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The First Rule Of Survival (Col Vaughn de Vries) Paperback – May 8, 2018

by Paul Mendelson (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 728 ratings
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Seven years ago in Cape Town three young white South African schoolboys were abducted in broad daylight on three consecutive days. They were never heard of again.

Now, a new case for the unpredictable Colonel Vaughn de Vries casts a light on the original enquiry; for him, a personal failure which has haunted him for those seven years and has cost him his marriage and peace of mind.

A former British government agent, friend to De Vries, provides intelligence on this new case, but is any of it admissible? Struggling in a mire of departmental and racial rivalry, De Vries seeks the whole truth and unravels a complex history of abuse, deception and murder. Challenging friends, colleagues and enemies, De Vries comes to realise he doesn't know who is which.

Set against the background of Cape Town and the endless, rolling South African veld, this chilling thriller reveals layer after layer of abuse - physical, political and psychological.

Shortlisted for the Crime Writer's Association Gold Dagger 2014 (Crime Novel of the Year)


Praise for Paul Mendelson:

'An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both' Lee Child

'A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld' Philip Glenister

'The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction' Brian McGilloway

'An impressive debut' The Times

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Col Vaughn de Vries
  2. Print length
    400 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Constable
  5. Publication date
    May 8, 2018
  6. Dimensions
    5.13 x 1 x 7.88 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1472111362
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1472111364
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both.―Lee Child

A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld.―Philip Glenister

The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction.―Brian McGilloway

An impressive debut―The Times

About the Author

Paul Mendelson has written for the theatre and television and is the author of eleven non-fiction titles concerning mind-sports such as bridge and poker, as well as being a crime novelist whose first novel, The First Rule of Survival, was short-listed for the CWA Golden Dagger Crime Novel of the Year in 2014. His second novel, The Serpentine Road, was long-listed for the same prize in 2015. Both have been translated into several languages and a television adaptation is already in preparation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Constable; UK ed. edition (May 8, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472111362
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472111364
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.13 x 1 x 7.88 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 728 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Paul Mendelson

    Paul Mendelson

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Paul Mendelson wrote stories at school when he should have been doing other things, but went on to become the, then, youngest ever playwright performed at the National Theatre, with his play, "You're Quite Safe With Me". This was followed by further work for theatre and, briefly, for television.

    For over twenty years, Paul has written on mind sports, such as bridge, poker and casino games, becoming the UK's best-selling author within his genre. He has contributed to magazines and newspapers worldwide, has a weekly bridge column in the Financial Times, and also writes interviews and features.

    His debut crime novel, "The First Rule of Survival" was published in 2014, shortlisted for the CWA Crime Novel of the Year, and hit the best-seller charts. His next novel, "The Serpentine Road" was long-listed for the CWA Golden Dagger in 2015.

    Novel number 3, "The History of Blood" was released in July 2016, once again featuring Colonel Vaughn de Vries, and his fourth in February 2018, called "Apostle Lodge" which has already garnered plaudits in the UK and South Africa, proving a best-seller in the latter territory. All set in Southern Africa, the novels have allowed his creative writing once again to come to the fore, translated into numerous languages, with scripts in development for a feature film.

    His next book is set in the UK, with a new cast of characters, but he will return to the South African based stories again soon.

    Paul lives in London (and, sometimes, Cape Town) with his two and four-legged family.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Paul Mendelson

    Paul Mendelson

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
728 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

