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10 questions with Deon Meyer
Devil's Peak series launching this week! We sat down with the South African crime writer icon
Last updated: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Do you know why Deon Meyer washes the dishes when the Springboks play? Or where you’d find Benny Griessl having breakfast on a Saturday morning?
We sat down with the internationally-renowned writer to discover more about his favourite restaurants, hidden towns around the Cape, writing hacks, a new spot that he’d love to try and more.
Plus, hear about the new M-Net series Devil’s Peak and watch the trailer (launching 29 October 2023).
The series is only five episodes, making it ultra-bingeable. Image: M-Net/MultiChoice Studios
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Which street corner in Cape Town has a special meaning for you?
The corner of Long and Buitengracht is very special to me. It is where the Lutheran Church is, the scene of a crime right at the start of my novel Thirteen Hours. The book went on to win the Barry Award in the US, became a bestseller and established me as an author internationally.
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A lesser known village in the Western Cape that I love is…
Van Wyksdorp, between Ladismith and Herbertsdale in the Klein Karoo. It’s smack in the middle of some of the best off-road motorcycle and mountain bike riding routes in the world. The Rooiberg pass to Calitzdorp, the Jan Muller pass to Herbertsdale, or take the road just north of the Langeberge, via Brandrivier to Barrydale.
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What is your go-to weekend coffee spot?
De Warenmarkt in Stellenbosch. Great coffee and the waffles are just brilliant.
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A small quaint restaurant that I think readers should visit…
We are so spoiled for choice in Stellenbosch. There’s the award-winning Spek & Bone in Dorp Street, De Eetkamer in Drostdy Road, Kantien in Papegaai Street...
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One new place I’ve read about on CapeTownMagazine.com that I still want to discover is…
I fell in love with the very decadent American cookies of Milk N Cookies in Stamford, Connecticut last year, so I’m delighted that Cookie Co is bringing the Yankee version to Bree Street Cape Town. We’ll be visiting soon.
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On a Bennie Griessel note: Where would we be able to find Bennie Griessel or Vaughn Cupido for a good breakfast in Cape Town?
Bennie and his wife Alexa (they get married in the new book, out in November) love to have breakfast at Our Local @ 117 Kloof. Bennie loves their delicious Shakshuka. Vaughn Cupido is on a very strict diet, so he sticks to blueberries and oats at home for breakfast. But what he really wants is daltjies from the Bo-Kaap Kombuis.
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A Capetonian musician and song I recently listened to and enjoyed is…
"Hier en Nou", one of the great songs on the incomparable Lize Beekman’s latest album. She lives in Melkbosstrand and creates beautiful art too. Some people have all the latent.
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The most embarrassing moment of my life is….
I was a young reporter working for the Free State daily Die Volksblad and had to attend a very swanky city council cocktail party. In the middle of the room was a pyramid of champagne glasses, stacked high. I was helping myself to some of the snacks available on the fringe of the pyramid when the mayor called out to me. As I turned to face him, my camera bag swung out and dislodged just a few of the glasses.
The whole lot came down in slow motion.
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What is one thing that no one knows about you?
I get very nervous when the Springboks are playing. And when things are not going the way of the ‘Boks, I go wash the dishes. It calms me down.
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One hack, exercise, tool or saying that I use to stay sane is…
Writing can often be a frustrating process of solving really hard story problems. The one thing that almost always works for me is to go take a shower. I think it is the combination of zero distractions and the gentle flow of water that brings the solutions.
Plus, more about Deon Meyer’s new Devil's Peak series:
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Unpack the new Devil's Peak series in a sentence?
Riveting television made by the best talent in South Africa.
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What does the launch of Devil's Peak mean to you?
Bennie Griessel has finally completed the journey to the small screen. It is a process that started twenty years ago, with so many twists and turns on the way.
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One thing people should look out for in Devil's Peak is…
The amazing work of an outstanding cast and brilliant director.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR DEVIL’S PEAK
Deon Meyer has set out on a new adventure: Bringing the massively popular Devil’s Peak to the small screen.
An M-Net and BBC production, this five-episode thriller will follow Detective Benny Griessel who is tasked with tracking down a vigilante killer. First episode date is 29 October.
See more about Devil's Peak via the DSTV website.
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