‘An arresting debut from South African crime author Brynard validates her reputation as ‘The Afrikaans Stieg Larsson.’ Brynard brings a strong, authentic voice to the country’s conflict-ridden past and its current complex society and entangled land claims. A brilliant ensemble cast, well-measured suspense, straightforward dialogue, and nice pacing add up to an outstanding thriller. Fans of other South African authors, from James McClure to Deon Meyer, will relish Brynard’s new and distinctive voice.’— Jane Murphy, Booklist
Karin Brynard’s Albertus Beeslaar, the South African Wallander, emerged from his homeland to reach US readers this week as Europa Editions launch their World Noir imprint. WEEPING WATERS, translated by Maya Fowler and Isobel Dixon, will be out in the UK later this month, on 19 April, and will also be published by E/O in Italy. German, French and Dutch editions are already available and a TV series is currently in development with Three Rivers Fiction.
‘For years Afrikaans readers have been raving about the talented Brynard - now with this translation...English-speaking book fanatics will get to find out for themselves what all the fuss is about.’ — YOU Magazine
Publisher’s Weekly called WEEPING WATERS ‘an impressive debut’ and Crime Fiction Lover said: ‘If WEEPING WATERS is anything to go by, this could be the start of an addictive new series about crime in the Rainbow Nation.’
In South Africa, where Penguin publish in both English and Afrikaans, Brynard is a Number One bestseller. WEEPING WATERS is followed by OUR FATHERS, also bought by Europa and E/O, and this year Penguin will publish the English translation of the third Beeslaar novel, HOMELAND.
Beeslaar is a traumatized cop who has abandoned tough city policing and a broken relationship in Johannesburg for a backwater post on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. But his dream of rural peace is soon shattered by the repeated attacks of a brutally efficient crime syndicate, as he struggles to train and connect with rookie local cops, Ghaap and Pyl, who resent his brusqueness and his old-school ways.
Karin Brynard is a former political and investigative journalist and uses her research skills and eye for detail to fascinating effect in her novels. She is Winner of the University of Johannesburg Debut Prize, ATKV Literature Prize, and twice winner of the M-Net Literature Awards.
Check out Karin’s website here, and follow her on Twitter.
Praise for Karin Brynard, and WEEPING WATERS
‘Brooding. Riveting. Brilliant.’ — Deon Meyer
‘The Afrikaans Stieg Larsson.’ — Rooi Rose
‘WEEPING WATERS is crime fiction you never want to end. Buy this book. Crime fiction doesn't get any better. High praise doesn't come close to doing justice to this book.’ — Mike Nicol, author of Payback and the Revenge Series
‘An impressive debut novel. Crime fiction fans will find the picturesque backdrop, cast of authentic characters, and knotty story line to be more than satisfying.’ — Publishers Weekly
‘WEEPING WATERS is brimming with authenticity. A lucent tale of farm murder and rural society in the vice of social pressures, with the translation beautifully done by Maya Fowler and Isobel Dixon.’ — William Saunderson-Meyer, Sunday Times, 2014 Best Reads
‘An assured debut — intriguing from its inception, punchy, gritty, by turns gruesome, sensitive, dense and ever evocative... Ultimately what WEEPING WATERS gets spot on is the introduction of another compelling leading man, an indisputably good man, who can allow readers in English to traverse the diverse social strata that make South Africa such a fertile ground for its skilled writers.’ — Cape Times