The Bakersfield Flash
4.0 out of 5 stars Different and refreshing
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
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Paul Mendelson's style is a bit different as is his lead character, but he uses both to weave an engrossing story. This is a good one. Read it. You will enjoy
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Ernst Nieuwoudt
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
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This is a stunning first novel. Top class and I could not put it down. Invest your money in this eBook,sixty times better than all the other ebooks where the publisher rips you off by charging more for the eBook than the printed ve
rsion with all its associated costs. I am now purchasing no 2
One person found this helpful
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Vincent Sasele
4.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece... a sensational insight into post-apartheid!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2020
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The reader is accurately and without reservation introduced to the racial tension that thrived within the SAPS shortly after the 1994 free elections that saw the emergence of democracy in South Africa. No attempt to shy away from the truth or bias was observed, especially taking into consideration that the author belonged to the minority group viewed with suspicion by the new government. The insecurity of the government depicted by the behavior of some of the most powerful senior officers in their attempt to secure good standing in the public eye is a lesson that one needs to shun away from...
One person found this helpful
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Beryl Acres
5.0 out of 5 stars ... first book I have read by Paul Mendelson and enjoyed it. His writing style is different to other ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2016
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This is the first book I have read by Paul Mendelson and enjoyed it. His writing style is different to other authors of crime genre. His ability to lead you into the areas he visits during the story by utilising amazing descriptive passages is outstanding. I will certainly look out for more books from this author.
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Dr A
3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating South Africa
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2018
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Paul Mendelson is pitting himself against Deon Meyer, the acnowledged master of South African police novels.
He does not reach Meyers level, but he has written a gripping story with a different and more critical slant on the S.A: police than Meyer. Unfortunately I found Col. de Vries a rather less than sympathetic person and I do not think I want to meet him in a further novel.
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Gail
4.0 out of 5 stars It took 7 years to solve this crime. Never give up hope.
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
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Another crime writer in the genre of Deon Meyer. Excellent read with familiar places and routes. The crime taking place post apartheid, with SAPS trying to reorganize their hierarchy and the force trying to adapt.
Highly recommended. I have already ordered the second book.
2 people found this helpful
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Hugh Preston
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and complex
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2020
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One of the best crime thrillers I have ever read- and I have read lots. Authentic detail of the beautiful Cape provides a stunning backdrop
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Jean-Minet
4.0 out of 5 stars Written with an excellent knowledge of South African conditions
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2017
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Written with an excellent knowledge of South African conditions. Undercurrent of the true racial conditions the SA police have to work under while telling an exciting story.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
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Penelope Sylvia Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars The First Rule Of Survival
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2018
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I could not give this book anything else than 5 stars purely because of the length of it and the complications of the storyline. It is one of the strangest and most interesting books I've ever read inasmuch as its' complexity and involvement of the many characters. The storyline is very well written and it is definitely a page turner! It is both frightening and intriguing, also being written about and staged in South Africa is so unusual for a detective investigation and makes it very interestingly different. The ending, however, drags and is very confusing! It took me a long time to figure it all out as it doesn't' flow easily to the reader. But all in all it did at least have a conclusion!
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Anne Moity
5.0 out of 5 stars Great thriller
Reviewed in France on July 27, 2014
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The sort of book that when you start you cannot put down. First book I read from Paul Mendelsohn and I really enjoyed it. For those who know Cape Town it's a nice memory reminder of the different areas mentioned.
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新しもの好き
5.0 out of 5 stars 並みの警察小説と思ったらさにあらず
Reviewed in Japan on May 17, 2014
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作者はTVドラマなどいくつも手掛けており心理描写を得意としているそうで、そこらのデビュー作とは格段の差があるのがすぐわかる。２０１４年、南ア・ケープタウン近郊の農家空き部屋で二人の少年が射殺死体でみつかった。現場を指揮する２０年のキャリアをもつ警視正ヴォ―ン・ドゥヴリーズが一目見て驚愕したのは、７年前に三日連続で少年３名が行方不明となり自分が関わっていながら迷宮入りで死亡と目されていたうちの二人だった。今になってなぜ殺し、しかも捜査の手が及ぶ心配もないのに発見されやすい置き去りをしたのかが疑問であり、また残りの一名が生存している可能性ありと、焦りつつも腹心の部下である警部補ドン・フェブラリとともに地道な捜査活動を始める。ストーリーは２００７年の誘拐直後の捜査と２０１４年の捜査状況が交互に語られて、別々の動きが次第に絡まり合って謎が解けて行くという展開をみせるが、いずれも現在形で書かれているので読者はいささか戸惑いつつもそれぞれの現場にいるような感じがし始めるという、なかなか読ませるつくりとなっている。7年前の失態をヴォ―ンに負わせようとする敵役上司がいてドンは間に立って追い込まれる。この題材にしては少し引っ張り過ぎと思いながら読むと、思わぬ結末にびっくりさせられる。舞台をケープタウンにする必然性がわからないが作者の思い入れが詰まっている場所なのだろう。
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Carlos Blanco
4.0 out of 5 stars A great page turner even if you are not a habitual reader of crime thrillers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2014
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First I have to admit to being biassed as the author is a first cousin of mine whom I haven't seen for nearly twenty years. (He lives mainly in South Africa as you might have guessed) However I would not write a review if I had not been very impressed by the novel. If you want sex and gore then this crime thriller is not for you. Women too only have cameo roles, except for the villain's estranged sister who has a muse-like allure. The politics at play within the SAPS (South African police force) play a major role and are just as engrossing as the hunt to solve the crime. Like another reviewer I am no great fan of novels written entirely in the present tense, but ceased to notice after getting into the novel. The dialogue is very vivid; I found myself putting on a ( probably appalling) south African accent as I read, plus a deeper blacker voice for the appealing Warrant Officer Don February whose use of more formal, slightly old fashioned diction seemed to fit well with a black South African who has worked his way up through the ranks and does not have the self assurance to curse and swear like his white superior officers. De Vries is a likeable anti-hero detective of the hard-drinking sort, and I was on his side all the way. I look forward to Paul Mendelson's next novel, which I understand has been commissioned already by the publishers.
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Mrs J E Spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive debut novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2014
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A thoroughly good read for lovers of psychological crime. I enjoyed 'meeting' Colonel De Vries who reminded me of that other great detective, John Luther, in his attitude to authority and propensity to work outside the boundaries of the rulebook. I didn’t solve the crime, although I had several suspects along the way, the mark of a good book. The conclusion definitely begs for a sequel, there is unfinished business.

Very enjoyable, loved the depiction of South Africa both the physical and the underlying political landscape. Would definitely recommend and looking forward to the movie!
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