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Tweed & Co. #24
The Savage Gorge
It started with a scream of terror from the desperate girl ... Tweed and Paula take over the brutal murder case of two attractive women from plodding Chief Inspector Reebeck. A clue leads them to a remote rural country controlled by 'Pit Bull': human and dangerous. They meet his weird family: 'daughter' Margot: shrewd, unstable; his daughter Sable; his son Lance: well-mannered, observant; Mrs Shipton: grim housekeeper and Marius Lepke: a huge Cajun brought over by Pit Bull from New Orleans. Tweed explores the local peculiar village, meets local gossip, Mrs Grout. They visit the strange town of Gunners Gorge, bloodstained by Cromwell long ago. More murders are committed. 'NOT the work of a serial killer, ' Tweed insists. 'I sense something very big ... ' Is the key isolated Findel Square in the heart of London, HQ of OTRANTO, oil giant owned by devious womanizer Neville Guile? Tweed and Paula continue their non-stop race to solve the diabolical mystery. Time is not on their side.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Colin Forbes
157 books117 followersRaymond Harold Sawkins was a British novelist, who mainly published under the pseudonym Colin Forbes, but also as Richard Raine, Jay Bernard and Harold English. He only published three of his first books under his own name.Sawkins wrote over 40 books, mostly as Colin Forbes. He was most famous for his long-running series of thriller novels in which the principal character is Tweed, Deputy Director of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Sawkins attended The Lower School of John Lyon in Harrow, London. At the age of 16 he started work as a sub-editor with a magazine and book publishing company. He served with the British Army in North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. Before his demobilization he was attached to the Army Newspaper Unit in Rome. On his return to civilian life he joined a publishing and printing company, commuting to London for 20 years, until he became successful enough to be a full-time novelist.
Sawkins was married to a Scots-Canadian, Jane Robertson (born 31 March 1925, died 1993). Together they had one daughter, Janet.Sawkins died of a heart attack on August 23, 2006.
Sawkins was often quoted as personally visiting every location he features in his books to aid the authenticity of the writing. As a result, there is detailed description of the places where the action in his books takes place.
Fury (1995) was inspired by the courage of his wife before she died, and he set it apart from his other novels “because of the strong emotion and sense of loss that runs through it”.
Just one of Forbes' novels was made into a film: Avalanche Express, directed by Mark Robson and starring Lee Marvin and Robert Shaw, which was released in 1979 to generally poor reviews.
Sawkins attended The Lower School of John Lyon in Harrow, London. At the age of 16 he started work as a sub-editor with a magazine and book publishing company. He served with the British Army in North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. Before his demobilization he was attached to the Army Newspaper Unit in Rome. On his return to civilian life he joined a publishing and printing company, commuting to London for 20 years, until he became successful enough to be a full-time novelist.
Sawkins was married to a Scots-Canadian, Jane Robertson (born 31 March 1925, died 1993). Together they had one daughter, Janet.Sawkins died of a heart attack on August 23, 2006.
Sawkins was often quoted as personally visiting every location he features in his books to aid the authenticity of the writing. As a result, there is detailed description of the places where the action in his books takes place.
Fury (1995) was inspired by the courage of his wife before she died, and he set it apart from his other novels “because of the strong emotion and sense of loss that runs through it”.
Just one of Forbes' novels was made into a film: Avalanche Express, directed by Mark Robson and starring Lee Marvin and Robert Shaw, which was released in 1979 to generally poor reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 5, 2021
I have now read all of the Tweed series and enjoyed them all for their simple storytelling and loyal characterisations. This is not a series for those who like graphic violence interspersed with sordid sex scenes, it is of an age, and the language reflects that. Enjoy the stories and escapism with the good 'guys' winning the day.
I will now start the series again with book 1 "Double Jeopardy".
I will now start the series again with book 1 "Double Jeopardy".
May 10, 2012
This was his last book that he wrote at 83 years old in 2006. The language was quaint and old-fashioned, like something my Dad who was 87 in 2006 might have used.
Probably would have been a good book in the 50's and 60's but was really dated.
Probably would have been a good book in the 50's and 60's but was really dated.
February 25, 2019
This story seems very old fashioned considering it was released in 2006. Reminds me of famous 5 for grown ups.
Violence is not too graphic but they do like killing everyone possible.
A bit of a strange mixed up story with fairly obvious reveals. I expected better.
Violence is not too graphic but they do like killing everyone possible.
A bit of a strange mixed up story with fairly obvious reveals. I expected better.
October 10, 2013
Highly forgetable
July 21, 2017
Sorry I love these sorts of book but Desmond Bagley does it so much better. This book is so preposterous the story line the factual errors I really can't recommend this at all.
December 31, 2018
This is the first book of Colin Forbes I have read. The book clearly differentiates itself from the modern thrillers or detective works. I must say the more I read the older generation authors, the more I am liking them.
This is the last book by the author who passed away sometime after submitting the finished manuscript to the publisher (as mentioned in the beginning few pages of the book).
The writing style matches author's age and the story moves in a very fast paced mode, once picked up it just have to be finished as fast as possible. The plot is a very simple murder investigation leading to "something big".
This is the last book by the author who passed away sometime after submitting the finished manuscript to the publisher (as mentioned in the beginning few pages of the book).
The writing style matches author's age and the story moves in a very fast paced mode, once picked up it just have to be finished as fast as possible. The plot is a very simple murder investigation leading to "something big".
November 16, 2020
I didn't enjoy the style of writing at all - very strange - patronising towards the reader, and far fetched with respect to the story. I finished the book only because I wanted to hear the end of the story.
March 7, 2025
It's the book equivalent of a Jason Statham et al movie. All of them are. I love them for it and won't be ashamed to admit that I went to 4 stores specifically to find a book by Colin Forbes (well, maybe just a little).
May 29, 2018
I enjoyed it, and did not notice any of the "errors" mentioned by one or two others. Easy to read - I sped through it in 2 days.
June 17, 2018
Too many coincidences
April 27, 2020
Written very well though certain aspects seems little far-fetched....one of the many villains was eaten by a croc!
March 22, 2022
Just terrible. The plot is laughable, the writing is awful, it leaves out so much detail that the story doesn’t even make much sense. Would not recommend.
May 16, 2022
After few chapters i Wanted to drop this book but as i am building a reading habit right now i thought to let's complete it. The story was overall good. first 100 pages was bit confusing for me.
August 2, 2013
Tweed and Paula of the SIS take over the brutal murder case of two attractive women from the plodding Chief Inspector Reedbeck.
A vital clue leads them to the remote and beautiful countyside village of Hobartshire, an area controlled by the human but dangerous Lord 'Pit Bull' Bullerton. Where they meet Pit Bull's strange family, his volatile daughter Margot, his other intelligent daughter Sable, along with his well-mannered and observant son Lance, and Mrs Shipton, their grim housekeeper.
Into the picture appears the enigmatic private detective the
Ex - Police Inspector Dermot Falkirk, The world renowned oil prospector Archie MacBlade and an assassin known only as "Lepard".
Tweed explores the local village, peculiar in its ways, and meets the local gossip, Mrs Grout. With Paula at his side, he visits the strange town of Gunners Gorge, bloodstained by Cromwell long ago.
More murders are committed. "Not the work of a serial killer", Tweed insists, "I sense something much bigger" ...
Is Finden Square the key? Where the HQ of ONTRANTO, the giant oil corporation, is hidden in the heart of London. Owned by the devious womanizer Neville Guile.
Tweed, Paula and the team accelerate their dangerous race to solve the diabolical mystery. But time is not on their side ...
Not his best work but a good quick read or a an introduction to his books if you don't need to know the back histories on the main characters, as the plot is not as intricate a storyline as some of his other books .... but it can still keep you guessing as all of his books Do. As to just who, is the real villain.
If your anything like myself part of the fun of reading this type of detective book is trying to work out just who is the villain and whom is the good red heron... l.o.l
A vital clue leads them to the remote and beautiful countyside village of Hobartshire, an area controlled by the human but dangerous Lord 'Pit Bull' Bullerton. Where they meet Pit Bull's strange family, his volatile daughter Margot, his other intelligent daughter Sable, along with his well-mannered and observant son Lance, and Mrs Shipton, their grim housekeeper.
Into the picture appears the enigmatic private detective the
Ex - Police Inspector Dermot Falkirk, The world renowned oil prospector Archie MacBlade and an assassin known only as "Lepard".
Tweed explores the local village, peculiar in its ways, and meets the local gossip, Mrs Grout. With Paula at his side, he visits the strange town of Gunners Gorge, bloodstained by Cromwell long ago.
More murders are committed. "Not the work of a serial killer", Tweed insists, "I sense something much bigger" ...
Is Finden Square the key? Where the HQ of ONTRANTO, the giant oil corporation, is hidden in the heart of London. Owned by the devious womanizer Neville Guile.
Tweed, Paula and the team accelerate their dangerous race to solve the diabolical mystery. But time is not on their side ...
Not his best work but a good quick read or a an introduction to his books if you don't need to know the back histories on the main characters, as the plot is not as intricate a storyline as some of his other books .... but it can still keep you guessing as all of his books Do. As to just who, is the real villain.
If your anything like myself part of the fun of reading this type of detective book is trying to work out just who is the villain and whom is the good red heron... l.o.l
December 27, 2014
Forbes last book before he died, not one of his best I felt. The end felt a bit rushed and the conclusion of the story wasn't really fully explained. it feels like the book was perhaps rushed out as a result of his death.
I was a big fan of Forbes earlier books (those set in the cold war era) and still enjoyed all his later books, despite the fact they did become somewhat formulaic - with a mysterious megalomaniac intent on destruction & equally mysterious but beautiful "which side are they really on" females always featuring. they still were easy enjoyable reads. this book just annoyed me more than anything and its a shame
I was a big fan of Forbes earlier books (those set in the cold war era) and still enjoyed all his later books, despite the fact they did become somewhat formulaic - with a mysterious megalomaniac intent on destruction & equally mysterious but beautiful "which side are they really on" females always featuring. they still were easy enjoyable reads. this book just annoyed me more than anything and its a shame
November 2, 2013
The preface claims - “The Savage Gorge is, sadly, Colin Forbes' last novel. He delivered the completed manuscript to his publishers at the end of July and three weeks later, on 23rd August 2006, he died.”
I have a strong feeling that this Book is either a fake or somebody has used his unfinished material and tried to put together a new book (but the end result is awful)
The plot lacks any cohesion, the style of writing (or lack of it !) is dull - almost like a screenplay, there is no involvement with any of the characters and the grammar is so poor that it makes you want to constantly correct it !
I have a strong feeling that this Book is either a fake or somebody has used his unfinished material and tried to put together a new book (but the end result is awful)
The plot lacks any cohesion, the style of writing (or lack of it !) is dull - almost like a screenplay, there is no involvement with any of the characters and the grammar is so poor that it makes you want to constantly correct it !
March 7, 2016
A very poor end to the series, it was a pity that is author Colin Forbes last book, at 179 pages it is a short novel, compare with series in the high mark of over 500 pages (600 pages for The Power). Once again the author dislikes shine through out the novel, modern technology is ignored. Robert Newman is ignored along with an absent Pete Neild.
Overall a very sorry end to the series, RIP Colin Forbes
Overall a very sorry end to the series, RIP Colin Forbes
October 30, 2016
A CROCODILE really!? Thankfully, thIs is the last in the series. Having read the first 23 it is clear as day that this was not written entirely by Forbes, but I believe by an American who slipped up regularly, with poor grammar throughout, Fahrenheit & alarmingly allowing Tweed to use technology without question. Time to move on to Len Deighton.
January 5, 2012
I don't think I've ever read a book this bad. It's basically everything that's bad about the written word in a single book. Dull characters, a terrible plot, awful dialogue, no real exposition... I genuinely haven't ever read anything as terrible as this.
December 22, 2012
This book starts well in the beginning but seems to fade in the last few chapters. The ending to me is confusing and not exciting at all. Having read Colin Forbes Novels this one was not in the same spirit as previous writings by this author
April 4, 2013
This book was dreadful. Tortured plot, wooden characters completely lacking in depth, terrible grammar and a complete lack of proof-reading. Parts of the book seemed to be written in note form. I won't be reading more of his books.
September 2, 2014
A good read by a good author.
January 19, 2016
Poor characterisation, almost 1950s comic book style but not quite
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews