Zanzibar Intrigue

 Zanzibar Intrigue (1963) by F. Van Wyck Mason

G2 Agent Colonel Hugh North is back in action in a very Cold War spy story set among the political unrest in Africa as various countries begin to shed their British, French, and other European controllers and seek their own ways. Of course, other interested parties--like the Russians, Arabic nations, and India--are looking to turn the unrest to their own advantage. Central to the unrest in Zanzibar is a supposed turncoat American by the name of Master Sergeant Willie Bonhart formerly of Uncle Sam's Army, more recently a CIA Agent playing double-agent. The Russians think he's on their side, but they would be wrong. As things heat up in Africa, North is sent to get Bonhart away from his Russian handlers and prevent the CIA Agent from being used to stir up the Zanzibaris to revolution.

But North & his aide Captain Kenny Trotter aren't the only ones interested in Bonhart. The KGB have their claws on him and the East African Liberation Party are also looking for him. James Mnoyah, the leader of the Party cozies up to North (who is posing a spice buyer) and asks him leading questions--to see if the American is really after Bonhart himself. There are a few wild cards in the deck as well--a Rumanian by the name of Ionel Zelreanu and his "daughter" Sahami Buma, a couple who mean no good to either North or Bonhart (if they can find him), as well as Tommy Henderson a white settler who lost his wife and children to Mau Mau terrorists and who holds Mnoyah responsible. Henderson also seems to have taken exception to North, believing rumors that the American is in Zanzibar to lend support to those who fan the flames of African independence.

In addition to the general unrest and the enemies at every turn, North must also figure out which Bonhart is the real McCoy. For you see, there are two hotels and each has a room where Russians are guarding a large black American. And they both can't be Willie Bonhart. North and Trotter need to be sure they rescue the right one....

This is my second Colonel North book. Espionage stories aren't my standard fare, but I do enjoy picking one up every now and again. Especially when you have good central characters. North is an attractive character. No, I don't mean sexy to the ladies (though he is). But he is an intelligent agent who has scruples in what can be a very dirty game. He doesn't necessarily follow them...after all, G2 expects him to get the job done and not worry about little details like who's really in the right on this one. I also like the way he completely immerses himself into the personas he takes on when undercover. James Bond is always James Bond. But North easily slips into the skin of Douglas, the clove buyer, and makes the other characters and the reader believe in him.

There isn't much mystery here for those who like intricate puzzles and whodunnits (though there is a twist that I certainly didn't see coming). The question isn't who did it. And it's not even will North complete his mission (I mean, honestly, he's the protagonist--of course he's gonna complete the mission). The question is really how will he do it. And it's a fun ride getting to that answer. ★★★ and 1/2.

First line: Joao Silveira usually looked like a roly-poly, olive-skinned, seventy-year-old child waiting for Christmas instead of the proprietor of the Nipoo, Zanzibar's most free-wheeling. hotel.

Last line: "Duggy," Hugh North heard Kenny Trotter say in a smothered voice behind him. "Oh, brother!"

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Deaths = 6 (two shot; two poisoned; two car accident)