Memo From Turner

This is a dark, brutal and disturbing story set in the harsh, remote scrubland and desert of Northern Cape, South Africa. The well-written descriptions of its setting infuse it with a strong visual aspect. You can feel the blistering heat through the author's vivid use of language.

I was reluctant to award it with my rare 5 stars because of its graphic violence, blood and gore. I understand the book may not be for everyone and found some passages made it difficult not to look away from the page. However, I found the story so compelling and suspenseful I could not put the book down. I was often tempted to turn to the ending to read the outcome before proceeding with the rest of story but was glad I didn't.

Turner is employed by the Cape Town police department. His title is warrant officer, but I was unclear what authority this gave him in any investigation. He is a man of integrity and moral certainty, a determined and relentless seeker of justice. He is considered a "good man" by others and himself until he isn't. At one point he comes to designate himself a 'monster'.

His goal is to arrest a drunken hit- and- run driver in a remote mining town. The town is run by a powerful, wealthy woman, Margot. She is a mining magnate living in a luxurious compound. She has her own murderous security force and controls the police through her position and wealth.

One night her husband and beloved son exited a tavern in the city. They had been celebrating her son's graduation on his way to practicing law. with them was the son's best friend, described as a young iron pumping, steroid using 'redneck farmer'. There had been some heavy drinking. Margot's son in a drunken stupor backed the car into a sickly street girl who was rummaging in a dumpster for discarded food. He was oblivious to the fact he had hit anyone. The stepfather (Margot's second husband) drives away leaving the girl to die a painful death alone. The intent was to place the blame on the son's friend who witnessed most of the accident while keeping the son unaware of what happened.

When Turner arrives in the remote settlement he learns the truth, but Margot intends to protect her son from any knowledge of the girl's death and his role in it. Turner cannot be bought off like so many others and refuses bribes. He is heroic but his moral honour begins to make his character scary. He is frightening in his drive and determination to achieve justice for the dead girl. The reader begins to see some sense in the motivations of the villains This sets a tone of moral ambiguity which is disturbing. Is anyone totally right or wrong? I won't outline what happens except to say bodies pile up in rapid succession.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for an advanced copy of this very absorbing and suspenseful novel in return for my honest review.

Behold, the author may actually have experience with real violence. This book has it of course but it lends to the story and is not thrown in as some after-topping. I thought this was close to real from my few deployments there and interaction with the local culture. I am going to find some of his other books.

I found this book mesmerizing. A young man, driving drunk, accidentally kills a young girl in a nasty car accident without even being aware of it. Although he doesn't remember the collision, his step-father does... and is determined to ensure the girl dies so that there are no living witnesses to the accident. The detective assigned to the case, against strong pressure from the young man's wealthy and influential parents, doggedly pursues justice. The plot pits amoral parents against duty-bound law enforcement, and things deteriorate quickly. Intelligent plot and steady action puts this book in the "must read" category. Excellent.

I was intrigued by the premise of Memo From Turner. While the story is engaging and shocking, the violence was too much for me. If you are interested in true crime from the region, this is one to read. It's very realistic and touches a relevant topic. I recommend for some readers.

Is Turner a good guy or a bad guy? He's a Warrant Officer with the Cape Town Police and he's investigating a case where a wealthy man backed over a poor girl, grievously injuring her. Somehow (and South African police authorities are unfamiliar to me), he travels to the mining town owned by the suspect's mother (and wife) where he not only investigates but also wrecks havoc. And blood. This is violent and gritty-in fact a bit more than it needed to be, imho. Still, it's well written and a plot driven fast read with a unique protagonist and point of view. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.