Hunsicker’s new novel…
demonstrates so well the literary art of blending laugh-out-loud humor, brushes with terror, and scenarios that can totally frustrate our perceptions of the human condition. With a writing style that fits like a favorite shirt, Phil manages to take his readers (literally) from one corner of the globe to the other. Although his actors and their stages may not be familiar to most readers, the story is always a fun ride. Always fascinating. And understanding that this author has “been there, done that” gives the reader confidence that there is nothing in this book that isn’t entirely plausible. Enjoy at your own risk.
What Others Are Saying:
Brainerd Dispatch
Theresa Bourke
"Not only was the story rock solid, with great writing and some fantastic comedy thrown in, but the twists and turns near the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat and my mouth hanging open. Anyone in need of a good mystery to curl up with on these cold winter days can't go wrong with “The Old Crocodile Man Theory."
Charlie Johnson
Book Reviewer, Taking it Up to Sixty
“From the first page to the last, Philip Hunsicker’s The Old Crocodile Man Theory engages the reader through a potent story that dances between murder, bribery, and reunions of old friends – all tied together with crackling humor and deeply clear descriptions. And it works!”
Steve Stromme
Editor, Teacher, and notorious hard grader
“Hunsicker has spun a gripping tale, a mystery that keeps you turning the pages long after bedtime. At times both hilarious and terrifying, The Old Crocodile Man Theory is a wild ride. Buy it and buckle up.”
Susan Ready
EverReady Book Reviews
“The Old Crocodile Man Theory is an engrossing and intriguing novel of love and atonement, deceit and bribery, often shrouded in African sorcery and black magic beliefs. A variety of environmental issues are central themes to the storyline. Philip Hunsicker’s first novel hits a homerun with his readers.”
Boukoko Book Club
former Peace Corps Volunteers who worked with the author in the C.A.R.
“What a trip! A wonderfully entertaining story that took us right back to the heart of Africa. Funny and touching with twists and turns. Rich in humor and humanity. We did not want it to end. The Old Crocodile Man Theory: Not just for Humans. Buy one for your pet. They'll appreciate it.”
Jon White
Author of Waiting for the Mango Rains
“A remote corner of the Central African Republic, a homicide investigation, a ring of authenticity, a page-turner. Entirely believable and certainly possible.”
Denise
Phil’s wife
“He’s a great writer. I wish he was as talented at doing the laundry.”
Some Questions to Ponder and Discuss in your Book Club:
1. Kael poses a theory that Alaska and Africa are more alike than different. Do you think his theory has merit based on occurrences in the story?
2. How did Kael grow throughout the story?
3. Was there a character that stood out for you? Why?
4. What do you think happens after Kael, Josie and Tallin fly to Alaska?
5. The Kael chapters were full of humor. The Bolo chapters were not. Did this dichotomy work? Why? How does the humor buffer the difficult and complicated issues that were presented in the story?
6. Did you pick up on any subtle clues that made you think there was more to what was going on?
7. Like all humans, and like all good protagonists, Kael had both good and bad qualities. Can you point some out?
8. If you were asked to defend Bolo’s actions, what would be your argument?
9. How effective were the descriptions of setting – in Alaska, in Africa, in Minneapolis?
10. There was a lot of dialogue in the story. Did it work? Did it sound realistic to you?
11. What does the dual third-person narration (Kael and Bolo) bring to the story?
12. If you were to add a third narrator, who would you choose and why?
13. Several “religions” come together in the story – animism (belief in black magic and sorcery), Christianity/Catholicism (Pere Norbert), and Islam (Assan). How did Assan show you a different version of Islam from the one that is often portrayed on TV and in the movies?
14. Josie’s mother, Sapu, lets him leave Africa to go to the states with his father. Did you agree with her decision, or did you think, “How could a mother give up her child?”
15. How emotional was it for you when Bolo shot Charles, Diana, William, and Harry? Or when he shot the sisters, Sophie and Isabelle? Did you think they were elephants or people, or didn’t it matter?
16. Some African countries harvest their elephants like we harvest deer in the U.S. It controls the population. Critics say allowing the legal harvesting of elephants supports a market for ivory, which encourages continued poaching. What do you think?
17. What worked for you in this novel? What didn’t work?
18. The relationship between Josie and Kael grew throughout the story. Were there moments in this relationship that stood out for you?
19. This story is driven by Kael’s relationships – with Molly, Tallin, Josie, Assan, Nick, Nasseef, Dimasse, The Three Stooges, Pere Norbert, and Sapu. Pick a relationship and talk about why that relationship matters to the story, and to you, the reader.
20. Kael was able to get Assan released from prison by paying a fee, which was essentially a bribe. This happens a lot in Africa where people struggle to receive their wages while corrupt rulers steal millions. Paying a bribe encourages the process to continue. Do you think Kael was right to pay the bribe? Why?
21. This is a story of Molly, a young woman who died before her time. In the author’s acknowledgements, he recognizes that we all have people like that in our lives – friends or family who left us too soon. Talk about someone who left you too soon and how you keep them alive.
22. What was your biggest surprise as you read the novel?
23. This story takes place in 1990. How would the story differ if it took place in present day?
24. How did the book’s setting of Africa add to the story?
25. Kael and Tallin’s sex scene in Bayanga, along with the build-up to it and the breakfast the next morning, were fun scenes to write. Was it fun to read? Explain?
26. Kael had dreams of Molly reaching out for his help. They were real enough visions to make Kael venture thousands of miles away to the Central African Republic. Have you had any experience with an inexplicable sense that something was wrong, or someone was in danger, or that something was going to happen, and it did? How did you react?
27. The title, The Old Crocodile Man Theory, highlights Kael’s peculiar habit of devising theories to explain life’s little riddles. For example, Africa and Alaska are more alike than different, the relationship of penis length with things like desk size, fingernail length, and height, and the Hidden Cove theory, which helped him understand the reasons for poaching elephants. As you were reading the novel, did you devise any interesting theories about what was happening? If so, share them with the group.
28. The author wrote The Old Crocodile Man Theory as an homage to other dialogue-driven mysteries that are as funny as they are clever – Gregory MacDonald’s Fletch series, the Spencer series by Robert B. Parker, and almost anything written by Carl Hiaasen. Did this novel’s use of humor, dialogue, and quirky characters remind you of any other novels or authors you’ve read?
29. The author believes that novels are more than just characters, plot, setting and dialogue. A good novel must be comprised of moments that grab the reader, pull them into the story, and cause a physical or emotional response that lingers long after putting the book back on a shelf. Describe moments that touched you when you were reading The Old Crocodile Man Theory.
30. If you were asked to write a six-word memoir of the novel, capturing the essence of the story in only six words, how would it read?