Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb is a non-fiction investigation into the 2014 murder of Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief who was found dead in a South African hotel room. British journalist Michela Wrong traces the complex political dynamics and personal relationships that led to this assassination, with particular focus on Karegeya's transformation from insider to exile. The book examines Rwanda's post-genocide politics and the rise of President Paul Kagame through extensive interviews, documents, and Wrong's two decades of experience reporting in the region. The narrative follows key figures in Rwanda's power structure who later became dissidents, revealing the inner workings of the regime and its methods of dealing with opposition. Drawing from personal testimonies and historical records, Wrong reconstructs the events leading to Karegeya's death while exploring broader questions about Rwanda's international image versus its domestic reality. The investigation places the assassination within a pattern of similar incidents involving Rwandan dissidents abroad. The book raises fundamental questions about how Western powers and media have interpreted Rwanda's post-genocide recovery, challenging prevailing narratives about political stability and economic progress in contemporary Rwanda. Through this single murder case, Wrong presents a broader examination of power, loyalty, and the cost of dissent in modern African politics.

Readers describe this as a detailed investigation into Rwanda's government and leadership that challenges common Western narratives about the country. Many note it reads like a political thriller while maintaining journalistic rigor. Readers appreciated: - Extensive research and documentation - Clear explanation of complex political dynamics - Compelling narrative structure - First-hand accounts from key figures Common criticisms: - Some sections drag with excessive detail - Can be difficult to follow the many players involved - A few readers questioned potential bias in sourcing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (200+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Eye-opening account that made me completely rethink what I thought I knew about Rwanda" - Goodreads "Meticulously researched but occasionally gets bogged down in minutiae" - Amazon "Important book that Western policymakers need to read" - Goodreads

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🔍 Patrick Karegeya was Rwanda's former external intelligence chief for 10 years before his exile and subsequent murder on New Year's Eve 2013 at the Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg. 📚 Author Michela Wrong spent over 20 years reporting from Africa for Reuters, BBC, and the Financial Times, establishing herself as a leading expert on Central and East African politics. 🌍 The book's title "Do Not Disturb" refers to the sign found hanging on Karegeya's hotel room door when his body was discovered, becoming a chilling symbol of political assassinations. ⚖️ The publication of this book in 2021 led to significant diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and several Western nations, as it challenged the commonly accepted narrative of Rwanda's post-genocide recovery. 🏆 Following the book's release, it was selected as one of The Economist's Books of the Year and was shortlisted for the 2022 Orwell Prize for Political Writing.