Leo
the thrilling new novel from the author of major Netflix series Heart of the Hunter
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
464 pages
978-1-5293-7562-6 (ISBN)
Description
**WINNER OF THE AKTV PRIZE FOR BEST AFRIKAANS THRILLER OF 2024**
GRIESSEL AND CUPIDO ARE EXPECTING A QUIET LIFE
Detectives Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido remain on duty in beautiful Stellenbosch, but run-of-the-mill police work in a leafy university town famed for its vineyards is a far cry from their previous life in Cape Town fighting crime at the highest level. For now, Benny has more pressing things to worry about - it's the countdown to his wedding day on 12 June.
BUT THE PEACE IS ABOUT TO BE SHATTERED
When a student is found dead on a mountain trail, and the key suspect, a local businessman, is found murdered in what looks like a professional hit delivering a message - suffocated by fast-action filler foam sprayed down his throat - Griessel and Cupido both know this the work of professionals.
Benny also knows he needs a cool head to untangle this web of deceit, and to manage the incessant pressure. He needs to stay calm, focused - and sober. And it all needs to be wrapped up by 12 June.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING. AND CHAOS IS COMING...
Praise for Deon Meyer:
'One of the best crime writers on the planet' Mail on Sunday
'Storytelling at its best' Michael Connelly
'One of the giants of crime fiction' El Mundo
'Crime writing at its best' Tess Gerritsen
'Up there with the best in the world' The Times
Reader reviews:
'A commendable book, in a fantastic setting, by an excellent author'
'You can always depend on Deon for a good read and this is tough, raw and exciting'
'Simply brilliant!
GRIESSEL AND CUPIDO ARE EXPECTING A QUIET LIFE
Detectives Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido remain on duty in beautiful Stellenbosch, but run-of-the-mill police work in a leafy university town famed for its vineyards is a far cry from their previous life in Cape Town fighting crime at the highest level. For now, Benny has more pressing things to worry about - it's the countdown to his wedding day on 12 June.
BUT THE PEACE IS ABOUT TO BE SHATTERED
When a student is found dead on a mountain trail, and the key suspect, a local businessman, is found murdered in what looks like a professional hit delivering a message - suffocated by fast-action filler foam sprayed down his throat - Griessel and Cupido both know this the work of professionals.
Benny also knows he needs a cool head to untangle this web of deceit, and to manage the incessant pressure. He needs to stay calm, focused - and sober. And it all needs to be wrapped up by 12 June.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING. AND CHAOS IS COMING...
Praise for Deon Meyer:
'One of the best crime writers on the planet' Mail on Sunday
'Storytelling at its best' Michael Connelly
'One of the giants of crime fiction' El Mundo
'Crime writing at its best' Tess Gerritsen
'Up there with the best in the world' The Times
Reader reviews:
'A commendable book, in a fantastic setting, by an excellent author'
'You can always depend on Deon for a good read and this is tough, raw and exciting'
'Simply brilliant!
Reviews / Votes
Meyer expertly interlaces his main narrative threads in shrewd and unpredictable ways, remaining one step ahead of readers as he ushers the plot to a rollicking conclusion. This intelligent page-turner confirms Meyer's reputation as a master of the police procedural * Publisher's Weekly * Meyer draws from South Africa's recent political turmoil in this 8th Benny Griessel procedural, expertly crafting parallel plots that explore binding loyalty... Meyer blends riveting plots at the perfect moment here: a series standout * Booklist * Perspective shifts early and often in the narrative, but Meyer toggles seamlessly from one to the next, deftly tying all three storylines together in a timely fashion * BookPage * Meyer's eighth Griessel and Cupido book makes demands of the reader, but ones that get rewarded * Kirkus Reviews * Meyer delivers another top-notch thriller out of South Africa * CrimeReads, 'The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2025' * Crime fiction doesn't get any better -- George Easter With blistering set pieces, a keen eye for dialogue - Meyer weaves a dramatic and powerful narrative with a vivid backdrop that is literary escapism at its absolute zenith * Shots *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hodder & Stoughton
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
324 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5293-7562-6 (9781529375626)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2024
Hodder & Stoughton
€2.99
Available for download
Persons
Born in South Africa in 1958, Deon Meyer was a journalist, advertising copywriter, Internet manager and brand strategist before he became a novelist. Meyer has published fifteen novels and two short story collections. His books have been translated into 28 languages in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Meyer has written several series for television, six screenplays for feature films, and produced and directed movies. Dead Before Dying and Trackers have both been made into TV series in South Africa, and in 2023 the Benny Griessel series premiered under the name Devil's Peak on M-Net. Heart of the Hunter was released worldwide as a Netflix Original in March 2024 and was Netflix's number one streamed film for two consecutive weeks, with 25 million views globally in the first three weeks.
Meyer was knighted by France in 2021 as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. He lives with his family in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Meyer has written several series for television, six screenplays for feature films, and produced and directed movies. Dead Before Dying and Trackers have both been made into TV series in South Africa, and in 2023 the Benny Griessel series premiered under the name Devil's Peak on M-Net. Heart of the Hunter was released worldwide as a Netflix Original in March 2024 and was Netflix's number one streamed film for two consecutive weeks, with 25 million views globally in the first three weeks.
Meyer was knighted by France in 2021 as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. He lives with his family in Stellenbosch, South Africa.