination of Nuri. It was an entirely botched attempt and the perpetrator was quickly apprehended. The novel continues to find deeper and even more deep political intrigue. The setting is 1908 Cairo when the governance of Egypt isn't clear. There is an author note at the beginning which tells us of a tenuous British rule, which assisted a bankrupt Egyptian rule 30 years earlier, which followed Napoleon, and there was also the influence of the Ottoman Empire. The Mamur Zapt was head of the CID and in charge of security despite the presence of the British Army.
The various titles and departments and authority wasn't clear to me, but I worked out enough to mostly follow the intrigue. Gareth Cadwallader Owen, the Mamur Zapt, was fairly new to Cairo. He, too, had to figure out where the political strength lay and who had authority in which circumstances. I googled some of the titles.
What wasn't explained - and google failed an explanation - was what was this Carpet (always capitalized). The Return of the Carpet was in a week's time and the possibility of violence was becoming ever more pressing. Finally, on about page 198, the Carpet was referred to the Holy Carpet. Google solved this for me in that this carpet was one taken to Mecca every year. And then on page 200
I have so many books and series I want to read. I'm sure I don't need another one. And yet? I'm putting Book 2 on my already over-burdened wish list and maybe I'll actually try another. Because of the good writing, characterization and plot - but taking into account the learning curve of the time and culture aside - it just barely leaps the 3-/4-star line.
The various titles and departments and authority wasn't clear to me, but I worked out enough to mostly follow the intrigue. Gareth Cadwallader Owen, the Mamur Zapt, was fairly new to Cairo. He, too, had to figure out where the political strength lay and who had authority in which circumstances. I googled some of the titles.
What wasn't explained - and google failed an explanation - was what was this Carpet (always capitalized). The Return of the Carpet was in a week's time and the possibility of violence was becoming ever more pressing. Finally, on about page 198, the Carpet was referred to the Holy Carpet. Google solved this for me in that this carpet was one taken to Mecca every year. And then on page 200
The Return of the Holy Carpet was one of the two great processions of the Cairo year. The other was the Departure of the Carpet. The Carpet departed with the annual caravan of pilgrims and returned from Mecca some months later, usually well after the pilgrims had returned, the actual date depending less on position in the religious calendar than on how far behind administrative arrangements had fallen.I liked the characterization of Owen and I liked Pearce's writing style. The plot was good, even if I was a tad confused off and on. I thought for most of the novel that I was enjoying the journey but the learning curve of the culture was maybe more than I wanted. And then it got good. I mean really good. I loved the ending.
I have so many books and series I want to read. I'm sure I don't need another one. And yet? I'm putting Book 2 on my already over-burdened wish list and maybe I'll actually try another. Because of the good writing, characterization and plot - but taking into account the learning curve of the time and culture aside - it just barely leaps the 3-/4-star line.
August 4, 2012
This book and the entire series are excellent in every way--plot, characterization, detection, color, balance--with no faults or deficiencies that I can see. The Egyptian setting (1908 through WWI to Egyptian independence) is an interesting new venue, and is presented in wonderful detail, knowledgeably and sympathetically. I've read them all, and am re-reading them, with great pleasure.
February 19, 2020
Enjoyable characters, and gives a slice of historical life and politics of the times. Set in Cairo, Egypt during the British rule in the early 1900s. The Mamur Zapt (sort of secret police) has to solve a murder plot and keep security wile negotiating the political landscape.
November 27, 2016
This was an interesting novel, albeit average. Pearce creates this easy-going and smart character that acts as a CID in Cairo but only for specific security-related crimes. After an attempt to assassinate a high-ranked politician he is dragged into a search for the men behind the attempt unveiling a bigger plot in the background. The Mamur Zapt is funny and engaging, while far too good to be true regarding the political and discrimination aspects. It was very interesting to see the peak of colonialism and the British Empire through the eyes of a British person, although Pearce takes a quite balanced and righteous view on issues of injustice, occupation, etc. Although the setting and the atmosphere are quite nicely depicted, I never managed to really get engaged with the book or the story per se. Characters were a bit shallow with no background to capture your interest and the climatic moments were missing.
Bottom-line: All in all a good novel to read if you plan to visit Egypt and I think the next instalments of the series are better.
Bottom-line: All in all a good novel to read if you plan to visit Egypt and I think the next instalments of the series are better.
January 11, 2023
The setting and characters are interesting, I just wish I could tell them all apart.
The same character is referred to by rank, title, surname or first name at different times, making it very confusing who is being referred to. And at 37% into the book I was still reading about new characters and their back stories.
