Synopsis
This remarkable roman policier introduces us to the formidable and yet very human detective-writer, Superintendent Llob and his devoted lieutenant Lino. It follows Llob in his search for the missing daughter of Ghoul Malek, one of the top power brokers in Algiers. In his search, Llob must traverse the fear-filled streets of Algiers, from the dens of the drug pushers to those of the cruel and fanatical Islamic fundamentalists. The poverty and constant terror and suspicion endemic to Algiers, torn apart by civil war, is set against contrasting glimpses of the corrupt and luxurious high society. The memory of the serene and beautiful Algiers that was makes the current situation all the more heartbreaking. More than just an outstanding mystery novel, with Morituri Khadra paints an unforgettable picture of the tragedy of modern Algeria, in language of breathtaking power and poetry.
The Washington Post
Khadra writes with a vehemence that comes from his memory of a different, more benign and beautiful Algiers that once was and might again be. The book rushes forward propelled by that rage. There are beautifully engineered vignettes and stunning, sharp bits of dialogue. Khadra is often able to finesse the prosaic bits of information-gathering and interviews with suspects that hobble less intelligent mystery writers. The harsh brilliance of the prose is quirky, though: Wonderful lines alternate with overly abstract and convoluted baroque phrasings, and the passive voice often disrupts the forward tumble of action. But on the whole this is a remarkable entrance to a world that remains unknown to too many of us. —Paul Skenazy