Jardim turns up in an Australian court one morning, annoyed is far too passive, but let us say annoyed with the judge. After giving the judge something of an earful, Jardim finds himself removed from the court cooling his heels in a holding cell.
And so starts Quota: The law of the sea is unforgiving.
Serong develops Jardim into a wonderful character who gets sent by a lawyer friend to a remote coastal fishing ground to investigate a murder when the witnesses are not talking. Strong drink, greasy food, unfriendly natives and some rough treatment do not deter Jardim in his quest to find the truth. Oh, and the fact his car broke down and he is stranded helps with the narrative.
Serong has a writing style which is punctuated by short sentences. If he could impose long pauses, I am sure he would. Read this book.
Dene Mackenzie is ODT business and political editor.
