Ghostalker and magician-in-training Ropa Moyo is stoked to be attending an important magical convention. But her sleuthing skills will be put to the test when a magician is murdered. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect – and someone has betrayed their group . . .
&i;>Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments&/i> is the spellbinding sequel to &i;>The Library of the Dead&/i>, with more ghosts, mysteries and mayhem as Ropa grapples with her newfound magical abilities.
Opening up a world of magic and adventure, The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu is the first book in the Edinburgh Nights series.'A fast-moving and entertaining tale, beautifully written' - Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London'I highly recommend The Library of the Dead' - Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series When ghosts talk, she will listen . . . Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker - and she now speaks to Edinburgh's dead, carrying messages to the living. A girl's gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone's bewitching children - leaving them husks, empty of joy and life. It's on Ropa's patch, so she feels honour bound to investigate. But what she learns will change her world. She'll dice with death (not part of her life plan . . .) as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. For Edinburgh hides a wealth of secrets. And in the process, she discovers an occult library and some unexpected allies. Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?'Roll on the sequel' - The Times'One of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you'll see all year' - SFX
Focusing on three Zimbabwean expatriates in Edinburgh, the narrative explores their quests for identity and belonging in a foreign land. Balancing humor with deeper themes, it delves into love, loss, and the complexities of the Zimbabwean diaspora while addressing both political and personal struggles. Huchu crafts a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by immigrants, making their experiences relatable and impactful.
The Magistrate tries to create new memories and roots, fusing a wandering exploration of Edinburgh with music. The Maestro, a depressed, quixotic character, sinks out of the real world into the fantastic world of literature. The Mathematician, full of youth, follows a carefree, hedonistic lifestyle, until their three universes collide.
In this delicious and devastating first novel, which The Guardian named one of its ten best contemporary African books, Caine Prize finalist Tendai Huchu (The Maestro, the Magistrate, and the Mathematician) portrays the heart of contemporary Zimbabwean society with humor and grace. Vimbai is the best hairdresser in Mrs. Khumalo's salon, and she is secure in her status until the handsome, smooth-talking Dumisani shows up one day for work. Despite her resistance, the two become friends, and eventually, Vimbai becomes Dumisani's landlady. He is as charming as he is deft with the scissors, and Vimbai finds that he means more and more to her. Yet, by novel's end, the pair's deepening friendship--used or embraced by Dumisani and Vimbai with different futures in mind--collapses in unexpected brutality. The novel is an acute portrayal of a rapidly changing Zimbabwe. In addition to Vimbai and Dumisani's personal development, the book shows us how social concerns shape the lives of everyday people.