Book Jacket

 

rank 5848
word count 22610
date submitted 13.12.2010
date updated 06.01.2011
genres: Fiction, Crime
classification: moderate
incomplete

Cows in the Valley

Christa Martin

A South African tale of murder incorporating sex, drugs, political subversion, financial controversy, cultural differences and farm violence, narrated in a dry, dark comedy style.

 

Carson Mhlongo believes his new post at the tail end of his career as a cop will be a quiet little intermission before he can take his retirement and spend the rest of the time he has left with his wife and children. When Buddy Larringer, Belland's most despised property owner, goes missing, Mhlongo sets out to solve another farm murder case. But somehow, things don't add up. There's the missing cattle belonging to old BB, the illegal rose nursery, the corrupt councilman and the toy-boy lover, which could all be mixed up in Larringer's disappearance. He hasn't even found a body yet, and the white folk in the tiny little farming valley of Belland are getting stranger and stranger the closer he looks. Under the quiet pastoral facade of this South African community, Mhlongo discovers chaos and mayhem to rival his days as a cop in the apartheid-era townships.

 
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tags

dark humour, farm, murder, mystery, south africa

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8 comments

 

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Christa Martin wrote 834 days ago

Thanks, Marj, for the insightful comments. I will take your point into consideration when my editing process picks up pace. For now I'm still trying to find the time to finish it off!
I appreciate the support and hope that once I have completed the manuscript you will give me your opinion once again on the finished product.

M. A. McRae. wrote 838 days ago

You write very competently. It's an unusual way to tell a story, from a distant and quite analytical viewpoint, with a distinct tone of irony. eg. Ch3, 'despite all the courtship that happened, they were married anyway.
It sometimes changes, eg in ch 3, when you move to a much closer perspective on your character, BB.
I can see this shaping to be a good story, with plenty of twists and turns, but wonder if you have chosen the best way to present it. While I am sure it will have its admirers, and I do agree it's a good story, the conventional manner of storytelling of choosing a sympathetic character to be your main character, and sticking largely to that person's viewpoint, tends to be more popular.
As always, take all reviews as only one person's opinion.
Polished, no typos that I found, a good story to be backed. Marj.

markwoodburn wrote 858 days ago

A slow buildup whilst characters are formed. I like how you try to steer clear of stereotypes; just keeping on the right side of realism. Have a problem with the town's name: sounds too much like "Bell-end" which has a much different meaning! I will back this book as I feel it will be worthwhile seeing where it goes. Starred also. Regards, Mark.

markwoodburn wrote 859 days ago

Hi Christa, I am working my way through this on my watchlist at the moment. So far I like what I see. Interesting seeing first hand how Saffer is now. I have friends still there but only communcate through Facebook. Once I read through it I will let you know. Regards, Mark

Bradley Haynes wrote 870 days ago

Your writing shows great depth of research and complexity of structure and plot. The characters have strong psychological profiles able to lead the story and engage readers. This has the promise of a rewarding read.
Regards
Bradley Haynes (Tricia)

Christa Martin wrote 890 days ago

Hi Susie, and thanks for taking the time to comment. I did make an honest effort to read your memoirs, but I cannot convince myself to back it, as it is not within my genre of interest. I appreciate your backing, but I do not believe that backing a book simply because its author backed mine does any good for either text, or this site. I wish you every success with your memoirs.

SusieGulick wrote 890 days ago

Dear Christa, I love that your are telling of South Africa & Detective Carson solving crimes, as your pitch portrays. :) Your tight dialogue & paragraphs, not to mention all of the excitement at every level, moved me right through chapter 15 & I was happy to see that Carson was totally diligent & "always led by example." Most thankful, I am after reading your story, that I don't live there with all of the bad happening & that even in gang-infested Santa Ana California, none of this has affected me in my 70 years of life. :) Thank you for helping me to feel what you were feeling, as you wrote your story. :) I have read, commented on, & put your book on my watchlist to read & to also at least 24-hour back when space opens on my bookshelf. :) I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** & back my memoirs/testimony book, in return? :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ******-ing & at least 24-hour backing moves our books up the authonomy lists :)
None of this comment is copy/pasted & is written arduously my best from my heart. :)

SusieGulick wrote 892 days ago

:) I will comment on your book after I have read it - read & commented on 2 days later :)

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