Deon Meyer’s THE HEART OF THE HUNTER to launch worldwide as a Netflix Original on 29 March 2024

Image: Netflix

Crime fiction powerhouse Deon Meyer has continued his supreme run of form, with his first feature film adaptation, HEART OF THE HUNTER, set for release as a Netflix Original later this month (29 March 2024). Following on from television and streaming success with TRACKERS and last year’s M-Net series DEVIL’S PEAK, Deon adapted the screenplay himself from his own hit novel, set in post-apartheid South Africa, following one man's mission to save his family as it escalates into a fight to stop a corrupt politician from taking the presidential seat.

The film stars Bonko Khoza (THE WOMAN KING) as Zuko Khumalo, alongside a stellar cast of fellow South African actors, including Connie Ferguson (GENERATIONS), Masasa Mbangeni, Tim Theron, Deon Coetzee, Peter Butler, Connie Chiume and Meyer-adaptation regular Sisanda Henna (DEVIL’S PEAK, TRACKERS).  The director is Mandla Dube (SILVERTON SIEGE), and Deon co-wrote the screenplay with Willem Grobler; the film is a Scene23 production for Netflix.

Deon’s book HEART OF THE HUNTER was first published in Afrikaans in 2002 (as PROTEUS) and has since been translated into 14 different languages worldwide. It is published in South Africa in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau and translated into English by K.L. Seegers: in the UK it is published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in the US and Canada by Grove Atlantic. It was selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s 10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004, longlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award 2005 (now the Dublin Literary Award) and won the Deutsche Krimi Preis, International Category, 2006.

Zuko Khumalo, is an unassuming family man with a deadly past – but his tranquil world is abruptly turned upside down when an old colleague calls on him to honour an oath he made and save the country from venal political interests.  Though he resists being pulled back into his previous life, it becomes clear that it poses a deadly threat to his domestic ambitions and the peaceful family life he holds so dear. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a tale of one man’s struggle for survival against a corrupt government, a group of bloodthirsty killers and, most of all, against his past.

We are also delighted to announce that the original Afrikaans edition of Deon’s latest novel LEO – despite being only being on sale since October – has been crowned the top-selling fiction title of 2023 in South Africa, and third bestselling book overall across all genres. The latest investigation for Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido dominated the charts on publication, achieving a colossal ten week run at the top of the overall bestseller list, as well as fifteen atop the fiction lists and longer runs still on the South African writers’ and Afrikaans language chart respectively, taking the book soaring past 30,000 copies in its home country.

LEO marked the return of Meyer’s iconic detectives Benny Griessel – now also the star of M-Net series DEVIL’S PEAK – and his police detective partner Vaughn Cupido, following on from 2020’s DONKERDRIF (English title: THE DARK FLOOD), which won the Adult Fiction prize at the 2021 SA Book Awards, and was longlisted for the prestigious CWA International Dagger in the UK – Deon’s third shortlisting for the prize. LEO is published in South Africa by Human & Rousseau; the English translation, by K. L. Seegers, will be out with Hodder in the UK and Grove Atlantic in North America in September 2024. The Dutch edition is out this month.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but also spends time with family in Italy and in France where he 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 close to 800,000 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. Among his awards are the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, the Martin Beck Award in Sweden 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 longlisted for the 2023 CWA International Dagger (for Crime Fiction in Translation). His latest novel LEO, a new Benny Griessel thriller, enjoyed ten weeks at the top of the South African bestseller lists, Number One in all categories.

Praise for the novel HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a thriller with some weight attached and that is a rare find.’ – Michael Connelly

‘A pacy, wised-up, post-apartheid thriller; a fabulously page-turning book.' – Barbara Trapido

‘A rip-roaring adventure, a portrait of spy-world duplicity and a look at South Africa's post-apartheid politics.’ – Patrick Anderson, Washington Post

‘A thriller good enough to nip at the heels of le Carré… Wonderful setting; rich, colourful cast, headed by a valiant/vulnerable protagonist who makes empathy easy.’ – Kirkus, Starred Review

Praise for LEO

‘When a new Deon Meyer lands on the shelves, I feel like W.H. Auden: “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone / Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” All 490 pages of such a book have to be devoured in one sitting. Keep it for the holidays, or for a weekend when you have nothing planned… You’ll be on the edge of your seat, chewing your nails… Meyer is the best, if you ask me... Buy LEO and take a day or two off work.’ – Deborah Steinmair, Vrye Weekblad

Praise for Deon Meyer

‘Deon Meyer's name on the cover is a guarantee of crime writing at its best.’ – Tess Gerritsen

