We are delighted that THE DARK FLOOD by Deon Meyer has been nominated for the Barry Awards in the Best Mystery or Crime Novel category.
The nominees are chosen by the editorial board of Deadly Pleasures magazine, with winners voted by the readers of Deadly Pleasures.
The winners are to be announced at the Opening Ceremonies of Bouchercon-San Diego on 31 August 2023.
The other titles nominated in the category are THE ACCOMPLICE by Steve Cavanagh, DESERT STAR by Michael Connelly, SHIFTY’S BOYS by Chris Offutt, SECRET IDENTITY by Alex Segura and CITY ON FIRE by Don Winslow.
THE DARK FLOOD was published by Grove Atlantic in North America and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK in 2022, translated by K. L. Seegers. This followed publication in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau in 2020, where it was an instant No. 1 bestseller. It was shortlisted for the South African Adult Fiction Book Award 2021 and the ATKV Thriller Prize 2021 and won Best in Translation at the Crime Fiction Lover Awards 2022. Translation rights in THE DARK FLOOD have been sold in five further territories, though overall Deon’s books are sold in many more languages.
THE DARK FLOOD by Deon Meyer
One last chance. Almost fired for insubordination, detectives Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido find themselves demoted, exiled from the elite Hawks unit and dispatched to the leafy streets of Stellenbosch. Working a missing persons report on student Callie de Bruin is not the level of work they are used to, but it's all they get. And soon, it takes a dangerous, deeply disturbing turn.
One last chance. Stellenbosch is beautiful, but its economy has been ruined by one man. Jasper Boonstra and his gigantic corporate fraud have crashed the local property market, just when estate agent Sandra Steenberg desperately needs a big sale. Bringing up twins and supporting her academic husband, she is facing disaster. Then she gets a call. From Jasper Boonstra, fraudster, sexual predator and owner of a superb property worth millions, even now.
For Sandra, the stakes are high and about to get way higher.
For Benny Griessel, clinging to sobriety and the relationship that saved his life, the truth about Callie can only lead to more trouble.
Praise for THE DARK FLOOD
‘In Meyer’s stellar seventh thriller featuring South African police detective Benny Griessel… Meyer adds a Madoff-like financial fraudster and a homicide as he toggles between story lines and keeps things moving toward the wholly satisfying conclusion. This is the best work yet from this gifted author.’ – Publishers Weekly
‘A well-crafted blend of suspense, culture, and humor.’ – Kirkus Reviews
‘Deon Meyer’s Benny Griessel novels, featuring a detective in an elite crime squad in Cape Town, are a joy to read… Meyer has become an outstanding chronicler of South Africa’s corruption.’ – Joan Smith, The Sunday Times
‘Meyer handles the complicated plot with panache, bringing in both men’s private problems and relationships to create plenty of warmth.’ – Patrick Graney, Literary Review
‘A fine mix of suspense, action, political intrigue and personal revelation’ – Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal
About Deon Meyer
Deon Meyer is an internationally bestselling and prizewinning author, who was awarded France’s highest arts honour, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2021. He writes in Afrikaans and his South African publisher Human & Rousseau has sold more than 600,000 Afrikaans copies of his novels. Rights in his titles are sold in 30 territories and 28 languages and many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, with a couple currently in production. Acclaimed 6-part series TRACKERS was broadcast in South Africa in 2019, with a stellar South African cast and went on to appear on channels and streamers around the world.
Deon’s books have been awarded many prizes around the world: the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, and Le Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and Le Prix Mystère de la Critique in France. COBRA was shortlisted for the 2015 CWA International Dagger, THIRTEEN HOURS was shortlisted for the 2010 CWA International Dagger, and HEART OF THE HUNTER, was longlisted for the 2005 IMPAC Prize and selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s ‘10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004’. THE DARK FLOOD was a Number One bestseller in South Africa in both English and Afrikaans. It was shortlisted for the South African Adult Fiction Book Award 2021 and the ATKV Thriller Prize 2021 and won Best in Translation at the Crime Fiction Lover Awards 2022.
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