The Camel's Shadow Has Four Humps: African Myth, Urban Mystery

by Khalifa, Akmed

• ISBN13: 9781462060115
• ISBN10: 1462060110
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-03-21
• Publisher: Author Solutions

Summary

In the midst of a struggling black community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, twenty-five-year old LeMar Early is handsome, intuitive, and well-liked by nearly everyone. Despite being orphaned at six and on his own since he was eighteen, LeMar still manages to have a positive outlook on life-until his best friend, Chip, and his girlfriend, Venetia Waits, are kidnapped by a gang commissioned to snatch victims for a scientific experiment. Drama quickly unfolds as LeMar sets out to find Venetia, but when a private eye with brains and an attitude to match enters the investigation, LeMar quickly becomes immersed in a mission to solve the mysterious disappearances. Little does he know that he, the gorgeous sleuth Prudence, and the neighborhood philosopher Widemouth are about to become embroiled in a web of deceit and corruption run by street gangs, greedy corporate investors, and technologically enhanced humans preparing to establish a new world order. To top it off, LeMar now realizes he is nurturing a growing attraction to Prudence. Guided by myth and the musings of Widemouth, LeMar and his friends must employ everyone and everything to save Venetia and Chip-before it is too late.

Excerpts

LeMar is confused and wonders how Paul Worth knew where Venetia lived. Everything seems to turn inward as though nothing outside of the interior of his car exists. There is now only one important idea racing through his mind as he speeds down Hamilton Avenue toward Oakland: Venetia's safety. He reaches for his cell phone and speed dials her number. "Come on, pick up, pick up, be there baby, be there," he yells, as the phone rings and rings and then goes to voice mail. He slams the phone down on the seat and floors the gas pedal, passing everyone and everything as though they were a painting of the city in still life. At that speed he doesn't and couldn't have noticed Paul Worth's car parked on a side street, empty, with the driver and passenger doors wide open. ... Screeching to a halt in front of Venetia's apartment complex, he flings open his car door, jumps out and runs into her building. Nearing her apartment his heart drops to the floor as he notices the wide open door that had been forcibly entered. He reaches in his jacket for his Smith and Wesson revolver, flicks off the safety, and crouches down as he points it straight ahead and nervously walks into the apartment shouting, "Venetia ... where are you?"