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The Liquidator
Dangerous things happen in Africa. People disappear. Everybody knows that.
But as an outsider, Paul thinks he is safe, even from the secret police, whatever he starts to find, or wherever it leads; despite the turmoil leading up to the country’s first multi party election and with a diamond fuelled civil war raging in the failed state just across the border.
But when Paul finds himself and his friends trapped holding a potentially deadly secret as the country begins to implode, what will he be prepared to do to protect himself and those around him in order to escape?
Iain’s first novel, The Liquidator, is a contemporary political mystery / black comedy that asks, when the chips are down, what would you do if you felt threatened enough in an alien situation?
But as an outsider, Paul thinks he is safe, even from the secret police, whatever he starts to find, or wherever it leads; despite the turmoil leading up to the country’s first multi party election and with a diamond fuelled civil war raging in the failed state just across the border.
But when Paul finds himself and his friends trapped holding a potentially deadly secret as the country begins to implode, what will he be prepared to do to protect himself and those around him in order to escape?
Iain’s first novel, The Liquidator, is a contemporary political mystery / black comedy that asks, when the chips are down, what would you do if you felt threatened enough in an alien situation?
284 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2009
4 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Iain Parke
27 books118 followersI import industrial quantities of class A drugs, kill people, and lie (a lot) - see my website for details.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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May 15, 2015I was going to read it. Then in the description is basically said the character is in Africa and the country is about to implode. AFRICA IS NOT A COUNTRY!
September 3, 2012
As I writer myself, I recognize when word-craft is top-notch. Words from Iain Parke's THE LIQUIDATOR: As I sat there, just after eight, I heard girls' voices coming from above, a little bubble of brightness... then the rusty creak as the ground floor grating opened. A jail-like clank... the doors of hell closing. British Iain Parke pens amazing thrillers and crime novels. Set in East Africa, THE LIQUIDATOR is a conspiracy thriller. Having lived overseas and drawing on his own experiences, don't miss out on this action-packed adventure. On my reading list are Iain Parke's next two books: HEAVY DUTY PEOPLE and HEAVY DUTY ATTITUDE.
October 27, 2025
More of a 3.5
This is the third book by Iain Parke I have read. Like the previous books this was a mentally intense read, this time set in an un-named East African country during a period of political unsettlement. Like previous reads there was an intense plot (shall we say wrong-doings to avoid spoiling?). As in previous the plot was thought provoking and linked to topics in investigative journalism. The characters and setting were also again well drawn, I just think unlike previous books I have read something was sightly off, possibly the pace (felt very slow), I just can't quite put my finger on it or maybe it was just me.
I will look forward to other output by this author as I often feel like I have learnt something after reading previous books, as difficult topics are often looked at in his work.
Thanks to the author and Bad Press Ink for the opportunity to read.
This is the third book by Iain Parke I have read. Like the previous books this was a mentally intense read, this time set in an un-named East African country during a period of political unsettlement. Like previous reads there was an intense plot (shall we say wrong-doings to avoid spoiling?). As in previous the plot was thought provoking and linked to topics in investigative journalism. The characters and setting were also again well drawn, I just think unlike previous books I have read something was sightly off, possibly the pace (felt very slow), I just can't quite put my finger on it or maybe it was just me.
I will look forward to other output by this author as I often feel like I have learnt something after reading previous books, as difficult topics are often looked at in his work.
Thanks to the author and Bad Press Ink for the opportunity to read.
May 23, 2018
Mystery thriller set in an unspecified unstable east African country.
September 16, 2016
This is a fabulous story that had me hooked from the beginning. The opening chapter was one of my favourites, and as the story unfolds you can really understand the characters actions. Paul was a bit shocked to hear that his Geologist friend Chuck was killed in a helicopter accident, but he’s even more surprised when he hears that the State Protection Unit were investigating it. The Secret Police wouldn’t normally get involved in an accident. The company Paul worked for was asked to audit the New Mwanchi Factory which was a smelting works, and see what they could do to keep it trading, and find a potential buyer. Iain and Paul are quite surprised by what they find at the factory, and it seems to be doing more than just being used as a smelting factory. What interested them the most was a concrete building their guide said was being used as a laboratory, and the chemicals they found inside it. There was also a smell coming from the building that they couldn’t identify. Then they found cars being pulled apart which also didn’t fit, but they didn’t get any further in their investigation when they were asked to leave and escorted off by the police. With the Regional Police Commissioner of no help to Paul, and advises him that it’s a civil matter. Then to complicate things further a Judge is more than happy to allow the New Mwanchi to delay any proceedings against it with plenty of delays. They just don’t realise how dangerous this job is going to be, and they would have been much better off just walking away from it. I’ve personally been to North Africa, and Iain Parke has done an amazing job with this story in painting a very vivid picture of the people and its culture. His writing has really brought this story alive, and it’s certainly a book that I would strongly recommend. Well worth a read.
September 20, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Liquidator is kind of like a spy novel and kind of like a thriller. Only the main character is not a spy but an accountant working for a company that manages the winding up of affairs for companies that are being shut down for bad debts.
Bwana Paul (I don’t recall last names being mentioned for any of the characters) is in an unnamed African country bordering on Rwanda near the time of the conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis. He and his assistant are assigned to untangle the affairs of a company that has defaulted on a debt to the national bank. The company, New Mwanchi, fights back with lawsuits and all the legal delays at their disposal. But more troubling is the strange secrecy surrounding just what it is that they actually do.
The Liquidator is not a terribly fast-paced book. Much of the action happens “off-screen” as it were, and Paul only finds out about it when somebody else tells him. Nevertheless, the suspense builds relentlessly throughout. An election is held in the country, there is violence in refugee camps near the borders, and AIDS is in full swing. But why are Paul’s friends and acquaintances in the expatriate community all dying in accidents or disappearing one after the other? And what does this have to do with the New Mwanchi company, if anything? And why are New Mwanchi employees dying of a form of AIDS that progresses much faster than ordinary AIDS?
A very good read that kept me interested to the end.
The Liquidator is kind of like a spy novel and kind of like a thriller. Only the main character is not a spy but an accountant working for a company that manages the winding up of affairs for companies that are being shut down for bad debts.
Bwana Paul (I don’t recall last names being mentioned for any of the characters) is in an unnamed African country bordering on Rwanda near the time of the conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis. He and his assistant are assigned to untangle the affairs of a company that has defaulted on a debt to the national bank. The company, New Mwanchi, fights back with lawsuits and all the legal delays at their disposal. But more troubling is the strange secrecy surrounding just what it is that they actually do.
The Liquidator is not a terribly fast-paced book. Much of the action happens “off-screen” as it were, and Paul only finds out about it when somebody else tells him. Nevertheless, the suspense builds relentlessly throughout. An election is held in the country, there is violence in refugee camps near the borders, and AIDS is in full swing. But why are Paul’s friends and acquaintances in the expatriate community all dying in accidents or disappearing one after the other? And what does this have to do with the New Mwanchi company, if anything? And why are New Mwanchi employees dying of a form of AIDS that progresses much faster than ordinary AIDS?
A very good read that kept me interested to the end.
December 15, 2014
Dangerous things happen in Africa.People disappear.Everybody knows that.
But as an outsider, Paul thinks he is safe, even from the secret police, whatever he starts to find, or wherever it leads; despite the turmoil leading up to the country’s first multi party election and with a diamond fuelled civil war raging in the failed state just across the border.
But when Paul finds himself and his friends trapped holding a potentially deadly secret as the country begins to implode, what will he be prepared to do to protect himself and those around him in order to escape?
Iain’s first novel, The Liquidator, is a contemporary political mystery / black comedy that asks, when the chips are down, what would you do if you felt threatened enough in an alien situation?
'Gets inside your head’ according to one reader review - just don't take it as your safari holiday read!
But as an outsider, Paul thinks he is safe, even from the secret police, whatever he starts to find, or wherever it leads; despite the turmoil leading up to the country’s first multi party election and with a diamond fuelled civil war raging in the failed state just across the border.
But when Paul finds himself and his friends trapped holding a potentially deadly secret as the country begins to implode, what will he be prepared to do to protect himself and those around him in order to escape?
Iain’s first novel, The Liquidator, is a contemporary political mystery / black comedy that asks, when the chips are down, what would you do if you felt threatened enough in an alien situation?
'Gets inside your head’ according to one reader review - just don't take it as your safari holiday read!
December 13, 2013
"The Liquidator" by Iain Parke is a gripping thriller set in East Afrika and explores the darker side of this beautiful continent: crime, corruption, violence and greed.
Wrapped into a wider political election and a conspiracy plot the story of our hero Paul is quite powerful. Without giving much of the complex plot away I can say this is well written, has great humorous moments and a carefully chosen lead character whose often naive ideas clash with the harsh reality and push him to his limits.
I am not overly fond of conspiracy thrillers but I rally enjoyed this one.
Wrapped into a wider political election and a conspiracy plot the story of our hero Paul is quite powerful. Without giving much of the complex plot away I can say this is well written, has great humorous moments and a carefully chosen lead character whose often naive ideas clash with the harsh reality and push him to his limits.
I am not overly fond of conspiracy thrillers but I rally enjoyed this one.
January 16, 2014
i received this book in exchange for an honest review.
the book is about the life in Africa midst all the corruption and mysteries. the story is well developed but what i enjoyed most is the style of writing! there are very few authors these days who know how to write and it is s shear to come across one. i would recommend this book to all the readers who are into thriller and quality reading. loved it!
the book is about the life in Africa midst all the corruption and mysteries. the story is well developed but what i enjoyed most is the style of writing! there are very few authors these days who know how to write and it is s shear to come across one. i would recommend this book to all the readers who are into thriller and quality reading. loved it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews