The Camel Driver

Quite good and quite a compelling mystery. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. The plot, too, was well thought out and complex enough to keep it interesting. Recommended for historical fiction fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

"The Camel Driver" is the third book in the Harry Prezewalski detective series, which is set in Pittsburgh, although this novel takes us on a journey through France and South Africa.  It is an archeological mystery, which begins with a theft from an exhibit in the Carnegie Museum.  When Prezewalski investigates the odd mystery, he dives into a world of a taxidermist from the 1800's and the taxidermist's scandalous life in South Africa retold through trial transcripts from a suit to enforce a promise of marriage.  With very little violence and little in the way of action packed sequences, the author manages to present a fascinating tale.

This is an important book. 
The world of fiction is awash with novels that seek to entertain and provide glimpses into new realities.  Crime fiction adds mystery, puzzles and a range of thrilling action.
Leonard Krishtalka is a new author to me and his detective series set in Pittsburgh a city in western Pennsylvania, USA is my best find of 2020.
His detective, Harry Przewalski is a wonderful down to earth private eye. He is methodical, hard working and determined. He is also a man who can get things wrong, especially where women are concerned.
This is the third book in this series that continues to develop and surprise me. The plots are original and largely based in the academic worlds of archeology and anthropology. 
Because of the author’s background this isn’t dead science but a dramatic backdrop to greed, academic recognition and ultimately murder.

It is an important book since it is taking the genre further than the private eye or police procedural. 

It is combining the world today with a discoverable past to enlighten and educate beyond normal historical crime thrillers.

In this way these books excite me, how they study the past, the development of life and human existence only to reveal that murder still lies close to the preferred options to resolve problems.

I love the links with the past the author utilises to cast his storytelling across time and was interested to read in his afterword where fact and fiction overlapped.
I also like the unresolved past; Harry’s lack of success with women and the desperate need for parental approval. His strained links with his parents, a love of cycling and his place within the city he loves.
Looking for something different - look no further.

A fascinating look through the lens of history at murder and mystery.  What starts as far back in time as thousands of years ago ends with a contemporary investigation into a mystifying death of a child. preserved forever inside the remains of a camel displayed in a museum-dwelling diorama.  Written in a poetic style, this book is destined to become a classic within its genre.  Definitely recommended!

*This book was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest review.  My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to participate in this program.*

Thank you to the author, Anamcara Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

This is the third book in a series involving the detective Harry Przewalski, and the first book I've read by this author. It took me a bit to get into the story, as there are some abrupt shifts in the narrative, as well as a bit of a lack of setting the scene for those who did not read the previous books. However, the story drew me in - particularly when I realized it was at least two stories within the main story. The author does a great job of incorporating a historical narrative into the very current issues the detective is dealing with, and giving insight into the development of biology and natural history - fascinating!