The First Rule of Survival

Product Description Seven years ago in Cape Town three young white South African schoolboys were abducted in broad daylight on three consecutive days. They were never heard of again. Now, a new case for the unpredictable Colonel Vaughn de Vries casts a light on the original enquiry; for him, a personal failure which has haunted him for those seven years and has cost him his marriage and peace of mind. A former British government agent, friend to De Vries, provides intelligence on this new case, but is any of it admissible? Struggling in a mire of departmental and racial rivalry, De Vries seeks the whole truth and unravels a complex history of abuse, deception and murder. Challenging friends, colleagues and enemies, De Vries comes to realise he doesn't know who is which. Set against the background of Cape Town and the endless, rolling South African veld, this chilling thriller reveals layer after layer of abuse - physical, political and psychological. Review An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both. (Lee Child) A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld. (Philip Glenister) The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction. (Brian McGilloway) An impressive debut ( The Times) Book Description Set against the richly described backdrop of Cape Town, this chilling psychological thriller reveals its terrible secrets, each one more shocking than the last. From the Back Cover Seven years ago in Cape Town three South African schoolboys were abducted in broad daylight on consecutive days. They were never seen again. Now, a new case for the unpredictable Colonel Vaughn de Vries casts a light on the original enquiry; for him, a personal failure which has haunted him for those seven years and has cost him his marriage and peace of mind. Struggling in a mire of departmental and racial rivalry, de Vries seeks the whole truth and unravels a complex history of abuse, deception and murder. Challenging friends, colleagues and enemies, de Vries comes to realise he doesn't know who he can trust any more. Set against the richly described background of Cape Town and the endless rolling veld, this chilling thriller reveals layer on layer of abuse - physical, political and psychological. paulmendelson.co.uk About the Author Paul Mendelson is the author of eleven books on bridge, seven on poker and one on casino games. He is the weekly bridge columnist for the Financial Times and his stage-play, 'You're Quite Safe with Me' was performed at the Cottesloe Theatre in 1986. Paul was 21 at the time and is still the youngest playwright the National Theatre has ever had. He has also been Britain's bridge champion. Paul splits his time between South Africa and London.