Not enough sleuthing and too much politics.
Had to give up in the end.
The same character is referred to by rank, title, surname or first name at different times, making it very confusing who is being referred to. And at 37% into the book I was still reading about new characters and their back stories.
Not enough sleuthing and too much politics.
Had to give up in the end.
July 24, 2019
Engaging political intrigue set in Cairo just after the turn of the 20th century. Perhaps a bit more local color (street names, etc.) than needed, but offers interesting insights into the culture of that era.
July 17, 2014
I love the subtle humor that reminds me of Cairo
December 2, 2019
Four stars for entertainment value. I'm only just found this series and I’m glad a have what a great fun read.
March 15, 2020
Captain Garth Owen is the Mamur Zapt, the title given to the British head of Cairo's secret police. It's a job that keeps him deeply involved in the investigation of political matters. This first book of the series takes place in 1908 at at time when Egypt was a place of turmoil and political unrest. When an attempted assassination of a local politician occurs, the matter seems at first to be a personal revenge attack, but before long Captain Owen believes there's more to the story than he originally suspected. This investigation is made even more difficult due to his current duty of protecting the “return of the carpet”, a large, black cloth that covers the Ka'ba at the annual hajj, which is returned to Cairo at the conclusion of Ramadan. Various groups may be planning to use the parade and celebration as an opportunity to commit some violent acts.
I was fascinated by the very complex political background of the early 20th century. It was interesting to watch the main character try to navigate the British, French, the Egyptian overlapping but clearly separate interests. The social background is equally fascinating.
I thought this was a great start to a series I hadn't been aware of. On the negative side, there are numerous characters with unfamiliar names and titles that require the reader to pay close attention or lose track of which character is which. I thought it was worth the effort though, since many of these characters play roles in future books. I definitely plan to read more of this series.
I was fascinated by the very complex political background of the early 20th century. It was interesting to watch the main character try to navigate the British, French, the Egyptian overlapping but clearly separate interests. The social background is equally fascinating.
I thought this was a great start to a series I hadn't been aware of. On the negative side, there are numerous characters with unfamiliar names and titles that require the reader to pay close attention or lose track of which character is which. I thought it was worth the effort though, since many of these characters play roles in future books. I definitely plan to read more of this series.
September 7, 2007
THE MAMUR ZAPT AND THE RETURN OF THE CARPET - G
Michael Pearce – 1st in series
Set in 1908 Cairo, Captain Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt (head of Cairo’s CID, focused on political, not police, matters), investigates the attempted murder of prominent politician and philanderer Nuri Pasha. Ostensibly the target of revenge by an enraged relative of his newest conquest, the attack on Pasha takes on different dimensions when the weapon turns out to have been stolen from the British Army, leading Owen to fear that a terrorist organization is planning something special for a forthcoming religious ceremony marking the return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.
***This was a bit slow-going for me, mainly as I am unfamiliar with the history of Egypt during this time. That said, I did find it fascinating to read about the social structure and customs. The characters were interesting and it was a pretty good mystery. I wouldn’t put it on the same level as Barbara Cleverly, but I shall definitely read another.
Michael Pearce – 1st in series
Set in 1908 Cairo, Captain Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt (head of Cairo’s CID, focused on political, not police, matters), investigates the attempted murder of prominent politician and philanderer Nuri Pasha. Ostensibly the target of revenge by an enraged relative of his newest conquest, the attack on Pasha takes on different dimensions when the weapon turns out to have been stolen from the British Army, leading Owen to fear that a terrorist organization is planning something special for a forthcoming religious ceremony marking the return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.
***This was a bit slow-going for me, mainly as I am unfamiliar with the history of Egypt during this time. That said, I did find it fascinating to read about the social structure and customs. The characters were interesting and it was a pretty good mystery. I wouldn’t put it on the same level as Barbara Cleverly, but I shall definitely read another.
Read
August 27, 2008Witty, and tightly written mysteries with some anthropology thrown in.
Funny author's statement:
"Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan among the political and other tensions he draws on for this book. He returned there later to teach and retains a human rights interest in the area. In between whiles his career has followed the standard academic rake's progress from teaching to writing to editing to administration. He finds international politics a pallid imitation of academic ones."
Funny author's statement:
"Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan among the political and other tensions he draws on for this book. He returned there later to teach and retains a human rights interest in the area. In between whiles his career has followed the standard academic rake's progress from teaching to writing to editing to administration. He finds international politics a pallid imitation of academic ones."
