The Mistaken Mulozi
In mid-1990s Zaire’s Ituri Forest, Toh’lee, a young Efe woman, seeks her mother, Sabu, who may be a witch. Pumbafu, a corrupt general’s gofer, searches for a murderer. They encounter diverse characters—from nuns to poachers—solve mysteries and ultimately establish the P&T Detective Agency.
“The Mafuta Boys”
A 2nd P&T Detective Story – Coming 2026.
Young men pushing bicycles overloaded with yellow plastic jerrycans of palm oil 500 km to a major market town are falling seriously ill and dying. P&T have a new case when Sister Anna asks them to investigate.
Kirkus Book Reviews
What readers say
★★★★★
A glimpse into life in Africa in the 90s wrapped around a snappy mystery with a happy ending (except for the dead people, but we never got to know them). A fun and quick read with many colorful and admirable characters along with a few villains. I always enjoy it when a book is engaging while also exposing me to a culture that I am not familiar with. The authors spent years in Africa and managed to embed interesting aspects of their experience while not bogging down the quick-moving narrative. We can only hope for further adventures of the P & T Detective Agency.
★★★★★
It’s like being dropped into the Ituri Forest, circa 1995. Written by a pair of anthropologists, who bring insights only those who have spent time living with the Efe people could offer. It’s a world of great beauty and affection, laced with corruption and greed. The characters range from police chiefs and army generals, to nuns, gold miners, farmers, poachers and auto mechanics. They’re believable, intrepid, likable and quirky in a way that feels unique to this particular culture. Hoping that there will be more “P&T Detective Stories” to come!
★★★★★
I’ve never set foot in DR Congo or the Ituri forest, but I feel like I’ve been now. A great read. Fast moving, smart, and funny. Maybe the first in a series?!?
Kirkus “Star” Review
Two paths converge as the gofer for a corrupt African general and an Indigenous woman of the forest embark on perilous journeys to solve unfolding mysteries. Wilkie and Morelli’s richly textured story is brimming with vividly-etched characters, headed by 16-year-old Pumbafu—his name means “idiot,” but he’s sharp as a tack. When General Beaudoin, who holds court in Mama Dorkas’ Rafiki Bar in a Zaire town, sends him to find a boy called Sharpie, Pumbafu finds his quarry stabbed to death—and the Lebanese husband and wife who own the store where Sharpie’s body was found are missing. They will each suffer the general’s considerable wrath if Pumbafu doesn’t find some answers. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Toh’lee turns her back on her family and her clan to search for her mother, who was banished from her clan after she was accused of being a witch. Along their journeys, Pumbafu and Toh’lee encounter several memorable characters before meeting and forming a partnership. One of the most impressive is Sister Anna, a nun who ministers selflessly to villagers. Her assistant feels sure “she is a saint. But none of the men in her order in Rome will ever see that, nor acknowledge its truth.” On the flip side of that coin are General Beaudoin and his son, Chai, who “is always causing some problem for himself or those around him.” Right now, the problem is that Chai is missing.
This is a propulsive read, steeped in the cultural milieu of 1990s Congo. Wilkie and Morelli write with a vivid sense of place, an economy of exposition, and a poetic sensibility (“The road surface is as slick as potter’s clay”). A glossary at the end of the book translates African words and phrases sprinkled throughout the text, but they can be defined in context. A character roster is also helpful, but most of the players are impossible to forget.
The game is afoot with two unlikely sleuths; this looks like the beginning of a beautiful series.
About the Authors
The Mistaken Mulozi is based on our experience living in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) from 1981 to 1996. Though this is a work of fiction, almost everything that you will read is closely based on actual events. The story is told through the voices of the characters we lived with and met. In many ways this is more like a memoir, written as a detective novel, with neither author playing a lead role in the story.
Gilda is currently the chair of the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, at Boston College. She previously held the position of Associate Dean and Vice Provost. She has a Ph.D. in Child Developmental Psychology and has a lifetime interest in understanding parenting and child rearing practices of families around the world, to help foundations, and bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors more respectfully and effectively provide support to families in need.
David is currently the Senior Technical Advisor to the Executive Vise President of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Program. He helped found the Conservation Measures Partnership, the Conservation Initiative on Human Rights, and launched and led the Rights + Communities program at WCS. He has a Ph.D. in Wildlife Management and completed a post-doctorate in Ecological Anthropology. He has worked, for over 40 years, with Indigenous Peoples in Central Africa, and Central and South America.
We live in Massachusetts with our three cats, and a garden filled with native flowers. We are delighted to be visited by a host of songbirds, butterflies, bumble bees, chipmunks, squirrels, pesky rabbits, snakes, racoons, possums, wild turkeys, hawks, owls, deer and coyotes. No bears yet.
Re-Naissance Agency at the Frankfurt Book Fair
featuring – The Mistaken Mulozi
For all rights inquiries contact:
Laurie Blum Guest
Re-Naissance Agency
laurieblumguest@re-naissanceagency.com
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