Editorial reviews
"Adriaan Verheul’s gripping novel A Clean Death revolves around the murder of an international aid worker. [...]Verheul’s background in international affairs has taken him to conflict zones, and he has a clear and unsentimental eye for the personalities who congregate in such places. From Johan’s pompous boss Bruno; to self-righteous Vashti, who works for a rival aid organization; to V-6, Christmas’ conniving lieutenant –every character is uncompromisingly well-drawn. Verheul’s writing style is crisp and witty, and dry humor abounds, as when Oliver observes that Little Tromp Tower, the city’s swanky night spot, “was not exactly little; nor was there any tower in sight.” [...] Overall, fans of Graham Greene’s elegant writing and David Ignatius’s and Dan Fesperman’s topical thrillers will find similar pleasures here." - BlueInk Review (starred review) Click HERE for full review.
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"Told in a prose that pushes the plot along at a rapid speed, Verheul nevertheless allows room to build both his world and his characters [...] it allows the author free reign to really put the pedal to the metal in the latter third of the book, as the tension and action truly ramps up. The characters are built well, and the dialogue is strong – so combined with the well-crafted plot, the elements are in place for a superb read. Clever, compelling, and current, A Clean Death is part thriller, partly conspiracy saga, part murder mystery, and part character study. Told from compelling viewpoints and written with true experience behind events, this is a gripping read that will hopefully be the first in a series. Summary: A thrilling tale packed full of fateful decisions and terrible consequences. Due to author Adriaan Verheul’s past as a UN Peacekeeper, A Clean Death has roots in truth, and feels both immediate and timely." -The Bookbag Click HERE for full review.
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"In this story that is part mystery, part thriller, and part introspective examination of personal values, Verheul has a real eye for how money and corruption affect the day-to-day life in a Third World nation. The author establishes believable characters, humor, and pathos in his well-paced tale through concise and efficient writing [...] Verheul also manages to bring the distinctive cast of characters to several individual and credible epiphanies. This lively and enjoyable read should appeal to those who prefer their action thrillers with a literary twist and those who take theirs neat. - Kirkus Reviews Click HERE for full review.
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"Characters spark interest and philosophical reflection as they speak to deep and complicated questions about poverty, politics, corruption, and loyalty. A fascinating cast of characters exude their own personalities, speech styles, and idiosyncrasies through well-paced reveals. Oliver embodies the complicated experience of grief while dealing with Johan’s murder. Johan’s coworkers and the corrupt police and military are easy to imagine, captured through the tones of their voices and the styles of their gaits. Even though some major questions remain at the end of the novel, Oliver, Davey, and Captain Christmas all have stories that include the evolution of characters and end with a sense of closure. Their experiences spark interest and philosophical reflections as they speak to deep and complicated questions about poverty, politics, corruption, and loyalty. Each character’s journey features many places that seem to be written with experience, with location imagery and atmosphere. The intricate bureaucracy of GAPI, the police, and military are all written with expertise and attention to detail. A Clean Death is a murder mystery with political undertones, filled with intrigue and interest, that questions morality and motivation through the lens of a grieving son. " - Clarion Foreword Reviews. Click HERE for full review.
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“… unfolds at a steady pace … the prose is sound … the storyline of this work is highly original and will expose readers to an unfamiliar world … [characters] are well drawn and vivid. “ – The Booklife Prize. Click HERE for full review.