Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
St. Martin's Paperbacks (2012), Edition: Reprint, 480 pages
Description
An adventure set in the violent world of modern piracy and terrorism follows the kidnapping of an oil heiress's daughter for a multi-billion-dollar ransom and the efforts of Cross Bow Security head Hector Cross to secure her release.
User reviews
LibraryThing member thejazzmonger
Terrific, and timely, plot idea: daughter of a wealthy female American oil oligarch is kidnapped by fanatical Islamic sea pirates. And the plot unfolds in surprising but plausible ways. A good story, and yet...
I was somewhat disappointed. It's kind of picky, I know, but the main character, Hector
""Bannock Oil's affairs had been lagging of late but now they took an upward turn, not entirely because of the increasing price or oil. Hector flew to Abu Zara and after five days of discussion with the Emir he obtained the offshore drilling rights foe the entire coastline of the Emirate abutting the Zara no. 8. They brought in the first productive gas well eleven months later. It was a storming success." (pp. 244-245.)
A couple of pages later:
"At Hector's urging the Bannock management started to take seriously the exploration of alternative energy. Hector acquired five patents from a young engineering savant that nobody else had ever heard of. The patents had such potential for cheaper and more efficient production of wind energy that both Shell and Exxon were soon bidding for a share in the venture. At the end of the second financial year since Hector had come on board, Bannock was able to declare an increase of seven and a half per cent on their dividend. The share price, which had been drifting in the doldrums for several years, shot up to $255." (pg. 249)
Not enough that our guy knows his weapons and tactics, is a beloved leader of his crew, an affectionate and lusty lover and has the wits and daring to overcome a powerful enemy. He is the second-coming of Warren Buffet, too. These "resume buffers" were completely unnecessary and were a side trip that killed the momentum of the story.
It is a rousing tale. And Wilbur Smith creates a fascinating antagonist who is easy to loathe. I enjoyed it, to a degree, but it was a little like watching a good adventure movie be interrupted by presidential campaign ads every half-hour. You remember what that's like, don't you?
I was somewhat disappointed. It's kind of picky, I know, but the main character, Hector
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Cross, is pushed at us just a little too aggressively. He is a little TOO perfect at absolutely everything. And we learn this not so much by seeing it played out in the story but just being told, like in a press release. In a few paragraphs, our "security expert" becomes the brilliant, innovative force behind the resurgence of Bannock Oil.""Bannock Oil's affairs had been lagging of late but now they took an upward turn, not entirely because of the increasing price or oil. Hector flew to Abu Zara and after five days of discussion with the Emir he obtained the offshore drilling rights foe the entire coastline of the Emirate abutting the Zara no. 8. They brought in the first productive gas well eleven months later. It was a storming success." (pp. 244-245.)
A couple of pages later:
"At Hector's urging the Bannock management started to take seriously the exploration of alternative energy. Hector acquired five patents from a young engineering savant that nobody else had ever heard of. The patents had such potential for cheaper and more efficient production of wind energy that both Shell and Exxon were soon bidding for a share in the venture. At the end of the second financial year since Hector had come on board, Bannock was able to declare an increase of seven and a half per cent on their dividend. The share price, which had been drifting in the doldrums for several years, shot up to $255." (pg. 249)
Not enough that our guy knows his weapons and tactics, is a beloved leader of his crew, an affectionate and lusty lover and has the wits and daring to overcome a powerful enemy. He is the second-coming of Warren Buffet, too. These "resume buffers" were completely unnecessary and were a side trip that killed the momentum of the story.
It is a rousing tale. And Wilbur Smith creates a fascinating antagonist who is easy to loathe. I enjoyed it, to a degree, but it was a little like watching a good adventure movie be interrupted by presidential campaign ads every half-hour. You remember what that's like, don't you?
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LibraryThing member ChromiumDomium
Formulaic, pronographic in parts and totally predictable with wooden characters and little imagination. The basic plot is fairly predictable, but actually not too bad. Unfortuanately WS's recent works have gradually succumbed to the tendency of many modern authors (of little imagination) to
If you can stomache an anachronistic story about a beautiful, super rich, super talented, super athletic, godess like female called Hazel, teamed with a super tough, super handsome, super ruthless hero called Hector seeking vengeance against the tyranny of some dastardly Islamic Somalian Pirates, mixed with predictable treachery and barbarism then this is the story for you.
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describe exactly the function of our body parts during sex or rape. Wilbur Smith used to do this sort of stuff without going into all the gory detail, but describe enough to let your imagination build the picture. I've read all but one of Wilbur Smith's novels and apart from "Assegai", "Warlock" and the "Quest" this is without doubt his worst yet.If you can stomache an anachronistic story about a beautiful, super rich, super talented, super athletic, godess like female called Hazel, teamed with a super tough, super handsome, super ruthless hero called Hector seeking vengeance against the tyranny of some dastardly Islamic Somalian Pirates, mixed with predictable treachery and barbarism then this is the story for you.
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LibraryThing member adpaton
‘As real as tomorrow’s headlines’ is a frightful cliché but it is still delightful to read a novel to which that phrase applies, so a tale of piracy on the high seas, kidnapping, mercenaries, and derring-do in the oil-saturated Arabian deserts, featuring strong silent men and sulky, sexy
Except when the characters are so irritating and unlikable you begin to loathe them, the sex is either forced and violent or so gratuitous and distasteful as to be embarrassing, and the story itself so badly told that it is – despite the promising scenario – a tad boring.
Wilbur Smith the writer was many things, but boring was never one of them: ‘Those in Peril’ is fairly readable if you’re not too sensitive about style and content but a far cry from his best
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women, would appear to be a sure-fire hit. Except when the characters are so irritating and unlikable you begin to loathe them, the sex is either forced and violent or so gratuitous and distasteful as to be embarrassing, and the story itself so badly told that it is – despite the promising scenario – a tad boring.
Wilbur Smith the writer was many things, but boring was never one of them: ‘Those in Peril’ is fairly readable if you’re not too sensitive about style and content but a far cry from his best
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LibraryThing member bjbookman
One of my favorite adventure writer is Wilbur Smith. When he writes an action scenes he is second to none.
Now to 'Those in Peril". Wilbur has given us characters that are so perfect, that they are impossible to like. The villians felt cartoonish, they use their manhood more that their swords.
I'm
If you want to read Wilbur Smith at his best try 'When Lions Feed". and pass on ' Those in Peril".
I really enjoy Wilbur Smith, no one wanted to like his newest novel more than me, I just couldn't.
Now to 'Those in Peril". Wilbur has given us characters that are so perfect, that they are impossible to like. The villians felt cartoonish, they use their manhood more that their swords.
I'm
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am far from a prude, but what is with all the graphic sex? If Wilbur needed filler, why didn't he concertrate on his strong points, better character devolpement or more action scenes? If you want to read Wilbur Smith at his best try 'When Lions Feed". and pass on ' Those in Peril".
I really enjoy Wilbur Smith, no one wanted to like his newest novel more than me, I just couldn't.
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LibraryThing member lyncos
Profoundly disappointing! I have read and enjoyed a great many of Wilbur Smith's books and was looking forward to reading this one. I almost can't believe this book is by the same author! This book is totally formulaic, with one dimensional characters and a very predictable plot (if that is what it
I do not recommend this book. It was a waste of my very valuable reading time!
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is). His descriptions of raw , graphic brutality seem designed for one reason only - to sell the book. And that is a very sad commentary on a formerly good author.I do not recommend this book. It was a waste of my very valuable reading time!
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LibraryThing member tottman
Those in Peril deals with a very topical subject, modern-day piracy. The private yacht of a rich oil baroness, Hazel Bannock, is hijacked by pirates and her daughter held for ransom. When legal means of recovering her daughter prove fruitless, she turns to the ex-military head of her private
The action sequences in this book are very well written and enjoyable. Those sequences and the leadup to them cover about two-thirds of the book. The other third of the book, dealing with character development and “romance” was simply not credible. The graphicness of the sex scenes didn’t bother me, though they may some, but the unbelievability of them did. They seemed straight out a teenage boy’s dreams, or a late-night Cinemax movie.
Worse though, was the character development. I found myself rooting for one of the “good” characters to get roughed up because she was so thoroughly unlikeable. The two main characters, Hector and Hazel, while likeable enough, had lapses in judgement that were painful to read. The author also felt the need to explain what the characters had done in “thinking to themselves” passages rather than let the action and the dialogue speak for itself. Most of the characters, both “good guys” and “bad guys”, made awful and inexplicable decisions seemingly because the plot had nowhere to go if they had just been a little smarter.
The pace of the book was generally good, except for a puzzling lull in the middle, and the setting and action of the story was very entertaining. Don’t expect to see this book on any list of award nominees, but if you like action and can overlook the lack of believable characters, this book is worth the read.
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security; a man she doesn’t trust or respect, but who will take actions that governments can’t or won’t.The action sequences in this book are very well written and enjoyable. Those sequences and the leadup to them cover about two-thirds of the book. The other third of the book, dealing with character development and “romance” was simply not credible. The graphicness of the sex scenes didn’t bother me, though they may some, but the unbelievability of them did. They seemed straight out a teenage boy’s dreams, or a late-night Cinemax movie.
Worse though, was the character development. I found myself rooting for one of the “good” characters to get roughed up because she was so thoroughly unlikeable. The two main characters, Hector and Hazel, while likeable enough, had lapses in judgement that were painful to read. The author also felt the need to explain what the characters had done in “thinking to themselves” passages rather than let the action and the dialogue speak for itself. Most of the characters, both “good guys” and “bad guys”, made awful and inexplicable decisions seemingly because the plot had nowhere to go if they had just been a little smarter.
The pace of the book was generally good, except for a puzzling lull in the middle, and the setting and action of the story was very entertaining. Don’t expect to see this book on any list of award nominees, but if you like action and can overlook the lack of believable characters, this book is worth the read.
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LibraryThing member wscott2
Wilbur Smith is an excellent adventure writer. This book was pretty good, but not his best work. When I pick up his books, I always expect them to be as good as his Egypt book series so I am always a little dissappointed when I do not get into the book as much as I did with those. This book was
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still worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member MissYvonnee
Having read Wilbur Smith’s novels in the past I was looking forward to his newest adventure in “Those in Peril”. The premise of modern day piracy sounded interesting and exciting. The main characters were interesting but not completely believable. There is a lot of detailed violence,
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brutality and sex in this novel. Not one of his better novels for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member 23blue
On the outset I wasn’t sure I would like this book because of some incorrect or impossible technical details (discerning a boot pattern from a moving helicopter after a sandstorm, shooting semtex and having it explode, and the weight of ammunition). However the story captured my attention and I
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ended up really enjoying it. One of the things that Smith did is he lets the story takes place over a longer time frame, years. In other books in this genre the story and the action seems to take place over a compressed periods of time. He is also willing to let good guys die, to often we see all the bad guys get wiped out and all the good guys go on living, and this seem unrealistic to me. Overall once I got into it I hardly set it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member sundance41
Those in Peril is a great thriller that keeps your interest and excitement up throughout the entire story. Exciting plot that gets everyone involved, characters that are well developed and keeps your interest. IT was two stories in one, The first was an unabashed thriller, revenge seeking plot line
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that works for what it is. His story has you rooting for the good guys and keeping your anxiously awaiting the finale. The second, is a love story of 2 diametrically opposed forces of nature. While just as unbelievable as the first plot line, I found it a bit tedious and less germane to the whole story. If you are looking for a great summer beach read, this book is it. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeaconBernie
One really gets their money's worth with this book. Two main plot lines and a host of lesser stories. Of course, the characters are pretty much the same but it just doesn't stop, ignoring an excellent place. It is also rather brutal. The two principal characters are the stuff of Superman and
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Superwoman with hardly a human flaw between them. Still, I would read more work of Mr Smith Show Less
LibraryThing member coker74
Reading Those In Peril was my first Wilbur Smith book. It won't be my last either. His writing style is a good bit more graphic than what I find in most books, but I liked it. It's more of a "guy" book. His storyline kept me coming back for more, wondering what was around the bend or over the next
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sand dune. His "Superman" character, Hector Cross, does everything and anything, but that's what a good character is supposed to do in an adventure. Makes for a good yarn. I would recommend this book to anyone who has not read Wilbur Smith. Think you'll find his style "different," but entertaining. Show Less
LibraryThing member melissajoy
After reading Those In Peril I understand why Wilbur Smith is my uncles favorite author. His writing was engaging, the characters could be visualized, and I felt like I was learning about other cultures. I look forward to reading more of his books.
LibraryThing member hansue
Wilbur Smith’s “Those in Peril” begins soon after Hector Cross, the owner of Cross Bow Security, has killed an Arab, the son of an African pirate leader. When two attempts to kill him (a blood debt) fail, the leader of the Muslin pirates kidnaps the daughter of Hazel Bannock, one of the
Cross and his men save Cayla, kill the pirate leader, fall in love and return to the United States to start a new life with Cross working for Bannock Oil.
But blood feuds are not easily forgotten and they will soon have to return to Africa to settle their own blood feud, rescue the people being held captive by the pirates, and destroy the pirate town.
I found the book very anti-Islamic. The Muslims in the book rape, steal, torture, kill, cripple children, behead gay men, and stone a woman to death with great glee, all the while quoting the Koran and praising Allah. Except for a few paragraphs where Cross says that both christianly and Islam are fine and noble religions and what is being done is just a handful of extremists, Islamic people are definitely the bad guys. When the Americans settle their blood debt, by killing the leader of the pirates, it is seen as noble and right and approved by God.
The outrageous displays of wealth are also troublesome. Houses, land, planes, offices, yachts, a mausoleum with its own caretaker, the most expensive wines in the world, are a little too much.
The book is a quick read, lots of action, and as always, the Americans are the good guys.
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world’s richest and most powerful women. She has contracted with Hector Cross to guard her installations and its personnel in Africa. When Hazel cannot get the government to intervene and rescue her daughter and she receives evidence of her daughter’s torture, she asks Cross to save her daughter.Cross and his men save Cayla, kill the pirate leader, fall in love and return to the United States to start a new life with Cross working for Bannock Oil.
But blood feuds are not easily forgotten and they will soon have to return to Africa to settle their own blood feud, rescue the people being held captive by the pirates, and destroy the pirate town.
I found the book very anti-Islamic. The Muslims in the book rape, steal, torture, kill, cripple children, behead gay men, and stone a woman to death with great glee, all the while quoting the Koran and praising Allah. Except for a few paragraphs where Cross says that both christianly and Islam are fine and noble religions and what is being done is just a handful of extremists, Islamic people are definitely the bad guys. When the Americans settle their blood debt, by killing the leader of the pirates, it is seen as noble and right and approved by God.
The outrageous displays of wealth are also troublesome. Houses, land, planes, offices, yachts, a mausoleum with its own caretaker, the most expensive wines in the world, are a little too much.
The book is a quick read, lots of action, and as always, the Americans are the good guys.
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LibraryThing member lwhitmill
A great story line that captures the imagination because of both its timeliness and its poetic justice of love gained, lost and then gained again. I must warn you that some of the language is a bit “sappy” for a mystery but the overall store is well worth forgetting the romantic dialog.
A must
A must
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read for those who are news and mystery junkies. Show Less
LibraryThing member CLMCQ57
I haven't read any of Wilbur Smith's books in several years. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read his latest book, "Those in Peril". It was an exciting story, once I got thru the first few chapters - I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the main character, Hector Cross, and hope
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to see him in future books. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy adventure type stories. I am now going to go back and look for other books written by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member qstewart
This was my introduction to author Wilbur Smith. He grabs the readers attention from the first and holds it to the end of his book. I enjoyed reading "Those in Peril" and look forward to reading more of his works. If you are an action book fan then this book fills that role extremely well.
From the
The action scenes are good and the chase through the countryside is exciting and interesting. For those interested in action then there is plenty of action through the first part of the book. I did find that the book drags toward the end when the final confrontation is being set up. The final battle and the end of the book is worth the wait.
I look forward to reading more of Mr. Smith's books. "Those in Peril" is a good exciting read and is well worth the time.
From the
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outset one becomes a fan of Hector Cross and his security firm. With Cross, Smith has a character that does what many of us wish could be done to the pirates that we hear about in the press today. We read the news and see the pictures on television and want to end the senseless violence that we see. In Cross and his employees we find a group that are willing to fight these battles.The action scenes are good and the chase through the countryside is exciting and interesting. For those interested in action then there is plenty of action through the first part of the book. I did find that the book drags toward the end when the final confrontation is being set up. The final battle and the end of the book is worth the wait.
I look forward to reading more of Mr. Smith's books. "Those in Peril" is a good exciting read and is well worth the time.
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LibraryThing member gwnsad
Hector Cross, security specialist, is asked by his boss to rescue her hi-jacked daughter. The ensuing chase across oceans and continents is chocked full of peril and intrigue. The action is non-stop with edge-of-your-seat tension that only makes you wish for more. The characters are fully realized
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and work together with the obvious frisson that would be expected in such precarious circumstances. This book is just absolute terrific. I was so sorry when it came to an end. This was my first read from Mr. Smith. I look forward to reading his other books. Show Less
LibraryThing member chgstrom
I thought this book started strong, lagged in the middle, and ended okay. The story involves terrorists in the middle east and their vendetta against a rich American family who owns an oil company. There is a lot of action, and I could definitely see this book being made into an action-thriller
I thought the basic idea of the story was good. However, some of the events that happened were just too unbelievable, and some of the relationships were just too sappy. I particularly found it annoying that an 18-year old girl and her mother would basically talk baby talk to each other.
The book does move quickly and keeps the reader engaged.
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movie.I thought the basic idea of the story was good. However, some of the events that happened were just too unbelievable, and some of the relationships were just too sappy. I particularly found it annoying that an 18-year old girl and her mother would basically talk baby talk to each other.
The book does move quickly and keeps the reader engaged.
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LibraryThing member Boobalack
This was basically a very good book, but there were a few things that dropped it down to four, instead of five, stars. For instance, it was a given from the start that the two main characters, who started out being antagonistic toward each other, would fall in love and be together before it was all
I thought the ending was rather weak. There's one statement in the ending that just does not ring true. Yes, I know this is fiction, but there are some things that, even in fiction, must be. I cannot tell you what that statement is because it definitely would be a spoiler.
My dislikes aside, this book is still worth a read. The characters are well-developed, and the action moves at a pretty rapid pace. There's enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. It's a very good plot.
Have you ever found yourself while watching a movie or a television program saying almost out loud something like "Oh, no, don't do that!" This book had me reacting that way more than once. Mr. Smith is a master at drawing in the reader and keeping him or her under his spell.
This book does present a frightening picture of the cruelty of some Muslim pirates and Sheiks. It also has a few quotes from the Koran that will give you chill bumps. I know enough about Mr. Smith's work to know that he does extensive research; therefore, I trust any observations he made about the nature of the Beast. This is not to say all Muslims are of this ilk, but the ones who are involved in piracy and other acts of terrorism certainly fit that category.
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over. That's surely not a spoiler because it is so formulaic. Another thing is the too-detailed descriptions of sexual torture. In addition, Mr. Smith would have you believe that women are ready for sex at the drop of a hat, or the pulling down of underwear. No getting ready of any kind. I thought the ending was rather weak. There's one statement in the ending that just does not ring true. Yes, I know this is fiction, but there are some things that, even in fiction, must be. I cannot tell you what that statement is because it definitely would be a spoiler.
My dislikes aside, this book is still worth a read. The characters are well-developed, and the action moves at a pretty rapid pace. There's enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. It's a very good plot.
Have you ever found yourself while watching a movie or a television program saying almost out loud something like "Oh, no, don't do that!" This book had me reacting that way more than once. Mr. Smith is a master at drawing in the reader and keeping him or her under his spell.
This book does present a frightening picture of the cruelty of some Muslim pirates and Sheiks. It also has a few quotes from the Koran that will give you chill bumps. I know enough about Mr. Smith's work to know that he does extensive research; therefore, I trust any observations he made about the nature of the Beast. This is not to say all Muslims are of this ilk, but the ones who are involved in piracy and other acts of terrorism certainly fit that category.
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LibraryThing member mrdoan72
Wow. This book is awsome .It grabs you from page one. the storyline excelent. I havent read a book this good in a long time. Highly recommend
LibraryThing member mamzel
Exciting high seas and desert adventure with kidnapped heiresses, a blood feud, lots of guns and guts, and, of course, a gizzled hero. Hector Cross is the security head of a large oil-based company headed by the attractive widow, Hazel Bannock. When her luxury yacht, the Amorous Dolphin (!), is
The rescue is one of two climaxes in this story. The first is carried out on land in a fictitious emirate named Abu Zara. The second on board the natural gas carrier called the Golden Goose which is used to lure the evil Arabs into Heck's sights.
Full of stereotypical Arabs, Smith doesn't paint the 'civilized' Americans much more civilized as they end the blood feud bloodily. Lots of action, this book is a real page turner.
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pirated with daughter, Cayla, aboard, Hazel seeks help from the U.S. and Royal Navy without results. It's up to Hector to save the girl from the brutal Arab pirates. Little does he know that he is up against the Sheikh who has already lost two sons to Heck and has engineered this kidnapping to draw Heck into his sights. The rescue is one of two climaxes in this story. The first is carried out on land in a fictitious emirate named Abu Zara. The second on board the natural gas carrier called the Golden Goose which is used to lure the evil Arabs into Heck's sights.
Full of stereotypical Arabs, Smith doesn't paint the 'civilized' Americans much more civilized as they end the blood feud bloodily. Lots of action, this book is a real page turner.
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LibraryThing member daisygrl09
Hector Cross owns and runs Cross Bow, a private security company. Their main client is Bannock Oil in the Middle East. The daughter of the owner of Bannock Oil is kidnapped and held for ransom. Hector and his men, along with the owner if Bannock Oil go after the daughter. The book is full of
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action. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys lots of action and adventure. Show Less
LibraryThing member stang50logan
Great read. This was a book that was a roller coaster from the get go. The characters were well developed and the story line was pretty good. There were many highs and a few lows. I struggled a bit with some of the terminology throughout...Author seems to be from another country. Worth the read
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very enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Smits
another wonderful adventure romp by Wilbur Smith. Found this one a tad violent. maybe I'm just getting old. however I still am glued to the pages and Mr Smith can still tell a rivoting story like no one else.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
ISBN
1250003237 / 9781250003232