James McClure: The Song Dog (USA 2013)

From the Publisher:
The year is 1962. Young Lieutenant Tromp Kramer of the Trekkersburg Murder and Robbery Squad has been ordered up to Jafini, a small, dusty town in northern Zululand, to investigate the "hero's death" of the town's chief detective, Maaties Kritzinger, an Afrikaner maverick with many secrets. As the investigation proceeds, Kramer finds himself increasingly identifying with the victim. Then his path crosses that of Bantu Detective Sergeant Mickey Zondi, who is trying to locate a serial killer whose summary execution will quiet the spirits of his ancestors. Despite racial differences, the two men sense a kinship -- one that might prove dangerous in rural South Africa during the year of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment.

James McClure: The Song Dog. A Kramer and Zondi Investigation set in South Africa. Soho Press, ISBN: 9781616952471 (April, 2013), 309 p., $14.95, eBook $9.99.

James McClure: The Song Dog (UK 1993)

From the Publisher:
At long last the inspired and thought-provoking South African team of Kramer and Zondi is back in action. For this relief, much thanks; and for this superbly written new novel... the highest praise I can muster... James McClure has never done better. What price next year's Booker?' -- Sunday Times

'McClure deftly blends social realism with an ingenious puzzle in a way that is gripping, funny, informative and utterly convincing -- the best crime novel I've read all year.' Independent.

Featuring police detectives Tromp Kramer and Mickey Zondi who appeared in »The Steam Pig« winner of the 1971 Gold Dagger Award, and »Rogue Eagle« which won the 1976 Silver Dagger Award. In this book the two detectives investigate the death of Jafini's Chief Detective.

James McClure: The Song Dog. A Kramer and Zondi Mystery. Faber & Faber, ISBN: 0571166369 (January, 1993), 281 p., £4.99.

James McClure: The Song Dog (USA 1992)

From the Publisher:
Jafini, a small, dusty town in northern Zululand, isn't used to the ways of big-city detectives -- let alone the jagged-edged, uniquely contrary approach of Lieutenant Tromp Kramer of Trekkersburg Murder and Robbery Squad.

The year is 1962. Young Kramer has been ordered up to Jafini to investigate the "hero's death" of the town's chief detective, Maaties Kritzinger -- another Afrikaner maverick, and one with many secrets.

And then his path crosses that of Bantu Detective Sergeant Mickey Zondi. Despite their differences of race, the two men sense a kinship... one that might prove dangerous in rural South Africa in the year of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment.

Zondi is trying to locate a multiple killer whose summary execution will quiet the spirits of his ancestors; Kramer is trying to find the murderer who targeted Annika Cloete -- "the biggest nympho Zululand has ever seen" -- slaughtering Maaties Kritzinger in the process.

Kramer and Zondi combine forces, working as a team more deadly than anyone they oppose, and end up confronted by their Alpha and Omega -- their birth and death -- encapsulated by the mysterious Song Dog.

James McClure: The Song Dog. A Kramer and Zondi Mystery. Mysterious Press, ISBN: 0446401862 (August, 1992), 296 p., $4.99.

James McClure: The Song Dog (USA 1991)

From the Publisher:
Kramer turned back for just a moment. "Doc," he said, "the only thing that's fair about me is the colour of my hair. People should remember that."

Some would never forget it. Jafini, a small, dusty town in northern Zululand, isn't used to the ways of big-city detectives - let alone the jagged-edged, uniquely contrary approach of Lieutenant Tromp Kramer of Trekkersburg Murder and Robbery Squad.

The year is 1962. Young Kramer has been ordered up to Jafini to investigate the "hero's death" of the town's chief detective, Maaties Kritzinger -- another Afrikaner maverick, and one with many secrets. Kramer finds himself increasingly identifying with the victim as the investigation proceeds, even though he tries to deny the connections.

And then his path crosses that of Bantu Detective Sergeant Mickey Zondi. Despite their differences of race, the two men sense a kinship... one that might prove dangerous in rural South Africa in the year of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment.

Zondi is trying to locate a multiple killer whose summary execution will quiet the spirits of his ancestors; Kramer is trying to find the murderer who targeted Annika Cloete "the biggest nympho Zululand has ever seen" -- slaughtering Maaties Kritzinger in the process.

Kramer and Zondi combine forces, working as a team more deadly than anyone they oppose, and end up confronted by their Alpha and Omega -- their birth and death -- encapsulated by the mysterious Song Dog.

James McClure: The Song Dog. A Kramer and Zondi Mystery. Mysterious Press / Warner Books, ISBN: 0892962747 (August, 1991), 296 p., $17.95.