About Me

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Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sundowner Ubuntu by Anthony Bidulka


19. - 429.) Sundowner Ubuntu by Anthony Bidulka – Russell Quant sets out to find another missing person, Matthew Ridge, who disappeared from his parents life as a troubled teenager. The opening sequence involving Russell killing his mother’s chicken, Mr. Crow, was perfectly rural Saskatchewan. Matthew has been a violent teenager. As Russell follows the cold trail he wends his way to Africa where Matthew, a reformed criminal, has gone as a teacher. On the way Russell establishes an impromptu relationship with a professional photographer, Cassandra Wellness, In an intriguing twist Russell, a passionate gay man, is lured by the fetching Cassandra into a compromising situation. In South Africa Russell persists despite resistance to his inquiries and physical attacks. He learns about ubuntu – the African tradition of community members caring for each other. After reaching the end of the trail Russell returns to Saskatoon where the plot is resolved. I did not feel that the intial stories involving his Saskatoon friends tied well to this story. Part of the solution I saw coming a long way from the end and part was a surprise. Russell remains charming who is the type of guy who will brighten a reader’s life. I barely noticed until far into the book it was a mystery without being a murder mystery. It was a good book but not as good as early novels in the series. (May 13/08)

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