Ben Kella is the aofia (the leader) of his people in the Solomon Islands and a police sergeant working for the Brits as they are slowing turning the Islands over to independence. Sister Conchita is the new nun posted to his island, some of whose people are Catholic but many remain true to their mystical roots. A series of murders and other illegal activities lead the sergeant and the nun on the hunt to unravel this complex web and do their best to stay alive. It is a complex plot, with likeable main characters, and extremely well-written. I didn’t mean to start out reading a series, but I will absolutely read the next two in it. ( )

as a Catholic fan of exotic cultures, this was a great choice for me. The book is well plotted, with a nice mixture of the practical and the suprenatural. ( )

Mystery set on the Solomon Islands. The map in the front was a plus so you didn't get lost. I also had read several Pacific Island books before this one, so that helped with understanding the native culture & the gap that Kella is straddling. Sister Conchita didn't have much of a presence in the book, but was integral to solving the mystery. ( )

Ben Kella is both a sergeant in the Solomon Islands police force and an aofia, one chosen to keep the peace between the clans on the island of Malaita. Sister Conchita is a newly arrived American nun assigned to a mission school on Malaita. Their paths cross after the disappearance of a white anthropologist and the discovery of a skeleton near the mission. Both of their lives are in danger until they figure out who is behind the crimes on Malaita. Kella must balance his job as a policeman with his spiritual role among his people.

The location and time both contribute to the appeal of this unusual first-in-series police procedural. It's 1960, and many of the male characters fought against the Japanese in World War II. The police headquarters is in the capital, Honiara, on Guadalcanal. The Solomon Islands are still under British control, but there is a growing awareness that independence won't be long in coming. Many expect that Kella will become the head of the police force once that happens. Kella realizes that his successes are a threat to his superiors and that he can't entirely trust them.

Traditional beliefs and customs drive much of the action in the novel. However, the emphasis on the supernatural is slight. Most of the events related to traditional religious beliefs are of human agency. Some Catholic readers might be bothered by one priest's acceptance and even promotion of traditional religion.

Recommended for readers who enjoy mysteries set in exotic locations. ( )

Set in the beautiful Solomon Islands, Devil-Devil is the first book in Graeme Kent’s mystery series featuring Sergeant Ben Kella and Sister Conchita. Kella, a sergeant in the British controlled police force, is a local islander of the Lau people, he is also a hereditary spirit peacekeeper. Sister Conchita is a new arrival, a young American nun both earthy and pragmatic, her independent behaviour has a tendency to draw her into trouble.

It took me awhile to get into the story, but the descriptions of the culture and scenery of the islands kept me turning the pages. As I got deeper into the book I found the mystery gaining in importance, and soon I was involved in murder, missing people, and smuggled artifacts. Set in the early 1960’s with the promise of independence hovering on the horizon, the people of the Solomon Islands were struggling to blend their ancient ways and traditions while moving forward into a modern future. The British were facing an end to their colonial rule and hoping that eventual independence would ensure that the Solomon Islands would stay under their umbrella as part of the British Commonwealth.

Overall I enjoyed Devil-Devil for it complicated plot, it’s unusual setting and interesting history. The characters are realistic and likeable, so I can definitely see myself continuing on with this series. ( )