Cobra

By: Deon Meyer

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

Why would a mathematics professor from Cambridge University, renting a holiday home outside Cape Town, require a false identity and three bodyguards? And where is he, now that they are dead? The only clue to the bodyguards' murder is the snake engraved on the shell casings of the bullets that killed them.

Investigating the massacre, Benny Griessel and his team find themselves being drawn into an international conspiracy with shocking implications. It seems it is not just the terrorists and criminals of Britain and South Africa who may fear the Professor's work, but the politicians too.

As the body count begins to spiral viciously, Benny must put his new-found love life aside and focus on finding the one person who could give him a break in the case: a teenage pickpocket on the run in the city. But Benny is not the only person hunting for Tyrone Kleinbooi . . .

Relentlessly suspenseful, topical, hard-hitting and richly rewarding, COBRA is a superb novel from an author who is acclaimed around the world as a brilliant voice in crime fiction.

English translation © K. L. Seegers. Originally published in Afrikaans in 2013 as Kobra by Human & Rousseau.

(P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton©2014 Deon Meyer

Critic reviews

Praise for Deon Meyer

Crime fiction with real texture and intelligence.

The narrative is well-plotted, and the novel brings to life the rich and volatile diversity of contemporary South Africa. There's nothing flashy here, just a good story, very well told. Would there were more like it.

Benny is the central character in South African writer Deon Meyer's series of novels, set in Capetown, that grow richer and more sophisticated with each new book. This progression makes COBRA the most dazzling of the bunch.

Deon Meyer is a top notch plotter and has created one of the best ensemble (and multi-racial) casts of any modern police procedural series.

Tells a cracking story and captures the criminal kaleidoscope of a nation.

Deon Meyer's gritty crime novels [are] part police procedural, part political thriller . . . What makes Meyer such a national treasure - and as good as anyone in the world - is that even if you have no knowledge or interest in South Africa's history or present, his books are compelling page-turners. Politics and race are just part of the intricately crafted superstructure bolted onto the rock-solid chassis of a top-quality crime thriller, driven by a writer with deceptive skill.

This year's great discovery: classy, edgy writing, subtly plotted and beautifully balanced between fast-paced action, pungent social comment and the process of investigation.

How good is Deon Meyer

What did you love best about Cobra?

Deon Meyer Saul Reichlin,Unbelievable , go together like Jo Nesbo and Sean Barret .
Great story .

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cobra?

The Boy And his Hard earned spoils

What about Saul Reichlin’s performance did you like?

One of the best in the business .

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

persistance , justice, and dont you love our politicians and BANKS

Enjoyable but unmemorable

As I write it is over two weeks since I finished this audio book. While it may say more about my memory, I remember little of this book. In saying that, it kept me listening until the end. Good narration and accents made the story, otherwise I would have switched off.

Well written and well read

This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to.

South African accents are really hard to replicate, especially those of the various groups within the country. Saul Reichlin absolutely nails it!

Deon Meyer is one of the best thriller writers around and he does not disappoint. I can unreservedly recommend this audiobook

Buy this book pappie!

Loved this book.

I lived in Cape Town for 10 years and reading this it bought back so many good memories of the places and the people.

Meyer does an excellent job of not only telling a great yarn but also hits the mark with the depth and variety of characters.

Saul Reichlin does an excellent job of bring all the characters to life. I very rarely laugh out loud reading a book but I couldn't help myself with this one.

I'm already looking for my next Meyer book. Well done.

Fabulous novel read brilliantly

The novel itself is exciting and with a clever plot. My favourite character is definitely the feisty feminist Mbali . Dear old Benny does get a little whiny at times, so here's hoping he de elops a bit of self esteem soon.
The reading of the novel is superb -
good accents, pace excellent , a credible South African accent.