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Benny Griessel #1
Der Atem des Jägers
Südafrika - spannend, mystisch, einzigartig Benny Griessel war der beste Mann der Polizei Kapstadts - bis er zu trinken begann. Nun ist er am Ende, seine Frau hat ihn hinausgeworfen. Einzig sein Chef glaubt noch an ihn und übergibt ihm seinen größten Fall: Jemand läuft durch die Stadt und tötet Kinderschänder, die vor Gericht freigekommen sind. In der mysteriösen Christine, die ihr Kind bedroht sieht, findet Griessel eine Verbündete. Thobela, ein ehemaliger Befreiungskämpfer, hat mit seinem Ziehsohn ein stilles Glück gefunden – bis der kleine Pakamile an einer Tankstelle erschossen wird. Thobela wird zum Rächer all der Kinder, denen Gewalt angetan worden ist. Die Polizei Kapstadts steht vor einem Rätsel. Doch dann übernimmt Detective Griessel den Fall: Er ist ein erfahrener Polizist – und ein Alkoholiker, den seine Frau nach einem handfesten Streit hinausgeworfen hat. Aber Griessel will es sich beweisen. Wenn er diesen Fall aufklärt, hat er noch eine Chance, seine Frau zurückzugewinnen. In seiner Not versucht er, Thobela eine Falle zu stellen. Plötzlich aber nimmt der Fall ungeahnte Dimensionen an.
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
557 people are currently reading
4201 people want to read
About the author
Deon Meyer
59 books1,227 followersDeon Meyer was born in the South African town of Paarl in the winelands of the Western Cape in 1958, and grew up in Klerksdorp, in the gold mining region of Northwest Province.
After military duty and studying at the Potchefstroom University, he joined Die Volksblad, a daily newspaper in Bloemfontein as a reporter. Since then, he has worked as press liaison, advertising copywriter, creative director, web manager, Internet strategist, and brand consultant.
Deon wrote his first book when he was 14 years old, and bribed and blackmailed his two brothers into reading it. They were not impressed (hey, everybody is a critic ...)
Deon Meyer
Heeding their wisdom, he did not write fiction again until he was in his early thirties, when he started publishing short stories in South African magazines.
"I still believe that is the best way to learn the craft of writing. Short stories teach you a lot about story structure - and you have limited space to develop character and plot," says Deon.
In 1994 he published his first Afrikaans novel, which has not been translated, "simply because it was not good enough to compete on the international market. However, it was a wonderful learning experience".
All later novels have been translated into several languages, including English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, Czech, Romanian, Slovakian and Bulgarian.
Deon lives in Melkbosstrand on the South African West Coast with his wife, Anita, and they have four children to keep them busy: Lida, Liam, Johan and Konstanz.
Other than his family, his big passions are motorcycling, music (he is a Mozart fanatic, but loves rock 'n roll too), reading, cooking and rugby (he unconditionally supports the national Springbok team and the Free State Cheetahs provincial team).
After military duty and studying at the Potchefstroom University, he joined Die Volksblad, a daily newspaper in Bloemfontein as a reporter. Since then, he has worked as press liaison, advertising copywriter, creative director, web manager, Internet strategist, and brand consultant.
Deon wrote his first book when he was 14 years old, and bribed and blackmailed his two brothers into reading it. They were not impressed (hey, everybody is a critic ...)
Deon Meyer
Heeding their wisdom, he did not write fiction again until he was in his early thirties, when he started publishing short stories in South African magazines.
"I still believe that is the best way to learn the craft of writing. Short stories teach you a lot about story structure - and you have limited space to develop character and plot," says Deon.
In 1994 he published his first Afrikaans novel, which has not been translated, "simply because it was not good enough to compete on the international market. However, it was a wonderful learning experience".
All later novels have been translated into several languages, including English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, Czech, Romanian, Slovakian and Bulgarian.
Deon lives in Melkbosstrand on the South African West Coast with his wife, Anita, and they have four children to keep them busy: Lida, Liam, Johan and Konstanz.
Other than his family, his big passions are motorcycling, music (he is a Mozart fanatic, but loves rock 'n roll too), reading, cooking and rugby (he unconditionally supports the national Springbok team and the Free State Cheetahs provincial team).
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August 13, 2024
DEVIL’S PEAK
Panorama di Cape Town da Lion’s Head
Ecco l’inizio della serie dedicata al detective Bennie Griessel della polizia di Città del Capo, Sezione Crimini Violenti.
Seguiranno i romanzi 13 ore, 7 giorni, e il più recente Cobra, in Italia pubblicati tutti dalle Edizioni e/o.
Bennie è alcolizzato: nell’alcol cerca sollievo alla morte e alla violenza con la quale deve fare i conti 24/7.
Sollievo che ovviamente non trova se non per brevi illusori attimi, seguiti da down sempre più lunghi che lavorano sul suo senso di colpa e in direzione di un allontanamento progressivo dal consorzio umano, cominciando dalla sua famiglia, moglie, figlia e figlio.
Cape Town. Devil’s Peak è la prima cima sulla sinistra.
All’inizio di questo romanzo, la moglie lo caccia da casa: resta sobrio sei mesi, gli dice, e poi potrai tornare. Forse. Ne riparliamo tra sei mesi, se sei capace di passarli all’asciutto.
Bennie cerca un piccolo appartamento dove vivere, inizia ad arredarlo, muove i primi passi da sobrio, inizia a frequentare gli AA, continua a essere un ottimo poliziotto, un investigatore acuto ed efficiente.
Oltre a Bennie, ci sono altri due personaggi importanti: Christine, una bella attraente ragazza madre che si guadagna da vivere facendo la escort ed è in fuga da un ricco spacciatore sudamericano troppo innamorato; e Thobela Mpayipheli, uno xhosa ex combattente per la libertà, addestrato dal KGB a essere un killer professionista, che avrebbe appeso le armi al chiodo se non gli avessero appena ucciso il figlio, al quale Meyer dedica altro due romanzi (‘Dead at Daybreak’ e ‘Codice: Cacciatore’).
Le strade dei tre, man mano che la narrazione procede, si avvicinano fino a incrociarsi, fino a diventare una sola.
Meyer si conferma scrittore di crime fiction sopraffino, il migliore del suo paese, uno dei migliori del mondo.
Eppure qui qualche difetto l’ho registrato: il racconto della ragazza al prete è troppo lungo, come una voce fuori campo invadente; l’episodio coi ragazzini poveri è stucchevole più dello zucchero filato, ma per fortuna dura solo un paio di pagine; i tentativi di ironia tramite battute scherzose di dialogo funzionano in modo traballante.
Peccati veniali a fronte di un’ottima narrazione, avvincente e trascinante.
Al di là delle belle trame, ben architettate e accuratamente investigate, io trovo estremamente interessante il ritratto del Sudafrica post-apartheid, moderno e tribale, corrotto marcio ma pieno di speranza e vitalità.
In queste pagine emerge un grave problema sociale: la superstizione fa credere che l’AIDS si possa guarire facendo sesso con i bambini, il sangue dei bambini sarebbe curativo. Questo, ovviamente, comporta un pericoloso aumento della violenza sui minori.
Devil’s Peak
Il titolo originale è ‘Infanta’, una località sul mare. Il titolo italiano si riferisce alla lingua in cui è scritto il romanzo, la prima lingua del suo protagonista, l’afrikaans, la lingua dei primi coloni europei, gli olandesi. Meyer scrive in afrikaans e anche nel suo paese deve essere tradotto in inglese se vuole andare oltre le cinquemila copie di vendita, che sono il massimo per un best seller in afrikaans. ‘Devil’s Peak’ è il titolo della versione inglese.
