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Product Description
Product Description
Another outstanding adventure from one of the world's best loved storytellers
Book Description
Hazel Bannock is the owner of the Bannock Oil Corp, one of the major global oil producers. While cruising in the Indian Ocean, her yacht is hijacked by Somalian pirates and her nineteen year old daughter Cayla kidnapped. Major Hector Cross is an ex-SAS operative and the man behind Cross Bow Security, the company contracted to Bannock Oil to provide all their security. His loyalty to the Bannock family goes beyond the call of duty. The pirates demand a crippling ransom for Cayla’s release, and complicated political and diplomatic sensitivities render the major powers incapable of intervening. With growing evidence of the horrific torture to which Cayla is being subjected, Hazel calls on Hector to help her rescue her daughter. Between them, Hazel and Hector are determined to take the law into their own hands.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have been an avid reader of all Wilbur Smith books since the early days. I was hooked when I first read 'When the Lion Feeds' and have read all the Courtney and Ballantyne novels and I loved the Egyptian Novels where I felt I was transported back in time.
His recent books have not been so captivating, although I enjoyed Assegai, but some of that was a little bit tongue in cheek with some of the exploits.
This book is a huge disappointment. Starts of well but disintegrates into what can only be described as a waste of good paper. It seemed that he ran out of ideas of how to fill the middle section of the book and as consequence filled it with a load of nonsense about the main characters on their extended honeymoon!! I almost gave up on it them but kept going. Its a pity because the piracy topic is highly relevant. As an ex Navy man I found the latter stages of the book quite unrealistic. Hector Cross must be some guy, he didn't seem to need any of the people who were in the book to help him capture the villian(s).
His recent books have not been so captivating, although I enjoyed Assegai, but some of that was a little bit tongue in cheek with some of the exploits.
This book is a huge disappointment. Starts of well but disintegrates into what can only be described as a waste of good paper. It seemed that he ran out of ideas of how to fill the middle section of the book and as consequence filled it with a load of nonsense about the main characters on their extended honeymoon!! I almost gave up on it them but kept going. Its a pity because the piracy topic is highly relevant. As an ex Navy man I found the latter stages of the book quite unrealistic. Hector Cross must be some guy, he didn't seem to need any of the people who were in the book to help him capture the villian(s).
120 of 124 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Unfortunately dear Wilbur is taking what can only be described as a downward spiral when it comes to his latest novels.
This book is no exception, while highly entertaining and gripping by most novelists standards, it falls short of his great books.
The villains are one dimensional psychopaths, the heroes are stereotypes and the plot is all too predictable.
It pains me to write such a negative review, as Wilbur Smith has been an omnipotent force throughout my life, accompanying me on wonderful holidays, keeping me amused on long flights and getting me through times of worry and stress with that unique ability to transport the reader to another era, another world.
I yearn for a return to the simmering intensity of the earlier books, the sadness of "When The Lion Feeds", the brilliance of "The Burning Shore", the tales which would suck you in from the very first paragraph and keep you gripped until the last.
Wilbur, you are still the best novelist in the world right now, probably ever, take a look at your last four novels, then your first four, and regain the genius that has for the moment left you.
This book is no exception, while highly entertaining and gripping by most novelists standards, it falls short of his great books.
The villains are one dimensional psychopaths, the heroes are stereotypes and the plot is all too predictable.
It pains me to write such a negative review, as Wilbur Smith has been an omnipotent force throughout my life, accompanying me on wonderful holidays, keeping me amused on long flights and getting me through times of worry and stress with that unique ability to transport the reader to another era, another world.
I yearn for a return to the simmering intensity of the earlier books, the sadness of "When The Lion Feeds", the brilliance of "The Burning Shore", the tales which would suck you in from the very first paragraph and keep you gripped until the last.
Wilbur, you are still the best novelist in the world right now, probably ever, take a look at your last four novels, then your first four, and regain the genius that has for the moment left you.
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I have been a fan of Wilbur Smith for many years and have read just about every book he has written. It sort of runs in the family I guess you could say! Whilst his books normally manage to get me gripped within the first few pages I very nearly stopped reading this book part way through.
The first problem is the factual inaccuracies. A Major commanding a Brigade? Seriously? Brigadiers command Brigades! Then there's the RPG which could split a tank's armour - well really it depends which tank you're talking about but certainly not a modern main battle tank. Then the NATO standard 5.56mm round which is terrible at penetrating armour (yet they are amongst the very best in the world in penetration tests). Oh and who can forget the Duke of Edinburgh talking about the 3rd Battalion of the SAS... Wilbur Smith should have employed a soldier to check his work before it was published.
The second problem is the way in which the book goes on and on about just how "good" everything related to the main characters are. The richest woman in America, the best wine maker, the largest ship, etc etc. It gets tiring after a while because it is unbelievable that one family is surrounded by so much that is just so perfect in every way and is so successful at everything they put their hand to. The point is laboured far too much, which hints at an attempt to increase the word count, whilst not having to think too much about a story.
Some would probably also say that the book is a bit too violent. This could be true to some extent, but I guess the story is what it is and it is about violence. However if Wilbur is going to write in the modern context then perhaps he should be writing about more modern ways of solving problems. So have your violent battle, but when the bad guy is caught, he should be brought to justice, not just shot in the head as if that's what people in the USA or UK do!
I eventually finished the book largely because I was a bit bored and by the end found that I had enjoyed it as a whole. I'm glad I read it on the Kindle not as a normal book because this way I got it much cheaper and wouldn't have thought it worth the full price!!! I know this review seems very negative but overall the book is still better than some.
In summary, it seems to me to be very unpolished and sloppy for a writer as great as Wilbur Smith.
The first problem is the factual inaccuracies. A Major commanding a Brigade? Seriously? Brigadiers command Brigades! Then there's the RPG which could split a tank's armour - well really it depends which tank you're talking about but certainly not a modern main battle tank. Then the NATO standard 5.56mm round which is terrible at penetrating armour (yet they are amongst the very best in the world in penetration tests). Oh and who can forget the Duke of Edinburgh talking about the 3rd Battalion of the SAS... Wilbur Smith should have employed a soldier to check his work before it was published.
The second problem is the way in which the book goes on and on about just how "good" everything related to the main characters are. The richest woman in America, the best wine maker, the largest ship, etc etc. It gets tiring after a while because it is unbelievable that one family is surrounded by so much that is just so perfect in every way and is so successful at everything they put their hand to. The point is laboured far too much, which hints at an attempt to increase the word count, whilst not having to think too much about a story.
Some would probably also say that the book is a bit too violent. This could be true to some extent, but I guess the story is what it is and it is about violence. However if Wilbur is going to write in the modern context then perhaps he should be writing about more modern ways of solving problems. So have your violent battle, but when the bad guy is caught, he should be brought to justice, not just shot in the head as if that's what people in the USA or UK do!
I eventually finished the book largely because I was a bit bored and by the end found that I had enjoyed it as a whole. I'm glad I read it on the Kindle not as a normal book because this way I got it much cheaper and wouldn't have thought it worth the full price!!! I know this review seems very negative but overall the book is still better than some.
In summary, it seems to me to be very unpolished and sloppy for a writer as great as Wilbur Smith.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
THOSE IN PERIL
i HAVE BEEN TOTALLY ABSORBED BY ALL WILBUR SMITH BOOKS FOR YEARS - UNTIL JUST HAVING READ THIS LATEST. Read more
Published 1 day ago by PHILSAS
Those in Peril, Wilbur Smith
Briliant, full of action, emotion, twists and turns. Kept me engaged all the way from start to finish. One of his best novels.
Published 3 days ago by Robin
I f like me you want to buy this book because you have faith in Wilbur...
I think that Wilbur Smith has now lost his way, if like me you are a huge fan of his early works such as the Courtney series or my personal favourite The Sunbird, this book is not... Read more
Published 4 days ago by A D Mulhern
Those in peril gripping read
First book I have read from this author, couldn't put it down, travels along at a great pace and is gritty and at times funny. Well Worth a look.
Published 9 days ago by Noel
Those in Peril
Poor by previous standards.
Full of cliche characters.
Not a patch on earlier works - Birds of Prey, Blue Horizon etc
Still at almost 80 perhaps it is to be expected... Read more
Full of cliche characters.
Not a patch on earlier works - Birds of Prey, Blue Horizon etc
Still at almost 80 perhaps it is to be expected... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Doug
Those in Peril
I have been an avid reader of Wilbur Smith for many years and have all his books because they are worth reading more than once. Read more
Published 17 days ago by June Woods
Those in Peril
Wilbur Smith has written some of my favorite books over the years and without exception, they have been a really good read. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Bing
Those in Peril, Wilbur Smith
A very good read about a relevant topic. Your attention is retained from start to finish. A worthwhile buy and reasonably priced.
Published 25 days ago by Penny
those in peril
Those in Peril was the first book I've read by Wilbur Smith. The most I can say about it; was that it was okay. The summary prepared me for an action packed novel. Read more
Published 26 days ago by zaheera
Don't Rely on the Blurb
Bought based on the blurb I was expecting a decent advenure from a writer I'd heard was excellent, this is my first Wilbur Smith and after this I won't be buying any others. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Pjk Patching
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