Nicholas Drayson Book order

The engaging sequel to Nicholas Drayson's much-loved A Guide to the Birds of East Africa sees the return of Mr Malik and the East African Ornithological Society. Mr Malik has been busy planning the Asadi Club's annual safari. Yet a series of crimes puts the club's very existence at risk. It is up to Mr Malik and Co. to solve a decades-old murder, recover the club mascot and identify, once and for all, the most dangerous beast in Africa. Not to mention his only daughter may - or may not - be getting married in a week. Will Mr Malik again prevail over Kenyan politics, a reluctant bride and buried secrets?

Mr Malik is head-over-heels in love with the leader of the bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society, Rose Mbikwa. While Mr Malik plans how he will ask Rose to the annual Hunt Ball, Harry Kahn arrives in town and makes it clear that he too has Rose in his sights. A wager is set, the winner of which will ask Rose to the ball.

Set on a volcanic island, the story unfolds through the eyes of a nameless narrator reflecting on his life and exile from England. His obsession with beetles, particularly the golden scarab, connects him to his school friend, Charles Darwin. The island’s unique fauna and flora, including bizarre species like blood-sucking mistletoe, serve as a backdrop for exploring themes of madness and the challenges to faith. This narrative blends surreal natural history with profound insights into human nature, questioning the impact of Darwin's work on belief in God.