Il villaggio di Infanta
Panorama di Cape Town da Lion’s Head
Ecco l’inizio della serie dedicata al detective Bennie Griessel della polizia di Città del Capo, Sezione Crimini Violenti.
Seguiranno i romanzi 13 ore, 7 giorni, e il più recente Cobra, in Italia pubblicati tutti dalle Edizioni e/o.
Bennie è alcolizzato: nell’alcol cerca sollievo alla morte e alla violenza con la quale deve fare i conti 24/7.
Sollievo che ovviamente non trova se non per brevi illusori attimi, seguiti da down sempre più lunghi che lavorano sul suo senso di colpa e in direzione di un allontanamento progressivo dal consorzio umano, cominciando dalla sua famiglia, moglie, figlia e figlio.
Cape Town. Devil’s Peak è la prima cima sulla sinistra.
All’inizio di questo romanzo, la moglie lo caccia da casa: resta sobrio sei mesi, gli dice, e poi potrai tornare. Forse. Ne riparliamo tra sei mesi, se sei capace di passarli all’asciutto.
Bennie cerca un piccolo appartamento dove vivere, inizia ad arredarlo, muove i primi passi da sobrio, inizia a frequentare gli AA, continua a essere un ottimo poliziotto, un investigatore acuto ed efficiente.
Oltre a Bennie, ci sono altri due personaggi importanti: Christine, una bella attraente ragazza madre che si guadagna da vivere facendo la escort ed è in fuga da un ricco spacciatore sudamericano troppo innamorato; e Thobela Mpayipheli, uno xhosa ex combattente per la libertà, addestrato dal KGB a essere un killer professionista, che avrebbe appeso le armi al chiodo se non gli avessero appena ucciso il figlio, al quale Meyer dedica altro due romanzi (‘Dead at Daybreak’ e ‘Codice: Cacciatore’).
Le strade dei tre, man mano che la narrazione procede, si avvicinano fino a incrociarsi, fino a diventare una sola.
Meyer si conferma scrittore di crime fiction sopraffino, il migliore del suo paese, uno dei migliori del mondo.
Eppure qui qualche difetto l’ho registrato: il racconto della ragazza al prete è troppo lungo, come una voce fuori campo invadente; l’episodio coi ragazzini poveri è stucchevole più dello zucchero filato, ma per fortuna dura solo un paio di pagine; i tentativi di ironia tramite battute scherzose di dialogo funzionano in modo traballante.
Peccati veniali a fronte di un’ottima narrazione, avvincente e trascinante.
Al di là delle belle trame, ben architettate e accuratamente investigate, io trovo estremamente interessante il ritratto del Sudafrica post-apartheid, moderno e tribale, corrotto marcio ma pieno di speranza e vitalità.
In queste pagine emerge un grave problema sociale: la superstizione fa credere che l’AIDS si possa guarire facendo sesso con i bambini, il sangue dei bambini sarebbe curativo. Questo, ovviamente, comporta un pericoloso aumento della violenza sui minori.
Devil’s Peak
Il titolo originale è ‘Infanta’, una località sul mare. Il titolo italiano si riferisce alla lingua in cui è scritto il romanzo, la prima lingua del suo protagonista, l’afrikaans, la lingua dei primi coloni europei, gli olandesi. Meyer scrive in afrikaans e anche nel suo paese deve essere tradotto in inglese se vuole andare oltre le cinquemila copie di vendita, che sono il massimo per un best seller in afrikaans. ‘Devil’s Peak’ è il titolo della versione inglese.
Il villaggio di Infanta
September 29, 2024
This book took me on a heartwarming, yet gritty, journey back to my homeland. Deon Meyer really knows how to capture the magic of South Africa! From the familiar slang to mentions of popular spots like Spur and Ocean Basket, it felt like I was right back in the heart of the country. The landscape? Beautiful. The crime? Dark, raw, and all too real.
Honestly, I liked this one even more than Dead Before Dying (which is book 0.5 in the Bennie Griessel series). It made me appreciate this Country all over again and reminded me of the things that made it so special. Meyer did an excellent job of showing the good, the bad, and the bittersweet.
Honestly, I liked this one even more than Dead Before Dying (which is book 0.5 in the Bennie Griessel series). It made me appreciate this Country all over again and reminded me of the things that made it so special. Meyer did an excellent job of showing the good, the bad, and the bittersweet.
December 1, 2015
This is crime fiction of the highest order, it deals with huge complex issues both at an individual and societal levels. It is set in a South Africa and does a tremendous job in capturing its diverse modern day identity. The author is a talented writer and I, for one, intend to read his other books. He is gifted in building and maintaining suspense, so much so that once you start reading, you do not want to stop for anything.
The structure of the story revolves around the following three strands - that of the older alcholic inspector struggling to stay sober so that he can solve the most important case of his life, a man who kills as a matter of honour and a prostitute with a dangerous secret. What follows is a terrific, thrilling, and harrowing roller coaster of a story. Dead bodies abound. This is not for the faint hearted and whilst I can truly say that I am in awe of the author and his writing, I am going to need considerable time to get over this book.
Be prepared to be taken to places of horror, physically and metaphorically, and be prepared to be spellbound by the characters and the plot twists. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, read it! I would like to thank Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of this book via the goodreads giveaways, it was very much appreciated.
The structure of the story revolves around the following three strands - that of the older alcholic inspector struggling to stay sober so that he can solve the most important case of his life, a man who kills as a matter of honour and a prostitute with a dangerous secret. What follows is a terrific, thrilling, and harrowing roller coaster of a story. Dead bodies abound. This is not for the faint hearted and whilst I can truly say that I am in awe of the author and his writing, I am going to need considerable time to get over this book.
Be prepared to be taken to places of horror, physically and metaphorically, and be prepared to be spellbound by the characters and the plot twists. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, read it! I would like to thank Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of this book via the goodreads giveaways, it was very much appreciated.
February 27, 2020
4.5 Stars.
This was a thrilling, exhilarating crime story. I found it a suspenseful, complex, and well-plotted. This is my first novel by Deon Meyer, and I am anxious to read others. He writes in Afrikaans, and the translation seemed impeccable. The Cape Town and other settings are stunning.
The story is told focusing on three diverse characters, who are flawed but sympathetic, and superbly brought to life on the pages. Their stories are interwoven throughout the chapters. Christine, a seductive, highly paid prostitute with a three-year-old daughter, tells her life’s story to a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Then there is the character of Benny Griessel, a melancholy, alcoholic detective who was once a brilliant police officer, but his job is in jeopardy due to his constant state of drunkenness. He has just been kicked out of the home he shares with his wife and two children and told not to come back unless he can stay sober for 6 months. He has been assigned a couple of criminal investigations and knows this is his last chance with the police department.
Interspersed with these stories is that of a large Xhosa man, Thobela, who was trained as a revolutionary and assassin in East Germany. He is now living quietly as a peaceful farmer. When filling his vehicle up with gas, two robbers exit the station, firing madly. His beloved son is killed in the crossfire. Thobela becomes a vigilante, intent on killing those who have abused, raped, or killed children and have escaped conviction and are walking free due to an uncaring and corrupt justice system. He kills with an assegai spear.
The stories of these three individuals (which alternated through most of the book) finally intersect in a suspenseful edge of the seat action-packed conclusion. This is the story of a country struggling to come to grips with its apartheid past. A tough and gritty crime story, brilliantly told.
This was a thrilling, exhilarating crime story. I found it a suspenseful, complex, and well-plotted. This is my first novel by Deon Meyer, and I am anxious to read others. He writes in Afrikaans, and the translation seemed impeccable. The Cape Town and other settings are stunning.
The story is told focusing on three diverse characters, who are flawed but sympathetic, and superbly brought to life on the pages. Their stories are interwoven throughout the chapters. Christine, a seductive, highly paid prostitute with a three-year-old daughter, tells her life’s story to a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Then there is the character of Benny Griessel, a melancholy, alcoholic detective who was once a brilliant police officer, but his job is in jeopardy due to his constant state of drunkenness. He has just been kicked out of the home he shares with his wife and two children and told not to come back unless he can stay sober for 6 months. He has been assigned a couple of criminal investigations and knows this is his last chance with the police department.
Interspersed with these stories is that of a large Xhosa man, Thobela, who was trained as a revolutionary and assassin in East Germany. He is now living quietly as a peaceful farmer. When filling his vehicle up with gas, two robbers exit the station, firing madly. His beloved son is killed in the crossfire. Thobela becomes a vigilante, intent on killing those who have abused, raped, or killed children and have escaped conviction and are walking free due to an uncaring and corrupt justice system. He kills with an assegai spear.
The stories of these three individuals (which alternated through most of the book) finally intersect in a suspenseful edge of the seat action-packed conclusion. This is the story of a country struggling to come to grips with its apartheid past. A tough and gritty crime story, brilliantly told.
January 16, 2022
I am a big fan of Deon Meyer, and I try to read all his books in order. So it finally came time for me to read the first of the Benny Griessel series. I found the book slow to begin with but then it picked up speed as all the different plots and characters became more cohesive. This is a book about both Benny and his individual demons, as well as his hunting down of a serial killer who has been executing individuals who have committed horrible crimes against children. We also have interwoven with this the story of a prostitute and her Colombian boyfriend which eventually leads to the resolution of the case.
The first section of the book was rather slow moving because I could not grasp all the different parts of this plot. We have the prostitute talking to a minister, we've got Benny who is an alcoholic and we've got the individual who became a serial killer and the story as to what happened that led him to become this executioner. By the time we got to the second section which was just about Benny, basically, things started to become clearer and I can understand why the author uses him in his own series of books. Benny is a fascinating character who has sunk almost as far as you can due to the effects of alcoholism, and so we follow him as he tries to clean up his act and also catch the killer.
I can't say this is my favorite of the books that I have read by Deon Meyer, but I can see where this character is going to grab my attention and I'm thinking the future books are going to be even better. This is well written, as always, once I could make my way through all the different subplots, I thought everything worked well together and, again, as I got about halfway into the book I couldn't put it down. If you have not read any books by Meyer I think he does a wonderful job of explaining the political and police situation over in South Africa, and I find his works extremely realistic. I'm looking forward to the remaining books in this series!
The first section of the book was rather slow moving because I could not grasp all the different parts of this plot. We have the prostitute talking to a minister, we've got Benny who is an alcoholic and we've got the individual who became a serial killer and the story as to what happened that led him to become this executioner. By the time we got to the second section which was just about Benny, basically, things started to become clearer and I can understand why the author uses him in his own series of books. Benny is a fascinating character who has sunk almost as far as you can due to the effects of alcoholism, and so we follow him as he tries to clean up his act and also catch the killer.
I can't say this is my favorite of the books that I have read by Deon Meyer, but I can see where this character is going to grab my attention and I'm thinking the future books are going to be even better. This is well written, as always, once I could make my way through all the different subplots, I thought everything worked well together and, again, as I got about halfway into the book I couldn't put it down. If you have not read any books by Meyer I think he does a wonderful job of explaining the political and police situation over in South Africa, and I find his works extremely realistic. I'm looking forward to the remaining books in this series!
June 28, 2016
My second book by this author and the first in the Benny Griessel series. It was easy to give it five stars especially as I galloped through its 409 pages of tiny print with ease. Well apart from squinting a bit because the print was really tiny. I think it must have been a cheap paperback edition.
This did not at all detract from the great story which starts out as three separate people telling their own tales and gradually links up and becomes one all encompassing event.
I really enjoyed Benny and look forward to finding out more about him and his family. I also love the South African setting, the Afrikaner speech and culture and the reminders of the good and the bad about living there.
Deon Meyer writes really well which is something I look for in my crime and mystery reading. It seems I have found another favourite author - and another series to complete!
This did not at all detract from the great story which starts out as three separate people telling their own tales and gradually links up and becomes one all encompassing event.
I really enjoyed Benny and look forward to finding out more about him and his family. I also love the South African setting, the Afrikaner speech and culture and the reminders of the good and the bad about living there.
Deon Meyer writes really well which is something I look for in my crime and mystery reading. It seems I have found another favourite author - and another series to complete!
October 2, 2020
Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: From rising South African thriller writer Deon Meyer, a gripping suspense novel about revenge, forgiveness, and the race to catch a trained killer.
A young woman makes a terrible confession to a priest. An honorable man takes his own revenge for an unspeakable tragedy. An aging inspector tries to get himself sober while taking on the most difficult case of his career. From this beginning, Deon Meyer weaves a story of astonishing complexity and suspense, as Inspector Benny Griessel faces off against a dangerous vigilante who has everything on his side, including public sympathy.
A gruesome abuse case has hit the newsstands, and one man has taken it upon himself to stand up for the children of Cape Town. When the accused is found stabbed through the heart by spear, it's only the beginning of a string of bloody murders - and of a dangerous dilemma for detective Griessel. The detective is always just one step behind as someone slays the city's killers. But the paths of Griessel and the avenger collide when a young prostitute lures them both into a dangerous plan - and the two find themselves with a heart-stopping problem that no system of justice could ever make right.
My Review: For once it's a good thing I don't keep good track of who it was suggested I read something. Whoever suggested this book to me: Don't fess up or there will be split lips and black eyes in your immediate future.
I hated this reading experience. Hated it. Fathers with murdered children, children in jeopardy that they can only desperately struggle to save, oh my bloomin' garden I was hit from every emotional angle and then smacked from behind and then misdirected into several dark corners and therein kneecapped. I started reading the book and, six and a half hours and one piddle break later, emerged on the other side of the dust jacket with bloody stumps in place of my ground-away teeth, hurting belly from all the unaccustomed muscle-clenching, and a serious need for a shower and hair wash to rid myself of the stress-sweat stink.
I am still in a state of high dudgeon at being made to participate in the shenanigans surrounding vigilante justice that I can only say I approve of (oh how that hurts to type) and police corruption scandalously indifferently treated (pause for blood to stop boiling over) and a miserable alcoholic a-hole with a serious need to destroy, himself his life the world, whatever comes into range, who happens to be the one being Diogenes would light up with that damn lamp...!
So. Unless you want to be lifted from the confines of your safe little rut, smacked into walls and hit with unbearably terrifying images of loss and its unending damage, beaten with the sensory overload of immersion in a landscape and a culture alien and familiar and overwhelmingly pungently vibrantly present, don't even think of reading this book.
Poor you, if you don't.
The Publisher Says: From rising South African thriller writer Deon Meyer, a gripping suspense novel about revenge, forgiveness, and the race to catch a trained killer.
A young woman makes a terrible confession to a priest. An honorable man takes his own revenge for an unspeakable tragedy. An aging inspector tries to get himself sober while taking on the most difficult case of his career. From this beginning, Deon Meyer weaves a story of astonishing complexity and suspense, as Inspector Benny Griessel faces off against a dangerous vigilante who has everything on his side, including public sympathy.
A gruesome abuse case has hit the newsstands, and one man has taken it upon himself to stand up for the children of Cape Town. When the accused is found stabbed through the heart by spear, it's only the beginning of a string of bloody murders - and of a dangerous dilemma for detective Griessel. The detective is always just one step behind as someone slays the city's killers. But the paths of Griessel and the avenger collide when a young prostitute lures them both into a dangerous plan - and the two find themselves with a heart-stopping problem that no system of justice could ever make right.