April 22, 2016
In this first book of several by Pearce, we are introduced to Owen - the Mamur Zapt - and all the other British and Egyptian governmental officials, as well as many dignitaries. Owen, the Mamur Zapt, who is British, is in charge of discovering and stopping any military/governmental plots.
At first I almost gave up reading the book, because of all the different names and titles of the characters. Once I got most of them sorted out, things made more sense. This story is more about putting together the complex puzzle that is the story, rather than an out and out mystery.
At first I almost gave up reading the book, because of all the different names and titles of the characters. Once I got most of them sorted out, things made more sense. This story is more about putting together the complex puzzle that is the story, rather than an out and out mystery.
August 5, 2016
I was looking forward to this series but don't know if I will continue. This book is about 95% short sentences of conversation, a format I have never liked and would be most appreciated by those who like short, quick reads with little description. In fact, I don't even know what the main character, Gareth, looks like. Maybe that was in one of the parts I skimmed over! It's not that it is a boring book, but politics and interagency squabbling gets old fast.
June 20, 2019
Egypt, ostensibly part of the Ottoman Empire, is headed by the Khedive as the British Empire allows. No one is comfortable with the arrangement, and plots are the order of the day. It is the duty of the Mamur Zapt, as head of British intelligence, to ensure that the plots are foiled. The current Mamur Zapt is, however, a "rank amateur", who must prove what Churchill would espouse in WWII: amateurs can succeed when professionals wouldn't even try.
April 1, 2015
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It didn't drag on too long nor did anything feel rushed. The characters were well-drawn and those that needed to be likeable were. Having read Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody novels I felt I knew the Cairo described but this was a different perspective on it which was interesting and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of this series.
September 5, 2011
A fine mystery set in 1909 colonial Egypt and focusing on the chief of the secret police. It is not a serious or angry novel of anti-colonialism, but laughs at both the Egyptian upper class and the British who occupy. Wonderful descriptions of Cairo and of human foibles and follies.
Read
August 22, 2011If you enjoy Agatha Christie’s books with more exotic settings, such as Egypt and Asia, you may also like this series with a Welsh detective who works with the British in turn-of-the-century Cairo.
August 2, 2014
Political intrigue in 1908 colonial Egypt
November 23, 2015
Interesting story set in pre-WWI Egypt under the Brits. Decent story which sets up future novels but is a little light on tension.
October 9, 2018
Whole series is great if you want to understand not only Egypt but whole Mediterranean! Try to read them in order, the story develops. Very Funny!
March 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book; but because I am ignorant of Egyptian history in the early 1900's, it was difficult for me to keep up with the political and religious machinations that were going on. The book was also slow going at times until the climax was reached. I did find that the book definitely placed the reader in time and place and HEAT; and was, at times, fairly humorous. The plot is set in 1908 in Cairo during the height of indirect British rule. The Khedive rules in name only, and the country is really ruled by British "advisers" at the top of all major ministries. The Sirdar is the British commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Army. The Mamur Zapt is the special investigator of the Secret Police in charge of political investigations and keeping peace among the different nationalities and political factions. He happens to be an "amateur" and a Welshman but people think he is British.
The book opens with the attempted assassination of a high-ranked politician and philanderer named Nuri Pasha. Gareth Owen who is the current Mamur Zapt joins forces (and eventually becomes friends with) with Mahmoud who is head of the Parquet - the Egyptian Dept. of Prosecutions of the Ministry of Justice (kind of like mixing oil and vinegar!). In investigating together, they discover a larger plot involving Nuri's son Ahmed. Owen is aided by his staff including the eccentric McPhee who is assistant commandant and Georgiades, a Greek assistant.
The Mamur Zapt discovers that a case of grenades has been stolen from a British armoury. When the box is recovered, three of the grenades are missing. He suspects that a plot is being hatched to disrupt the Return of the Carpet, which is a ceremony and parade on the return of a tapestry made to go round the Kaaba stone at Mecca. The celebration happens at the conclusion of Ramadan when the carpet is returned from Mecca. Which of the various political and religious groups is going to make a statement at this time and use the grenades? In the meantime four big strong men with clubs attack Ahmed and beat him severely. Is it a warning for his father? How is he involved with the parade? Is his father involved in the plot?
The Mamur Zapt finds his job a sensitive one as he is dealing with four competing legal systems, three main languages and the infighting among several religions and political factions. The book also gave detailed differences of the social and economic aspects of life among the nationalities, described the rural and urban differences, and how women were treated and dressed and interacted with men in different situations and nationalities. Owen befriends Zeinab who aids him in his investigation. She is the daughter of Nuri, and Owen is attracted to her. There were a plethora of memorable characters to keep track of. The first time Owen's first name is mentioned, I was at a loss who this character named Gareth was until I figured out it was Owen. An enjoyable read.
