This is a synopsis of
my latest book Murder in Mombasa
The tale is recounted by the American Consul when in the
aftermath of a riotous shore visit, a U.S. Navy seaman is accused of murdering
a Kenyan girl. But did he do it? His alibi says no, but Kenya must have someone
to prosecute for the crime. The pressure
is on. The police, the public and government leaders clamor for conviction, so
the case goes to trial. Not only is the man’s guilt or innocence at stake, but
also U.S. - Kenyan relations. Meanwhile shadowy terrorist operatives and their
possible links to the crime cloud clarity. Will justice prevail or will it be
trumped by political expediency?
Ripped from the headlines, this story is based on a real
incident. The Mombasa, Kenya setting is
impeccable as are descriptions of police, prison and judicial procedures. Furthermore, handling of the problem by U.S.
diplomats provides insight into the operations of the consular service.
Rather than a review
as such, let’s do some q&a’s about Murder in Mombasa.
Why did you write the
book? I enjoy writing and find
fiction a fascinating diversion from non-fiction. It is easier to make up facts rather than
look them up. However, this story is based on a real event. I was the American Consul in Mombasa in the
early 1980s at the time when a U.S. sailor was accused of murdering a Kenyan
prostitute. It caused a big brouhaha in Kenya in part because
several years earlier there had been another death of a prostitute wherein the
U.S. sailor had been found guilty of manslaughter, but not sentenced to
prison. That verdict scandalized the
populace. So when another death
occurred, the popular cry was for punishment.
My book is a fictionalized version of what ensued. In order to spin the tale I invented
personages and added plot.
What makes the story
unique? First, a narrator of events
is the U.S. consul, so the reader sees the plot unfold from his
perspective. The book paints a realistic
portrait of what American diplomats do overseas when citizens get in
trouble. Additionally, the murder
troubled U.S. Kenyan relations more broadly so aspects of international
diplomacy are included. Secondly, the
setting of the novel in Mombasa, Kenya is impeccable and the characters
realistic, so those who know Kenya will find that the tale rings true.
So what sort of book is
it? It is a murder mystery that
evolves into a courtroom drama all against a backdrop of diplomatic intrigue
and maneuvering. The question is did the
sailor kill the girl or not? If not, who did? and why? And even if he did not,
will he be convicted of the crime anyway?
Why did you self
publish it? The publishing world is
a brutal one. Self publishing via www.smashwords.com lets me put the book out
there quickly for readers to enjoy. Also it’s inexpensive at only $2.99. Murder
in Mombasa is only available in ebook format, also from the istore and
nook. The kindle version is available from smashwords and will soon appear on
amazon.