‘Deon Meyer should be on everyone's reading list.’ – Michael Connelly

‘Deon Meyer is the monarch of South African crime novelists.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction’ – Peter James

‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘Deon Meyer is good at sketching a realistic country, people we recognise and grow accustomed to, and telling a darn good yarn.’ – Diane De Beer, The Star

‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

Visit Deon’s website

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SNAKE – adapted by Tracey Farren from her own novel – to close the Joburg Film Festival 2024

We are delighted to announce that SNAKE – the film adaptation of Tracey Farren’s haunting and riveting novel, published by Modjaji Books in South Africa – has been selected as the closing film for the 2024 Joburg Film Festival. The film will make its bow on Sunday, 3 March 2024 at the Theatre on the Square, in Mandela Square Johannesburg. Tickets for the premiere are available now.

A talented screenwriter as well as novelist, Tracey previously adapted her novel WHIPLASH for the 2016 film and wrote the screenplay for SNAKE herself in collaboration with director Meg Rickards. The film was a co-production between Known Associates Entertainment and Boondogle Films.

Now in its sixth year, the Joburg Film Festival (JFF) is one of Africa’s premier film festivals, curating and showcasing both African and International films whilst providing youth, aspirant and established filmmakers, and industry professionals with various opportunities for development, training, skills transfer and networking. Coinciding with the celebration of 30 years of democracy in South Africa, the 2024 festival will be staged under the theme of INSPIRING STORYTELLERS – a banner under which SNAKE is fittingly launched.

When Jerry, an alluring stranger, arrives on the farm where Stella lives, her father stays sober and her mother begins to laugh again – but the man with the silver cross has not come to save them. As Jerry slithers his way into their hearts, his own dark wounds begin to show. Stella must choose: shut up and watch him strangle her family – or use the truth to fight for their lives.

Credit: Karin Schermbrucker

About Tracey Farren

Tracey Farren lives in False Bay with her partner, some dogs and children of a range of ages. She has a psychology honours degree from UCT. She started out as a freelance journalist, publishing on a range of social issues before turning to fiction. In 2008, she published her first novel, WHIPLASH (Modjaji Books). She won a White Ribbon award from Women Demand Dignity and WHIPLASH was short listed for the Sunday Times Fiction Award. Modjaji Books also published SNAKE in 2011 and Kwela Books and Titan Books published THE BOOK OF MALACHI in 2020.

Tracey adapted WHIPLASH into a film, TESS, which was produced by Boondoggle Films and released in 2016. TESS won multiple major awards at the Durban International Film Festival including Best South African Feature Film, Best Actress, and Best Editing. The film was also drew awards for Best Actress, Best Editing and Best Cinematography at the Silwerskermfees, the Silver Screen Festival for films with Afrikaans content.

Praise for the novel SNAKE

‘Many crime writers could learn from her … an extremely original literary crime novel.’ — Sarah Lotz, author of THE THREE

‘Tracey Farren has shown in her first novel WHIPLASH that she has a true gift for getting into the hearts of very ordinary people while astutely setting the South African socio-political context. In SNAKE she does it again, even better... An absolutely riveting read.’ — Jane Rosenthal, Mail & Guardian

‘The book is a kaleidoscope of the weird and wonderful...’ — Beth Shirley, The Sunday Independent

Follow Tracey Farren on X (formerly Twitter)

Deon Meyer’s LEO storms the South African charts

Congratulations to Deon Meyer – whose new novel LEO celebrates its fourth consecutive week at the top of the official South African charts, having sold more than 2,500 copies in its first week and continuing to dominate the bestseller lists ever since.

LEO marks the return of Meyer’s iconic detectives Benny Griessel – now also the star of the new 5-part M-Net series DEVIL’S PEAK – and his police detective partner Vaughn Cupido. LEO follows on from 2020’s DONKERDRIF (English title: THE DARK FLOOD), which won the Adult Fiction prize at the 2021 SA Book Awards, and was longlisted for the prestigious CWA International Dagger. LEO is published in South Africa by Human & Rousseau; the English translation, by K. L. Seegers, will be out with Hodder in the UK in 2024.

In Meyer’s trademark style, LEO weaves together several seemingly unconnected strands into a tense and gripping investigation. A young female student is found dead on a mountain trail near the university town of Stellenbosch, where Benny and Vaughn have been demoted and sent to work at the local police station. In the north of the country, a beautiful wildlife guide with a mysterious past is recruited by a group of special forces soldiers to act as a honeytrap, part a dangerous multi-million-dollar heist that goes tragically wrong. And back in leafy Stellenbosch, a local businessman is found murdered in what looks like a professional hit – suffocated by filler foam sprayed down his throat. A message to keep silent – but about what? You need a cool head to unravel it all, under enormous pressure. You have to stay calm, focused – and sober. Benny may be sober, but he’s not feeling calm. Because in just a few weeks he is set to get married, a date that’s racing towards him like an express train. Big trouble, on every front.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Cape Town. His books are sold in 23 countries, and have been awarded many prizes around the world: the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, the Martin Beck Award in Sweden 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 longlisted for the 2023 CWA Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation.

Praise for LEO

‘When a new Deon Meyer lands on the shelves, I feel like W.H. Auden: “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone / Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” All 490 pages of such a book have to be devoured in one sitting. Keep it for the holidays, or for a weekend when you have nothing planned… You’ll be on the edge of your seat, chewing your nails… Meyer is the best, if you ask me... Buy LEO and take a day or two off work.’ – Deborah Steinmair, Vrye Weekblad

Praise for Deon Meyer

‘Deon Meyer's name on the cover is a guarantee of crime writing at its best.’ – Tess Gerritsen

‘Deon Meyer should be on everyone's reading list.’ – Michael Connelly

‘Deon Meyer is the monarch of South African crime novelists.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction’ – Peter James

‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘Deon Meyer is good at sketching a realistic country, people we recognise and grow accustomed to, and telling a darn good yarn.’ – Diane De Beer, The Star

‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

Visit Deon’s website

Follow Deon on Twitter

Henrietta Rose-Innes wins the University of Johannesburg Prize for Translation

Credit: Martin Figura

Congratulations to novelist, short story writer and translator Henrietta Rose-Innes, who has been awarded this year’s University of Johannesburg Prize for Translation for her work on the English language edition of Etienne van Heerden’s acclaimed A LIBRARY TO FLEE (Tafelberg, 2022).

The prize recognises the outstanding translation of a text from any language into any one of the official South African languages, with Henrietta working from Etienne’s original Afrikaans text DIE BIBLIOTEEK AAN DIE EINDE VAN DE WÊRELD to produce this book: a feat made all the more remarkable by the text’s expansive length, running to nearly 800 pages in its original edition.

‘Henrietta’s exemplary work in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps through translation has earned her this esteemed accolade,’ writes the University in a press release. ‘UJ sends its warmest congratulations to Henrietta Rose-Innes for her exceptional contribution to the world of translation and for her dedication to fostering greater cultural understanding through the art of language. Her remarkable work will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world of literature and multilingual communication.’

Etienne van Heerden’s A LIBRARY TO FLEE book was called ‘huge, inventive, fascinating, funny, troubling, and highly courageous’ by Professor David Atwell (co-editor of The Cambridge History of South African Literature) and longlisted for the 2023 Sunday Times Literary Awards in South Africa.

About Henrietta Rose-Innes

Henrietta is a prize-winning author and literary translator with degrees in archaeology and biology, and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. She has worked in publishing, scriptwriting and as a creative writing teacher. She is the author of four novels: SHARK'S EGG (SA: Kwela 2000), THE ROCK ALPHABET (SA: Kwela 2004), NINEVEH (SA: Umuzi imprint, 2011; UK: Gallic Books, 2016), and her latest novel GREEN LION, published by Umuzi in 2015 and by Gallic Books in 2017. She is also an acclaimed writer of short fiction, and her 2010 collection of short stories, HOMING, features the 2008 Caine Prize winning story 'Poison' and the 2010 Willesden Prize runner-up, 'Falling'.

Praise for Henrietta Rose-Innes

‘Henrietta Rose-Innes writes an admirably taut clean prose.’ — J M Coetzee.

‘Rose-Innes’ writing is as entertaining as it is subtle – a rare combination.’ — Steven Amsterdam, author of WHAT THE FAMILY NEEDED.

‘I love Henrietta Rose-Innes’s work. With plotlines that are wittily subversive and language that is whippet-lean, it is long overdue for discovery by a wider readership.’ — Patrick Gale, author of NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION

‘Rose-Innes writes with a dreamlike, lyrical beauty, but she has the ability to keep a tight hold on her plot. Each of her works is a finely wrought delight.’ – Jennifer Crocker, Cape Times

Follow Henrietta on Twitter

Deon Meyer’s DEVIL’S PEAK to premiere on M-Net in South Africa

DEVIL’S PEAK, the long-awaited screen debut for Deon Meyer’s troubled detective Benny Griessel, arrives on South African screens this weekend, with the first episode airing on Sunday, 29 October at 20:00 (SAST) on M-Net. Based on Deon Meyer’s prize-winning 2005 novel of revenge, forgiveness and suspense, the 5-part series follows Griessel as he is tasked with tracking down a vigilante killer whose crimes are causing a stir in Cape Town. Meyer’s latest novel LEO, starring Benny Griessel and his detective comrade Vaughn Cupido, is also just out in Afrikaans from Human & Rousseau in South Africa — a double treat for fans!

‘I’m absolutely delighted and so very proud to finally see Benny Griessel and his world come alive on screen, thanks to a brilliant team of local and international talent,’ says Meyer. ‘DEVIL’S PEAK was the first novel in which Benny became a protagonist, and now, it’s his debut on the box. Exciting stuff!’

Produced by Lookout Point and Expanded Media Productions, with backing by BBC Studios and Multichoice Studios, the series stars Hilton Pelser (THE KISSING BOOTH, MOFFIE) as Benny, with Sisanda Henna (who starred in previous Deon Meyer adaptation TRACKERS), Tarryn Wyngaard, Shamilla Miller, and Masasa Mbangeni. The 5 x 1-hour series is directed by Jozua Malherbe (JUSTICE SERVED, GRIEKWASTAD) and written by Matthew Orton (MOON KNIGHT, OPERATION FINALE). International distribution for the show is being handled by BBC Studios.

On behalf of M-Net, Director for Premium Channels Waldimar Pelser said ‘M-Net is proud to bring our viewers a first-class global production with deep local roots. This is a story that could only have played out in South Africa, where the dark underworld of crime pierces – on an almost daily basis – the bubble in which those who can, seek security and comfort. DEVIL’S PEAK shows the extraordinarily beautiful city of Cape Town with and without its mask. It’s the tale of iconic detective Griessel’s struggle against external and internal demons to find justice for others and redemption for himself. It’s also the story of a father willing to do anything to avenge the death of his young son. Not all deaths, the story suggests, are mourned equally. We hope DEVIL’S PEAK will be a story from which it is impossible to look away.’

DEVIL’S PEAK, the first of six novels featuring the detective as central character, sees the talented but broken Benny Griessel tracking down a righteous vigilante killer whose crimes are capturing the imagination of the city. Meanwhile, grieving father Thobela Mpayipheli seeks justice after the untimely murder of his son. Benny and Thobela are brought into the orbit of a trapped mother, Christine, who is willing to do anything to achieve a better life for herself and her daughter, and the fates of these three characters become inextricably linked. Combining gripping tension with uncompromising authenticity, DEVIL’S PEAK offers an original South African take on the investigative thriller for today.

Originally published in Afrikaans as INFANTA in 2005, DEVIL’S PEAK was awarded the ATKV Prize in South Africa and won the Svenska Oversatta Kriminalroman (Martin Beck) Award and the Readers’ Award from CritiquesLibres.com in October 2010.

The latest Benny Griessel thriller, LEO, is published in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau in South Africa and already storming the charts. Rights are sold to Hodder in the UK and Commonwealth (with Jonathan Ball to publish in South Africa), Bruna in Holland, Aufbau in Germany and Gallimard in France, with more deals pending.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Cape Town. His books are sold in 23 countries, and have been awarded many prizes around the world: the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, the Martin Beck Award in Sweden 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 longlisted for the 2023 CWA Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation. Several of his books have been filmed, broadcast and streamed and others are in development for film and television now. His latest novel is LEO (Human & Rousseau, 2023).

Praise for the novel DEVIL’S PEAK

‘It isn’t just about the action. A far, far cry from your basic ‘cops and robbers’ or blow-by-blow ‘good guys vs bad guys’, DEVIL’S PEAK is a grown-up and multi-faceted tale, tough and visceral in tone, but also rich in flawed characters and deeply redolent of both urban and rural South Africa; not just the geographic landscape, but the political and social scene as well.’ – Paul Finch

‘This is one of those entertainment fictions that teaches one more than any textbook or documentary. This thriller is a fascinating portrayal of one aspect of life in post-apartheid South Africa…winding up the tension to a gripping, shocking climax. Highly recommended.’ – Literary Review

‘Deon Meyer is…one of the sharpest and most perceptive thriller writers around…Meyer paints a wonderful picture of the dark side of the rainbow nation… Against the odds Meyer leaves us with a resolution that is both poignant and supremely satisfying. In no way is this a negative book about the new South Africa. It makes the place come alive with a breathless urgency that recalls the 1940s Los Angeles of Dashiel Hammet or Raymond Chandler: a bit mad, a bit bad, a bit dangerous, but exotically vibrant, a society in adolescence. Think of Meyer in the way that you might have regarded a bottle of Cape red a dozen years ago – dark, strong with an unusual but beguilingly moreish taste. If it can produce popular literature as good as this, the new South Africa has a lot going for it.’ – Peter Millar, The Times

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