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The Shell
Mombasa beach: The dream holiday of a lifetime turns into a nightmare for a young couple. Brutally attacked and kidnapped, she has to battle for survival in one of the remotest and most dangerous areas of north east Kenya. He has to find and rescue her - before it is too late.
Palm trees line an idyllic beach of white coral sand. An Arabian dhow sails on the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Two lovers are ruthlessly torn apart, perhaps forever. Lucy is bound and helpless, taken far from the safety of the world she knows. Unconscious and bleeding, nothing has prepared Steve for what he needs to do.
The inability of the authorities to help means Steve has to find the strength and courage to risk his own life in the desperate search for Lucy and fight back against the kidnappers. His journey takes him deep into the African wilderness, where death and danger wait for the unwary.
Lucy’s journey is mental as well as physical as she discovers how easily the protective shell of her old world has been stripped away. Everything she took for granted is gone and she has to fight to survive, one day at a time. Whatever happens, she knows her life will never be the same again.
Based on actual events and current news reports, this fast-paced action and adventure novel explores the reality of the tensions between the old tribal ways and life in the new, rapidly developing country of Kenya.
Palm trees line an idyllic beach of white coral sand. An Arabian dhow sails on the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Two lovers are ruthlessly torn apart, perhaps forever. Lucy is bound and helpless, taken far from the safety of the world she knows. Unconscious and bleeding, nothing has prepared Steve for what he needs to do.
The inability of the authorities to help means Steve has to find the strength and courage to risk his own life in the desperate search for Lucy and fight back against the kidnappers. His journey takes him deep into the African wilderness, where death and danger wait for the unwary.
Lucy’s journey is mental as well as physical as she discovers how easily the protective shell of her old world has been stripped away. Everything she took for granted is gone and she has to fight to survive, one day at a time. Whatever happens, she knows her life will never be the same again.
Based on actual events and current news reports, this fast-paced action and adventure novel explores the reality of the tensions between the old tribal ways and life in the new, rapidly developing country of Kenya.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2013
7 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Tony Riches
27 books471 followersTony Riches is a full-time author from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, an area full of inspiration for his writing.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2013
Imagine you are a young, White, tourist couple, wanting to explore the world and ending up in Mombasa, Africa. On your trip, you’ve already seen magnificent animals in local safaris, you’ve snorkled off the coast in crystal clear waters, and you’ve tasted interesting food and drinks at your luxurious hotel. Life couldn’t be more perfect, right? Well....
In Tony Riches’ page-turning book, The Shell, very quickly the wife, Lucy, gets kidnapped for ransom and the story goes on from there.....The chapters alternate between Lucy’s husband Steve’s quest to get her back, and Lucy’s story, as she tries to cope with her captors. The book is rich with descriptions of Africa’s beautiful terrain and brutal heat, of some people who are extraordinarily kind, others who are savage, and the importance of learning how to survive in unexpected situations.
It might make you think twice about visiting certain areas of the world, and it will definitely make you appreciate great story-telling! In short, I recommend it highly!
In Tony Riches’ page-turning book, The Shell, very quickly the wife, Lucy, gets kidnapped for ransom and the story goes on from there.....The chapters alternate between Lucy’s husband Steve’s quest to get her back, and Lucy’s story, as she tries to cope with her captors. The book is rich with descriptions of Africa’s beautiful terrain and brutal heat, of some people who are extraordinarily kind, others who are savage, and the importance of learning how to survive in unexpected situations.
It might make you think twice about visiting certain areas of the world, and it will definitely make you appreciate great story-telling! In short, I recommend it highly!
March 24, 2013
The Shell is the gripping story of a kidnapping that takes place on a remote beach near Mombasa. Author Tony Riches bases his well written and carefully crafted novel on actual events that have taken place amidst the exotic locales of game reserves and idyllic resorts in Kenya. A highly recommended read!
The Shell
The Shell
July 15, 2014
Firstly the book cover is very striking, the eye looking deeply out at you, connects to the book in several places. You never know just who is watching you. This story is about the kidnapping of Lucy a British tourist on holiday in Mombasa, Kenya with her husband Steve. They ignore the safety warnings about not leaving the hotel beach and sadly are the victims of desperate people who see rich westerners as an easy money source.
Although the British Government policy is not to pay ransoms, I'm sure any family who have a member kidnapped will do anything to get them safely back. This book resonates with many actual kidnapping cases in war-torn and dangerous parts of the world.
Lucy is taken first by boat and then lorry towards to border with Somalia. It is believed she is taken by rebels sympathetic to the local Pokomo tribes. The Pokomo are a settled agricultural people who constantly fight over land and water with the nomadic cattle-herding Orma peoples. Mixed with this the political unrest caused by enforced borders and there is a ticking time-bomb in the whole area.
Lucy's husband was knocked unconscious in the kidnap attack and wakes on the beach to find Lucy gone. With the help of the hotel staff, the local police and the British Consulate the search for Lucy begins. Lucy is taken on a frightening journey and must rely on her inner strength and common sense to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to her.
The main kidnapping story is supported by a lot of back story in the form of day dreams, memories and dreams from both Steve and Lucy. I did enjoy reading about the tribal conflicts and how the peoples of Kenya lived and dealt with everyday incidents. So much of the real people's lives are lost in news reports which focus on the violence and horror. Tourism brings much money to poor countries but it also brings new problems which affect the balance of nature and those who live a simpler life.
Although the British Government policy is not to pay ransoms, I'm sure any family who have a member kidnapped will do anything to get them safely back. This book resonates with many actual kidnapping cases in war-torn and dangerous parts of the world.
Lucy is taken first by boat and then lorry towards to border with Somalia. It is believed she is taken by rebels sympathetic to the local Pokomo tribes. The Pokomo are a settled agricultural people who constantly fight over land and water with the nomadic cattle-herding Orma peoples. Mixed with this the political unrest caused by enforced borders and there is a ticking time-bomb in the whole area.
Lucy's husband was knocked unconscious in the kidnap attack and wakes on the beach to find Lucy gone. With the help of the hotel staff, the local police and the British Consulate the search for Lucy begins. Lucy is taken on a frightening journey and must rely on her inner strength and common sense to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to her.
The main kidnapping story is supported by a lot of back story in the form of day dreams, memories and dreams from both Steve and Lucy. I did enjoy reading about the tribal conflicts and how the peoples of Kenya lived and dealt with everyday incidents. So much of the real people's lives are lost in news reports which focus on the violence and horror. Tourism brings much money to poor countries but it also brings new problems which affect the balance of nature and those who live a simpler life.
May 9, 2015
Diverting from his better known genre of historical fiction, Tony Riches has written a thriller suggested by fact - the kidnapping of a British woman from the Kenyan coast by a gang of pirates.
British couple Steve and Lucy are strolling on an idyllic beach, forgetting warnings not to stray too far. As they watch, a speedboat approaches and in a few violent moments Steve is lying unconscious, and Lucy has vanished.
The book follows their predicament from both points of view: the frightened but resourceful young woman in the hands of pitiless kidnappers, and her husband and father working with the Kenyan police to try to find her in the vastness of Kenya as she is transported further and further towards the barren northern frontier. Steve and his team must work fast and think on their feet if they are to save her.
Then an unexpected twist occurs, and Lucy is caught up in an even more frightening situation of bloodshed and terror.
You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.
Having lived in Kenya, the author knows and portrays the warmth and kindness of the local people, and the dedication and efficiency of the often-maligned Kenyan police.
There is a moral to the story. Kenya is a magically beautiful and safe country for tourists, as long as they respect the warnings to avoid danger areas.
Stunning cover!
British couple Steve and Lucy are strolling on an idyllic beach, forgetting warnings not to stray too far. As they watch, a speedboat approaches and in a few violent moments Steve is lying unconscious, and Lucy has vanished.
The book follows their predicament from both points of view: the frightened but resourceful young woman in the hands of pitiless kidnappers, and her husband and father working with the Kenyan police to try to find her in the vastness of Kenya as she is transported further and further towards the barren northern frontier. Steve and his team must work fast and think on their feet if they are to save her.
Then an unexpected twist occurs, and Lucy is caught up in an even more frightening situation of bloodshed and terror.
You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.
Having lived in Kenya, the author knows and portrays the warmth and kindness of the local people, and the dedication and efficiency of the often-maligned Kenyan police.
There is a moral to the story. Kenya is a magically beautiful and safe country for tourists, as long as they respect the warnings to avoid danger areas.
Stunning cover!
May 12, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed The Shell. it is a real page-turner with the story twisting and turning right to the end - i couldn't put it down!
The story is set on the Mombasa beach where a young married couple are enjoying a walk, during a holiday of a lifetime, when an Arabian dhow appears in the distance on the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. As it sails closer and Lucy and Steve stop to admire it, two men jump out and brutally kidnap Lucy, leaving Steve standing helplessly on the beach.
The author describes the combination of an idyllic holiday destination and lurking danger, which is sadly true of the kenya coast today, brilliantly. I certainly recommend this book to my friends.
The story is set on the Mombasa beach where a young married couple are enjoying a walk, during a holiday of a lifetime, when an Arabian dhow appears in the distance on the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. As it sails closer and Lucy and Steve stop to admire it, two men jump out and brutally kidnap Lucy, leaving Steve standing helplessly on the beach.
The author describes the combination of an idyllic holiday destination and lurking danger, which is sadly true of the kenya coast today, brilliantly. I certainly recommend this book to my friends.
March 14, 2016
This was not my favourite read of the year. At times I found it a little pedestrian and it didn't quite flow for me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews