Despite its outlandish title, Heu Heu, or the Monster is yet another sober entry in Allan Quatermain's ongoing quest to explain the mysteries and spiritualism of Africa rationally. Here, Quatermain unearths and demolishes a priestly cult exploiting the remnants of a dying civilization. Ever the skeptic, Allan proves them frauds, albeit he does so at the instigation of Zikali the dwarf magician, in order to restore Zikali's stockpile of magic dust. So, as usual, there is always a little doubt thrown in, just to make sure the reader understands that Allan is often too rational.

Meanwhile, it's good to see Hans return to the Quatermain series. Throughout, Haggard has Hans' powers of observation and intelligence gradually enlarge. By the time of Heu Heu, he is almost Allan's equal. Always, Hans is his mocking conscience.

Haggard is much at home with Quatermain, which is why he was able to bounce back so thoroughly from the disaster that was Wisdom's Daughter. ( )