It's 1960 and Sergeant Ben Kella of the Solomon Islands police force is only a few days into a routine patrol of the most beautiful yet dangerous and primitive areas of the South Pacific. Yet, already, he has been cursed by a magic man, stumbled across evidence of a cult uprising and failed to find an American anthropologist who has been scouring the mountainous jungle in search of a priceless erotic icon. To complicate matters further, at a local mission station, Kella discovers the redoubtable Sister Conchita secretly trying to bury a skeleton, before a mysterious gunman tries to kill her. Mission-educated yet an aofia - the traditional peacemaker of the islands - Kella is forced to link up with Sister Conchita, an independent and rebellious young American nun, in order to track down the perpetrators of a series of bizarre murders . . .
Devil-Devil (Kella & Conchita Mystery 1)
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Review
"Truly fabulous ... Sister Conchita and Kella are already committed to a sequel. This is a series, and a writer, to watch."--"Toronto Globe and Mail"
"Kent, a prolific author of fiction and nonfiction, fills "Devil-Devil" with a sparkling plot (complete with an unexpected conclusion) and a rich history of the Solomons and their native people. But it's Kella and Conchita--and Kent's wit--that makes this unusual mystery work, and readers will eagerly await the next installment."--"Richmond Times-Dispatch
""Kent's first mystery is the beginning of a new and promising series.... The atmosphere and setting are integral to both character and plot and lend a unique note to this solid mystery. Definitely a series to watch."--"Booklist"
Book Description
An delightfully exotic new crime series set in the Solomon Islands featuring Sergeant Kella and Sister Conchita.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A. W. Savage
Format:Kindle Edition
I found this a great read: well written, with a sound and believable plot, interesting characters and enough detail about the islands and their beliefs to be intriguing, without over-doing it and becoming didactic.
If you like mysteries set in exotic locations and full of local colour, this is definitely for you. It should also appeal to anyone who likes their stories to come with greater than usual amounts of thoughtfulness about how people might get on across racial and religious boundaries. Ben Kella reminds me somewhat of Jim Chee in Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries. He's western-educated, highly intelligent and, perhaps because of the latter quality, open-minded enough to value his indigenous culture and religious beliefs. As 'aofia', the chosen judge and peacemaker of his people, as well as a policeman in a very British colonial administration, he is in a unique position to help people move from their traditional ways into a modern and alien world. It takes a toll on him, but you get the idea that he can handle it. If fact, he's just the kind of person you would love to be able to talk to on a whole range of human problems, well-versed in native wisdom, open-minded, and human enough to make mistakes and learn from them.
Sister Conchita is a little more stereotyped: the feisty nun, very much trying to live the religious life, yet constantly finding the letter of her religion in conflict with her humanity and good sense, and her more conventional and narrow-minded superiors aghast at her antics. In this book, she stumbles into a culture that sees the world very differently to her Chicago background. It a tribute to her strength of character that she survives and grows as a result. You come away with high hopes for her future adventures.
Thoroughly recommended. I can't wait for the next installment.
If you like mysteries set in exotic locations and full of local colour, this is definitely for you. It should also appeal to anyone who likes their stories to come with greater than usual amounts of thoughtfulness about how people might get on across racial and religious boundaries. Ben Kella reminds me somewhat of Jim Chee in Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries. He's western-educated, highly intelligent and, perhaps because of the latter quality, open-minded enough to value his indigenous culture and religious beliefs. As 'aofia', the chosen judge and peacemaker of his people, as well as a policeman in a very British colonial administration, he is in a unique position to help people move from their traditional ways into a modern and alien world. It takes a toll on him, but you get the idea that he can handle it. If fact, he's just the kind of person you would love to be able to talk to on a whole range of human problems, well-versed in native wisdom, open-minded, and human enough to make mistakes and learn from them.
Sister Conchita is a little more stereotyped: the feisty nun, very much trying to live the religious life, yet constantly finding the letter of her religion in conflict with her humanity and good sense, and her more conventional and narrow-minded superiors aghast at her antics. In this book, she stumbles into a culture that sees the world very differently to her Chicago background. It a tribute to her strength of character that she survives and grows as a result. You come away with high hopes for her future adventures.
Thoroughly recommended. I can't wait for the next installment.
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By G Lowrie
Format:Paperback
A great read from start to finish.
The characters are superbly rounded and the interaction between the main two (sergeant Kella and sister Conchita) is sufficiently intriguing to carry on for many more stories - I see that this will be just the first in a series of novels and I will certainly be getting the next instalment.
The plot moves on at a pace that keeps interest throughout and has just enough twists to keep you surprised and guessing what will happen next.
It also gives a wonderful insight into the culture and traditions of pacific island life - a refreshing change from dreary city settings of other crime novels.
As a serial crime novel reader I would definately recommend this to other crime fans.
The characters are superbly rounded and the interaction between the main two (sergeant Kella and sister Conchita) is sufficiently intriguing to carry on for many more stories - I see that this will be just the first in a series of novels and I will certainly be getting the next instalment.
The plot moves on at a pace that keeps interest throughout and has just enough twists to keep you surprised and guessing what will happen next.
It also gives a wonderful insight into the culture and traditions of pacific island life - a refreshing change from dreary city settings of other crime novels.
As a serial crime novel reader I would definately recommend this to other crime fans.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is just a throughly enjoyable read. Its so fascinating finding out about life in the Solomon Islands, and the characters are just wonderful. You get a feeling that the author really knows what he's talking about and Sargeant Kella is terrific. The plotline is not transferable to any other place on earth, and that's what makes it extra-special. Great book. I cannot wait to read the next one.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Meandering
Too contrived to use the culture of the Solomon Islands which is woven into the story with explanations - distracting from the flow.
Published 3 months ago by Albert
4.0 out of 5 stars
Will read more in this series
It's the 1960s and the Solomon Islands have a policeman Ben Kella who is also a peacemaker - vey important to local traditions and society. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Louiseog
3.0 out of 5 stars
Culture Clash
I think quirky is the word, the plot is secondary to the characters and the unlikely alliance of the maverick policeman and a rebellious nun ! Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. E. Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really Good Read
Quite a simple book in a lot of ways. Easy to read. Clearly based on the author's personal experience and knowledge of local customs picked up while working in the region. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ken F
5.0 out of 5 stars
Puts Solomon Islands on the map!
Bought this book after reading resume and having just come back from visiting the Solomon Islands decided to buy it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Alker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gentle empire homour
I bought this book because I so enjoyed the Death in Paradise TV series. This is in a similar vein - detective story, gentle humour, clash of cultures - but also has a lot of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by RobT
4.0 out of 5 stars
Devil-Devil
Enjoyable reading. A book that could be read and not notice time passing? The final outcome of the story was not predictable.
Published 10 months ago by J. Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read
Interesting insight into life in the South Pacific after the second world war. Entertaining detective novel not something I would have normally read, but cheap for the Kindle. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Vee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry when it ended
I also bought this on a 99p day and got a very pleasant surprise. It was not only a wonderful read but so very different from anything else I have ever read. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Paulus
2.0 out of 5 stars
Struggled To Finish This Book
I very nearly gave up on this book, decided to finish it out sheer determination (my Dad started reading it and gave up, unbeknown to me). Read more
Published 11 months ago by Vixenfox
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