A gritty thriller set in South Africa. There is a lot of political history and evidence of corruption in this book and a lot of characters, which requires a fair amount of concentration to keep track of. I do understand Dutch, so the Afrikaans language was ok for me, but that is not necessarily the case for everyone, I do not have enough background knowledge of South African life or history to completely understand the living conditions there though. The plot is violent and complicated but dragged a little in the middle for me. Schalk, the main detective, is an interesting but difficult character and a lot happens to him in this book. I would definately read the next episode because I`m curious about where he goes from here.
Not an easy read, but on the whole an interesting one.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Natalie Conyer’s Present Tense is a gripping and thought-provoking crime novel set against the charged political and social landscape of post-apartheid South Africa. With a compelling mystery at its core and nuanced commentary on the complexities of justice in a fractured society, this book offers both a tense procedural and a powerful exploration of history’s lingering shadows.

The novel begins with the brutal murder of retired police chief Piet Pieterse, executed in the chillingly symbolic manner of a necklacing—a grim relic of the apartheid era. Veteran detective Schalk Lourens, reluctantly drawn into the investigation, finds himself navigating a labyrinth of secrets that links the victim’s past to South Africa’s turbulent present. Conyer masterfully uses Pieterse’s death as a fulcrum for an examination of systemic corruption, unresolved trauma, and the ways in which old wounds fester beneath the surface of a nation striving for unity.

Schalk Lourens is a richly drawn protagonist, haunted by his own past complicity and struggling to reconcile the ideals of justice with the reality of a world still defined by division. His voice—a blend of weariness, cynicism, and an innate sense of decency—anchors the narrative, making him both relatable and deeply human. Conyer deftly portrays his internal conflicts as he treads the delicate line between personal and professional, between loyalty to his old boss and his duty to uncover the truth.

The setting of Cape Town is vividly rendered, with Conyer capturing the city’s vibrancy, contradictions, and simmering tensions. Against this backdrop, the election campaign of charismatic ANC candidate Gideon Radebe introduces a subplot that adds layers of political intrigue. The intersection of crime, politics, and personal vendettas creates a narrative that feels both urgent and authentic.

Conyer’s writing is crisp and evocative, balancing the procedural aspects of the investigation with moments of profound introspection. The themes of justice, revenge, and moral compromise are explored with sensitivity, offering no easy answers but plenty of fodder for reflection. The pacing is taut, with enough twists and revelations to keep readers hooked until the final, satisfying resolution.

Present Tense is more than a mystery; it is a meditation on the legacy of apartheid and the challenges of building a new future while grappling with the past. Fans of crime fiction with depth and social relevance will find this novel both engaging and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Present Tense is a standout in the genre, offering a richly atmospheric, intelligent, and emotionally resonant story. Natalie Conyer has crafted a mystery that lingers long after the final page. Five stars.

2.5★s

Schalk Lourens was an everyday policeman, but he trusted few. Now, standing over the brutally murdered body of ex-police chief Piet Pieterse, he wondered if Pieterse's death was because of what happened during the apartheid era. With the election close, and campaigns interrupted by violence and terror, plus Schalk being in charge of Pieterse's case, and his new partner, Mbotho driving him nuts, the call from the commissioner, Nkosi, made him nervous. What would be the outcome on this volatile landscape?

Present Tense is the debut novel for Aussie author Natalie Conyer and is also the 1st in A Schalk Lourens Mystery series. Set in Cape Town, South Africa, I found it gritty and intense, with a large contingent of characters that I had trouble keeping up with. Lourens is one of the "old school" of cops, treading his way carefully between the old and the new.

With thanks to NetGalley & Echo Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

The author of this series was born in South Africa, but has lived in Sydney, Australia for a long time. PRESENT TENSE is the first, followed by SHADOW CITY (https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/shadow-city-natalie-conyer). Based around veteran cop Schalk Lourens these books are gritty and dark, tackling aspects of South Africa's past and present in a clear, concise and unflinching manner.

Having read the second book first, PRESENT TENSE provided the details for a lot of the important parts of Lourens past, as well as his present. A cop for many years, he has experienced the apartheid years, and got himself into trouble with his superiors because of his actions then. When retired Police Chief Piet Pieterse is murdered at his private farm, necklaced, a tyre forced around his neck, doused in petrol and set alight, Lourens is instantly pulled back to a time, when as a young cop, his relationship with Pieterse was very complicated. Referencing aspects of those years, and the subsequent Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Conyer has built a very real and quite confronting story about South Africa's troubled past, and the lines in the sand that some people stood either side of.

Along with the murder investigation, which is "solved" too conveniently, too quickly and just plain wrongly as far as Lourens is concerned, the country is on a knife-edge with an election due, one that's increasing the volatility and violence in a country that's got some very desperate people looking for a way forward and a massive problem with improper influence and corruption.

The underlying cultural and historical elements of this series are delivered in an unflinching yet careful manner. The fallout from the apartheid years, the treatment of people, those that got rich, and those for whom life never really improved is shown, never told. The characters are wonderfully evoked, again never shying away from the pluses and minuses, with the use of local terminology (phrases and words) that give a real feel for the people, without ever being difficult to follow. Schalk Lourens is a principled, and decent man, who has trouble trusting new colleagues, and devoted to those he knows. His wife is unwell, struggling with mental health issues and he's as supportive as he knows how, yet falls into an extra-marital affair without a backwards look. He's a loving father, and you can just see him shaping up to be a disapproving father-in-law (something that plays out more clearly in the second book).

This really is an excellent series, invoking a time and a country that you often hear just the bad stuff about. Clearly not pretending for one moment that it's not a homeland with considerable difficulties, it is drawing a portrait of a homeland with some sections of the community pretty clear-eyed about where they have been, and where they should be heading.

This book was okay in places. However, to truly enjoy it, I believe I would need a working understanding of the culture and lingo. Afrikaans words are used and, usually, not given an explanation.

The political climate plays a huge roll but it's not explained very well. Though, if I were a native or spent any time there, it would probably be basic knowledge. Having never left the U.S. there were lots of things I didn't understand and the author didnt explain much pf anything. For a book marketed on multiple continents, the author should have provided more background and explanations for her audience. I don't particularly want to have to Google my way through a pleasure novel..

The characters weren't very... 3 dimensional. Also, I didn't like the MC. I get the gritty detective trope, but some morals would be appreciated. I cannot root/care for a character to succeed when he has no redeeming qualities and does things like cheating on his wife with the spouse of a murder victim. Just no.


DNF. I did skip to the end to see if it was worth continuing. It wasn't. I'm even more disappointed with the characters than I was before.