The book opens with the attempted assassination of a high-ranked politician and philanderer named Nuri Pasha. Gareth Owen who is the current Mamur Zapt joins forces (and eventually becomes friends with) with Mahmoud who is head of the Parquet - the Egyptian Dept. of Prosecutions of the Ministry of Justice (kind of like mixing oil and vinegar!). In investigating together, they discover a larger plot involving Nuri's son Ahmed. Owen is aided by his staff including the eccentric McPhee who is assistant commandant and Georgiades, a Greek assistant.
The Mamur Zapt discovers that a case of grenades has been stolen from a British armoury. When the box is recovered, three of the grenades are missing. He suspects that a plot is being hatched to disrupt the Return of the Carpet, which is a ceremony and parade on the return of a tapestry made to go round the Kaaba stone at Mecca. The celebration happens at the conclusion of Ramadan when the carpet is returned from Mecca. Which of the various political and religious groups is going to make a statement at this time and use the grenades? In the meantime four big strong men with clubs attack Ahmed and beat him severely. Is it a warning for his father? How is he involved with the parade? Is his father involved in the plot?
The Mamur Zapt finds his job a sensitive one as he is dealing with four competing legal systems, three main languages and the infighting among several religions and political factions. The book also gave detailed differences of the social and economic aspects of life among the nationalities, described the rural and urban differences, and how women were treated and dressed and interacted with men in different situations and nationalities. Owen befriends Zeinab who aids him in his investigation. She is the daughter of Nuri, and Owen is attracted to her. There were a plethora of memorable characters to keep track of. The first time Owen's first name is mentioned, I was at a loss who this character named Gareth was until I figured out it was Owen. An enjoyable read.
June 30, 2025
I admit it - I'm a sucker for novels set in the Mid-East, Egypt in particular, and the beginning of the 20th century. Several years ago I stumbled on Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt novels by accident - poached from another Good Reads contributor - and have read half of them before picking up this volume, the story that began it all.
Set in Cairo after the end of the Victorian Age, the tales follow Captain Gareth Cadwallader Owen, a Welshman who has become the head of the Khedive’s secret police, known as the Mamur Zapt. Though nominally a possession of the aging Ottoman Empire, Egypt enjoyed a certain independence until financial collapse threatened European investments and Britain stepped in to right the ship. By the time these stories begin, Britain has exercised control over Egypt for nearly 20 years through the High Commissioner of Egypt, his ‘advisors’ posted in every government department, the presence of the British Army, and the Sirdar – an English officer in charge of the Egyptian army.
In each of these tales, Owen must deal with politics as the Nationalist movement in Egypt grows stronger and with it, anti-British sentiment. The conflict between East and West – culture, ideals, and power are key elements, enlivened by the connection to historical events.
Filled with a host of true-to-life characters, deft descriptions of geography, climate, and lively action and amusing dialog, each novel is a rewarding experience.
Set in Cairo after the end of the Victorian Age, the tales follow Captain Gareth Cadwallader Owen, a Welshman who has become the head of the Khedive’s secret police, known as the Mamur Zapt. Though nominally a possession of the aging Ottoman Empire, Egypt enjoyed a certain independence until financial collapse threatened European investments and Britain stepped in to right the ship. By the time these stories begin, Britain has exercised control over Egypt for nearly 20 years through the High Commissioner of Egypt, his ‘advisors’ posted in every government department, the presence of the British Army, and the Sirdar – an English officer in charge of the Egyptian army.
In each of these tales, Owen must deal with politics as the Nationalist movement in Egypt grows stronger and with it, anti-British sentiment. The conflict between East and West – culture, ideals, and power are key elements, enlivened by the connection to historical events.
Filled with a host of true-to-life characters, deft descriptions of geography, climate, and lively action and amusing dialog, each novel is a rewarding experience.
April 14, 2025
Nice series beginner. It’s Cairo Egypt in 1908 and we meet Captain Gareth Cadwallader Owen, the Mamur Zapt (head of the political CID - the Secret Police), Cairo with all of its multinational players, powers, and interconnected cultures; this was a polyglot Cairo of many nationalities, the bulk Egyptian, but there were sizeable communities of Greeks, Italians, French, Syrians, Armenians, English, Jews, Turks, Tripolitans and Levantines of other sorts as well.
The Return Of The Carpet is an annual tradition, sort of a holiday with parades, speeches, and appearances by all the political elites - and a perfect opportunity for chicanery by those with agendas of their own. It falls to the Mamur Zapt to ensure that all the security procedures are in place and that no harm comes to any notables in attendance, not an easy task. A very entertaining period piece, a snapshot of a very different place and time. Looking forward to reading more of these.
The Return Of The Carpet is an annual tradition, sort of a holiday with parades, speeches, and appearances by all the political elites - and a perfect opportunity for chicanery by those with agendas of their own. It falls to the Mamur Zapt to ensure that all the security procedures are in place and that no harm comes to any notables in attendance, not an easy task. A very entertaining period piece, a snapshot of a very different place and time. Looking forward to reading more of these.
July 14, 2020
Enjoyable from the uniqueness of the setting - Egypt of 1908, where the political control of the country was a byzantine mess of the "unofficial and temporary" control by the British and heavy influence by Egyptian secular and religious groups, the Ottoman's, Syrians, French. Turmoil is a constant and the Mamur Zapt is Captain Owen, a mid-ranking British officer in charge of the political police. Mamur Zapt is a title, not a person's name. His small team is almost like an MI-5 (domestic intelligence) for the British in Egypt.
Lots of people in the story actively working at cross-purposes to each other, so the plot gets convoluted. Probably true enough to the way things worked, but I found it overly confusing
Lots of people in the story actively working at cross-purposes to each other, so the plot gets convoluted. Probably true enough to the way things worked, but I found it overly confusing
August 10, 2022
The first in a new series from a new author for me.
Liking the first book - have just started second book; we are introduced to the main cast
of characters in Cairo, usual bunch of good, bad, foreign - British etc; Egyptian suspects / staff
from different walks of life before entering the force.
The historical aspect is true to form, the culture’s, architecture and monumental likewise,
do believe I would renew my passport to visit Mamur and Mahmoud’s Cairo.
A great start to the series, you must listen to the first 3 - 4 chapters before you set your ears
to absorption and letting your mind wander off build and paint these visually beautiful
descriptive stories.
Very enjoyable, loving the beverages, climate, food and wardrobe, thank you Michael Pearce :-)
Liking the first book - have just started second book; we are introduced to the main cast
of characters in Cairo, usual bunch of good, bad, foreign - British etc; Egyptian suspects / staff
from different walks of life before entering the force.
The historical aspect is true to form, the culture’s, architecture and monumental likewise,
do believe I would renew my passport to visit Mamur and Mahmoud’s Cairo.
A great start to the series, you must listen to the first 3 - 4 chapters before you set your ears
to absorption and letting your mind wander off build and paint these visually beautiful
descriptive stories.
Very enjoyable, loving the beverages, climate, food and wardrobe, thank you Michael Pearce :-)
March 19, 2025
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. Picked up one a bit later in the series on the last used book store crawl, and then got this one from the library so I could start at the beginning. It was actually quite entertaining, but not quite four stars. "Read" kind of like an Agatha Christie mystery, though that is likely in part because of the setting - Egypt just before World War I (the British are still running the country for all intents and purposes). I am glad there was an audio book as it provided pronunciations for the names that I wouldn't have had if I'd been actually reading it.
April 24, 2024
The Mamur Zapt is the title of the chief of Secret Police in Khedival Egypt and under the British Protectorate in the early 1900s this was a British officer. This fictional mystery/thriller is about a particularly engaging, and fictional, occupant of this office. First in a relatively long series, this short book is fantastic. A great combination of local and period detail with a genuinely engaging mystery and a great set of vivid characters. Early 1900s Cairo comes to life and you can practically feel the heat and scent of the place.
June 19, 2024
2024 bk 78. I read this when it first came out. I was looking for something different from my normal cozy mysteries when an add for the Mamur Zapt #17 came out and I thought - lets give the series another try. Pearce does an amazing job of weaving the multiple facets of 1908 Egyptian politics and governance together - in a lesson that is in no way considered boring. A murder that isn't a murder, a son's rebellion, and the ways in which the Mamur Zapt has to manuever to keep his head above water are so intricately sorted out. Excellent read.
July 22, 2024
This is an interesting read on an odd subject. The Mamur Zapt was the head of the Political CID in Egypt in the early 1900s. The author has an intimate familiarity with the area, both culturally and physically. The number of "players" involved-English, French, Turkish and Egyptian. How things operate, overlap, and are separate is fascinating.
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