Which famous detective in fiction, or real life, do you feel your hero most resembles?

Well, there are some Nero Wolf aspects, of course.  But Kubu is a very different sort of person - sociable and a family man.  I guess that is a little unusual in itself.  Most fictional detectives seem to be loners with at most a Dr Watson to keep them company.  I think Kubu's approach and behavior is quite consistent with one of the detectives we met at the Botswana CID.

Second books can be a challenge, but Booklist starred THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU, calling it "a brilliant sequel," and Library Journal agreed, saying you have "created an excellent new venue for those who love to read about other cultures while enjoying a good mystery."  When you finished, how confident were you about your accomplishment?

A CARRION DEATH was difficult to write for several reasons.  First, neither of us had written fiction before.  Second, we didn't know that we weren't supposed to write fiction with someone else.  And third, we started writing without a clear idea of the plot.  So we stumbled along, learning as we wrote, for about three years before the manuscript was in good enough shape to share with potential agents.  On the other hand, we were much more organized for THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU.  We outlined the plot before writing, knowing who was to be killed and who was to do the killing.  Obviously we had also learned to write together.  So the second book took about 18 months to write.

Both of us prefer THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU and think it is a better constructed book with a tighter plot.  We are delighted to see the first critical reviews agreeing.

What's it like writing as a team? Do you ever fight?

Of course we have disagreements!  Occasionally strong disagreements.  But our approach is to try to see the other person's point of view and to think it through.  Sometimes one or other of us has to stand back and say: "Okay, I don't agree, but let's go with it."  Usually it's not a big issue and it works itself out as the writing proceeds.  Far more importantly, we get brainstorming, immediate (and constructively critical) feedback, and fun!  To us, writing alone would seem very lonely.

How did you decide on your pseudonym, Michael Stanley? Why not Stanley Michael?

We decided early on to use Michael Stanley.  It sounded much better than Stanley Michael.  We both came up with the same pseudonym so there was no disagreement there.

Lions...bush fires... elephants.  You have a bio most authors would die for, how close have either of you come to death in your clashes with nature?

There are some extremes to which neither of us is willing to go in order to garner publicity!  I think the only time I was truly afraid on any of our bush trips was when we were charged by an elephant.  We were canoeing down the Zambezi River when we stopped for lunch on a small island with sand cliffs - about 10-15 feet high - rising out of the water.

Suddenly from behind a  tree, a large elephant appeared.  It looked at us quizzically, turned and walked around a second tree and looked at us again. It seemed very peaceful.  Then it looked at us a third time, lifted its trunk and extended its huge ears, emitting a terrifying trumpet and charged.  We had little time to decide what to do.  Fight or flight?  No contest!  Flight won, and we retreated rapidly towards the cliffs.  I for one was willing to jump into the Zambezi.  The threat of the elephant was far more immediate than the hippos and crocodiles in the water.  Then the game ranger who was traveling with us jumped in front of the elephant, waving his arms and shouting at the top of his voice.  The elephant skidded (literally) to a halt, looked at the ranger, turned and wandered peacefully off to eat some more leaves.

We were very impressed by the bravery and behavior of the ranger and asked how he knew the elephant would stop.  "Bull elephants usually make a mock charge," he said.  "It was just establishing its territory.  A female wouldn't have stopped."

It was the word "usually" that caught our attention.  Aaargh!  What if the elephant had been unusual?

What's it like going on a world book tour?

In three words: expensive, tiring, exciting.

Since we are virtually unknown, our publishers do not fund very much of what we do.  We decided early on that our advances were to be used for promotion and publicity.  So we basically pay for our round-the-world trip ourselves and try to stay with friends whenever possible.  Traveling long distances by plane and staying in cities for only a day or two is very tiring, Since we are traveling around the world, we also have to deal with jet lag.  

Of course, the whole thing is also very exciting - especially meeting book sellers at independent bookstores, and readers who have read our first book.  Having good conversations, listening to interesting feedback, and getting enthusiastic support provide needed energy to continue.  

Because we are the International Thriller Writers, some of our audience might know your book by another name, A DEADLY TRADE. Why is that?

Our original title was THE SECOND DEATH OF GOODLUCK TINUBU, which HarperCollins adopted.  On the other hand, Headline, our English-language publisher for the rest of the world, thought the title sounded too much like one that Alexander McCall Smith would write.  After several weeks of brainstorming, we mutually decided on A Deadly Trade, which we also like a lot.   Of course, having two titles for the same book makes marketing more difficult. The benefit of having an older readership is that some readers may read the one title, then buy the second without realizing that they have already read it!

For more about Michael Stanley go to www.detectivekubu.com

Contributing editor Julie Kramer's sequel, MISSING MARK, will be released July 14 by Doubleday. Her debut, STALKING SUSAN, was just nominated for an Anthony Award. It also won the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best First Mystery, and the Minnesota Book Award, as well as being a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award.  The paperback will be available June 23.  www.juliekramerbooks.com