A film star vanishes and the Private Investigator is framed for the crime. Now a fugitive, he's hunted by police and a syndicate. He must race the clock to unmask the mastermind, save the star, and clear his name.
Keywords4. DEATH HAS WINGS - WANDERER DETECTIVE SERIES
The arrival of international film star Manine Minette in Johannesburg is a media spectacle. She is the star of the multimillion-rand production, “Women of the Centuries”, and her arrival is meant to be a triumph. But behind her glamorous smile lurks a mortal fear. Failed abduction attempts in London have pursued her all the way to South Africa, and she is convinced that the merciless figures hunting her are drawing their net tighter each day, intent on doing her harm.
Despite an overwhelming presence of police and private security, the unthinkable occurs. During a heavily guarded reception in her luxurious hotel suite, Manine vanishes without a trace. The only clue is a set of knotted sheets hanging from her third-floor window. It is a daring escape that seems too simple, too conspicuous, too perfect.
As the police launch a nationwide manhunt, the enigmatic private investigator, Obed de Swardt, enters the scene. Known as the “wanderer-detective”, he quickly realizes the apparent abduction is merely a smokescreen for a far deeper and more sinister plot. His investigation, however, places him directly in the crosshairs of the culprits, and in a brilliant setup, he himself becomes the prime suspect. Now a fugitive, he is hunted by Sergeant Eksteen and the police, as well as the syndicate that has framed him. In a deadly race against time, Obed must uncover the truth. Is the motive a simple ransom, or is it corporate sabotage by a rival film company? Or is Manine’s fate something far more terrible, a transaction in which her very life is the price? With betrayal lurking around every corner and no one he can fully trust, Obed must attempt to unmask the mastermind behind the conspiracy. But with every step closer to the truth, the danger intensifies, and the chances of his and Manine’s survival grow ever slimmer.
#WandererDetectiveSeries
Gerrie Radlof is the pseudonym of Gerrit Lubbe van Zyl (27/11/1923 - 20/9/1971) and is another of South Africa's top writers who died at a relatively young age in a car accident outside Melkbosstrand. He is especially known for his extremely popular Buiter (Raider) books (hardcover), but also achieved great heights with his well-known Oloff the Pirate (Oloff die Seerower) paperback series of stories. Then there is also his slightly lesser-known Ramala series, which is, however, his longest series of books, and also the Tamar series, which consists of only two books. Under Gerrie Radlof, he also wrote several books in the SA Police series and the Wanderer Detective (Swerwer Speurder) series. Gerrie Radlof wrote nine stories in the Wanderer Detective series. In short, the series is about a private detective by the name of Obed de Swardt. He lives with his wolfhound named Jagter (Hunter) and his personal chef named Amos, in Drie Gewels (Three Gables), a comfortably large house in Linden, Johannesburg. Then there is also his charming girlfriend Tessa Brink, who supports him in much of his private detective work. From a young age, Obed has been interested in criminology, and it is precisely this challenge of measuring his strength against criminals that gives him the adventure and zest for life he craves. Due to his excellent record, Obed also very quickly became known as the top wanderer-detective in the country. Furthermore, he is also a keen rugby player who plays for Transvaal in the wing position. Obed inherited a Bushveld farm from his father, and a foreman farms on his behalf there. The income generated from it is more than enough for Obed to live luxuriously. Despite the fact that Obed does not need to work, he does private detective work and tracks down most of his cases himself, for which he usually does not receive payment. Sometimes his one police friend, Eddie, contacts him to help with an important case that the police are struggling to solve themselves. Then there is also Jan Wiese, a good friend of Obed, who is a member of the editorial staff of a large daily newspaper in the city, and Obed always provides him with the newsworthy stories first, in exchange for his help from time to time. Each story is unique and packed with suspense and intrigue that will keep the reader guessing throughout and provide great enjoyment to read.