My Review: For once it's a good thing I don't keep good track of who it was suggested I read something. Whoever suggested this book to me: Don't fess up or there will be split lips and black eyes in your immediate future.
I hated this reading experience. Hated it. Fathers with murdered children, children in jeopardy that they can only desperately struggle to save, oh my bloomin' garden I was hit from every emotional angle and then smacked from behind and then misdirected into several dark corners and therein kneecapped. I started reading the book and, six and a half hours and one piddle break later, emerged on the other side of the dust jacket with bloody stumps in place of my ground-away teeth, hurting belly from all the unaccustomed muscle-clenching, and a serious need for a shower and hair wash to rid myself of the stress-sweat stink.
I am still in a state of high dudgeon at being made to participate in the shenanigans surrounding vigilante justice that I can only say I approve of (oh how that hurts to type) and police corruption scandalously indifferently treated (pause for blood to stop boiling over) and a miserable alcoholic a-hole with a serious need to destroy, himself his life the world, whatever comes into range, who happens to be the one being Diogenes would light up with that damn lamp...!
So. Unless you want to be lifted from the confines of your safe little rut, smacked into walls and hit with unbearably terrifying images of loss and its unending damage, beaten with the sensory overload of immersion in a landscape and a culture alien and familiar and overwhelmingly pungently vibrantly present, don't even think of reading this book.
Poor you, if you don't.
January 7, 2023
The last third is best of this novel. 5 of 10 stars
February 6, 2020
'Devil's Peak' by Deon Meyer is a terrific noir detective novel! I was drawn into this dark South African mystery immediately.
Detective Inspector Benny Griessel is barely hanging on to his reputation as a good cop in Cape Town's Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. He solved a lot of cases in the last twenty years, but something has gone sour in him. He can't stop drinking. Is he an alcoholic? His wife Anna and his two children believe he is, especially after he hit his wife in front of them. She kicked him out of the house.
He can't stop drinking. His family is right. Superintendent Matt Joubert, his friend and boss, is protecting him so far, but he has reached his limit. If Griessel doesn't quit drinking, he will be gone.
Thobela Mpayipheli is on a mission. His adopted son, Pakamile Nzululwazi was killed by robbers. Although Thobela picked them out as the perpetrators to the police, they run away. His grief and need for revenge is overwhelming. He was military black-ops. Now he will be a killer of child abusers.
Christine is a prostitute. She has a three-year-old toddler. She likes the money, but the job is finally wearing her down. Three more years and she will quit. But Carlos, a new client, is scary. He starts beating up her other customers. Then she learns he is a Colombian drug dealer, very rich, very dangerous. What can she do to get away?
Someone is killing middle-aged women. Griessel needs to solve this one. Or the other case, the murder of a child abuser. Younger detectives on the force are laughing at him, saying he no longer is a top gun. He hasn't had a drink in three days and he can't think of anything else but having some alcohol, anything. He's gotta focus, forget the thirst, or he truly will lose it all. But he is feeling so sick. He collapses. Can he pull himself together?
I loved 'Devil's Peak'! It's strong and punchy, a good introduction to the series. However, it also is a stereotypical noir mystery/damaged detective story despite the South African setting and characters. Gentle reader, you either love 'em or you don't. I'm a now a fan of author Deon Meyer!
I was reminded of the Detective Harry Bosch series (first book - The Black Echo). If you enjoy the Bosch series, I think you'll like Griessel!
Detective Inspector Benny Griessel is barely hanging on to his reputation as a good cop in Cape Town's Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. He solved a lot of cases in the last twenty years, but something has gone sour in him. He can't stop drinking. Is he an alcoholic? His wife Anna and his two children believe he is, especially after he hit his wife in front of them. She kicked him out of the house.
He can't stop drinking. His family is right. Superintendent Matt Joubert, his friend and boss, is protecting him so far, but he has reached his limit. If Griessel doesn't quit drinking, he will be gone.
Thobela Mpayipheli is on a mission. His adopted son, Pakamile Nzululwazi was killed by robbers. Although Thobela picked them out as the perpetrators to the police, they run away. His grief and need for revenge is overwhelming. He was military black-ops. Now he will be a killer of child abusers.
Christine is a prostitute. She has a three-year-old toddler. She likes the money, but the job is finally wearing her down. Three more years and she will quit. But Carlos, a new client, is scary. He starts beating up her other customers. Then she learns he is a Colombian drug dealer, very rich, very dangerous. What can she do to get away?
Someone is killing middle-aged women. Griessel needs to solve this one. Or the other case, the murder of a child abuser. Younger detectives on the force are laughing at him, saying he no longer is a top gun. He hasn't had a drink in three days and he can't think of anything else but having some alcohol, anything. He's gotta focus, forget the thirst, or he truly will lose it all. But he is feeling so sick. He collapses. Can he pull himself together?
I loved 'Devil's Peak'! It's strong and punchy, a good introduction to the series. However, it also is a stereotypical noir mystery/damaged detective story despite the South African setting and characters. Gentle reader, you either love 'em or you don't. I'm a now a fan of author Deon Meyer!
I was reminded of the Detective Harry Bosch series (first book - The Black Echo). If you enjoy the Bosch series, I think you'll like Griessel!
January 13, 2018
This has been on my trl for a while & suddenly found its way to the top!
Set in Capetown South Africa C2004, the early chapters (although titled Part 1 Christine) take us through three POV’s (Police Inspector, bodyguard/assassin & an escort) by ways of an introduction to the main characters. Kept short (chapters) the pages turn quickly & before you know, you are 100 pages in & me fully engaged with the differing stories of the trio, slowly being acquainted with life in the Cape which appears harsh as it’s told through our MC’s daily routines & events in their lives.
The story comes in 3 parts & have to say on reflection it was the style/pace of the first part I enjoyed the most where the 3 mc’s are featured throughout in equal measure which makes for a fast paced read. I found I associated/sympathised equally with the 3 MC’s & their stories which is unusual as I normally find one I don’t quite like or connect with....... not the case here. Although.....In the 2nd part (that of the Inspector) there are a coupla chapters (short ones) which really made me start & actually laugh as they were a little ludicrous, it’s not something that overly detracts but nevertheless does raise a few eyebrows to how it fits into the story, maybe some padding related to his condition but not really needed (nor actually realistic) for me. The last part (as expected perhaps) it’s back to the early pace as we wind up to the conclusion & the last 75 pages or so pull you along superbly.
Overall I enjoyed his style very much as he pulls no punches with life in South Africa at the time, it’s certainly a violent place compared to the West & if you can put aside the depravity of the crimes (they aren’t detailed) it’s a very good story & pulls you ever forward into the crux of the plot as the trio’s stories must inevitably collide?
I’ll leave it there as its a mystery but suffice to say a grand opening story in the Benny Griessel series & we’re opening up with 4.25 stars rounded down to a worthy 4 & a series I’ll continue with.
Set in Capetown South Africa C2004, the early chapters (although titled Part 1 Christine) take us through three POV’s (Police Inspector, bodyguard/assassin & an escort) by ways of an introduction to the main characters. Kept short (chapters) the pages turn quickly & before you know, you are 100 pages in & me fully engaged with the differing stories of the trio, slowly being acquainted with life in the Cape which appears harsh as it’s told through our MC’s daily routines & events in their lives.
The story comes in 3 parts & have to say on reflection it was the style/pace of the first part I enjoyed the most where the 3 mc’s are featured throughout in equal measure which makes for a fast paced read. I found I associated/sympathised equally with the 3 MC’s & their stories which is unusual as I normally find one I don’t quite like or connect with....... not the case here. Although.....In the 2nd part (that of the Inspector) there are a coupla chapters (short ones) which really made me start & actually laugh as they were a little ludicrous, it’s not something that overly detracts but nevertheless does raise a few eyebrows to how it fits into the story, maybe some padding related to his condition but not really needed (nor actually realistic) for me. The last part (as expected perhaps) it’s back to the early pace as we wind up to the conclusion & the last 75 pages or so pull you along superbly.
Overall I enjoyed his style very much as he pulls no punches with life in South Africa at the time, it’s certainly a violent place compared to the West & if you can put aside the depravity of the crimes (they aren’t detailed) it’s a very good story & pulls you ever forward into the crux of the plot as the trio’s stories must inevitably collide?
I’ll leave it there as its a mystery but suffice to say a grand opening story in the Benny Griessel series & we’re opening up with 4.25 stars rounded down to a worthy 4 & a series I’ll continue with.
August 12, 2012
This is an extremely exciting read from cover to cover. It has kept me awake and alert much later than usual. Sex, drugs, rock'n'roll: it's got all of this and much, much more. The story is populated by superb characters such as: Inspector Griessel, a police officer with an alcohol problem; Christine, a 'sex worker' who is more than a match for Carlos the drug entrepreneur, her best client; and Thobela, a Xhosa with an interesting history and an extraordinary mission.
Set mainly in the Cape Province of contemporary South Africa, the author, Deon Meyer, weaves the several seemingly disconnected fascinating stories together, keeping the reader in suspense at the end of each, often brief, section of each story. All of the time, you know that there must be some connection between these separate tales, but this only begins to become apparent well into the book, well after you have become thoroughly immersed in Meyer's superbly depicted, realistic South African physical and social landscape.
I do not read many thrillers, but I have enjoyed Deon Meyer and Helen MacInnes in the past. Deon Meyer is, I have decided after reading Devil's Peak, at the very least their equal.
I suppose it is in the nature of all thrillers that strands, which are at first apparently unconnected, gradually become woven together by the writer until they become a tightly knit rope. As I was avidly reading Meyer's novel, I was wondering how and when the different stories would gradually or suddenly coalesce, and I was not at all disappointed with the way that Meyer managed to achieve this. His conclusion, his weaving together of the fictional strands, left no untidy loose ends. Real life is rarely like that. I would have preferred to have been left with one or two loose ends or unanswered questions, but their absence did not detract from the immense enjoyment that I gained by reading this wonderful, well-researched book.
Meyer has not only written a superb thriller, but also has managed to portray modern South Africa and its many problems ingeniously. I hope to reading more of his books soon.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A VERY PERSONAL NOTE arising from two lines in Meyer's book.
I quote from the book: "He and Jamie Keyter were the back-up team. Not Yaymie as the locals would say it, he called himself Jaa-mie."
My surname is Yamey. The pronunciation of this is subject to some question. When my grandfather arrived in the 1890s in Cape Town (after leaving his home in Lithuania), he was registered by Cape Town immigration officials as 'YAMEY'. When some of his cousins disembarked in South Africa a few years later, they were registered as being 'JAMI'. All of these relatives must have arrived in South Africa being unable to write (or even to speak?) in English or Afrikaans. When asked their surnames they must have said something that sounded like 'Yaa - mi' or 'Yummy'. Had the immigration office been a primarily English speaking person, he would have written down a surname beginning with Y (as in my grandfather's case). Had he been an Afrikaans speaker, he would have spelled what he heard with a J (as a J in Dutch or Afrikaans is prounced as Y in English).
When people see my surname, YAMEY, for the first time, and then try to pronounce it, they usually use one of the two pronunciations of the fictional Jamie Keyter's Christian name. I use the 'Yaymie' version, but my father uses another, and other relatives use yet another. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life!
Set mainly in the Cape Province of contemporary South Africa, the author, Deon Meyer, weaves the several seemingly disconnected fascinating stories together, keeping the reader in suspense at the end of each, often brief, section of each story. All of the time, you know that there must be some connection between these separate tales, but this only begins to become apparent well into the book, well after you have become thoroughly immersed in Meyer's superbly depicted, realistic South African physical and social landscape.
I do not read many thrillers, but I have enjoyed Deon Meyer and Helen MacInnes in the past. Deon Meyer is, I have decided after reading Devil's Peak, at the very least their equal.
I suppose it is in the nature of all thrillers that strands, which are at first apparently unconnected, gradually become woven together by the writer until they become a tightly knit rope. As I was avidly reading Meyer's novel, I was wondering how and when the different stories would gradually or suddenly coalesce, and I was not at all disappointed with the way that Meyer managed to achieve this. His conclusion, his weaving together of the fictional strands, left no untidy loose ends. Real life is rarely like that. I would have preferred to have been left with one or two loose ends or unanswered questions, but their absence did not detract from the immense enjoyment that I gained by reading this wonderful, well-researched book.
Meyer has not only written a superb thriller, but also has managed to portray modern South Africa and its many problems ingeniously. I hope to reading more of his books soon.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A VERY PERSONAL NOTE arising from two lines in Meyer's book.
I quote from the book: "He and Jamie Keyter were the back-up team. Not Yaymie as the locals would say it, he called himself Jaa-mie."
My surname is Yamey. The pronunciation of this is subject to some question. When my grandfather arrived in the 1890s in Cape Town (after leaving his home in Lithuania), he was registered by Cape Town immigration officials as 'YAMEY'. When some of his cousins disembarked in South Africa a few years later, they were registered as being 'JAMI'. All of these relatives must have arrived in South Africa being unable to write (or even to speak?) in English or Afrikaans. When asked their surnames they must have said something that sounded like 'Yaa - mi' or 'Yummy'. Had the immigration office been a primarily English speaking person, he would have written down a surname beginning with Y (as in my grandfather's case). Had he been an Afrikaans speaker, he would have spelled what he heard with a J (as a J in Dutch or Afrikaans is prounced as Y in English).
When people see my surname, YAMEY, for the first time, and then try to pronounce it, they usually use one of the two pronunciations of the fictional Jamie Keyter's Christian name. I use the 'Yaymie' version, but my father uses another, and other relatives use yet another. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life!
April 6, 2019
Esta es la primera vez que leo un autor sudafricano, realmente ha sido un buen descubrimiento, me ha gustado mucho el estilo del autor.
Es un libro excepcionalmente bueno en su trama, tiene un punto de intriga bastante atrayente, sus personajes, todos ellos me han parecido realmente interesantes, no solo en lo que les toca de acuerdo a su rol en la trama, si no la personalidad de cada uno y además Deon Meyer le ha dado un toque muy peculiar a la psique de cada uno de ellos en relación al pasado y lo que se vivió durante el Apartheid, es como si cada uno tuviera que reconstruir su vida pero al final de algún modo su pasado los persigue.
Me cuesta mucho trabajo leer sobre temas de pederastia, me pueden estos temas, así que todo ese tema realmente fue un trago difícil de pasar, pero independientemente de eso, que, además, es un tema más bien personal, hay que reconocer que el libro es realmente muy bueno.
Vamos conociendo la trama a través de diferentes actores, aunque el protagonista es Benny Griessel, quien al comienzo del libro esta con una gran lucha contra el alcoholismo, es un personaje bastante típico en este tipo de libros, sin embargo me ha gustado, todo esa parte donde lucha con sus demonios personales y la manera en que el autor plantea su problema de adicción es realmente realista, lo cierto es que no es un personaje que genere lástima a pesar de todos sus problemas, es más bien un personaje muy fuerte, tanto que no fue eclipsado por otros personajes igual de fuertes como Thobela Mpayipheli, que bien pudo haberse llevado la palma en cuanto a fuerza en personalidad.
Este es el primer libro de una serie que seguramente voy a seguir, me ha gustado muchísimo, si bien el ritmo del libro no es algo a lo que estoy acostumbrada, es ágil, pero al mismo tiempo en momentos me parecía algo pesado de leer, tal vez por el tema que trataba, no estoy muy segura, lo que si es un hecho es que me ha gustado mucho el protagonista de esta serie, me ha gustado este tipo de thriller y he dado con un buen escritor de novela negra.
Es un libro excepcionalmente bueno en su trama, tiene un punto de intriga bastante atrayente, sus personajes, todos ellos me han parecido realmente interesantes, no solo en lo que les toca de acuerdo a su rol en la trama, si no la personalidad de cada uno y además Deon Meyer le ha dado un toque muy peculiar a la psique de cada uno de ellos en relación al pasado y lo que se vivió durante el Apartheid, es como si cada uno tuviera que reconstruir su vida pero al final de algún modo su pasado los persigue.
Me cuesta mucho trabajo leer sobre temas de pederastia, me pueden estos temas, así que todo ese tema realmente fue un trago difícil de pasar, pero independientemente de eso, que, además, es un tema más bien personal, hay que reconocer que el libro es realmente muy bueno.
Vamos conociendo la trama a través de diferentes actores, aunque el protagonista es Benny Griessel, quien al comienzo del libro esta con una gran lucha contra el alcoholismo, es un personaje bastante típico en este tipo de libros, sin embargo me ha gustado, todo esa parte donde lucha con sus demonios personales y la manera en que el autor plantea su problema de adicción es realmente realista, lo cierto es que no es un personaje que genere lástima a pesar de todos sus problemas, es más bien un personaje muy fuerte, tanto que no fue eclipsado por otros personajes igual de fuertes como Thobela Mpayipheli, que bien pudo haberse llevado la palma en cuanto a fuerza en personalidad.
Este es el primer libro de una serie que seguramente voy a seguir, me ha gustado muchísimo, si bien el ritmo del libro no es algo a lo que estoy acostumbrada, es ágil, pero al mismo tiempo en momentos me parecía algo pesado de leer, tal vez por el tema que trataba, no estoy muy segura, lo que si es un hecho es que me ha gustado mucho el protagonista de esta serie, me ha gustado este tipo de thriller y he dado con un buen escritor de novela negra.
October 13, 2021
Digital audiobook performed by Simon Vance
Book #1 in the Inspector Benny Geissel mystery series, starring the South African detective. There’s a serial killer on the loose; the reader knows it is Thobela Mpayipheli, a man torn by grief over the death of his son who has sworn vengeance by killing those who have harmed children. A second thread involves Christine Van Rooyen, a sex worker with a need to confess. And then there’s Benny and his alcoholism; at the outset he awakens to find his wife standing over him with a packed suitcase – she gives him six months to sober up, or get out of the family’s life forever.
Knowing who the serial killer is does nothing to lessen the tension and suspense in this novel. Benny is such a flawed character and watching him try to make sense of his life and keep away from the bottle while he tracks the serial killer and becomes ensnared in the mystery Christine weaves had me backtracking and re-reading sections to try to make sense of what was happening. Meyer does a great job of adding layers to an already complicated plot. And the final chapters are a wild ride!
The audio version is performed by Simon Vance. Need I say more?
Book #1 in the Inspector Benny Geissel mystery series, starring the South African detective. There’s a serial killer on the loose; the reader knows it is Thobela Mpayipheli, a man torn by grief over the death of his son who has sworn vengeance by killing those who have harmed children. A second thread involves Christine Van Rooyen, a sex worker with a need to confess. And then there’s Benny and his alcoholism; at the outset he awakens to find his wife standing over him with a packed suitcase – she gives him six months to sober up, or get out of the family’s life forever.
Knowing who the serial killer is does nothing to lessen the tension and suspense in this novel. Benny is such a flawed character and watching him try to make sense of his life and keep away from the bottle while he tracks the serial killer and becomes ensnared in the mystery Christine weaves had me backtracking and re-reading sections to try to make sense of what was happening. Meyer does a great job of adding layers to an already complicated plot. And the final chapters are a wild ride!
The audio version is performed by Simon Vance. Need I say more?
July 2, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Eerste deel van een tweeluik
Wie is de mysterieuze persoon die het recht in eigen hand neemt? De anonieme wreker die in de pers al snel de bijnaam Artemis krijgt, omdat een getuige een vrouw met een speer meent te hebben gezien op de plek waar een vermoorde pedofiel is gevonden?
De politie kan uiteraard niet passief toekijken en zet de ervaren inspecteur Bennie Griessel op de zaak. Maar Griessel wordt geteisterd door zijn eigen persoonlijke problemen. Een kidnapping van een kind leidt tot de ontknoping en een onverwacht einde.
Duivelspiek: Christine, de prostituee. Bennie Griessel, de inspecteur. Tobela Mpayipheli, de man met de assegaai (traditionele spies). Wat hebben deze 3 mensen met elkaar te maken? en hoe komen hun levens met elkaar in verbinding?
Dat wordt prachtig beschreven in dit geweldige boek! Deon Meyer heeft een ontzettend prettige schrijfstijl, de spanning moet het boek vooral hebben van het laatste gedeelte. Maar het wordt verteld door een ras echte verteller!
Je waant je in Afrika, je krijgt na het lezen van dit boek gewoon zin om er heen te gaan. Ik kan iedereen dit boek zeker aanraden!
Geweldige spanningsboog en raw spirit boek!
Eerste deel van een tweeluik
Wie is de mysterieuze persoon die het recht in eigen hand neemt? De anonieme wreker die in de pers al snel de bijnaam Artemis krijgt, omdat een getuige een vrouw met een speer meent te hebben gezien op de plek waar een vermoorde pedofiel is gevonden?
De politie kan uiteraard niet passief toekijken en zet de ervaren inspecteur Bennie Griessel op de zaak. Maar Griessel wordt geteisterd door zijn eigen persoonlijke problemen. Een kidnapping van een kind leidt tot de ontknoping en een onverwacht einde.
Duivelspiek: Christine, de prostituee. Bennie Griessel, de inspecteur. Tobela Mpayipheli, de man met de assegaai (traditionele spies). Wat hebben deze 3 mensen met elkaar te maken? en hoe komen hun levens met elkaar in verbinding?
Dat wordt prachtig beschreven in dit geweldige boek! Deon Meyer heeft een ontzettend prettige schrijfstijl, de spanning moet het boek vooral hebben van het laatste gedeelte. Maar het wordt verteld door een ras echte verteller!
Je waant je in Afrika, je krijgt na het lezen van dit boek gewoon zin om er heen te gaan. Ik kan iedereen dit boek zeker aanraden!
Geweldige spanningsboog en raw spirit boek!
May 6, 2012
The real strengths of Devil's Peak are the characterisation, plotting and sense of place. Meyer provides an intricate story based on three in-depth character studies embedded in the turmoil of South African society, its criminal underbelly, and overstretched and corrupt police force. Over the course of the novel their back stories are revealed and teased apart as their lives start to intersect. The story moves at a steady pace, at times a little too slow for my tastes, slowed by detailed description, as Meyer carefully moves the inter-connecting pieces into place, but it builds to a page-turning finale. At its heart, the story is about the strengths and failings of people, families and institutional systems, and it raises questions about human nature, justice and the balance between self-destruction, love and survival. Benny Griessel and Meyer's storytelling reminded me of early Harry Bosch stories by Michael Connelly. Meyer writes with the same intensity, layering, and level of detailed knowledge that Connelly does, raising the story above the average police procedural fare. The overall result is a very fine read and I'll certainly be keeping an eye out Meyer's other novels.
May 2, 2025
This volume is my third foray into the world of Deon Meyer since January. The fourth, THIRTEEN HOURS, is next in my que.
The exotic setting of post-apartheid South Africa, replete with a police procedural format, affirmative action, police corruption and inter/intra agency politics....it is a world not all that far from ours.
The charcters are well drawn, albeit flawed. They are dedicated , by no means heroic. The plots are tightly knit and move to an ending often close to Greek tragedy .There is a touch of Michael Connely, Jo Nesbo, even John LeCarre. But Meyer still manages to come across as an original.
Translated from the Afrikaans, the writing is literate, flowing. Several volumes even carry a glossary of terms and phrases for enriching your street-creds should you ever travel to the multi-cultural back alleys of Cape Town .
The exotic setting of post-apartheid South Africa, replete with a police procedural format, affirmative action, police corruption and inter/intra agency politics....it is a world not all that far from ours.
The charcters are well drawn, albeit flawed. They are dedicated , by no means heroic. The plots are tightly knit and move to an ending often close to Greek tragedy .There is a touch of Michael Connely, Jo Nesbo, even John LeCarre. But Meyer still manages to come across as an original.
Translated from the Afrikaans, the writing is literate, flowing. Several volumes even carry a glossary of terms and phrases for enriching your street-creds should you ever travel to the multi-cultural back alleys of Cape Town .
July 26, 2011
Deon Mayer is a new writer to me. A South African whose books are translated from Afrikaans, he writes with passion about his country today and does not shirk from discussing some of the social problems openly and with refreshing bluntness. This thriller involves three complex, interesting but flawed characters and addresses some very uncomfortable issues such as the predilection towards child rape, born from the pervasive myth that it can provide a cure for AIDS. It’s an uncomfortable and uncompromising read but it rewards with a satisfying plot and a description of post apartheid life in the Cape Town area that is interesting and insightful. I’ll read more of his books.
May 4, 2025
I was recommended this series by a friend on GR (Thanks Ken!), a police-procedural set in post-apartheid South Africa in the early 2000s. Our main character, Benny Griessel, is an alcoholic police detective in his mid-40s who is going though a mid-life crisis, kicked out of his home by his wife, estranged from his teenage kids, and is trying to stay sober to get his life back on track, while investigating a series of vigilante killings relating to criminals who have harmed children. There are two other main characters with their own perspectives, one of which is the killer which interweave and eventually intersect in the story.
Reminded me quite a lot of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series. Harry Hole shares many similarities with Benny Griessel (especially the hard drinking/alcoholism), and the way the books are set up with interweaving perspectives/stories is also quite similar, along with the gritty subject matter.
I enjoyed this book, but I must admit I felt the ending to this book was a little rushed. it was a great build-up, but then the denouement/action at the end was a bit anti-climactic. There were also some developments within the story and character arcs that weren't fully 'tied up' at the end. This was probably intentional from the author, but I was left wanting more resolution.
Will definitely keep reading the Benny Griessel series. Recommend for fans of police procedurals with 'tough-guy' detectives such as Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series, Ian Rankin's Rebus, and Michael Connelly's Bosch.
Reminded me quite a lot of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series. Harry Hole shares many similarities with Benny Griessel (especially the hard drinking/alcoholism), and the way the books are set up with interweaving perspectives/stories is also quite similar, along with the gritty subject matter.
I enjoyed this book, but I must admit I felt the ending to this book was a little rushed. it was a great build-up, but then the denouement/action at the end was a bit anti-climactic. There were also some developments within the story and character arcs that weren't fully 'tied up' at the end. This was probably intentional from the author, but I was left wanting more resolution.
Will definitely keep reading the Benny Griessel series. Recommend for fans of police procedurals with 'tough-guy' detectives such as Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series, Ian Rankin's Rebus, and Michael Connelly's Bosch.
May 9, 2020
Deon Meyer se beste speurverhaal - weens die kompleksiteit van die drie hoofkarakters (Bennie Griessel, Thobela Mpayipheli en Christine; die realistiese taalgebruik (kruhede en al ...) en omgewingsbeelding; die refleksie van die Suid-Afrikaanse werklikheid. Vandat 'n mens begin wonder oor wat dan nou in die boks is tot die bedrieglik soetlike slottoneel (perd, wit paalheining, mooi meisie ...) sit jy vasgenael, soos met 'n tipiese Meyer-verhaal - maar hier gaan dit soveel dieper en komplekser as ooit tevore, en selfs ook daarna. Eers Koors het Infanta van sy Beste Meyer-boek Ooit-status ontneem. Ek het die speurroman al hoeveel keer gelees omdat dit vir 'n tyd lank 'n voorgeskrewe teks was (die IEB-skole kan so 'n bietjie meer waag ...) en dit het nooit verveel of teleurgestel nie. Dit was elke keer lekker om van voor af deur die intrige te beweeg, selfs al het ek geweet wat kom.
This novel was translated as Devil's Peak, for reasons only publishers and their purses can explain. It is the best of Meyer's crime novels, and only Fever, Meyer's post-apocalyptic magnum opus, dethroned it as the Best Book in the Meyer oeuvre (thinks me, anyway). The plot is complex, as it oscillates between three main characters, and Meyer's familiar realistic scene setting plays a major role in keeping the reader in a trance. I've had to read the novel several times over the years as it was a setwork novel, and it never bored or disappointed - it was a pleasure to re-enter the intrigue, even knowing what was waiting!
This novel was translated as Devil's Peak, for reasons only publishers and their purses can explain. It is the best of Meyer's crime novels, and only Fever, Meyer's post-apocalyptic magnum opus, dethroned it as the Best Book in the Meyer oeuvre (thinks me, anyway). The plot is complex, as it oscillates between three main characters, and Meyer's familiar realistic scene setting plays a major role in keeping the reader in a trance. I've had to read the novel several times over the years as it was a setwork novel, and it never bored or disappointed - it was a pleasure to re-enter the intrigue, even knowing what was waiting!
abgebrochen
October 29, 2022Das ist an sich nen guter Thriller. Hier tritt auch endlich mal die gesellschaftspolitische Lage in Südafrika prägnant hervor. Das fehlte in dem letzten Buch das ich von ihm las komplett. Und ausgerechnet jenes war dafür ausgelobt worden.
Ich mag den Erzählton des Buches nicht.
Zudem springt der Autor nach Miniabsätzen zwischen verschiedenen Protagonisten und Szenen hin und her. Empfinde ich als äußerst störend, zumal die Brüche dazwischen extrem hart sind.
Ich mag den Erzählton des Buches nicht.
Zudem springt der Autor nach Miniabsätzen zwischen verschiedenen Protagonisten und Szenen hin und her. Empfinde ich als äußerst störend, zumal die Brüche dazwischen extrem hart sind.
November 5, 2021
I read “Devil’s Peak” many years ago, before Deon Meyer was published in North America, when I had to purchase his books from the UK. It is a tremendous start to the Benny Griessel series. I still like Deon Meyer’s “Heart of the Hunter “better — it was published prior to Devil’s Peak. But both are strong 5-star books.
September 14, 2009
This novel is a fantastic literary example of a "french braid," a game from my comedy improv days. You begin with three completely separate scenes that have nothing to do with each other. Each time a scene is played out in turn, however, the stories begin to align and vague connections are made. By the end, all three scenes are woven into a complete whole (usually via rather humor ways). The idea is that the audience has no idea how the improv performers will weave three seemingly disparate scenes together--thus, a french braid.
"Devil's Peak," from South African author Meyer, is the story of three disparate individuals--a former government hit man, a prostitute and an alcoholic police detective. Each faces their own demons and struggles, but their stories do not appear to overlap. Meyer skillfully jumps from one story to the next, slowly building up each characters' background, motivations and subsequent actions. Meyer's writing is such that the reader doesn't feel jolted with each shift in perspective or feels that he is losing the thread of one narrative in lieu of another.
The connections between the characters gradually become clearer as the novel progresses. While this is not a mystery novel, there is tension and suspense that draws the reader further into the characters' troubled lives. The final third of the book is simply great, as the action culminates and the actions of each characters reaches final consequences.
Ultimately, this is a wonderfully written (and translated) story of how the lives of three fractured individuals intersect in unexpected and complicated ways. Each character is richly drawn and compelling and the story is intricate and engaging. It is a book that, when I finished the last page, I said "Wow!"
"Devil's Peak," from South African author Meyer, is the story of three disparate individuals--a former government hit man, a prostitute and an alcoholic police detective. Each faces their own demons and struggles, but their stories do not appear to overlap. Meyer skillfully jumps from one story to the next, slowly building up each characters' background, motivations and subsequent actions. Meyer's writing is such that the reader doesn't feel jolted with each shift in perspective or feels that he is losing the thread of one narrative in lieu of another.
The connections between the characters gradually become clearer as the novel progresses. While this is not a mystery novel, there is tension and suspense that draws the reader further into the characters' troubled lives. The final third of the book is simply great, as the action culminates and the actions of each characters reaches final consequences.
Ultimately, this is a wonderfully written (and translated) story of how the lives of three fractured individuals intersect in unexpected and complicated ways. Each character is richly drawn and compelling and the story is intricate and engaging. It is a book that, when I finished the last page, I said "Wow!"
October 12, 2020
Kyk, Deon Meyer is uitstekend. Ek lees sy boeke een ná die ander, soos hulle verskyn, vir soetkoek op. Dis heerlik. Maar die top van sy oeuvre is en bly Infanta. Daardie drie uitstekende en uiteenlopende hoofkarakters, wie se stories so naatloos deurvleg word, die komplekse tydlyn, die raamvertelling, die sosiale kommentaar en die sielkundige diepte: daar is al van sy boeke wat daar naby kom (soos die opwindende Onsigbaar wat 'n stuk Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis so deeglik integreer, en die post-apokaliptiese Koors wat juis nou in die tyd van die koronapandemie so relevant klink), maar hierdie meevoerende stuk weefwerk bly vir my die beste.
Deon Meyer is excellent, even brilliant. But Infanta, translated as Devil’s Peak, remains the crowning glory of his oeuvre. The complex weaving of three strong main characters’ stories, the psychological depth, the social commentary, the literary structure and achronological presentation of events, all contribute to one of the best crime novels available.
Deon Meyer is excellent, even brilliant. But Infanta, translated as Devil’s Peak, remains the crowning glory of his oeuvre. The complex weaving of three strong main characters’ stories, the psychological depth, the social commentary, the literary structure and achronological presentation of events, all contribute to one of the best crime novels available.
February 5, 2024
Een spannende thriller, waarbij het verhaal ook goed in elkaar steekt. Het verhaal wordt vanuit verschillende personages verteld en die wisselen elkaar geregeld af. Toch is het verhaal ondanks die continue wisselingen goed te volgen en zorgen ze er voor dat je blijft lezen. Het verhaal speelt in Zuid-Afrika. Die setting maakt het net even iets interessanter. Ik heb al eerder een boek van deze schrijver gelezen en ook dit boek is weer een aanrader.
January 22, 2021
3.5 stars. Read subsequent to book #2 of the series (Thirteen Hours) and not quite as good / enthralling as I recall that one being. But still solid - and a little reminiscent of Lawrence Block’s Scudder books.
November 23, 2013
Tot halverwege dacht ik dit boek te waarderen met vier sterren, maar het werd zó goed dat het er vijf zijn geworden.
August 20, 2018
At first I thought, oh no, not another emotionally damaged alcoholic police detective, but then the well crafted story drew me in.
July 2, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Vervolg van duivelspiek
Tobela Mpayipheli besluit het recht in eigen hand te nemen wanneer zijn zoontje wordt gedood bij een overval.
De daders lopen door een blunder van justitie vrij rond. Tobela gaat naar hen op zoek en stuit op de gruwelijke realiteit van kindermisbruik – ook hier gaan de daders vaak vrijuit. Hij besluit onbestrafte daders aan te pakken en vermoordt enkele van hen met een assegaai, een traditionele Afrikaanse speer.
Zijn wraak-acties blijven niet onopgemerkt en al snel krijgt de anonieme wreker de bijnaam Artemis. De politie zet de ervaren inspecteur Benny Griessel op de affaire. Een kidnapping van een kind leidt tot de ontknoping en een fataal einde.
Benny Griessel beleeft in dit verhaal de eerste fase van zijn revival. Ontnuchterend en gruwelijk goed wordt het herstelproces van deze alcoholicus te beschrijven.
Afgeschreven tot restwaarde, maar waardevol genoeg om een onvoldoende logisch patroon met een verbeten inzet te lijf te gaan.
Menselijke zwakheden komen voorbij, de omgeving wordt bevolkt door tal van lieden met een eigen verhaal.
Verheven de kunst van het vervlechten van verhaallijnen tot grote hoogte, het is ergens wellicht ook wat te overdadig. Maar voor mij doet dat geen afbreuk aan het verhaal.
Zuid-Afrika lokt en stoot af, het is een uiterst gecompliceerde samenleving. Het is vsn een constante kwaliteit, het heeft gelijkenissen voor mij met de boeken van Jo Nesbo.
Raw spirit boek!
Vervolg van duivelspiek
Tobela Mpayipheli besluit het recht in eigen hand te nemen wanneer zijn zoontje wordt gedood bij een overval.
De daders lopen door een blunder van justitie vrij rond. Tobela gaat naar hen op zoek en stuit op de gruwelijke realiteit van kindermisbruik – ook hier gaan de daders vaak vrijuit. Hij besluit onbestrafte daders aan te pakken en vermoordt enkele van hen met een assegaai, een traditionele Afrikaanse speer.
Zijn wraak-acties blijven niet onopgemerkt en al snel krijgt de anonieme wreker de bijnaam Artemis. De politie zet de ervaren inspecteur Benny Griessel op de affaire. Een kidnapping van een kind leidt tot de ontknoping en een fataal einde.
Benny Griessel beleeft in dit verhaal de eerste fase van zijn revival. Ontnuchterend en gruwelijk goed wordt het herstelproces van deze alcoholicus te beschrijven.
Afgeschreven tot restwaarde, maar waardevol genoeg om een onvoldoende logisch patroon met een verbeten inzet te lijf te gaan.
Menselijke zwakheden komen voorbij, de omgeving wordt bevolkt door tal van lieden met een eigen verhaal.
Verheven de kunst van het vervlechten van verhaallijnen tot grote hoogte, het is ergens wellicht ook wat te overdadig. Maar voor mij doet dat geen afbreuk aan het verhaal.
Zuid-Afrika lokt en stoot af, het is een uiterst gecompliceerde samenleving. Het is vsn een constante kwaliteit, het heeft gelijkenissen voor mij met de boeken van Jo Nesbo.
Raw spirit boek!
April 29, 2021
He now knew everyone had it in them. Crime lay quiescent in everyone, a hibernating serpent in the subconscious. In the heat of avarice, jealousy, hatred, revenge, fear, it reared up and struck. If it never happened to you, consider it luck. Lucky if your path through life detoured around trouble so that when you reached the end and the worst you had done was steal paperclips from work.
September 23, 2022
I totally agree with all rave reviews: An extremely entertaining plot and extremely well written.
Bennie Griessel was the best man in Cape Town's police force - until he started drinking...
The alcoholic police officer who is fighting his inner demon and trying to face the glaring reality to save his family, and at the same time is chasing down an unusual serial killer with a personal vendetta against child abusers...
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