Disclaimer: Tony Park is my son. Thank you Pan Macmillan for my review copy.
In Tony’s twenty-first novel he once again uses his brilliant powers of observation to bring the African continent to life. Vendetta ranges over South Africa, Namibia and Angola.
Detective Captain Sannie van Rensburg is back, now a widow whose children have all left home. Sannie has taken up a post in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Mia Greenaway is back too, working as a safari guide for a lodge in the Kalahari Desert, Namibia. New to this book is Adam Kruger, part-time car guard at a shopping mall, surfer, dive boat handler, shark researcher and PHD candidate. He is also a veteran of the 1987 Angolan war. Sannie and Adam meet when Sannie gets a call to investigate a shooting incident in which Adam was involved at the mall where he works, and they strike up a casual friendship. Tony Ferri, also a war veteran, is a politician who looks like he could be the one to sort out South Africa’s many and varied problems, if he can stay on track, firstly, to become leader of his party.
Adam hears of the death of a veteran he served with in Angola and who has been working with Mia at the lodge in Namibia. Adam wants to go to the memorial service at the lodge but is not keen to meet up with former comrades whom he suspects will be there.
The story is told in two time lines: 1987 in Angola, and the present in South Africa and Namibia.
There are Tony’s usual concerns for Africa’s precious animals, both on land and in the sea, and in particular for the abhorrent trade in shark fins. New relationships develop and old memories are dragged up. There is loads of action and, of course, a bit of romance thrown in to balance out an absolutely riveting thriller read.
I know it is difficult but try not to read this book at break neck pace, like I always do, because it will all be over too quickly and leave you wanting more. Top marks, Tony! Well done!
Published by Pan Macmillan
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