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White Nile
Captain James Hillsdon, an Iraq War veteran, is scarred by his tours of duty. Desperate for solace, he travels up the course of the River Nile in an act of soul-searching. When he reaches the city of Khartoum, Sudan, he makes a discovery that places him at the heart of a global crisis, and into the hands of two American officials.
But Hillsdon is hiding a secret, and the Americans know about it. If his secret is ever revealed, the consequences for Hillsdon’s family will be unthinkable. He needs to make a choice, but if he chooses poorly, there will be no escaping the repercussions.
But Hillsdon is hiding a secret, and the Americans know about it. If his secret is ever revealed, the consequences for Hillsdon’s family will be unthinkable. He needs to make a choice, but if he chooses poorly, there will be no escaping the repercussions.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 17, 2025
We meet James as he struggles to come to terms with events he faced in the Iraq war,he is a troubled soul and finds himself on the streets of Khartoum the capital of Sudan…..what happens next can only be described as a real life changing moment as he innocently goes to look at the 2 sources of the Nile as they meet and stumbles across a situation that literally could and can change the world….it is then his story as he,with help,tries to avert the pending crisis and all the people he meets and deals with as the clock ticks and every second is valuable
This is an exceptionally well devised story,that without giving anything away really could happen and I believed every part of it,so much so I wouldn’t have been surprised to read in the authors notes it was a true story,it grabbed me and surprisingly forcefully took me on the journey through Khartoum ( all your senses are alerted to how the City lives and breathes ) and flung me into a world of double dealings and treachery
A word of warning the part on what happened in Iraq is detailed to an extreme and I did have to skim those few pages,it is brutally descriptive and disturbing as I guess is meant to be
That aside it is an outstanding thriller
This is an exceptionally well devised story,that without giving anything away really could happen and I believed every part of it,so much so I wouldn’t have been surprised to read in the authors notes it was a true story,it grabbed me and surprisingly forcefully took me on the journey through Khartoum ( all your senses are alerted to how the City lives and breathes ) and flung me into a world of double dealings and treachery
A word of warning the part on what happened in Iraq is detailed to an extreme and I did have to skim those few pages,it is brutally descriptive and disturbing as I guess is meant to be
That aside it is an outstanding thriller
February 19, 2025
(3.5 stars)
This topic is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I was intrigued by the blurb and took a chance on it; I’m glad I did. The book takes us to Sudan (mainly the city of Khartoum) in 2004 and to Iraq in flashbacks to 2003. The main character, James Hillsdon, tells us his story, about his attempts to recover from PTSD from his experiences in Iraq as part of the British Army. When he visits Khartoum, he winds up in more trouble than he could have imagined! The political intrigue was the most interesting part for me and the flashbacks to Iraq were very disturbing. My heart went out to Hillsdon throughout the book. He was haunted by his actions (and inactions) in Iraq.
If you enjoy adventure stories, spy stories, wartime tales and more, you will enjoy reading White Nile.
I love reading about different parts of the world and different cultures, especially ones I’ve never been to and/or probably won’t ever get around to visiting!
Thank you to the Blossom Spring Publishing and Zooloo’s Book Tours for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This topic is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I was intrigued by the blurb and took a chance on it; I’m glad I did. The book takes us to Sudan (mainly the city of Khartoum) in 2004 and to Iraq in flashbacks to 2003. The main character, James Hillsdon, tells us his story, about his attempts to recover from PTSD from his experiences in Iraq as part of the British Army. When he visits Khartoum, he winds up in more trouble than he could have imagined! The political intrigue was the most interesting part for me and the flashbacks to Iraq were very disturbing. My heart went out to Hillsdon throughout the book. He was haunted by his actions (and inactions) in Iraq.
If you enjoy adventure stories, spy stories, wartime tales and more, you will enjoy reading White Nile.
I love reading about different parts of the world and different cultures, especially ones I’ve never been to and/or probably won’t ever get around to visiting!
Thank you to the Blossom Spring Publishing and Zooloo’s Book Tours for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 20, 2025
White Nile by Chris Fox.
I wasn't sure about this book but I liked the cover and I wanted to give it a go. I'm glad I did as I did enjoy it. I did feel for James. He went hm through a lot. I liked the writing style and the story. It felt like I was there watching everything happening. I would recommend this book.
I wasn't sure about this book but I liked the cover and I wanted to give it a go. I'm glad I did as I did enjoy it. I did feel for James. He went hm through a lot. I liked the writing style and the story. It felt like I was there watching everything happening. I would recommend this book.
February 17, 2025
This gripping thriller completely captivated me, and I finished it in a single sitting.
The story follows Captain James Hillsdon, a veteran of both the Iraq War and the conflict in Basra, struggling with PTSD. Seeking solace, he embarks on a soul-searching journey along the Nile, only to find himself caught in a high-stakes international crisis in Khartoum. His past, filled with secrets, threatens to unravel as two American officials become involved in his fate.
The first half of the book is rich with scene-setting and historical context, particularly around the Iraq War. Unlike other historical narratives that can feel overly factual, Fox weaves this background seamlessly into the story, making it informative without being overwhelming. Even the action sequences are written with such clarity that they’re easy to follow, heightening the tension without confusion.
What I loved most about White Nile was how it wasn’t just a war or political thriller. It had all the elements of a high-stakes adventure—twists and turns, unexpected revelations, and a constant sense of intrigue. The pacing was flawless, keeping me hooked as I eagerly turned the pages to see what would happen next. The writing is concise yet immersive, transporting the reader to far-off places with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters.
James is a complex and troubled protagonist, and his journey of self-discovery adds depth to the story. His flashbacks to Iraq are haunting and intense, showcasing the psychological scars of war in a raw and honest manner. One particular section, detailing the atrocities in Basra, is difficult to read but is powerfully written and fits within the context of the story. Readers sensitive to such themes should be aware of this trigger warning.
I also appreciated how the book introduced me to places and historical details I hadn’t known before—like the meeting point of the White and Blue Nile. The level of research and authenticity shines through, making the setting feel incredibly real. I was very surprised to discover in the acknowledgements that the author has no experience of war—the detail contained in the book is mind-blowing given he has not been there!
Ultimately, White Nile pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. It’s a compelling, thought-provoking thriller that lingers long after the final page. Whether you're a fan of action-packed adventures, historical thrillers, or intricate narratives, this book is worth reading.
I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from Chris Fox in the future!
The story follows Captain James Hillsdon, a veteran of both the Iraq War and the conflict in Basra, struggling with PTSD. Seeking solace, he embarks on a soul-searching journey along the Nile, only to find himself caught in a high-stakes international crisis in Khartoum. His past, filled with secrets, threatens to unravel as two American officials become involved in his fate.
The first half of the book is rich with scene-setting and historical context, particularly around the Iraq War. Unlike other historical narratives that can feel overly factual, Fox weaves this background seamlessly into the story, making it informative without being overwhelming. Even the action sequences are written with such clarity that they’re easy to follow, heightening the tension without confusion.
What I loved most about White Nile was how it wasn’t just a war or political thriller. It had all the elements of a high-stakes adventure—twists and turns, unexpected revelations, and a constant sense of intrigue. The pacing was flawless, keeping me hooked as I eagerly turned the pages to see what would happen next. The writing is concise yet immersive, transporting the reader to far-off places with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters.
James is a complex and troubled protagonist, and his journey of self-discovery adds depth to the story. His flashbacks to Iraq are haunting and intense, showcasing the psychological scars of war in a raw and honest manner. One particular section, detailing the atrocities in Basra, is difficult to read but is powerfully written and fits within the context of the story. Readers sensitive to such themes should be aware of this trigger warning.
I also appreciated how the book introduced me to places and historical details I hadn’t known before—like the meeting point of the White and Blue Nile. The level of research and authenticity shines through, making the setting feel incredibly real. I was very surprised to discover in the acknowledgements that the author has no experience of war—the detail contained in the book is mind-blowing given he has not been there!
Ultimately, White Nile pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. It’s a compelling, thought-provoking thriller that lingers long after the final page. Whether you're a fan of action-packed adventures, historical thrillers, or intricate narratives, this book is worth reading.
I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from Chris Fox in the future!
January 26, 2025
Once in a while, you need to read a book that pushes you out of your comfort zone. For me, this was that book.
James Hillsdon suffers from PTSD, and to get his mental health back on track, he travels to Khartoum, Sudan, for a much-deserved break. However, things don't turn out that way for him, as he becomes entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and unspoken truths.
The flashbacks to his time in Iraq are vivid, but war is a gruesome affair. Chris did an excellent job writing the book. It kept me engaged since I wanted to know how it turned out for him.
I look forward to reading more of Chris's books in the future.
James Hillsdon suffers from PTSD, and to get his mental health back on track, he travels to Khartoum, Sudan, for a much-deserved break. However, things don't turn out that way for him, as he becomes entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and unspoken truths.
The flashbacks to his time in Iraq are vivid, but war is a gruesome affair. Chris did an excellent job writing the book. It kept me engaged since I wanted to know how it turned out for him.
I look forward to reading more of Chris's books in the future.
February 8, 2025
This is not something I would have chosen from the blurb to be honest, but I’m so glad I did as it’s a 5 ⭐️ for me. This book was amazing - I could not put it down! Although I have no clue about war, I still loved this book. Everything was explained so clearly so the reader always knew what was going on and even the action bits were described so well that there was no confusion as to what was happening. With regards to the story itself, you never knew what was going to happen next & it was a real rollercoaster! The writing was suburb, very clear & concise & I’m so glad I got to read this book.
May 13, 2026
One man's story of a soul-searching journey along the Nile to ease his PTSD suffering and recover his broken spirit after serving in the British Army and living through the atrocities of war. In Sudan, he stumbles into a situation not of his making, becoming a target in a global terror plot.
With descriptive flashbacks to his own nightmarish military experiences adding depth, you'll understand why he embarks on this journey.
This was an intense read, well-paced, and incredibly well-written. If you like to read action and adventure thrillers with a likable main character with a good heart, you'll like this book. I enjoyed it. Well done.
With descriptive flashbacks to his own nightmarish military experiences adding depth, you'll understand why he embarks on this journey.
This was an intense read, well-paced, and incredibly well-written. If you like to read action and adventure thrillers with a likable main character with a good heart, you'll like this book. I enjoyed it. Well done.
February 17, 2025
Here is my review for White Nile by Chris Fox
This was an intriguing read and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Captain James Hillsdon had done one tour at the Iraq War and had been scarred by his tour of duty. He has since resigned and is getting used to civilian life living with his wife and daughter. They live in Salisbury but James feels like he is still searching for something in life. He agrees with his wife, Lydia, that he will go to the River Nile and follow that, see if that helps him. So James goes abroad and follows the River Nile to Khartoum, Sudan. There, he finds there is a White Nile and a Blue Nile and he is following these, through a theme park, over a bridge and down some steps the other side where there are some black rubbish bags, he is not interested in those. He just wants to get close to the Nile which from there, he can. He totally forgets he is a forbidden area and that it’s protected by the Sudanese army. When he turns around to leave, he stumbles across a body, a white lady whose mouth is ajar so he can see her teeth are well kept. When he goes to turn her over to keep her modesty, he finds ‘WHITE NILE’ scrawled on her back in capital letters. He is then aware of two Sudanese soldiers pointing their rifles at him and that he could be in trouble. They make him stand and put his hands on his head. They take him to the police station and put him in an interview room. He is in there for a while before someone turns up to see him. He is rude and abrupt and shouts out. ‘American.’ James was angry so he replied abruptly back, ‘English.’ They talked to him about his travels and then questioned him about the woman. He was fined for being found by the river and by the time the soldiers took their contribution, he had no cash left. Then he was free to leave the police station and go back to his hotel. The book was well written and the story drew me in so I kept reading. There is a lot of detail in the book so it’s possible the author did a lot of research before writing the book. The characters have been well planned and James Hillsdon has been well written as he is a major part of the book. It’s not usually a type of book that I would read but it was a pretty good storyline that got quite interesting and enjoyable.
Blurb :
Captain James Hillsdon, an Iraq War veteran, is scarred by his tours of duty. Desperate for solace, he travels up the course of the River Nile in an act of soul-searching. When he reaches the city of Khartoum, Sudan, he makes a discovery that places him at the heart of a global crisis, and into the hands of two American officials.
But Hillsdon is hiding a secret, and the Americans know about it. If his secret is ever revealed, the consequences for Hillsdon’s family will be unthinkable. He needs to make a choice, but if he chooses poorly, there will be no escaping the repercussions.
This was an intriguing read and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Captain James Hillsdon had done one tour at the Iraq War and had been scarred by his tour of duty. He has since resigned and is getting used to civilian life living with his wife and daughter. They live in Salisbury but James feels like he is still searching for something in life. He agrees with his wife, Lydia, that he will go to the River Nile and follow that, see if that helps him. So James goes abroad and follows the River Nile to Khartoum, Sudan. There, he finds there is a White Nile and a Blue Nile and he is following these, through a theme park, over a bridge and down some steps the other side where there are some black rubbish bags, he is not interested in those. He just wants to get close to the Nile which from there, he can. He totally forgets he is a forbidden area and that it’s protected by the Sudanese army. When he turns around to leave, he stumbles across a body, a white lady whose mouth is ajar so he can see her teeth are well kept. When he goes to turn her over to keep her modesty, he finds ‘WHITE NILE’ scrawled on her back in capital letters. He is then aware of two Sudanese soldiers pointing their rifles at him and that he could be in trouble. They make him stand and put his hands on his head. They take him to the police station and put him in an interview room. He is in there for a while before someone turns up to see him. He is rude and abrupt and shouts out. ‘American.’ James was angry so he replied abruptly back, ‘English.’ They talked to him about his travels and then questioned him about the woman. He was fined for being found by the river and by the time the soldiers took their contribution, he had no cash left. Then he was free to leave the police station and go back to his hotel. The book was well written and the story drew me in so I kept reading. There is a lot of detail in the book so it’s possible the author did a lot of research before writing the book. The characters have been well planned and James Hillsdon has been well written as he is a major part of the book. It’s not usually a type of book that I would read but it was a pretty good storyline that got quite interesting and enjoyable.
Blurb :
Captain James Hillsdon, an Iraq War veteran, is scarred by his tours of duty. Desperate for solace, he travels up the course of the River Nile in an act of soul-searching. When he reaches the city of Khartoum, Sudan, he makes a discovery that places him at the heart of a global crisis, and into the hands of two American officials.
But Hillsdon is hiding a secret, and the Americans know about it. If his secret is ever revealed, the consequences for Hillsdon’s family will be unthinkable. He needs to make a choice, but if he chooses poorly, there will be no escaping the repercussions.
February 18, 2025
This isn't my usual style of book but I took a chance and went out of my reading comfort zone and I am so glad I did because I really enjoyed it.
The book was well written with a heart pounding and compelling story line that was full of action and well developed characters that all bought something to the table.
There was so much going on in this book that at no point could I get bored or really stop to think what was happening, it demanded my attention with every sentence and I couldn't put it down, nor did I want too.
The book is full of rich descriptions and rich imagery and I truly felt like I was right there alongside James.
I would definitely recommend
The book was well written with a heart pounding and compelling story line that was full of action and well developed characters that all bought something to the table.
There was so much going on in this book that at no point could I get bored or really stop to think what was happening, it demanded my attention with every sentence and I couldn't put it down, nor did I want too.
The book is full of rich descriptions and rich imagery and I truly felt like I was right there alongside James.
I would definitely recommend
July 19, 2025
I absolutely loved this immersive and incredibly well-written story which captivated me all the way through. The amount of research that went into writing this masterpiece should be acknowledged as the result is a true triumph! The characters and plot line are so well developed and I couldn't put it down.
I was pleased to see this was the second of the Chris' offerings as I really enjoyed his first book, Dreams, which was equally as well written.
I was pleased to see this was the second of the Chris' offerings as I really enjoyed his first book, Dreams, which was equally as well written.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews