Die By The Sword, Tony Park’s twenty-third novel, is a sweeping, dual timeline story, from the battle fields of the Anglo-Zulu war, to present day KwaZulu-Natal. It’s an absolutely ripping yarn, with masses of fast moving action, historical facts, a touch of romance and, as always, a strong emphasis on the importance of animal conservation.
1880: Former Captain Peter Gregory of the British Army, second son of an aristocratic British family and veteran of the ferocious battle of Isandlwana, Zululand the previous year is attempting without much success to farm in the Natal Midlands, and working as a member of the Natal Mounted Police. Peter has been ordered to escort an American woman to meet up with the Empress Eugenie who is travelling to the memorial site where her son, the Prince Imperial of France, lost his life fighting with the British army in the Anglo-Zulu war. Peter is also tasked with tracking down the sword the prince carried into battle, which had belonged to his great-uncle, Napoleon Bonaparte.
The present day: Adam, who is now Professor Kruger, is working with two of his young students, researching sea turtles at the beach at Bhanga Nek. Adam’s partner, Lieutenant Colonel Sannie van Rensburg, is in the KZN hinterland, having taken temporary charge of the Hawks’ Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit. Sannie and Warrant Officer Marilyn Msani are investigating a case of cattle theft as well as the alleged slaughter of sixteen rhinos.
Adam and his students make an astonishing find which leads them into dangerous territory; meanwhile, Sannie and Marilyn become involved in their own dangerous discoveries. On the personal side, Sannie is starting to wonder if her relationship with Adam is going to survive his single minded devotion to his new career.
Someone once remarked to me that Tony writes in the style of James A Michener, in equal parts informative and entertaining. I couldn’t have put it better myself. Thank you Pan Macmillan, for my ARC.