Former police chief launches first novel

Karen Watkins|Published 4 months ago

Former chief of detectives Major-General Jeremy Vearey from Kuils River in conversation with talk show host Clarence Ford of Blouberg.

With a cover that looks like something from the American Wild West, you could be excused for not expecting a novel from the former head of Western Cape detectives, Major-General Jeremy Vearey.

Crimson Sands/Rooisand marks a departure from a life as an activist, teacher and crime-fighter for Vearey who launched his latest work of fiction at the Book Lounge on Thursday October 10.

Set against the backdrop of Namaland, Vearey’s debut novel chronicles the epic saga of Dirk Aruseb and the Bondelswarts during the tumultuous 1920s.

Published by Graffiti Books, the former SAPS Mitchell’s Plain cluster commander and Kuils River author writes a gripping tale of war and liberation in scorching heat from Tsumeb to Upington and Windhoek’s internment camps to the stark grandeur of Fish River Canyon.

Romeo Maasdorp of Kuils River, left, with Shadley Mohamed of Bellville and Andre Marais of Bertha House bookshop in Mowbray.

Enjoying the launch, from left, Lynne Schoeman of Durbanville, Nelleke de Jager of Sea Point and Nadine Smith-Clarke of Sea Point.

Quincy Vearey of Mowbray with a copy of the book.