The Mingrelian Conspiracy

Praise for The Mingrelian Conspiracy...

"Pearce masterfully depicts...the British and the Egyptian bureaucracies, as well as...every byway of his adopted city." -Publishers Weekly

"Michael Pearce captures the essence and flavor of Cairo's ethnic, political and social environment during British domination in his own gritty, masculine fashion...and he doesn't mince words." -The Historical Novels Review

In 1908, the city of Cairo lives-and dies-by its café culture. But for restaurant businesses, then and now, the protection rackets pose a problem. And the city's cafés are experiencing a sudden upsurge in threats from various gangs. But who are they? Who's behind them? Is the money being channeled to some big crook, or is its use political, for, say, the purchase of guns? When one café proprietor is attacked, his legs broken for noncompliance, everyone is worried. Then the Russian Chargé files a complaint-the Mingrelians, a small Christian group from the Caucasus, may be targeting a Russian Grand Duke who is coming to replicate his uncle's visit to Egypt at the opening of the Suez Canal. Now Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt or Head of the Secret Police, must find a way to prevent an international incident...
Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan among the political and other tensions he draws on for his books. His zest and humor has won him several British Last Laugh Awards. Although Egypt has evolved dramatically since Owen's career began in 1908, the charm of his Mamur Zapt novels is unabated.