Now I See You By Priscilla Holmes And Priscilla Holmes

Book Review Of Now I See You By Priscilla Holmes And Priscilla Holmes

In the start of this book the story goes like a gunman bursts into a restaurant in Johannesburg where Julia McEwen and her abusive husband,Magnus, are dining with heavyweight politicians and mining executives. The gunman demands all the patrons give him their cellphones, wallets and jewellery,grabs Julia by the neck and escapes ,using her as a human shield.

Three months later ,the narrative switches to the first person in the form of the DI Thabisa Tswane who is the member of the Eagles ,the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit Divisional Commissioner Matatu orders her to Eastern Cape to Investigate the serious robberies that have been sweeping the area. She tries to refuse because she had sworn never to return to Nguni Intile , the ancient valley to the west of Umtata, where she grew up. She had left after the ritual punishment ordered by her grandfather ,chief of the area. Apparently her grandfather is the witness to one of the robberies but refuses to speak to anyone but her. Matatu insists that she go.

As much as this is a detective story or crime novel ,it is also a story of a woman with a secret in her past, a banishment and a journey in which she is forced to confront herself and reclaim that past .Why does she have grey eyes ? Why is it that she can still read the beads that record the history of the valley?

The parallel story is of two criminals that are terrorising the Eastern Cape.They are both tall and thin ,dressed in masks ,dark coats and gloves. They seem to disappear into thin air after their hits ,like spirits into space .This feeds into the superstitions of those who witness it. All is not as it seems as the motivation for their crimes is not for gain but for more twisted reasons than one could imagine and they are linked to some of the highest ranking politicians in the land.

The action moves between Grahamstown and the rural valley just as Thabisa wrestles with her contemporary self and her roots , all the while trying to decipher the mystery surrounding the robberies . The description of the way of life in the village and certain ceremonial rites that are performed are presented in a respectful way and add wonderful color to this novel. At the same time, it is a gripping ,fast moving crime novel that keeps the pages turning. I suspect we will be seeing more of the DI Thabisa Tshwane .

Reviewer - Rupal Tiwari

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