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Vendetta
Captain Sannie van Rensburg and safari guide Mia Greenaway are caught in the crossfires of a decades-old feud between five veterans of South Africa's apartheid-era Border War.
Haunted by the deadly mission that shaped their lives forever, the ex-paratroopers must finally confront their demons, and each other, at the funeral of a comrade in the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert.
But their scars run deep, and as the truth emerges, each man must ask When serving your country, what makes you a hero and what secrets are worth killing for?
Haunted by the deadly mission that shaped their lives forever, the ex-paratroopers must finally confront their demons, and each other, at the funeral of a comrade in the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert.
But their scars run deep, and as the truth emerges, each man must ask When serving your country, what makes you a hero and what secrets are worth killing for?
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Published July 25, 2023
29 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Tony Park
37 books299 followersTony Park was born in 1964 and grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. He has worked as a newspaper reporter in Australia and England, a government press secretary, a public relations consultant, and a freelance writer.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 9, 2024
Vendetta is the 6th book in the Sannie van Rensburg and this time we visit the Kalahari Desert in Namibia via KwaZulu-Natal in a thriller that is filled with tension and resentment.
After the events of Blood Trail, Sannie van Rensburg is back at work, but she has now moved to the coastal town of KwaZulu-Natal, hoping for a change of scenery to help erase the bad memories. Vendetta once again presents us with a possible best and worst picture of South Africa reminding us of the wild beauty of the land mixed with the most dangerous animal living there - man.
Adam Kruger is a former paratrooper, having fought in the war in Angola during the Border War. These days he works as a car park attendant at the local shopping mall, earning himself enough money to fund his university studies plus the occasional beer after work. He’s reluctantly thrust into the spotlight when he heroically involves himself in a shooting incident in the car park.
It’s this incident that thrusts Sannie into his life as she investigates the shooting. He quickly moves from a “person of interest” to an interesting person as she finds herself drawn to the quietly spoken man.
Mia Greenaway, the game park guide and experienced tracker also returns from Blood Trail. She’s now a firm friend of Sannie’s and finds herself caught up in the intrigue that’s brought to her game park in the Kalahari. While out on safari she comes across the body of a fellow tracker and good friend. It appears he has committed suicide.
The dead man had served in the same troop as Adam and he feels compelled to travel to the funeral to honour his friend. Sannie jumps at the opportunity to visit Mia by offering to drive him to the funeral in Namibia. His only reservation is the prospect of meeting up with several of his service comrades, some of whom he now hates.
Queue the flashback chapters that take us back to 1987 and the war in Angola where Kruger is part of a squad tasked with locating a downed chopper. Lieutenant Tony Ferri was the commanding officer for the mission and Sergeant Frank Greenaway (Mia’s father) was also a key figure. The events that unfold during this ill-fated mission prove to be very important to the present day events and we’re fed the details in small, appetite-whetting chunks.
These days Tony Ferri is an up and coming politician who is being touted as the next big hope to win the leadership of his party. His popularity is high enough that he may one day even have a chance of becoming the country’s president.
However, it’s safe to say that Adam Kruger is no fan of Ferri’s, having experienced all of the man’s deficiencies while serving under him in Angola. From what we can gather, Frank Greenaway also had issues with the man before he died too.
Although this is a Sannie van Rensburg mystery, the detective plays a more minor role, offering a bit of police presence at vital moments as things unfold. Her story continues to unfold and we learn small snippets about her that were previously untold, but much of her backstory is only mentioned in passing. Adam Kruger is the story’s central character and is the nearest thing to the hero of the piece and he proves to be quite the complex character.
Something happened in Angola in 1987 and those who were there are dying in mysterious circumstances. Tony Park has devised a complex mystery and given it 30-plus years to fester before coming to a head in spectacular fashion. The action ramps up as old scores are settled in a thriller that manages to surprise with a couple of unexpected twists by story’s end.
