The Upfield Napoleon Bonaparte series give a great feel for the setting of early to mid 20th century Australia but are generally a little weak in plot. Good light read.

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I wouldn't say the Bonaparte series is light on plot -- merely casual in pace, like its main character. The emphasis is on the setting and atmosphere of (usually) outback Australia, upon Napoleon as a fascinatingly unique character, and upon the interplay of the people among whom he is placed.

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This is the first Bony book I read. Bony is half white, half aboriginal Australian. He works out the mystery via intuition, intelligence and tracking skills he learned from his Aboriginal family. He is somewhat vain or perhaps he is simply assured of his abilities and isn't coy about it. The story may be somewhat slow but it is not shallow or simple or simplistic. The writing flows nicely. These books were written awhile back (circa 1940?) so reflect the period and attitudes of the day which is interesting. There is much detail on the life of small towns in this book, for example, on the edge of the outback. It is somewhat a "cozy" with an edge, if you like!

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While I had a pretty good idea early on why the babies were stolen, and I was proven right, the Who, What, When and How was fascinating to discover. I enjoy Upfield's books on Australia, as my mother was Australian and I went to the 5th grade there. As usual, the pieces don't all come together until "Bony" explains all in the end. I think this was one of the best so far in the series.

Written in 1953, the book displays the Australian "Jim Crow" laws and attitudes back then. As such, it is also interesting how Upfield has his mixed-ancestry protagonist staying in the homes of white Australians and eating at their tables. In some ways, I think he is making fun of the racial attitudes of Australians, as Mark Twain did about 19th-century white Americans in many of his books.

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