Just Read -Dying to Live by Michael Stanley

 When i saw i this book recently in library's just arrived section, I thought it's new book in the No.1 Ladies detective agency series or a spin-off by same author. Very similar cover - use of  silhouettes, similarly embellished book cover, and a detective story set in Botswana. But I was wrong, it is a different series by different authors - Michal & Stanley, and it is the sixth book in their detective kubu series.

After watching and reading Mma Ramotswe fiction and later learning real story of Sereste Khama - the father of modern Botswana, the way he lead third poorest country in world to fastest growing economy,  his interracial marriage with a Ruth Williams and the furore it created, I kind of look forward to read stories about Botswana.

And this book does not disappoint. Assistant Commissioner Kubu and his team -  Ian Mcgregor the pathologist, Bushman Ixau  the constable with tracking skills and Samantha Khama the detective, along with his boss Commissioner Mabaku working together to solve a mystery of an old bushman found dead in Kalahari game reserve. The dead bushman with body of very old man, but with young looking internal organs. The book starts with this interesting but simple plot, and then start building by adding disappearance of famous witch doctor Bottele Ramala, and an american anthropologist, Christopher Collins. The investigation gets more complex when chinese mafia and foreign pharmaceutical companies, who are interested in plants with rumored life extending and healing properties.

The book is an enjoyable read. As Detective Kubu and his team solve the puzzle step by step, I was always thinking what next. The story of his daughter's failing health and the family stress adds another dimension to the book.

I found the writing very similar to Mma Ramotswe books. I could easily visualize the characters, background and setting of story.

This is my 12th book of the year, not counting all the comics especially complete Injustice series, and PMP stuff. I would say not a bad year for keeping in touch with books.