by Johanna Richardson

Created on: November 15, 2009

This book was my second book of Wilbur Smith and I found it was another page turner, for its well-conceived plot and every lucid description. Wilbur Smith is a genuine writer, and has a distinctive style of his own; the writing is a joy to read. His cultural details that expands as the plot unfolds it illuminates a crucial juncture in early twentieth century history and the steep incline to the First World War, showing the problems and pitfalls of imperialism.

This is story of an ex-soldier, Leon Courtney, in 1913, who decides to become a big game hunter, who captivates you from page one. You get transported to colonial British East Africa, it is an enriching experience even if you have never been to Africa, and you feel that you belong there.

So this Ex-army officer turned big game hunter Leon Courtney is now running safari expeditions in East Africa for the rich and powerful, but it is 1913 and clouds of war are gathering over three continents.

In the end Leon is recruited by his uncle, Penrod Ballantine, who is the commander of the British military forces of the region, he asks him to gather information about one particular client, Count Otto von Meerbach, who is a German arms manufacturer. So his Safari expeditions become a smokescreen for a priority mission, spying. However, as Leon settles into his task he becomes infatuated and drawn into contact with the Count's mistress, the beautiful Eva.

He comes under her spell and falls in love with her, but finds life with her is more complicated that he expected, as she is also leading a secret life.

Count Meerbach has to temporarily go back to Europe and Leon then stumbles on the Count's plan to destabilize the British presence using disenchanted

He starts to worry that his love, Eva, appears to be part of this conspiracy, which starts to pose a problem for Leon, his country or his love?

Can he do something to stop the Count's scheme, without involving Eva, so he can protect and rescue her from danger this poses? When the Count returns to Africa, he finally finds out who is really behind these conspiracies.

Meerbach return to Africa that Leon finds out who and what is really behind the conspiracy.

It would be shame to let you in on the ending as it is explosive, and maybe not what you were expecting, but great.

This book was excellent and I cannot wait to read my next book, so I fully recommend this book to you.

Learn more about this author, Johanna Richardson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.