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Hector Cross #2
Vicious Circle
Internationally bestselling author Wilbur Smith returns with Vicious Circle--a heart-racing story of family secrets, greed, and revenge.Hector Cross left behind a career of high risks and warfare when he married his beloved Hazel Bannock. But after his new life is tragically upended, he recognizes the ruthless hand of an old enemy behind the attack.
Determined to fight back, Hector draws together a team of his most loyal friends and fellow warriors to hunt down those who pursue him and his loved ones. For he and Hazel have a child, a precious daughter, whom he will go to the ends of the earth to protect.
Soon, however, Hector learns that the threat comes not just from his old enemies, but also Hazel's. Brutal figures from her family's past—thought long gone—are returning, with an agenda so sinister that Hector realizes he is facing a new type of adversary. One whose deadly methods and dark secrets will lead Hector to a series of crimes so shocking that he has no choice but to settle the score.
433 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2013
550 people are currently reading
1820 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
320 books4,392 followersWilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
November 5, 2013
One of his worst. Characters lack dimension, or on the other hand, are over blown. Plot is ridiculous, taking time out from your heat-of-the-moment, uncontrollable rage because there's no clues to follow. Or renting a ridiculously expensive apartment because of security concerns, only to go jogging on the beach with your baby daughter with two security men. Or meeting someone, then being ready for that next lifetime commitment on the next date. And don't get me started about the sexual exploits, either so perverted (and overly described) as to be laughable, or from a page of a naughty romance with his larger than life male organ. Give me a break. More like a first novel in the cartoon genre than one from an experienced writer.
March 2, 2014
Terrible book. As a matter of fact, I suspect Wilbur Smith did not even write this book but it was written by a ghost. Paper thin plot, fractured story line, incompatible time line and seemingly spur of the moment twists in the development of this book.
Not what I would describe as a classic Wilbur Smith novel. Very disappointing. Either WS has lost his touch or he needs to get himself a new ghost writer.
This book is nothing but vulgar gratuitous violence mixed with copious mixed references to sexual deviance. Waste of time and funds. Bye Bye Wilbur S. You are hereby removed from my reading list.
Not what I would describe as a classic Wilbur Smith novel. Very disappointing. Either WS has lost his touch or he needs to get himself a new ghost writer.
This book is nothing but vulgar gratuitous violence mixed with copious mixed references to sexual deviance. Waste of time and funds. Bye Bye Wilbur S. You are hereby removed from my reading list.
October 31, 2013
I did not expect a novel of such low calibre from someone who has written fantastic thrillers in the past. Utterly forgettable. The characters are not well fleshed out at all. The plot is pathetic to say the least.
Please don't bother buying this book.
Please don't bother buying this book.
October 27, 2013
Wilbur Smith still can write extremely good. But the level of human cruelty in this book was too much for me to handle...
December 21, 2013
Crap.
Smith has long been one of my favorite writers. His books, while certainly containing violence, always had historical and political significance. His Birds of Prey trilogy helped lift me out of a deep depression several years ago. This book has none of those redeeming factors. This is glitz mixed with shock violence.
I have run out of use for gratuitous sex and violence. Thus no use for this book.
Smith has long been one of my favorite writers. His books, while certainly containing violence, always had historical and political significance. His Birds of Prey trilogy helped lift me out of a deep depression several years ago. This book has none of those redeeming factors. This is glitz mixed with shock violence.
I have run out of use for gratuitous sex and violence. Thus no use for this book.
October 13, 2013
The book lacked depth, the plots were too basic and Mr Smith glorifies the other side of sexuality that made it fairly repulsive.
August 9, 2016
This is a completely disgusting book. A large part of it deals with a man repeatedly raping his own under-age ( and I mean less than 10 years old) step sisters in graphic detail, and then when he is in prison he arranges for them to be sent to an isolated island where they are forced to work in a brothel. There is even worse stuff that I can't bring myself to talk about. I really don't want to read about this kind of stuff. I couldn't even finish the book. Wilbur Smith should be ashamed of himself. I will never read another of his books.
October 27, 2013
Definitely the worst of Wilbur Smith (if it was even written by Wilbur himself). The decline is sad and pitiful.
May 18, 2014
Stephen King says on the cover of this book "You can get lost in Wilbur Smith." In my opinion Wilbur Smith lost his way sometime in the last fifteen years. I have read one of his novels, Monsoon, published in 1999 and gave it five stars. This is his most recent effort and I very nearly put it down without finishing due to waves of nausea. The title Vicious Circle relates to a never ending blood feud between two families and the telling of the tale is graphically sordid, bloody and unrealistic. The dialog is ridiculously amateurish for so prolific a writer. Not much to like about this one.
June 24, 2015
This book is like driving the scenic route to go watch a Robin Williams movie: The man is talented, you'll enjoy the ride, and when you get to the end he may surprise you with a rare piece of brilliance. But in all likelihood the end will be at best forgettable, probably disappointing. And you knew that before you set off.
If only I had not read all 34 of his novels, I'd skip the next one and the one after that. But I will probably be here next year, writing a similar review. And the following year, and the one after that, until one of us gives up breathing.
Three and half stars, Wilbur.
PS: This is the most thick-skinned, sloppiest, uncrafted, unashamedly self-serving of all your endings. I dock you half a star. Three it is.
PS2 - this post script follows about 10 months after the original review: I've just read an interview with Willie revealing he has signed a multi-miillion contract to release 5 more books -none of which he will personally write. That's correct: books written by ghost writers but released under the name of Wilbur Smith; like a Milli Vanilli but without the dreadlocks and the tight pants.
That's it then, I'm walking out, Wilbur. It was great knowing you for the most part but you cheated in the end.
If only I had not read all 34 of his novels, I'd skip the next one and the one after that. But I will probably be here next year, writing a similar review. And the following year, and the one after that, until one of us gives up breathing.
Three and half stars, Wilbur.
PS: This is the most thick-skinned, sloppiest, uncrafted, unashamedly self-serving of all your endings. I dock you half a star. Three it is.
PS2 - this post script follows about 10 months after the original review: I've just read an interview with Willie revealing he has signed a multi-miillion contract to release 5 more books -none of which he will personally write. That's correct: books written by ghost writers but released under the name of Wilbur Smith; like a Milli Vanilli but without the dreadlocks and the tight pants.
That's it then, I'm walking out, Wilbur. It was great knowing you for the most part but you cheated in the end.
October 14, 2013
Oh Wilbur...loved you once but really you should have given it away years ago.
August 10, 2016
I interviewed Smith a long time ago and found him to be an interesting, if peculiar, man. He was clearly a product of the nineteenth century who happened to be born in the twentieth, and was set to struggle with the twenty-first. His worldview was essentially colonial and, given what appeared to be his problematical relationship with his daughter, I was kind of glad that he wasn’t my dad.
On the other hand, his novels — the historical ones, at least — had given me enormous entertainment over the years, even as I began to recognize their sometimes outdated, and possibly offensive, sexual and racial underpinnings. He was perfectly pleasant company for the hour or two we spent talking at Dublin Airport, and had no particular airs about him. And it’s no mean achievement to reach one’s ninth decade and still be writing, although the £15 million book deal that he signed in 2012 includes a promise to produce up to two titles a year for three years with the help of “carefully selected co-authors.” As one newspaper put it, “Smith will reportedly sketch plot outlines and characters, leaving his appointed writers to flesh the skeletons out into full books.” Make of that what you will.
All of which is a preamble to discussing Vicious Circle, his latest novel and the second to feature security expert Hector Cross, when, in fact, I’d rather forget that I ever read it, and have that part of my brain excised. Smith’s novels set in the present day are always more problematical than his historical fictions, perhaps in part because it’s easier to gloss over the sexism and racism in the historicals by partially excusing them as reflections of the eras in which they’re set. Vicious Circle may just be the most unpleasant book that I’ve read in recent times, featuring a level of sexual violence inflicted on women and children unlike anything I’ve never previously encountered in a work of commercial fiction, including pedophilia, rape, anal rape, disembowelment, the removal of organs (ears, to be specific), shooting, stabbing, drowning, and the feeding of live women to hogs and crocodiles. The women who didn’t die came straight from central stock casting, and the only thing more disturbing than the content was the fact that there will apparently be a further sequel. Frankly, if I was one of his proposed ghostwriters and was handed an outline for another novel like this one, I think I’d wash my hands of the whole business and leave with my pride and dignity intact.
On the other hand, his novels — the historical ones, at least — had given me enormous entertainment over the years, even as I began to recognize their sometimes outdated, and possibly offensive, sexual and racial underpinnings. He was perfectly pleasant company for the hour or two we spent talking at Dublin Airport, and had no particular airs about him. And it’s no mean achievement to reach one’s ninth decade and still be writing, although the £15 million book deal that he signed in 2012 includes a promise to produce up to two titles a year for three years with the help of “carefully selected co-authors.” As one newspaper put it, “Smith will reportedly sketch plot outlines and characters, leaving his appointed writers to flesh the skeletons out into full books.” Make of that what you will.
All of which is a preamble to discussing Vicious Circle, his latest novel and the second to feature security expert Hector Cross, when, in fact, I’d rather forget that I ever read it, and have that part of my brain excised. Smith’s novels set in the present day are always more problematical than his historical fictions, perhaps in part because it’s easier to gloss over the sexism and racism in the historicals by partially excusing them as reflections of the eras in which they’re set. Vicious Circle may just be the most unpleasant book that I’ve read in recent times, featuring a level of sexual violence inflicted on women and children unlike anything I’ve never previously encountered in a work of commercial fiction, including pedophilia, rape, anal rape, disembowelment, the removal of organs (ears, to be specific), shooting, stabbing, drowning, and the feeding of live women to hogs and crocodiles. The women who didn’t die came straight from central stock casting, and the only thing more disturbing than the content was the fact that there will apparently be a further sequel. Frankly, if I was one of his proposed ghostwriters and was handed an outline for another novel like this one, I think I’d wash my hands of the whole business and leave with my pride and dignity intact.
May 24, 2014
Terrible.
If this had been his first written novel he would now be a retired plumber. I'm sad that this is actually a best seller. The plot is awful, the character development is weak and their interactions given the actual storyline become utterly unbelievable. I flicked through it just to get to the end. I shall not read the Hector Cross sequel.
Can I also add, Wilbur, there is no need to disgust your readers with horrific details of rape and murder. Excessive, unnecessary and probably should come with an age warning or parental advisory. If it were a movie it would be a banned porno or snuff flick. Disgusting.
His original Ballantyne and Courtney novels will live long in the memory an I'll pass them on to my children. But this is tripe.
If this had been his first written novel he would now be a retired plumber. I'm sad that this is actually a best seller. The plot is awful, the character development is weak and their interactions given the actual storyline become utterly unbelievable. I flicked through it just to get to the end. I shall not read the Hector Cross sequel.
Can I also add, Wilbur, there is no need to disgust your readers with horrific details of rape and murder. Excessive, unnecessary and probably should come with an age warning or parental advisory. If it were a movie it would be a banned porno or snuff flick. Disgusting.
His original Ballantyne and Courtney novels will live long in the memory an I'll pass them on to my children. But this is tripe.
November 5, 2013
I have read everyone of his books, starting back in the mid-1970s with "When the Lion Feeds". This is possibly his worse book yet.
September 6, 2016
Disappointed. I've been a Wilbur Smith fan for decades, so I know his general style; in my opinion this book just doesn't seem to work, and it's the first that I'll be advising people not to bother with. The protagonist, an ex SAS soldier and very successful businessman who built a huge security company up from scratch in the tough African environment - someone we should be cheering for - comes across in his speech and general actions as a pompous, pampered fool. He, a tough battle-hardened soldier and shrewd businessman, seems to spend absurd amounts of his day pondering which wine from his vast collection to have with dinner. My typical Kiwi response - "yeah nah".
He rushes off with his paramilitary cronies to kill someone to avenge the murder of his wife with no evidence whatsoever. When one of his closest friends points out that he's gone completely down the wrong track and made a huge mistake, he's not contrite or appreciative - he decides he now hates that friend for "betraying" him. Yeah nah.
Highly graphic scenes of sadistic violence ensure we hate the antagonists. Overdone and repetitive for my tastes. We get the point. They're bad. Move on.
And the ending? Again, yeah nah. Just silly and blatantly self-serving.
He rushes off with his paramilitary cronies to kill someone to avenge the murder of his wife with no evidence whatsoever. When one of his closest friends points out that he's gone completely down the wrong track and made a huge mistake, he's not contrite or appreciative - he decides he now hates that friend for "betraying" him. Yeah nah.
Highly graphic scenes of sadistic violence ensure we hate the antagonists. Overdone and repetitive for my tastes. We get the point. They're bad. Move on.
And the ending? Again, yeah nah. Just silly and blatantly self-serving.
March 3, 2014
What happened to happily ever after? Why is everyone so obsessed with making movies and series so dark and gloomy. Now Wilbur Smith has joined in this unnecessary phase! I finished this book, but I cannot say that I enjoyed it as I always do for Wilbur Smith books. Those in Peril was a fantastic thriller and did not need a follow-up especially not one of this calibre. Vicious Circle continues the story of Hector Cross and Hazel Bannock when it takes a turn for the absolute worse within the first couple of pages! An enormous amount of time is spent on making a clear history of what has transpired in the Bannock history which lead to the events of this book. Normally Wilbur Smith books have two action packed climaxes one relatively small leading to the final climactical master piece; I did not find anyone of them as gripping as Those in Peril. A clear opening is left for another sequel. I can only hope that it will redeem Vicious Circle.
November 6, 2013
Not worth buying.he should have stopped writing a few books ago.
How he thinks up such revolting human depravity,I surely can't imagine.
The story line is bad and totally unrealistic.
Full of perverted sex,death and revenge.Very little else and certainly none of the wonderful adventure that was in the books that made him so popular.Time to retire,Wilbur !
How he thinks up such revolting human depravity,I surely can't imagine.
The story line is bad and totally unrealistic.
Full of perverted sex,death and revenge.Very little else and certainly none of the wonderful adventure that was in the books that made him so popular.Time to retire,Wilbur !
January 23, 2014
Unnecessarily obscene. The story is foul and graphic.
I normally love Wilbur Smith, but this book is lazy, boring and sick.
I disliked it from start to finish. I'm going to give Wilbur Smith a break for a while.
I normally love Wilbur Smith, but this book is lazy, boring and sick.
I disliked it from start to finish. I'm going to give Wilbur Smith a break for a while.
December 5, 2023
"Conosci il tuo nemico. Studialo a lungo e a fondo, poi colpiscilo con la forza e il veleno di un cobra reale. Così recitava il motto di Hector Cross".
"Vendetta di sangue", prosecuzione naturale del bellissimo "La legge del deserto", si colloca un gradino sotto rispetto al suo predecessore. Scritto bene ed avvincente ma già dalle prime pagine si capisce cosa stia per succedere e cosa, a seguire, si scatenerà.
Spettacolare comunque l'idea del libro nel libro: Hector Cross, il protagonista dell'intera saga, si trova tra le mani un documento in cui è minuziosamente raccontata la storia della ricchissima famiglia della moglie appena trucidata. Comincia a leggerlo… e noi con lui!
Il rovescio della medaglia è dato dalle scene violente e di sesso: troppo esplicite e macabre le prime, troppo inverosimili le seconde (addirittura il neo vedovo Hector Cross trova subito consolazione "tra le gambe" di un'altra donna).
Wilbur Smith ha scritto decisamente di meglio ma, comunque, nel complesso si tratta di un bel romanzo che vale la pena leggere.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
"Vendetta di sangue", prosecuzione naturale del bellissimo "La legge del deserto", si colloca un gradino sotto rispetto al suo predecessore. Scritto bene ed avvincente ma già dalle prime pagine si capisce cosa stia per succedere e cosa, a seguire, si scatenerà.
Spettacolare comunque l'idea del libro nel libro: Hector Cross, il protagonista dell'intera saga, si trova tra le mani un documento in cui è minuziosamente raccontata la storia della ricchissima famiglia della moglie appena trucidata. Comincia a leggerlo… e noi con lui!
Il rovescio della medaglia è dato dalle scene violente e di sesso: troppo esplicite e macabre le prime, troppo inverosimili le seconde (addirittura il neo vedovo Hector Cross trova subito consolazione "tra le gambe" di un'altra donna).
Wilbur Smith ha scritto decisamente di meglio ma, comunque, nel complesso si tratta di un bel romanzo che vale la pena leggere.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
August 13, 2016
What I would like to know is who actually wrote this book?I have read all of Wilbur smith's books this is the worst by some distance ,I actually stopped reading it mid way through and plan to return it to the shop where I purchased it as a protest.Scenes of gratuitous violence and sexual perversion are not what I expect of Smith,what has happened to the writer of such great books as River God and The Lion Feeds?This book has characters so far fetched that it defies belief I have enjoyed all of Wilbur's books prior to this so please Wilbur get back behind the type writer and give us some of the wonderful storytelling that we know you are capable of.
March 22, 2014
I have read and loved many Wilbur Smith novels in the past. I overlooked the violence because it seemed true to the sometimes bloody history of Africa. This book, though, started out as soft porn and escalated quickly into hardcore filth. I skimmed here and there after reading the first five pages, and it certainly didn't seem to improve. Terrible.
February 12, 2016
I think this is the worst book I've read in many years. From unrealistic characters who live in a world of absurd paradise, from their looks, wealth and past, not to mention their two dimensional nature, through to the poor story telling in the scenes themselves and in the overall plot.
My first read of a book by WS, I think it may be my last.
My first read of a book by WS, I think it may be my last.
March 8, 2014
What shocks me more than the appalling lack of substance to the storyline is the fact that it still averages over three stars with user reviews. I basically agree with every other review of two stars or less. Utter rubbish.
December 6, 2013
Sadly not a book like Where the Lion Feeds!, I used to wait for a new Wilbur book with great anticipation but I doubt I will buy the next book.
May 13, 2021
If I could give this book zero stars, I would. Horrible, grotesque torture porn.
never-finished
August 16, 2015Too gory. I couldn't finish.
March 16, 2014
Let me start off by saying that I am a huge, giant, die-hard fan of Wilbur Smith.
Now that my affection and loyalty are unequivocally stated upfront,this was the most disappointing book of all his books.
Now that my affection and loyalty are unequivocally stated upfront,this was the most disappointing book of all his books.
December 6, 2021
As saddened as I am to review a book by an an author who has passed away recently in a negative manner, I really can't say liked this novel. I regret having finished it, in fact. There's a plethora of plot and characterisation issues, not helped by the often sexist, racist and homophobic tone. Often, the novel came across as vile and disgusting not in order to display the tragic nature of human cruelty, but just for the shock factor.
I can't even say that I felt the level of detail in the numerous rape and gang bang scenes was even remotely meaningful or did much for the plot, apart from reiterating that yes, the villains in this novel are terrible people. I've seen good novels describe horrific events far more subtly and with a lot more taste. Again, the violence in this novel just seemed … unnecessary.
The action sequences were uninteresting and told rather than showed. Often, I found myself just reading through the passages and hoping that they'd be over soon. I'm also annoyed by characters who seem to have it all and where the main source of drama revolves around vengeance but without any depth or nuance to it.
Avoid this. If you're looking for gore- and cheap thrills, just watch the Saw franchise. No point in wasting your time with this novel. If you're looking for novels dealing with dark themes -- again, don't waste your time with this.
I can't even say that I felt the level of detail in the numerous rape and gang bang scenes was even remotely meaningful or did much for the plot, apart from reiterating that yes, the villains in this novel are terrible people. I've seen good novels describe horrific events far more subtly and with a lot more taste. Again, the violence in this novel just seemed … unnecessary.
The action sequences were uninteresting and told rather than showed. Often, I found myself just reading through the passages and hoping that they'd be over soon. I'm also annoyed by characters who seem to have it all and where the main source of drama revolves around vengeance but without any depth or nuance to it.
Avoid this. If you're looking for gore- and cheap thrills, just watch the Saw franchise. No point in wasting your time with this novel. If you're looking for novels dealing with dark themes -- again, don't waste your time with this.
January 30, 2014
Definitely Wilbur's worst book to date..Those at peril being the second worse.. Any book has "love scene's" but in the last two book's by Wilbur "love scene's" are turning pornographic and is getting more and more so. And if this trend continue I will stop reading Wilbur's novel's because it is offending and overstep's that line between decent and indecent. I will not like for my children and grand children to know that I have read them or for them to find these two book's on my bookshelve. I am not proud any more to say Wilbur Smith is my favourite author. The last two book's (The Hector Cross novel's) are not Wilbur Smith's work's and if it is he is under heavy influence/pressure.There is still an underlying feeling of Wilbur's magic but - and I am so sad to say that if this continue we have lost one of the greatest writer's of our time after Assegai. I will rather wait two year's for a real Wilbur Smith written book in his old style than have two rushed book's written by "ghost writer's" and driven by greed (for money) per year.
Please return to your old self Wilbur - lose this trend or lose many of your reader's
Please return to your old self Wilbur - lose this trend or lose many of your reader's
Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews