Michael Stanley

Michael Stanley is the pen name of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, who are good friends and accomplished crime fiction authors. Both natives of Africa, they have a deep love for the continent, which is reflected in their writing. They have traveled extensively throughout southern Africa, particularly Botswana, where their Detective Kubu series is set. Michael lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Stanley splits his time between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and South Africa.

The Detective Kubu series features a smart and formidable detective named Kubu, whose nickname means hippopotamus in Setswana, the language of the Botswana people. Kubu's investigations delve into complex murders, often uncovering powerful adversaries and unraveling escalating chains of crimes. The series includes "A Carrion Death," "The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu" (also known as "A Deadly Trade" outside of North America), "Death of the Mantis," "Deadly Harvest," "A Death in the Family," and "Dying to Live." The authors have won and been nominated for various awards for their work in the series.

In addition to the Detective Kubu series, Michael Stanley has also written a prequel, "Facets of Death," and a thriller featuring environmental reporter Crystal Nguyen, titled "Shoot the Bastards" or "Dead of Night." These works showcase the authors' ability to create engaging stories with diverse characters and thought-provoking themes, further solidifying their reputation as skilled storytellers.