After the events of Blood Trail, Sannie van Rensburg is back at work, but she has now moved to the coastal town of KwaZulu-Natal, hoping for a change of scenery to help erase the bad memories. Vendetta once again presents us with a possible best and worst picture of South Africa reminding us of the wild beauty of the land mixed with the most dangerous animal living there - man.
Adam Kruger is a former paratrooper, having fought in the war in Angola during the Border War. These days he works as a car park attendant at the local shopping mall, earning himself enough money to fund his university studies plus the occasional beer after work. He’s reluctantly thrust into the spotlight when he heroically involves himself in a shooting incident in the car park.
It’s this incident that thrusts Sannie into his life as she investigates the shooting. He quickly moves from a “person of interest” to an interesting person as she finds herself drawn to the quietly spoken man.
Mia Greenaway, the game park guide and experienced tracker also returns from Blood Trail. She’s now a firm friend of Sannie’s and finds herself caught up in the intrigue that’s brought to her game park in the Kalahari. While out on safari she comes across the body of a fellow tracker and good friend. It appears he has committed suicide.
The dead man had served in the same troop as Adam and he feels compelled to travel to the funeral to honour his friend. Sannie jumps at the opportunity to visit Mia by offering to drive him to the funeral in Namibia. His only reservation is the prospect of meeting up with several of his service comrades, some of whom he now hates.
Queue the flashback chapters that take us back to 1987 and the war in Angola where Kruger is part of a squad tasked with locating a downed chopper. Lieutenant Tony Ferri was the commanding officer for the mission and Sergeant Frank Greenaway (Mia’s father) was also a key figure. The events that unfold during this ill-fated mission prove to be very important to the present day events and we’re fed the details in small, appetite-whetting chunks.
These days Tony Ferri is an up and coming politician who is being touted as the next big hope to win the leadership of his party. His popularity is high enough that he may one day even have a chance of becoming the country’s president.
However, it’s safe to say that Adam Kruger is no fan of Ferri’s, having experienced all of the man’s deficiencies while serving under him in Angola. From what we can gather, Frank Greenaway also had issues with the man before he died too.
Although this is a Sannie van Rensburg mystery, the detective plays a more minor role, offering a bit of police presence at vital moments as things unfold. Her story continues to unfold and we learn small snippets about her that were previously untold, but much of her backstory is only mentioned in passing. Adam Kruger is the story’s central character and is the nearest thing to the hero of the piece and he proves to be quite the complex character.
Something happened in Angola in 1987 and those who were there are dying in mysterious circumstances. Tony Park has devised a complex mystery and given it 30-plus years to fester before coming to a head in spectacular fashion. The action ramps up as old scores are settled in a thriller that manages to surprise with a couple of unexpected twists by story’s end.
December 11, 2024
Lots of twists
This book took me a while to finish, as it didn’t immediately grip me at the start. However, once I got into it, I found it to be an engaging story full of intrigue, with several compelling threads woven together. Set against the vivid backdrop of South Africa, it offers a unique setting that adds depth and atmosphere to the narrative.
This book took me a while to finish, as it didn’t immediately grip me at the start. However, once I got into it, I found it to be an engaging story full of intrigue, with several compelling threads woven together. Set against the vivid backdrop of South Africa, it offers a unique setting that adds depth and atmosphere to the narrative.
August 3, 2024
Adam Kruger, a local car guard, gets in the limelight after he saved the lives of people while doing his job. The reason he goes viral, is the way he did it - he is almost a cross between Chuck Norris and Jason Stratham, full of action and mad skills. The only thing is, he wants to be under the radar. He’s a veteran of the Angola-Border war, current PHD candidate, surfer and part time car guard. He is already getting threats due to his conservation attempts for sharks and when there was an attempt on his life, he thought it was due to his involvement in shark conservation.
That same week, one of his fellow ex-paratroopers died unexpectedly. Adam gets a lift with local Police Detective, Sannie van Rensburg, to attend the funeral in the Northern Cape at a luxury resort where the deceased used to work. Attending the funeral wasn’t a light decision. It will open up old wounds and how the other veterans will react to seeing Adam again.
A promising politician, his assistant and lover, a car guard, a successful businessman and the daughter of a fellow veteran, all together in a fancy Safari Lodge to mourn the death of their tracker from the war. Tensions are already rising with all the unsaid things between them, then someone shoots at them during a safari. Someone is lying about things that happened in the war and is trying to cover it up. Everyone has something to lose, but how much will you risk hiding your secrets? With so many suspects, Sannie got her work cut out for her in this remote location with barely any help.
My thoughts: I love reading books like this – lots of action, secrets and lies, old history and the setting being South Africa. This was my first Tony Park book, and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed reading this book – I don’t know much about the Border War and reading about it was fascinating. I can recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure-type thrillers!
That same week, one of his fellow ex-paratroopers died unexpectedly. Adam gets a lift with local Police Detective, Sannie van Rensburg, to attend the funeral in the Northern Cape at a luxury resort where the deceased used to work. Attending the funeral wasn’t a light decision. It will open up old wounds and how the other veterans will react to seeing Adam again.
A promising politician, his assistant and lover, a car guard, a successful businessman and the daughter of a fellow veteran, all together in a fancy Safari Lodge to mourn the death of their tracker from the war. Tensions are already rising with all the unsaid things between them, then someone shoots at them during a safari. Someone is lying about things that happened in the war and is trying to cover it up. Everyone has something to lose, but how much will you risk hiding your secrets? With so many suspects, Sannie got her work cut out for her in this remote location with barely any help.
My thoughts: I love reading books like this – lots of action, secrets and lies, old history and the setting being South Africa. This was my first Tony Park book, and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed reading this book – I don’t know much about the Border War and reading about it was fascinating. I can recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure-type thrillers!
July 25, 2023
In Tony’s twenty-first novel he once again uses his brilliant powers of observation to bring the African continent to life. Vendetta ranges over South Africa, Namibia and Angola.
Detective Captain Sannie van Rensburg is back, now a widow whose children have all left home. Sannie has taken up a post in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Mia Greenaway is back too, working as a safari guide for a lodge in the Kalahari Desert, Namibia. New to this book is Adam Kruger, part-time car guard at a shopping mall, surfer, dive boat handler, shark researcher and PHD candidate. He is also a veteran of the 1987 Angolan war. Sannie and Adam meet when Sannie gets a call to investigate a shooting incident in which Adam was involved at the mall where he works, and they strike up a casual friendship. Tony Ferri, also a war veteran, is a politician who looks like he could be the one to sort out South Africa’s many and varied problems, if he can stay on track, firstly, to become leader of his party.
Adam hears of the death of a veteran he served with in Angola and who has been working with Mia at the lodge in Namibia. Adam wants to go to the memorial service at the lodge but is not keen to meet up with former comrades whom he suspects will be there.
The story is told in two time lines: 1987 in Angola, and the present in South Africa and Namibia.
There are Tony’s usual concerns for Africa’s precious animals, both on land and in the sea, and in particular for the abhorrent trade in shark fins. New relationships develop and old memories are dragged up. There is loads of action and, of course, a bit of romance thrown in to balance out an absolutely riveting thriller read.
I know it is difficult but try not to read this book at break neck pace, like I always do, because it will all be over too quickly and leave you wanting more. Top marks, Tony! Well done!
Published by Pan Macmillan
Detective Captain Sannie van Rensburg is back, now a widow whose children have all left home. Sannie has taken up a post in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Mia Greenaway is back too, working as a safari guide for a lodge in the Kalahari Desert, Namibia. New to this book is Adam Kruger, part-time car guard at a shopping mall, surfer, dive boat handler, shark researcher and PHD candidate. He is also a veteran of the 1987 Angolan war. Sannie and Adam meet when Sannie gets a call to investigate a shooting incident in which Adam was involved at the mall where he works, and they strike up a casual friendship. Tony Ferri, also a war veteran, is a politician who looks like he could be the one to sort out South Africa’s many and varied problems, if he can stay on track, firstly, to become leader of his party.
Adam hears of the death of a veteran he served with in Angola and who has been working with Mia at the lodge in Namibia. Adam wants to go to the memorial service at the lodge but is not keen to meet up with former comrades whom he suspects will be there.
The story is told in two time lines: 1987 in Angola, and the present in South Africa and Namibia.
There are Tony’s usual concerns for Africa’s precious animals, both on land and in the sea, and in particular for the abhorrent trade in shark fins. New relationships develop and old memories are dragged up. There is loads of action and, of course, a bit of romance thrown in to balance out an absolutely riveting thriller read.
I know it is difficult but try not to read this book at break neck pace, like I always do, because it will all be over too quickly and leave you wanting more. Top marks, Tony! Well done!
Published by Pan Macmillan
December 28, 2024
I've read a couple of books featuring Captain Sannie van Rensburg but in this one she has moved from living and working near the Krugar National Park to the coast south of Durban in South Africa. A complete change for her.
Here she encounters Adam Krugar, a man in his 50's doing a PHD, working as a car guard at a shopping centre, doing up his parents house so he can sell and generally leading a low key lifestyle. Keeping out of trouble. That changes when he stops an armed robbery from taking place and gets national notoriety and meets Sannie who takes his statement.
It slowly comes to light that they have a connection via a friend of Sannie, Mia Greenway, who's father use to be in the same army unit as Adam. Sannie is planing on visiting Mia for a holiday who works at a lodge in the north west of the country. Out of her generosity she offers Adam a lift to the lodge as he wants to attend the funeral of another member of his army unit who recently died. They are set on a path to confront Adam's past and the mysterious death of members of the unit that had fought in the Border Wars in the 1980s.
An enjoyable and informative read about things that a lot of people might not be aware of. I like the characters, the nice ones at least, and the story is interesting. At it's heart it's a crime mystery. The problem is finding the crime and then the perpetrator.
Here she encounters Adam Krugar, a man in his 50's doing a PHD, working as a car guard at a shopping centre, doing up his parents house so he can sell and generally leading a low key lifestyle. Keeping out of trouble. That changes when he stops an armed robbery from taking place and gets national notoriety and meets Sannie who takes his statement.
It slowly comes to light that they have a connection via a friend of Sannie, Mia Greenway, who's father use to be in the same army unit as Adam. Sannie is planing on visiting Mia for a holiday who works at a lodge in the north west of the country. Out of her generosity she offers Adam a lift to the lodge as he wants to attend the funeral of another member of his army unit who recently died. They are set on a path to confront Adam's past and the mysterious death of members of the unit that had fought in the Border Wars in the 1980s.
An enjoyable and informative read about things that a lot of people might not be aware of. I like the characters, the nice ones at least, and the story is interesting. At it's heart it's a crime mystery. The problem is finding the crime and then the perpetrator.
August 14, 2023
I always love my return to Southern Africa with Tony Park's novels.
A little less of the nature here in this novel, but a far more complex crime story as we move beyond poaching, dealing with events surrounding a team of paratroopers in a 1987 war in Angola. Lives have been changed by events, old resentments remain, and those earlier events must be revisited to understand the crimes of today.
An engaging plot in another well crafted plot from one of my must read authors.
A little less of the nature here in this novel, but a far more complex crime story as we move beyond poaching, dealing with events surrounding a team of paratroopers in a 1987 war in Angola. Lives have been changed by events, old resentments remain, and those earlier events must be revisited to understand the crimes of today.
An engaging plot in another well crafted plot from one of my must read authors.
July 29, 2023
A venture back in time to a conflict in Angola
This is an excellent book You are able to see how an engagement in war changes peoples lives and how as Shakespeare said money not morality is the commerce of all civilized nations Reputations are ruined and this is a well thought out book. Great read dig in
This is an excellent book You are able to see how an engagement in war changes peoples lives and how as Shakespeare said money not morality is the commerce of all civilized nations Reputations are ruined and this is a well thought out book. Great read dig in
August 12, 2023
Another fantastic page turner from One of my favourite authors and great guy Tony Park. If you have never read one of his books I’d recommend you grab one.. exciting thrilling action set in South Africa and surrounding countries from start to finish. Thanks for the thrilling entertainment Tony.
Cheers Graeme
Cheers Graeme
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
This book intrigued me. How an incident in 1987 kept having repercussions for the men involved, and the way the plot unfolded kept me turning pages. The environmental issues were also interesting. There was a nice little twist at the end. Thoroughly enjoyable.
December 12, 2023
As usual, a great story by Tony Park. Loved the storyline and definitely kept me wanting to keep reading. I must say though the ending was a bit too quick for me and I had to really keep my head about me as it got a bit confusing toward the end as seemed condensed into a few pages.
January 8, 2024
Great read of Vendetta
Very well written with a lot of detail as an ex Service Man would do and he loves to write about his second home which comes so naturally.
Waiting to see what comes next.
Very well written with a lot of detail as an ex Service Man would do and he loves to write about his second home which comes so naturally.
Waiting to see what comes next.
August 24, 2023
Disappointed
I've read a lot of Tony Park's other books and loved them, but this one was poor. The plot was predictable and the dialogue unrealistic. Real disappointment.
I've read a lot of Tony Park's other books and loved them, but this one was poor. The plot was predictable and the dialogue unrealistic. Real disappointment.
September 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. The story line set in Africa I found very interesting and well chosen characters made this a great read
October 18, 2023
Another great book
This is another great read from Tony Park. Always a twist or two and so hard to put down. Keep up good work
This is another great read from Tony Park. Always a twist or two and so hard to put down. Keep up good work
December 4, 2023
Although there were some exciting action scenes I think that some of the writing was poor.
January 2, 2024
Excellent book playing off at Pennington, our favourate holiday destination on the KZN South Coast, SA
March 18, 2024
Every time you read a Tony Park book you realise what a good storyteller he is. Captures the feel of Africa perfectly.
April 12, 2024
Excellent read as usual with Tony’s book I really enjoyed it.
April 22, 2024
Perfect holiday read: crime/drama/romance
October 23, 2025
I just like this author, has a mixture of everything I like, mystery, romance, exciting
February 16, 2024
Captain Sannie van Rensburg and safari guide Mia Greenaway were caught in the crossfire of a decades-old feud between five veterans of South Africa's apartheid-era Border War. Haunted by the deadly mission that shaped their lives forever, the ex-paratroopers must finally confront their demons, and each other, at the funeral of a comrade in the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert.
First of all, I think this book would translate well into a movie. It was high adrenaline and action-packed, as I had expected. The first introduction to Adam Kruger was so badass - he was pretty much Jason Statham in the carpark scene.
Unfortunately, beyond the action sequences, I didn’t get my wish for a deeper plot and character designs. There was a bit of twist, but nothing that would really shock you, especially if you’re an avid thriller reader like me.
There was also a personal pet-peeve element here for me, in that all the male characters were 50+ years old and yet their female love interests were all in their twenties. Why not date females of a similar age?
All in all, a good action book. The author’s note was probably the best thing I liked about the book.
(Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
First of all, I think this book would translate well into a movie. It was high adrenaline and action-packed, as I had expected. The first introduction to Adam Kruger was so badass - he was pretty much Jason Statham in the carpark scene.
Unfortunately, beyond the action sequences, I didn’t get my wish for a deeper plot and character designs. There was a bit of twist, but nothing that would really shock you, especially if you’re an avid thriller reader like me.
There was also a personal pet-peeve element here for me, in that all the male characters were 50+ years old and yet their female love interests were all in their twenties. Why not date females of a similar age?
All in all, a good action book. The author’s note was probably the best thing I liked about the book.
(Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews