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Wrath of the Lion
The hunt is on for a submarine prowling the English Channel in this undersea thriller from the New York Times–bestselling author of Rain on the Dead. In the waters off the French coast, a predator is on the loose. The French submarine L’Alouette has come under the control of the OAS—an ultranationalist group dedicated to maintaining France’s dominion in Algeria. They have been wreaking havoc in the Channel’s shipping lanes—including the cold-blooded murder of a prosecutor who put several of the group’s comrades in prison. Former SAS soldier Neil Mallory is sent by British Intelligence to join with a French agent based in the Channel Islands. But even on the sparsely populated isle of St. Pierre, it seems their mission is being confounded by someone who knows their next move before they even think of it. And time is running short. Because the madmen aboard the L’Alouette are changing their course away from mere piracy and chaos toward something far worse. With the worldwide success of The Eagle Has Landed, Jack Higgins established himself as a true master of the modern thriller—and after decades in the game, his novels continue to electrify countless fans around the world.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1964
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333 people want to read
About the author
Harry Patterson
47 books29 followersOne of the many pseudonyms used by Henry Patterson. See Jack Higgins for more complete information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 18, 2024
‘Take him below, Jacaud. He and Guyon can spend their last hours together trying to solve an impossible problem. The thought will amuse me.’
Wrath of the Lion is another good example of how ratings are such a blunt instrument. There are plenty of “better” books I’ve given three stars to. However, sometimes its just fun to read a story on rails with ham-fisted opponents, and Higgins was a genuine talent at writing these – he made a lot of money for a reason!
The cool thing about the 1960s setting is you had a treasure trove of events to flash your characters back to without it seeming too unnatural. Higgins is nonetheless pretty sparing about using flashbacks to derail the storyline – see Avenger for an example where over-reliance on writing out every element of a character’s backstory causes major pacing issues.
‘What I did to Li he would have done to me,’ Mallory said. ‘The purpose of terrorism is to terrorise. Lenin said that. It’s on page one of every Communist handbook on revolutionary warfare. You can only fight that kind of fire with fire. Otherwise you might as well lie down and let the waves wash over you. That’s what I brought out of that Chinese prison camp, General.’
Higgins’ one extended set piece is the protagonist’s service in the Malayan Emergency, demonstrating his ruthlessness and ability to outthink his enemies. Putting aside that set piece’s slapstickness, plausibility issues, and questionable moralising, the scene captures the key character traits without Higgins having to work it into the main storyline. Those are normally weighty things to “put aside” but I see these books as fantasies in their own way – the scene demonstrates an aspect of the protagonist’s character in an interesting way, so I am willing to forgive a few “imperfections”.
Something that Higgins does seem to struggle with in Wrath of the Lion is moving his characters around – they suddenly pop in and out of scenes with little appreciation for how they got there undisturbed. It’s a trim novel so it is a pretty minor thing, but it does lead me to appreciate the craft of those who do “set the scene” more carefully.
Otherwise it is a sharp story with enough cleverness and restraint in its twists, avoiding shock for more of a wry grin from the reader. Maybe skip through these parts though:
She looked incredibly young and innocent and yet the wind from the sea moulded the thin cotton dress to her firm young figure with a disturbing sensuousness.
December 2, 2016
This is another of the older Jack Higgins novels that was original published in the name of John Long in 1964.
His older books have been rather hit and miss. This was one of the better ones. It was actually quite good. One of the characters who was in it briefly was Owen Morgan, who I think from the description is the same one from another of Higgins book A Game for Heroes. But I could not be sure as Higgins seems to reuse characters names and I am never always sure if they are the same ones. Sometimes in that respect there seems to be a lack of continuity in some of his books with them.
The storyline was okay and it actually read quite well and kept the attention. I ended up with a 3.5 which I rounded down rather than up. Mainly for the reason that the book finished rather abruptly and did not for me seem to totally finish and tie up the lose ends. Other than that it was not bad.
His older books have been rather hit and miss. This was one of the better ones. It was actually quite good. One of the characters who was in it briefly was Owen Morgan, who I think from the description is the same one from another of Higgins book A Game for Heroes. But I could not be sure as Higgins seems to reuse characters names and I am never always sure if they are the same ones. Sometimes in that respect there seems to be a lack of continuity in some of his books with them.
The storyline was okay and it actually read quite well and kept the attention. I ended up with a 3.5 which I rounded down rather than up. Mainly for the reason that the book finished rather abruptly and did not for me seem to totally finish and tie up the lose ends. Other than that it was not bad.
June 9, 2012
Got to the eighth chapter (about 30%), but it just did not grab me enough to continue reading. A bit slow paced for me.
January 22, 2023
Ending a bit abrupt, otherwise enjoyed this more than I expected to.
August 5, 2016
Everything is not what it seems…
Neil Mallory, an ex-officer, and paratrooper in the army, is now working behind the scenes. He is James Bond, minus the double o prefix and the license to kill (though he does a pretty good job even without the official sanction).
A French terrorist fraction has absconded with a mini-submarine belonging to the French navy. The sub was originally designed and built by Germany in 1945 but was sunk, with the loss of all hands, shortly after launching. It was consequently raised, salvaged, and recommissioned under the tricolor of France. The L’Alouette is being used to carry out various terrorist operations and her whereabouts while docking is unknown. The Island of St Pierre off the Guernsey coast is a possibility and British Intelligence wants Mallory to investigate.
This has everything you would want and probably expect from a tale of espionage and suspense. Quick and decisive violence, coupled with loads of smoking and drinking (in 1964 when it was published, these were much-desired pastimes and not frowned upon as now fifth-plus years later), and romantic interludes with beautiful, desirable, and willing women. There is virtually something for everyone.
Although in my opinion, this story isn’t at the very top of his works, it is a good, solid, and spellbinding yarn and well worth the time and effort to read it.
Neil Mallory, an ex-officer, and paratrooper in the army, is now working behind the scenes. He is James Bond, minus the double o prefix and the license to kill (though he does a pretty good job even without the official sanction).
A French terrorist fraction has absconded with a mini-submarine belonging to the French navy. The sub was originally designed and built by Germany in 1945 but was sunk, with the loss of all hands, shortly after launching. It was consequently raised, salvaged, and recommissioned under the tricolor of France. The L’Alouette is being used to carry out various terrorist operations and her whereabouts while docking is unknown. The Island of St Pierre off the Guernsey coast is a possibility and British Intelligence wants Mallory to investigate.
This has everything you would want and probably expect from a tale of espionage and suspense. Quick and decisive violence, coupled with loads of smoking and drinking (in 1964 when it was published, these were much-desired pastimes and not frowned upon as now fifth-plus years later), and romantic interludes with beautiful, desirable, and willing women. There is virtually something for everyone.
Although in my opinion, this story isn’t at the very top of his works, it is a good, solid, and spellbinding yarn and well worth the time and effort to read it.
May 16, 2015
It wasn't that this book was necessarily bad I just found it hard to get into. Or more like I'd just get into it and then had to stop reading, wouldn't read for a couple of days and then it would just be so hard to get back into that eventually I gave. May give it another go one day though and try to actually finish it next time.
Reached page 207.
Reached page 207.
October 9, 2018
Utter Waste of time, it's like a b-grade movie with a high-end plot, some violence, one superhuman character who survive against all odds, a young woman in distress, a villain who turn good at the end but betrayed by second in command and importantly no logical purpose of the story.
Its one of the books you start and wish to complete it ASAP so you are out of the pain of reading it.
Its one of the books you start and wish to complete it ASAP so you are out of the pain of reading it.
May 10, 2014
A good quick read, a bit slow in the middle. As usual with Jack Higgins the action when it comes is fast paced. Characters are all a bit stiff though, no room for development I guess. If you are looking for lots of action you have it here in diverse settings.
January 9, 2011
It's my own fault. I love books about submarines. But I forgot to remind myself that Jack Higgens wrote "The Eagle Has Landed" plus 50 so-so books. This is one of the so-sos.
August 8, 2014
it was OK, it was better than the last one of his I read.
December 9, 2013
Awful story, didn't really flow. I'm glad his stories got a bit better.......
August 29, 2014
Typical Jack Higgins.
November 4, 2022
The book held my attention. I had some trouble with French politics that I knew nothing about. I don’t remember a war over Algeria. People belonged to the OAS and I have no idea what that organization was. Book involves Brits and Frenchmen, so can’t be Organization of American States, which is the only OAS I know. I did remember the French in Viet Nam, so at least I knew something. Wish I’d reviewed this history before reading the novel. I recommend this novel, but strongly suggest you look up some French history in Algeria, and Viet Nam as well as how DeGaulle got back into power. Book will make a lot more sense.
Having said that, I didn’t remember Higgins being so much like James Bond. The bad guys catch the good guys. They fully intend to kill them. Later. First, they have to tell them all their plans and show them all their cool toys. The good guys get away and the bad guys are foiled again. Curses!
[After reading these books for 60 years, I can say that if I ever become a bad guy, (and at my age, I suspect it’s too late for me to launch a career as a villain. I’d rather take a nap) and catch a good guy that I intend to kill, I’m just going to do it. Nobody will write a book about it, nobody will know how fiendishly clever I am, but I won’t have to feed him for a couple of days and I’ll win. Best of all, I won’t have to have a contractor out to build a dungeon in my basement before I can even go after whoever it is I’m after. And I won’t have to go up and down the basement stairs on my bad knee to taunt my prisoner. I suppose I’d still need the shark tank to dispose of the body. But, I don’t think my social security check would cover the price of shark chow anyway. Maybe alligators are cheaper, but I’m sure the city would make me clean up their poop. Sigh. I don’t think I have to think it out again. I’m a good ‘un and a good ‘un I will stay]
Anyway, The Higgins characters come across as real people, with real agendas. They’re fighting for what they think is right, with a major disagreement of what that is. No silly names. The submarine at the beginning of the book is the only cool toy, but it’s probably real. Lots of action and adventure. Still, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading James Bond.
Like another reviewer I objected to the book just stopping. Didn’t really end , it just stooped.
Having said that, I didn’t remember Higgins being so much like James Bond. The bad guys catch the good guys. They fully intend to kill them. Later. First, they have to tell them all their plans and show them all their cool toys. The good guys get away and the bad guys are foiled again. Curses!
[After reading these books for 60 years, I can say that if I ever become a bad guy, (and at my age, I suspect it’s too late for me to launch a career as a villain. I’d rather take a nap) and catch a good guy that I intend to kill, I’m just going to do it. Nobody will write a book about it, nobody will know how fiendishly clever I am, but I won’t have to feed him for a couple of days and I’ll win. Best of all, I won’t have to have a contractor out to build a dungeon in my basement before I can even go after whoever it is I’m after. And I won’t have to go up and down the basement stairs on my bad knee to taunt my prisoner. I suppose I’d still need the shark tank to dispose of the body. But, I don’t think my social security check would cover the price of shark chow anyway. Maybe alligators are cheaper, but I’m sure the city would make me clean up their poop. Sigh. I don’t think I have to think it out again. I’m a good ‘un and a good ‘un I will stay]
Anyway, The Higgins characters come across as real people, with real agendas. They’re fighting for what they think is right, with a major disagreement of what that is. No silly names. The submarine at the beginning of the book is the only cool toy, but it’s probably real. Lots of action and adventure. Still, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading James Bond.
Like another reviewer I objected to the book just stopping. Didn’t really end , it just stooped.
April 13, 2020
This is an interesting espionage novel with a terrific locale - it makes me want to take a holiday to Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
I loved the descriptions of the Middle Passage (particularly its comparison to a cathedral with light streaming in at angles) and the reef of black rocks between Ile de Roc and St Pierre - I wonder if it is based on the Écréhous reef off Jersey, which has a similar tide.
A particular highlight for me is the chapter-long flashback which explains Mallory’s sobriquet ‘The Butcher of Perak’ and how it richly adds to his characterisation as a conflicted soul.
I love the similarities between the Jack Higgins novels: the Akerboon Twin Screw steel Hull with Penta petrol engines is redolent of Jack Savage’s boat in ‘Night Judgement at Sinos’; Tewak, Mallory’s adjutant in Perak, reminds me of Rose Graham’s keeper in ‘Sad Wind from the Sea’ also called Tewak, who is tortured and killed in a similar manner to the Al Bowlly-listening character Meyer in ‘The Savage Day’; the marshes of Ile de Yeu remind me of the marsh scenes of numerous Jack Higgins novels such as ‘Sad Wind from the Sea’, ‘A Prayer for the Dying’, ‘Brought in Dead’, ‘Toll for the Brave’ and so many others. If you are aware of other similarities, I would be interested in reading about them; please leave a comment.
Feel free to read my other reviews.
© François
I loved the descriptions of the Middle Passage (particularly its comparison to a cathedral with light streaming in at angles) and the reef of black rocks between Ile de Roc and St Pierre - I wonder if it is based on the Écréhous reef off Jersey, which has a similar tide.
A particular highlight for me is the chapter-long flashback which explains Mallory’s sobriquet ‘The Butcher of Perak’ and how it richly adds to his characterisation as a conflicted soul.
I love the similarities between the Jack Higgins novels: the Akerboon Twin Screw steel Hull with Penta petrol engines is redolent of Jack Savage’s boat in ‘Night Judgement at Sinos’; Tewak, Mallory’s adjutant in Perak, reminds me of Rose Graham’s keeper in ‘Sad Wind from the Sea’ also called Tewak, who is tortured and killed in a similar manner to the Al Bowlly-listening character Meyer in ‘The Savage Day’; the marshes of Ile de Yeu remind me of the marsh scenes of numerous Jack Higgins novels such as ‘Sad Wind from the Sea’, ‘A Prayer for the Dying’, ‘Brought in Dead’, ‘Toll for the Brave’ and so many others. If you are aware of other similarities, I would be interested in reading about them; please leave a comment.
Feel free to read my other reviews.
© François
May 17, 2018
I listened to it as an audiobook on cassette. I bought it a long time ago and then never listened to it, I forget why, but eventually I couldn't because I didn't have a working cassette player. Then last week I got a loaner car while mine is in the shop and it only plays cassettes! So I listened to this. Unfortunately it turned out to be an abridged version, which normally I avoid because I prefer the original version. And the narration sometimes was hard to make out clearly. I probably would have liked it if I read it on paper and the full book, but it's hard to say much one way or another in this case.
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November 21, 2021The fourteenth jack higgins / harry patterson / henry patterson novel wrath of the lion published in 1964
A stolen submarine. A group of french ex-military conducting assassinations of french political and judicial figures. A secret mission from British intelligence to stop them. Lies. Deceit. Betrayal. Classic jack Higgins tropes such as diving, seamanship, mood enhancing rain and medicinal brandy. Certainly one of the best of his novels so far. An intriguing first half that builds suspense and holds a lot of potential the second half is a fraction muddled and the ending is rather abrupt but effective. Would make a good Sunday afternoon movie.
A stolen submarine. A group of french ex-military conducting assassinations of french political and judicial figures. A secret mission from British intelligence to stop them. Lies. Deceit. Betrayal. Classic jack Higgins tropes such as diving, seamanship, mood enhancing rain and medicinal brandy. Certainly one of the best of his novels so far. An intriguing first half that builds suspense and holds a lot of potential the second half is a fraction muddled and the ending is rather abrupt but effective. Would make a good Sunday afternoon movie.
July 23, 2019
In the Cold War a renegade French submarine, L'Alouette is intent on engulfing Europe in all out war.
Her crew are on a mission to kill all in the name of France.
Only an ex Korean War hero has the knowledge and skills to try and stop them so Neil Mallory sets out with a small band of helpers to try and shatter a seemingly unstoppable force.
Exciting and fast paced this is a great thriller with an intrepid sense of adventure blended in.
Her crew are on a mission to kill all in the name of France.
Only an ex Korean War hero has the knowledge and skills to try and stop them so Neil Mallory sets out with a small band of helpers to try and shatter a seemingly unstoppable force.
Exciting and fast paced this is a great thriller with an intrepid sense of adventure blended in.
June 5, 2021
Exciting espionage story
This is one of Jack Higgins better novels . The main character is Mallory a spy working for the government. He is to find a submarine and the man giving the orders . The threat must be eliminated . Of course Mallory succeeds in the end but a good story . However, I liked The Good Shepherd better.
This is one of Jack Higgins better novels . The main character is Mallory a spy working for the government. He is to find a submarine and the man giving the orders . The threat must be eliminated . Of course Mallory succeeds in the end but a good story . However, I liked The Good Shepherd better.
December 17, 2018
Yet another book by Jack Higgins I had never read before!
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have enjoyed all his other books.
Full of action, adventure, suspense, but with the underlying knowledge that Jack Higgins won't let the bad guys win for too long.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have enjoyed all his other books.
Full of action, adventure, suspense, but with the underlying knowledge that Jack Higgins won't let the bad guys win for too long.
November 6, 2019
Not one of his better books. While entertaining, the relationships didn't seem believable. Apparently these people formed deep and loving relationships based on a few conversations and perhaps a kiss or two.
April 1, 2022
I honestly don't even know what to classify this book. There was too many characters for me and it seems to kind of Jump Around. I did read it but there's so many characters it's hard to follow. It did not draw my attention and hold it for sure.
June 28, 2025
Unusual but Entertaining
This is different from other books I have read by this author, but highly entertaining. Only sorry that the book ended in the fashion it did, but it is what one should expect.
This is different from other books I have read by this author, but highly entertaining. Only sorry that the book ended in the fashion it did, but it is what one should expect.
October 15, 2017
Suomenkielinen teos luettu = 'Taistelu kunniasta'
August 21, 2018
Fantastic!
August 23, 2018
Great escapist fare from the master.
February 17, 2019
Wrath of the Lion by Jack Higgins... The author revolves the story in a pace that outsmarts his own pen... fast paced thriller.
August 18, 2020
Fast paced action from start to finish! Loved it!
October 12, 2020
Light enjoyable action read. Not my favourite Higgins, but the geographic descriptions are easy to picture in one's mind's eye.
May 16, 2021
It was an ok book
Read it on vacation. It kept me interested but not one of my favorite Higgins stories and I have read over 50 of his books.
Read it on vacation. It kept me interested but not one of my favorite Higgins stories and I have read over 50 of his books.
October 28, 2021
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