For a debut novel to stand out, it has to offer something special to the reader. I’ve read few crime books set in Cambodia and it’s not a country that has ever tempted me to visit. However, in the tradition of the best reading, I was completely pulled into the world created by K T Medina. White Crocodile is a story of violence and revenge against the backdrop of mine clearance in a country still recovering from conflict.
The white crocodile of the title refers to the symbol of fear and death according to a Cambodian myth. Its legend is evoked by locals in response to a series of fatalities in an area which is being cleared of mines by a humanitarian charity. Tess Hardy has taken a job with the organisation in order to investigate the death of her ex-husband, Luke. Although her marriage was characterised by violence, in her last conversation with her ex she could hear fear in his voice. When she arrives in Cambodia, she discovers that teenage mothers are disappearing from local villages and are later found mutilated and killed.
White Crocodile has a compelling narrative that grabs you right from the start of the book. At the outset there is a suspicious explosion that maims one of the other mine clearers and it’s not clear if Johnny is a victim or implicated in the conspiracy that surrounds all the killings. As the plot develops, Tess’s personal history, the killing of the outcast women and a murder investigation in Manchester are interweaved into a compelling narrative.
Medina cleverly makes sure that Tess Hardy is on equal footing with the other protagonists. She is a mine clearer in her own right and saves the life of Johnny using a mix of bravery and knowledge of land mines. This means that in a setting of vulnerable women, despite Tess’s abusive past, she seems an intrepid and determined seeker of truth.
White Crocodile is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Thanks to Faber for my review copy.
Glad you enjoyed it too. It’s a compelling read that weaves a proper mystery plot into the mix as well. There are a few odd bits – how all of a sudden the White Crocodile ceases to be a nebulous myth and becomes the pseudonym of the killer – but that’s easily forgiven given the quality of the tale. Out of curiosity – was the killer’s identity obvious to you, as it seemed pretty inevitable from about halfway through the book for me.
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I think I realised who the killer was about a chapter before the reveal. I tend not to read novels as ‘whodunits’ but, near the end, I think the killer took shape. Glad you enjoyed it to.
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Glad to hear that it wasn’t obvious – always hard to judge these things.
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I love the title and the plot does sound compelling. Quite an endorsement when you say it is one of the best books you’ve read all year!
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Thanks, Jenclair
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That sounds very interesting, and what an intriguing setting. I’m supposed to be on a no-books-in policy at the moment, but perhaps in the future…
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No books in policy 😦 My postman’s been busy recently…
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I do enjoy travelling vicariously through what I read – it can really add to the story if it’s a setting you’re unfamiliar with. This sounds great Sarah!
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Thanks. I’m sure you’d enjoy it too.
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Sarah this one looks good, so onto the list it goes. Cheers for another reccy!
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Great, Col. hope you enjoy.
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On my wish list now too…thanks Sarah!
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Thanks, Simone
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Read about this first at Puzzle Doctor’s site, and love the title. I plan to read this one (eventually) just because of the setting, an unusual country for a crime novel. Glad to hear that you recommend it.
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It’s a very good book and an excellent debut. I hope you like it.
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