Closed Circle

Within a few months three of the apartheid government's more determined opponents are murdered. Fellows Ngcube, Lionel Bensch and Ray Baker have lived most of their lives in Durban, a warm, outwardly placid seaside town. All three have devoted their lives to the rights of others. They have never met. But their names have come together on the same list, for the same punishment.
A private group offers eccentric prison psychologist Yudel Gordon the job of investigating the killings. The choice falls on Yudel because of his past successes, using methods that depend more on his psychological insights than conventional clues.
Despite departmental regulations that forbid employees taking part in private projects, he accepts the assignment. Years before he had given up the idea of future promotions, reluctantly accepting the opinion of friends that he was far too unconventional to be a successful civil servant.

Yudel's friend in the detective branch of the police, Colonel Freek Jordaan, also tells him he will not succeed. He tells Yudel that this is a passing phase and that already the number of killings is decreasing. But Freek is mistaken. During Yudel's investigation the number of such killings increases to a far greater level than anyone could have imagined. Elizabeth Ngcube, widow of the earlier victim, is just one case. She is bludgeoned to death in front of her home.

Against frightening odds, Yudel succeeds in finding some of the leaders of those doing the killing, but all are protected by higher authorities. The investigation deepens, and so do the dangers, culminating in an attempt on Yudel's own life.


Genre: Mystery