Kunzmann, Richard 1976-

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Kunzmann, Richard 1976-

PERSONAL: Born 1976, in Namibia. Education: Earned master’s degree (with honors), 2002.

ADDRESSES: Home— South Africa. Agent— Gillon Aitken Associates, 18-21 Cavaye Pl., London SW10 9PT, England.

CAREER: Writer. Previously worked as a bookseller in London, England.

WRITINGS

CRIME NOVELS

Bloody Harvests, Macmillan (London, England), 2004, Thomas Dunne Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Salamander Cotton, Macmillan (London, England), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS: Richard Kunzmann was born in Namibia, educated in South Africa, and worked in London while publishing his first novel, Bloody Harvests. The book incorporates his interest in Africa’s myths and legends. With a background in criminology and psychology, Kunzmann introduced the South African equivalent of Sherlock Holmes, Detective Inspector Jacob Tshabalala. Working in the poorest area of Johannesburg, Tshabalala and his partner, Harry Mason, try to uncover the murder of a child whose organs were harvested out of her living body. Many suspect this was the work of a witch doctor, causing tribal beliefs and personal connections to tear at the relationship of the detectives.

Gloria Feit, reviewing the book on the Spine Tingler Magazine Web site, called it “a dense and dark novel, filled with intensity, complex characterizations, and rich in sense of place of this fascinating culture and country.” Jo Ann Vicarel, writing in Library Journal, noted that “this outstanding novel is sure to win readers everywhere.” In Publishers Weekly, a critic wrote that “the complex narrative perhaps switches directions too often,” but concluded that Kunzmann “does a fine job.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor commented that the book contains “lots of characters to like” and “lots of vivid evocations of an interesting time and place.”