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The Rabbit Hunter III: Crete the Aftermath
It is the duty of every soldier to evade capture and escape.
How do the cover illustrations of a derelict chapel with the cloud-capped peaks of Crete in the background and a British destroyer steaming at speed connect to this imperative?
Book 3 of THE RABBIT HUNTER series continues in the style of realism and accurate detailing established in the previous two volumes.
The book continues the story of Second Lieutenant Neil Rankin and the survivors of his platoon. At the conclusion of Book 2, The Battle of Crete, Rankin and his party arrive at the evacuation beach shown in the map in Captain Hamilton's orders. Instead of some semblance of order and organization which he was expecting, Rankin finds himself standing on a deserted beach in a ruined town.
Has he made a ghastly mistake and led them to the wrong beach?
The first duty of every soldier facing surrender and capture is to evade and escape. Hamilton's orders also make it very clear that the RAF’s secret Air Ministry radar technicians must not fall into enemy hands “under any circumstances.” If they do, the consequences for Rankin could be severe; he may well face a court martial. Whatever the outcome, he would be utterly disgraced.
To succeed, Rankin must first come to terms with failure. His efforts to rally his own spirits and lay to rest the ghosts of military disaster set the scene for a succession of increasingly intense and difficult decisions he must make in order to lead his men to safety. Perhaps not all the characters the platoon comes across on its journey through occupied enemy territory are what they seem. Who will he decide can help and how will he resolve the conflicts that arise by putting their lives in the hands of others?
The journey towards freedom is not without its setbacks and controversies, and we meet a diverse cast of characters along the way. The climactic, thrilling sea-borne finale is described in the author’s trademark realistic style.
his men to safety.
Highly praised for its accurate details and tense situations encountered by the characters, the book also wins praise for its portrayal of the moral dilemmas faced in wartime, and the foibles of human nature. The book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wanting to know what happens next right to the last page, reminding us that the cost of freedom is high and always paid in bitter coin.
Book 3 of THE RABBIT HUNTER series continues in the style of realism and accurate detailing established in the previous two volumes.
The book continues the story of Second Lieutenant Neil Rankin and the survivors of his platoon. At the conclusion of Book 2, The Battle of Crete, Rankin and his party arrive at the evacuation beach shown in the map in Captain Hamilton's orders. Instead of some semblance of order and organization which he was expecting, Rankin finds himself standing on a deserted beach in a ruined town.
Has he made a ghastly mistake and led them to the wrong beach?
The first duty of every soldier facing surrender and capture is to evade and escape. Hamilton's orders also make it very clear that the RAF’s secret Air Ministry radar technicians must not fall into enemy hands “under any circumstances.” If they do, the consequences for Rankin could be severe; he may well face a court martial. Whatever the outcome, he would be utterly disgraced.
To succeed, Rankin must first come to terms with failure. His efforts to rally his own spirits and lay to rest the ghosts of military disaster set the scene for a succession of increasingly intense and difficult decisions he must make in order to lead his men to safety. Perhaps not all the characters the platoon comes across on its journey through occupied enemy territory are what they seem. Who will he decide can help and how will he resolve the conflicts that arise by putting their lives in the hands of others?
The journey towards freedom is not without its setbacks and controversies, and we meet a diverse cast of characters along the way. The climactic, thrilling sea-borne finale is described in the author’s trademark realistic style.
his men to safety.
Highly praised for its accurate details and tense situations encountered by the characters, the book also wins praise for its portrayal of the moral dilemmas faced in wartime, and the foibles of human nature. The book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wanting to know what happens next right to the last page, reminding us that the cost of freedom is high and always paid in bitter coin.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 30, 2025
Incredible historical fiction about the battle for Crete in World War Two
This is the last of three novels about the Commonwealth defense of Crete in World War Two told from the standpoint of a 20 year old junior infantry officer in the service of New Zealand. Christopher Worth brings the history to light in detail and also allows great insight in what combat can do to one before and after the trigger is pulled. And some of the individual combat contacts are written with a chill-inducing clarity in my opinion.
I definitely recommend the trilogy be read in the published chronological order.
Konrad.
This is the last of three novels about the Commonwealth defense of Crete in World War Two told from the standpoint of a 20 year old junior infantry officer in the service of New Zealand. Christopher Worth brings the history to light in detail and also allows great insight in what combat can do to one before and after the trigger is pulled. And some of the individual combat contacts are written with a chill-inducing clarity in my opinion.
I definitely recommend the trilogy be read in the published chronological order.
Konrad.
November 22, 2025
Not at all like he first two. A lot of filler, bout 70%. DNF.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews