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We publish books that matter — narrative and literary nonfiction on important topics, and the best of local, international, and translated fiction.

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The Mandrake File

a novel
Cedric Bannel (trans. Polly McLean)

'In The Mandrake File, Bannel has created one of the most fascinating, complex detectives of contemporary crime fiction: [In] Osama Kandar ... he has created an unforgettable expression of the resilience of the Afghan spirit. Here's hoping that this is the first in a Kandar series.'

Caroline Baum, Booktopia

'Bannel's novel has a cinematic quality ... [it] succeeds in both engrossing the reader and telling the story of a country in crisis while recognising the ultimate cost-bearers beneath the scandal: the Afghan people.'

Natasha Molt, Canberra Times

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'Set most of ... [a thriller's] action in Afghanistan, with a Kabul homicide cop as the hero, and you've got something remarkably different. There's action aplenty, but the real thrill is the journey through modern Afghanistan and its complex politics governed by tribe and religion.' FIVE STARS

Ian Orchard, Adelaide Advertiser

In a Kabul ravaged by violence and corruption, Murder Squad boss Osama Kandar still believes in integrity, a code of honour, and loyalty to old friends. But the apparent suicide of a businessman called Wali Wadi changes everything.

As Kandar’s routine investigation starts to suggest murder, a Swiss-based organisation known as The Entity is doing everything in its power to stop him — even if it means putting an end to his life and those of innocent civilians. Meanwhile, Entity analyst Nick Snee is looking for a man named Leonard Mandrake, who has information that The Entity is desperate for. When Snee discovers that Mandrake’s information is related to Wali Wadi’s death, he joins forces with Kandar to find out what everybody is after, and why so many lives are being destroyed in the wake of the Mandrake Affair.

What they discover is far more important than either could have possibly imagined.

'In The Mandrake File, Bannel has created one of the most fascinating, complex detectives of contemporary crime fiction: [In] Osama Kandar ... he has created an unforgettable expression of the resilience of the Afghan spirit. Here's hoping that this is the first in a Kandar series.'

Caroline Baum, Booktopia

'Bannel's novel has a cinematic quality ... [it] succeeds in both engrossing the reader and telling the story of a country in crisis while recognising the ultimate cost-bearers beneath the scandal: the Afghan people.'

Natasha Molt, Canberra Times

View all reviews

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 210mm × 135mm

Extent:384pp

ISBN (13):9781922247001

RRP:£12.99

Pub date:6 Jul 2013

Rights Held: UK & Commonwealth

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

CATEGORIES / tags

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) FICTION / Thrillers / General Political / legal thriller Fiction in translation FICTION / Political FICTION / Thrillers / Political

AUTHOR

Cedric Bannel

Cedric Bannel, 45, began his career as a French foreign diplomat and as a senior public official working on financial sanctions against Iraq. He has gone on to found and head one of France’s biggest Internet companies.

TRANSLATOR

Polly McLean

Polly McLean was born in South Africa in 1974. She is an award-winning freelance French-to-English translator, based in Oxford, England. Her previous translations include The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi, Lobster by Guillaume Lecasble, and Secret by Philippe Grimbert.

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Polly McLean was born in South Africa in 1974. She is an award-winning…

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Cedric Bannel, 45, began his career as a French foreign diplomat and as…

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