Dead at Daybreak

Living on the edge and decidedly antisocial, Zet van Heerden is fighting numerous personal demons. Once honored as an intelligent and resourceful crime fighter, he feels responsible for the death of his mentor, Nagel, who was shot in front of him. Filled with rage which he does not even try to control, he now lashes out at the world and then escapes into an alcoholic stupor.

As van Heerden tries to unearth the will and information about Smit's past, he also investigates events from 1976, when Smit was in the army, and from 1983, when Smit accumulated an enormous amount of cash. During his research, Zet is haunted by two other cases--one from 1991, involving the murder and mutilation of a woman who lived behind him when he was a teenager, the event which led him to join the police force, and the recent tragedy involving Nagel's death, which led him to leave the force.

As van Heerden's family background, his past love life, and the events which have brought him to his present state unfold, the reader comes to appreciate how disturbed van Heerden really is and to feel sympathy for him. A wide variety of peripheral characters in various police organizations add to the depth of the novel and expand its scope, as van Heerden must deal with the Murder and Robbery division, a "friendly" gangster with a large security force, the Urban Anti-Terrorist Force, the military Defense Force, and the American consular office.

Meyer resists the temptation to turn this compelling psychological mystery and character study into a quasi-love story, involving the reader less through romance than through intriguing and alternating stories, time periods, and points of view. Details about South African life and the individual characters give immediacy and emotional intensity to the action, and Meyer's deliberate withholding of key information keeps the various mysteries fresh and exciting. The conclusion is satisfying on all levels, making this unusual and psychologically astute mystery far more intriguing than the typical police procedural. Mary Whipple


Fast-paced, exciting. Worthwhile read   May 1, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Thriller which reminded me a bit of Ed McBain. The story was totally believable and illustrated the complexities of modern South Africa but still giving hope for the future. Easily identified with van Heerden as the 'bad' good buy. Had me hooked until I finished the last page


A sensitive, gripping and believable thriller!   April 9, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

What a wonderful journey into Van Heerden's world and personality. Van Heerden's sensitivity and intelligence shine through in this book. Deon Meyer has written a truly gripping thriller which not only gives the reader an insight into Van Heerden's world, but also that of the police force in South Africa. The chapters alternate between the present, pacy action and an autobiography by Van Heerden. This is definitely a book worth buying.