"insightful mid-twentieth century tale"

It's the mid-twentieth century, commonly known as The Jazz Age and Bedford Green couldn't be happier. For the first time in a long while his art gallery in Greenwich Village is making a solid profit and he wants to take his best friend and assistant, Sloane Smith. She counters by asking him to teach her how to shoot because she is going to Kenya in British East Africa.

Her uncle Dixon asked her to accompany him and his new wife Gloria so Sloane agrees because she wants to keep an eye on her uncle's new wife. She also wants to visit her friend Alice, who is living in the heart of the British Colony. Alice is unhappy and needs to talk to Sloane. They haven't been in Kenya long before Sloane's uncle is arrested for killing his wife and her lover. Bedford starts investigating and ends up freeing Sloane's uncle but is arrested for the murder with help from the British community. Bedford escapes and tries to clear his name, even though he might be the killer's next victim.

The life of the British expatriates living in Kenya when it was a part of the British Empire is a microcosm of the aristocracy living in England. The protagonist is a loyal to his friends who is willing to bend the law to see justice prevail. There are plenty of suspects who need reasons to see Sloane's aunt or her lover dead so the story never loses its momentum. Michael Killian is a writer who adds lots of color and atmosphere to his mysteries.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 15, 2003

Art gallery owner Bedford Green accompanies his assistant Sloane on an African safari-only to find himself hunting down a murderer instead of game...