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Flashpoint
AN IMPOSSIBLE MISSION. A QUEST FOR THE TRUTH. ONLY SHE HAS WHAT IT TAKES . . .
1943, America
SOE's Saffron Courtney is back in New York, but even as she recovers from her mission to Washington, events on the other side of the Atlantic are making her return to England inevitable. The War Office need someone to extract an asset - a Jewish scientist, Caleb Ezra, a man vital to the war effort - from his hideaway on the besieged island of Leros. But first there is a debt to settle, and the mob do not wait - even for a decorated war hero . . .
1946, Kenya
Back in her beloved homeland, and reunited with her lover-now-husband Gerhard von Meerbach, Saffron thinks that she might finally have found the peace that she craves. The war is over. But when she's paid a visit by an English operative who blackmails her with accusations of Gerhard's involvement in Nazi atrocities, Saffron has no choice but to return to the US at his bidding. With not only her life, but her family at stake, Saffron must track down Ezra once more - before it's too late . . .
RETURN TO WILBUR SMITH'S LEGENDARY COURTNEY SERIES WITH A POWERFUL NEW WWII THRILLER - ESPIONAGE, CONSPIRACY AND A RACE-AGAINST-TIME MISSION FOR THE TRUTH IN THE FOLLOW ON FROM WORLDWIDE BESTSELLERS COURTNEY'S WAR, LEGACY OF WAR AND CROSSFIRE.
1943, America
SOE's Saffron Courtney is back in New York, but even as she recovers from her mission to Washington, events on the other side of the Atlantic are making her return to England inevitable. The War Office need someone to extract an asset - a Jewish scientist, Caleb Ezra, a man vital to the war effort - from his hideaway on the besieged island of Leros. But first there is a debt to settle, and the mob do not wait - even for a decorated war hero . . .
1946, Kenya
Back in her beloved homeland, and reunited with her lover-now-husband Gerhard von Meerbach, Saffron thinks that she might finally have found the peace that she craves. The war is over. But when she's paid a visit by an English operative who blackmails her with accusations of Gerhard's involvement in Nazi atrocities, Saffron has no choice but to return to the US at his bidding. With not only her life, but her family at stake, Saffron must track down Ezra once more - before it's too late . . .
RETURN TO WILBUR SMITH'S LEGENDARY COURTNEY SERIES WITH A POWERFUL NEW WWII THRILLER - ESPIONAGE, CONSPIRACY AND A RACE-AGAINST-TIME MISSION FOR THE TRUTH IN THE FOLLOW ON FROM WORLDWIDE BESTSELLERS COURTNEY'S WAR, LEGACY OF WAR AND CROSSFIRE.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2026
About the author
Wilbur Smith
406 books4,561 followersWilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 5, 2026
Esta novela de aventuras ambientada en la segunda guerra mundial empieza bien, con mucha acción y ritmo. Sin embargo, a mitad del libro decae y se transforma en una historia de investigación bastante ramplona.
En el debe queda también su tratamiento exagerado de los buenos buenísimos y los malos detestables, así como ciertos tópicos manidos. En el haber destaca su capacidad de entretener, ya que hasta los pasajes más lentos resultan amenos y nunca pesados.
Flashpoint forma parte de una saga y ya se deja caer su continuación en el epílogo. Sinceramente, no sé si leeré más. Me ha gustado, pero hay tantas cosas mejores por ahí que este libro cae en la pila de indiferentes.
En el debe queda también su tratamiento exagerado de los buenos buenísimos y los malos detestables, así como ciertos tópicos manidos. En el haber destaca su capacidad de entretener, ya que hasta los pasajes más lentos resultan amenos y nunca pesados.
Flashpoint forma parte de una saga y ya se deja caer su continuación en el epílogo. Sinceramente, no sé si leeré más. Me ha gustado, pero hay tantas cosas mejores por ahí que este libro cae en la pila de indiferentes.
October 23, 2026
Good story and great ideas
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews