Black Horn

Creasy #4

by A.J. Quinnell

In Zimbabwe a young American woman is shot dead by a sniper at her camp on the bank of the Zambezi River. In Hong Kong, Lucy Kwok, a Chinese air hostess, returns from Tokyo to find her father, mother and brother have been brutally murdered. The killings are linked — to Africa.

Ex-mercenary Creasy is hired to find the American woman's killers, and when Lucy Kwok discovers that the truth behind her family's death also lies in Zimbabwe, a fateful meeting is set in motion.

Ranging from the African bush to the backstreets of Hong Kong, Black Horn is a towering story of violence, vengeance and a love born of danger.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Action

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

A. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.

When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.

Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.

The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.

Reviews

[Gina Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD...why???? This book has a horrible tragedy in it. Can't tell you what or I'll give it away...but WHY, Quinnell, WHY? Ugh...such a waste. Mrs.Manners was an interesting character to watch though- I liked her transformation.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the other books, the characters are really what make this book. I paid a fair amount of money for this, but it was worth it.

[Ed Raner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been reading this series just to see what kind situations A.J. Quinnell could come up with next. I think the author hit a new low in this one. He seems to think that it's appropriate for a young man to commit suicide. The young man is paralyzed from the waste down and thinks that he has no life ahead of him so he crawls out of his hospital bed, works his way to the window in his room, and proceeds to get out and fall four floors to his death. Not a good idea to write this kind of garbage. Who knows who might read this and figure "that's the way for me." I finished this one, and managed through the gang rape of a young Chinese girl, but no more of this author for me.

Ed

[James Schoen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, Creasy and his merry band of ex-mercenary friends are hired by an insanely rich woman to find out who killed her daughter in Africa. There is a second related murder in Hong Kong. While tracking the killers in Africa, Creasy learns of a Triad connection and sets about eliminating them from planet Earth. In what was a surprise for me, the Triad gang is responsible for one of the main characters dying in Africa. The story moves along at a somewhat slow pace, building toward the eventual showdown climax. Much of the book is taken up with planning, and more planning, but it is still an entertaining read.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Creasy! This book starts with a mission in Africa to find out who killed a young American woman. Lots of information about tracking in that part! Then it shifts to Hong Kong to go after the 14K, a Triad gang responsible for the killing of another young woman's family. And cold blooded Creasy, and his group of mercenaries, are more than up to the tasks! Well, most of them...

Creasy is the best! His support group is awesome! And his revenge is, as always, top notch! I'm sorry that there is only one more book. :-(

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely captivating series. It's the only thing that compares to the James Reece series, but not nearly as complex. What I love about these series is that they get straight to the point. For an action type of book it's not a very long read and I am coming to enjoy them. This book cut a bit deeper. Characters are evolving or being wrote off. It's always hard if you're invested in someone succeeding. This is definitely something I would recommend if you like Jack Reacher, James Reece or any other action type of novel.

[David Phipps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Creasy series. This time Creasy and crew are hired to do a job that as usual involves dishing out vengeance/justice. Much like the previous books overall but this book also had a very sad and shocking development involving one of the major characters that was hard to get past. I feel like Creasy made more mistakes in this book perhaps in part because he did not get to take as long to prep.
This book felt even shorter than the others. One more book left in this series.

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost done. I have now read 4 of the 5 Creasy (Man on Fire) thrillers. I will for sure read the last one, and then two or three other Quinnell thrillers. Just keep the spirit of Denzel in mind as you read the Creasy adventures.

[David Gilburd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

This is the 4th book of the series, and I read all four in one week! Quinn all grabs you and won't let go, very intense and riveting. I think a series of movies based on these books would be better than 007!A

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again... not as good as the first two Creasy Novels, but it’s ok. Reading the final book in the series. Hopefully, ends on a somewhat better feel.

[Carol Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

More Creasy.

More of the same. If you dig the others, this one is ok. If you haven't read the first two, do that instead.

[L Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it couldn't put it down. I wish he was still alive to write more of these kind of books. Each one is worth to become movie.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisp action

Keeps you wanting more!!! Creasy continues to battle forces determined to defeat him. But, his strength and moral compass continue to shine

[virginia decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Excellent action and descriptions of surrounding territory. I would unhesitatingly recommend this to anyone who liked action and revenge books.

[Adam Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the worse of the Creasy series so far. It feels like Quinnell ran out of ideas and didn't care towards the end.

[David Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, excellent series, looking forward to the last Creasy book 5

[Merle Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent xxx

[V.madhusudan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Creasy action book, but with a different level of suspense.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milton

[James Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I liked the excellent details of the action, the morals of good versus evil and being a combat Veteran, I can relate to action. I miss I s…..

[R Ricalde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Creasy novel with the requisite heartache and vengeance. Creasy perseveres but at great personal loss.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinnell writes a gook thriller combining Africa with Asia, and gets a little loving on the side.

[Dot Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same

Decent enough tale but it is more death and vengeance with a pinch of soft core pornography thrown in, as in the previous books.