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Simon Fonthill #3
The Diamond Frontier
The atmosphere is volatile in the South African province of the Transvaal at the start of 1880. The discovery of diamonds has bred greed; a strong anti-British feeling is taking hold amongst the Boer farmers; and the bePedi tribe continues to rampage after the defeat of their Zulu allies. Former captain Simon Fonthill and his servant "352" Jenkins receive a cry for help from an old friend who has been kidnapped on South Africa's new Diamond Frontier. The pair must go to her aid before redeeming a promise to act as army scouts in this increasingly turbulent region. When the acclaimed British hero General Wolseley decides to lead his column against the impenetrable stronghold of the bePedi, Fonthill and Jenkins once again find themselves marching to war...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
John Wilcox
18 books33 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Wilcox started out as a local reporter and journalist in Birmingham before spending many years in industry, which took him all round the world. He finally sold his company to devote himself to writing full-time. He lives in Salisbury.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Wilcox started out as a local reporter and journalist in Birmingham before spending many years in industry, which took him all round the world. He finally sold his company to devote himself to writing full-time. He lives in Salisbury.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 1, 2022
Read this book in 2006, and its the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Simon Fonthill" series.
Its now AD 1880, and we find Simon Fonthill and '352'Jenkins once again in South Africa, and to be precise in the Transvaal.
Over there in the Transvaal the situation is volatile, especially due to the discovery of diamonds and the accompanying greed and violence.
Also the anti-British feelings from the Dutch Boer framers will play an important part in this great tale, while the bePedi tribe are rampaging the land after their Zulu allies defeat at Rorke's Drift.
When an old friend gets kidnapped at the Diamond Frontier, she asks for their help and free her, while being scouts for the army of General Wolseley, they will be forced in the end to join the actions against the bePedi stronghold.
What is to follow is a sublime and thrilling South African adventure for Fonthill and '352' Jenkins, and in which they both will excel themselves in their tasks for their lady friend s well as for the army and its actions against the bePedi, and all this is brought to us in a most believable and engaging fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this tremendous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Diamond Frontier"!
Its now AD 1880, and we find Simon Fonthill and '352'Jenkins once again in South Africa, and to be precise in the Transvaal.
Over there in the Transvaal the situation is volatile, especially due to the discovery of diamonds and the accompanying greed and violence.
Also the anti-British feelings from the Dutch Boer framers will play an important part in this great tale, while the bePedi tribe are rampaging the land after their Zulu allies defeat at Rorke's Drift.
When an old friend gets kidnapped at the Diamond Frontier, she asks for their help and free her, while being scouts for the army of General Wolseley, they will be forced in the end to join the actions against the bePedi stronghold.
What is to follow is a sublime and thrilling South African adventure for Fonthill and '352' Jenkins, and in which they both will excel themselves in their tasks for their lady friend s well as for the army and its actions against the bePedi, and all this is brought to us in a most believable and engaging fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this tremendous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Diamond Frontier"!
April 7, 2020
Simon Fonthill, book No. 3):
It's as wild as it is tense in the Transvaal province in South Africa, with the discovery of diamonds bringing in that 'gold rush' fever of greed, violence and desperation. Meanwhile the British military are dealing with native and Boer unrest. Simon Fonthill sets out on a mission to rescue a friend who has been kidnapped by diamond smuggles, unaware that he could be marching to war, the Boer War. A quite entertaining read, with once again the historical context being a big draw. 5 out of 12.
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It's as wild as it is tense in the Transvaal province in South Africa, with the discovery of diamonds bringing in that 'gold rush' fever of greed, violence and desperation. Meanwhile the British military are dealing with native and Boer unrest. Simon Fonthill sets out on a mission to rescue a friend who has been kidnapped by diamond smuggles, unaware that he could be marching to war, the Boer War. A quite entertaining read, with once again the historical context being a big draw. 5 out of 12.
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May 7, 2012
Im a Huge Fan of John Wilcox, he is not the best writer ever, but he is good, its his characters that win it for me, The relationship between Fonthill and 352 so reminiscent on Scarrows Macro and Cato, just in a different time. The book as usual has a great plot, is crammed full of history and humour, local sounds sights and smells, well researched and tied together with a well paced plot, i always find myself transported for a day or two with these books.
Guaranteed to please..well recommended
(Parm)
Product Description (From back of the book)
It's 1880 and the atmosphere is volatile in the South African province of the Transvaal. The discovery of diamonds has bred greed and violence, while a strong anti-British feeling is taking hold amongst the Boer farmers. In addition, the bePedi tribe continues to rampage after the defeat of their Zulu allies at Rorke's Drift just one year ago.
War-weary from the army's recent campaign in Afghanistan, former captain Simon Fonthill and his servant "352" Jenkins are homeward-bound when the cry for help comes. An old friend has been kidnapped in Kimberley, on South Africa's new Diamond Frontier, and the pair must go to her aid before redeeming a promise to act as army scouts in this increasingly turbulent region. But this is only the beginning. For when the acclaimed British hero, General Wolseley, decides to lead his column against the impenetrable stronghold of the bePedi, Fonthill and Jenkins once again find themselves marching to war...
Guaranteed to please..well recommended
(Parm)
Product Description (From back of the book)
It's 1880 and the atmosphere is volatile in the South African province of the Transvaal. The discovery of diamonds has bred greed and violence, while a strong anti-British feeling is taking hold amongst the Boer farmers. In addition, the bePedi tribe continues to rampage after the defeat of their Zulu allies at Rorke's Drift just one year ago.
War-weary from the army's recent campaign in Afghanistan, former captain Simon Fonthill and his servant "352" Jenkins are homeward-bound when the cry for help comes. An old friend has been kidnapped in Kimberley, on South Africa's new Diamond Frontier, and the pair must go to her aid before redeeming a promise to act as army scouts in this increasingly turbulent region. But this is only the beginning. For when the acclaimed British hero, General Wolseley, decides to lead his column against the impenetrable stronghold of the bePedi, Fonthill and Jenkins once again find themselves marching to war...
June 5, 2022
Suddenly discovery of diamonds in africa brought war close to happening. Thanks to british at command, the coming war was delated.
The Boers revolted on 16 December 1880 and took action at Bronkhorstspruit against a British column of the 94th Foot who were returning to reinforce Pretoria. Thay coled it First Freedom War.
Like other Irish regiments, the Connaught Rangers fought in South Africa in the Boer War and took particularly heavy casualties during the battle of Colenso. The various battalions of the Rangers were also involved on multiple fronts throughout the First World War.
In Bronkhorstspruit battle Col. Anstruther gave the order to surrender. In a battle lasting just fifteen minutes, 156 British soldiers were killed or wounded, with the rest taken prisoner. Reported Boer casualties were only two killed and five wounded.
Battle of Colensowas fought between British and Boer forces from the independent South African Republic and Orange Free State in and around Colenso, Natal, South Africa on 15 December 1899. Inadequate preparation, lack of reconnaissance and uninspired leadership led to a British defeat.
The Boers revolted on 16 December 1880 and took action at Bronkhorstspruit against a British column of the 94th Foot who were returning to reinforce Pretoria. Thay coled it First Freedom War.
Like other Irish regiments, the Connaught Rangers fought in South Africa in the Boer War and took particularly heavy casualties during the battle of Colenso. The various battalions of the Rangers were also involved on multiple fronts throughout the First World War.
In Bronkhorstspruit battle Col. Anstruther gave the order to surrender. In a battle lasting just fifteen minutes, 156 British soldiers were killed or wounded, with the rest taken prisoner. Reported Boer casualties were only two killed and five wounded.
Battle of Colensowas fought between British and Boer forces from the independent South African Republic and Orange Free State in and around Colenso, Natal, South Africa on 15 December 1899. Inadequate preparation, lack of reconnaissance and uninspired leadership led to a British defeat.
November 17, 2023
Published in 2006, 'The Diamond Frontier' is the 3rd in the 'Simon Fonthill' series of adventures set in British colonies in the 19th century. This tale takes place in South Africa, against a backcloth of historical events connected with various insurrections with a strong element of the diamond trade thrown in to complicate matters. The plot is not that complicated, relying on some excellent characters as well as some unlikely coincidences, but is hugely enjoyable for all that.
May 12, 2017
Read this one out of order but it doesn't make that much difference. Great adventure/action series.
February 5, 2021
Enjoyable adventure novel. Quick read and free of smut, which is refreshing in this day and age.
January 2, 2016
Excellent series, if you like Bernard Cornwell's 'Richard Sharpe' tales or Wilbur Smith's stories of British Africa this author is for you! This is about scout Simon Fonthill's escapades in Kimberly in the 1880's. Mr. Wilcox's other books are historical fictional accounts of the battles with the
Zulu ( Rorkes Drift & Isselawanda) India, Khartoum, The Boer war, Egypt,Singapore, etc. that took place as Britain was expanding her empire.
Zulu ( Rorkes Drift & Isselawanda) India, Khartoum, The Boer war, Egypt,Singapore, etc. that took place as Britain was expanding her empire.
October 15, 2012
This was a jolly romp through Victorian colonial history. The writer had done his research, so I can't fault that, and the adventure was nicely plotted. I suppose my only criticism is that the characters were a bit one dimensional. You could see a mile off who was a villain and who was a goodie! I would put this down as enjoyable holiday reading, but no more than that.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews