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Praise for The Mamur Zapt & The Return of the Carpet..."Pearce depicts the intricate politics and social mores among the various Egyptian societies and factions to provide authentic background for an outstandingly well-wrought and satisfying mystery." -Publishers Weekly"Rich with elements that paint a vivid portrait of Egyptian life and politics....this historical mystery/thriller is hard to put down." -The Historical Novels ReviewThe Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo's CID in the heyday of 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.Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan among the political and other tensions he draws on for his books. He returned there later to teach and retains a human rights interest in the area. Pearce has authored 16 books in the Mamur Zapt series as well as several other novels. |