TEBOGO FAILS. By Omoseye Bolaji

Here are three quick perspectives on this book

The third detective/mystery story involving sleuth Tebogo Mokoena; based in Botshabelo (South Africa). This is the adventure in which Tebogo meets his (future) wife, Khanyi; and a fine motif this is in itself! One does not want to give the game away, but one invariably winces at the antics of a particular character in this work - a defiler of young girl(s) - a "gentleman" who plumbs the depths of shamelessness.

I read this book twice quickly. I found it very exciting. From the moment Tebogo arrives in Botshabelo and the story starts; and he meets a number of characters - the interplay between Bareng and Sizwe, the alcoholic ageing man; the flamboyant "lawyer" who is not quite a lawyer, and his striking female companion; Tebogo going through various areas and joints pondering a murder or two. Also of interest for many is the exciting love affair between Tebogo and Khanyi – some women have told me that this is the aspect they love most about this work, not necessarily the mystery. Tebogo does let the killer go free at the end - then declares that he "has failed"; which he has not...

The late critic Peter Moroe pretty sums this work up when he wrote: "The point here is that Bareng plunges the knife into his friend after he realised that he killed his sister. It is a clear case of revenge or vendetta which our Tebogo...fully supports. Tebogo would rather tell the whole world that he had 'failed' to discover the secret behind these Botshabelo murders than have Bareng arrested or impugned..."

TRUSTED LIKE THE FOX. By James Hadley Chase

Ellis and Crane. Two incredibly sinister men. Both not only dangerous, but vicious killers. Both apparently besotted with a rather simple naïve young woman - for their own individual reasons. This is author Chase of course, so the twists and turns go on and on. This is a very good story (novel), which for me reaches a sort of intellectual peak, when Crane suddenly smiles, and quotes Shakespeare (to Ellis):

"Treason is but trusted like the fox/
Who ne'er so tame, so cherished and locked
up/
Will have a wild trick of his ancestors".

It is no surprise that upon hearing this, Ellis somewhat flinches, as Crane adds: "Shakespeare can rise to every occasion with a fitting phrase..." Illuminating!

PELE: My Life and the beautiful Game

Pele - real name Edson Arantes de Nascimento - is believed by many millions around the world to be the greatest footballer the world has ever seen. Yet most of these football fans never saw him in action on the field of play - as he played during an era when live television, or rather even ordinary football, was hardly shown on television. History has recorded however that Pele graced four World Cup finals, and scored in all of them; more important he was a member of three World Cup winning Brazilian sides (and played key roles in the 1958 and 1970 versions) This book is a "warts and all" story of the first part of the life of Pele, and his achievements in football. One says "warts and all" because the great man even records things like his first sexual experiences, visiting a prostitute etc... His agony after discovering his investments after his major playing career was over had largely "disappeared", is palpable. Pele comes across as a very jovial, sensible guy in this work; he has lots of good things to say about his fellow footballers, and apparently does not harbour grudges against even those who tried to undermine, or bring him down (for example his reaction to strong suggestions that his eyesight was poor). In the beginning, we live through the poverty of his family whilst he was very young, and later on when he starts his footballing career. His exploits at the 1958 World Cup finals when he was only 17 years old; his injury problems at the next two World Cup finals, and the apogee for him at the 1970 finals. His first marriage to "a white woman" and his views surrounding this - that in his native Brazil racial discrimination is very limited. Pele explains why after retirement from football he decided - was convinced - to go and play professional football in the American league of that time. We soak in his great achievement of scoring his 1000th goal, etc. The book is quite comprehensive with an appendix on all the goals scored by Pele during his major career. On the whole, an excellent, interesting read for lovers of football interested in the "king of football" - (and note that it was long after the career of Pele was over that world icons like Maradona and Messi emerged)

I'LL SAY SHE DOES! By Peter Cheyney

Lemmy Caution! The wise-cracking super-sleuth (FBI agent really) who delighted countless readers around the world...since his adventures/cases are always written in the first person. Okay, we all know that the praise actually belongs to author Peter Cheyney, a superb "realistic" writer in his pomp. We Africans familiar with his work have always believed though, that Cheyney's major characters, plots - and dialogue in particular - resonate largely with Africans. I mean the incredibly talkative nature of the protagonists, the "spiel", the over-done humour... Could anybody do it better than Cheyney? Like in his other novels, all the ingredients are present here; the wisecracking by good old Lemmy, the sparkling "naughty" dialogue, the excellent twists and turns. And the gratuitous "philosophies" and quotations from the great minds, like Confucious. Interesting quotes almost always pertaining to women and their wiles. No other author could introduce women - "dames" as Cheyney did, especially thorough his mouthpiece, Lemmy Caution. Apparently every female dotting his adventures is always the most beautiful and alluring, and they are described in such colourful, allusive language that the reader can not but be captivated. "I see a dame! I'm telling you that there's nothing like it...". The plot here is quite ingenious as usual, as Caution leads us along into believing that his reputation is somewhat tarnished, and he might no longer be at his best. Until the moment late on, when unexpectedly he-that-seemed to be his "ally" is exposed as the culpable individual by Lemmy in his nigh-nonpareil manner. Lots of fun...and those lucky enough to have this book will find themselves re-reading it time and again.

SPLIT SECOND. By David Baldacci

 

The author, David Baldacci, is renowned as one of the world's outstanding bestselling authors, and this work serves to show why. The general plot and characterization here is excellent with so many twists and turns. The chapters are essentially short too, making the book easier to read. Also, there is a premium on prurience and outright sex which many might appreciate. And for good measure there is plenty of old-fashioned humour too. The interaction between the male protagonist, Sean King, and two other ladies, Joan Dillinger and Michelle Maxwell, is quite interesting - and "decent", considering the circumstances. Of course the book is not devoid of some glitches – the plot might seem rather far-fetched, for one - but on the whole this is a very good read.