Present Tense is set in modern day Cape Town, South Africa, a roiling boiling mass of cultures, crime and injustices, reaching back into the pre-apartheid days and forward into the future outcome of the upcoming election.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Schalk Lourens, a white South African Senior Detective, somewhat of a dinosaur in the new South African Police Force. An Afrikaans name puts him instantly at a disadvantage in most situations due to the complex history of this country. However, Schalk proves himself to be strongly unshakeable in upholding the law and investigating crimes past, and present, no matter the race of the victim. Indeed, Lourens carries the guilt for terrible crimes ordered by his senior officers in the struggle for equality, this guilt fuels his present investigations which are very much linked to the past.

Conyer expertly highlights the stark differences between each of the competing parties, fighting to make sure their views are heard, and that their way of life is not lost under the morass of life and politics in South Africa. As has mostly been the way, violence is the first choice when things do not go to plan, this is true for both the main parties.

The plot is complex, cleverly woven and well tied up. The insertion of local language, dialect words and phrases are extremely effective. The glossary in the back of the book explaining the non-English phrases would have been more helpful at the front to assist readers with no connections to South Africa to have a better appreciation.

An excellent read.

Reviewed by Alison Logie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie Conyer was born and grew up in Cape Town, but has lived in Sydney for many years.

She’s a crime fiction tragic, so much so she did a doctorate in it.

Natalie’s debut novel, Present Tense, won the 2020 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. It was shortlisted for the Davitt Awards in both debut and general sections, and voted one of the books of the year by The Australian. Its sequel, Shadow City, was released in September 2024.

Natalie’s short stories have won many prizes in the annual Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Competition.

Visit Natalie Conyer’s website