The Mamur Zapt and the men behind - Michael Pearce

From the award-winning Michael Pearce comes an engrossing murder mystery set in the Cairo of the 1900s. After a series of attacks on public officials, the Mamur Zapt is called in to investigate.

Cairo in the 1900s. While riding home, Fairclough of Customs is shot at from behind. It is the first of many similar attacks - all seemingly aimed at public officials. The Mamur Zapt, British head of Cairo's secret police, is told to catch the killer - and quickly.

His efforts to do so take him into Cairo's student quarter and out to a remote rural estate. And require him to handle a fading Pasha and a dangerous gypsy girl - whose claims he has to balance against those of his fiery Egyptian mistress.

Michael Pearce was raised in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, where his fascination for language began. He later trained as a Russian interpreter but moved away from languages to follow an academic career, first as a lecturer in English and the History of Ideas, and then as an administrator. Michael Pearce now lives in London and is best known as the author of the award-winning Mamur Zapt books.

'Pearce's dry humour matches his skill at evocative plot-stirring' Sunday Times

'Enjoyable … original and charming' Independent

'A wily protagonist and racing narrative combine for perfect entertainment' Time Out

'Highly recommended' Sunday Telegraph