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Hector Cross #3
Predator
LET THE HUNT BEGIN.
HECTOR CROSS, ex-SAS officer, private security expert, widower. His wife was taken much too soon, by a cruel man with evil intentions.
JOHNNY CONGO, psychopath, extortionist, terrorist, the man who murdered Hector’s wife. Cross wants him dead. So does the US government.
Congo is locked up on Death Row in the most secure prison in the free world, counting down the days until his execution. He’s got two weeks. He wants out. He’s escaped before and knows he can again.
Cross, still licking his wounds from his last bruising encounter with Congo, is back and ready for work. In the middle of the rough Atlantic stands oil supertanker Bannock A. Terrorist activity in the area has triggered panic and there’s only one person they can trust to protect her.
What is promised as a cakewalk turns out to be much more, a mission that will test Cross to his emotional and physical limits. But a life spent in the SAS and private security has left Cross hard-wired for pain and as he is thrown into the fire once more, he will not stop until he has snared his prey.
Hector Cross is Predator.
HECTOR CROSS, ex-SAS officer, private security expert, widower. His wife was taken much too soon, by a cruel man with evil intentions.
JOHNNY CONGO, psychopath, extortionist, terrorist, the man who murdered Hector’s wife. Cross wants him dead. So does the US government.
Congo is locked up on Death Row in the most secure prison in the free world, counting down the days until his execution. He’s got two weeks. He wants out. He’s escaped before and knows he can again.
Cross, still licking his wounds from his last bruising encounter with Congo, is back and ready for work. In the middle of the rough Atlantic stands oil supertanker Bannock A. Terrorist activity in the area has triggered panic and there’s only one person they can trust to protect her.
What is promised as a cakewalk turns out to be much more, a mission that will test Cross to his emotional and physical limits. But a life spent in the SAS and private security has left Cross hard-wired for pain and as he is thrown into the fire once more, he will not stop until he has snared his prey.
Hector Cross is Predator.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2016
755 people are currently reading
2560 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
278 books4,367 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 - 30 of 227 reviews
September 4, 2021
A Mente Lacrau
Ora aqui está um thriller que cumpre:
Pleno de ação, surpresas e aventura, decorre num passo acelerado que o torna difícil de poisar.
E quanto a mim tem um plus -- traça um perfil psicológico dum psicopata, que me soou deveras convincente!
O autor penetrou no emaranhado complexo da mente homicida, fugindo à linearidade banal do vilão, o que considero uma proeza louvável, pois sempre me suscitou curiosidade saber o que vai pela cabeça dum demente perverso!
E faço questão de deixar aqui um brevíssimo lamiré, capaz de corroborar minimamente o que pretendo significar:
Congo e Bannack assassinaram a mulher de Hector Cross e só o primeiro foi poupado, pois Jo -- advogada e namorada de Hector -- impedira Cross de exercer justiça por mãos próprias.
Porém, Congo não demonstrara quaisquer sinais de reconhecimento -- segundo a sua óptica, tal feito não passara dum indício de fraqueza dum homem que se deixara vergar por uma mulher. Ele, Congo, nunca permitiria que uma fêmea lhe ditasse leis. Faria o que bem entendesse e administrava-lhe uma surra caso ela ripostasse -- uma lição inolvidável, daquelas que deixam marcas para a vida!...
Obviamente que se Hector procedesse de acordo com tal lógica, Congo já não constaria entre os vivos, mas tal facto era irrelevante na sua mente pervertida. Era de tal forma maléfico, que a sua iniquidade superava o seu instinto de sobrevivência!...
Confesso que me recordou vagamente aquela fábula do lacrau que pede à rã para o ajudar a atravessar um rio, e durante o trajecto crava-lhe o ferrão, alegando enquanto ambos se afogam: «Que esperavas?!...Não posso renunciar à minha natureza».
Tamanha bestialidade irracional, só mesmo no DNA!!!...
Enfim, não irei adiantar mais nada, pois tratando-se dum thriller, quanto menos se souber, melhor!...
Leiam!... Leiam, que é dos bons! 😉👍🌟🌟🌟🌟
Ora aqui está um thriller que cumpre:
Pleno de ação, surpresas e aventura, decorre num passo acelerado que o torna difícil de poisar.
E quanto a mim tem um plus -- traça um perfil psicológico dum psicopata, que me soou deveras convincente!
O autor penetrou no emaranhado complexo da mente homicida, fugindo à linearidade banal do vilão, o que considero uma proeza louvável, pois sempre me suscitou curiosidade saber o que vai pela cabeça dum demente perverso!
E faço questão de deixar aqui um brevíssimo lamiré, capaz de corroborar minimamente o que pretendo significar:
Congo e Bannack assassinaram a mulher de Hector Cross e só o primeiro foi poupado, pois Jo -- advogada e namorada de Hector -- impedira Cross de exercer justiça por mãos próprias.
Porém, Congo não demonstrara quaisquer sinais de reconhecimento -- segundo a sua óptica, tal feito não passara dum indício de fraqueza dum homem que se deixara vergar por uma mulher. Ele, Congo, nunca permitiria que uma fêmea lhe ditasse leis. Faria o que bem entendesse e administrava-lhe uma surra caso ela ripostasse -- uma lição inolvidável, daquelas que deixam marcas para a vida!...
Obviamente que se Hector procedesse de acordo com tal lógica, Congo já não constaria entre os vivos, mas tal facto era irrelevante na sua mente pervertida. Era de tal forma maléfico, que a sua iniquidade superava o seu instinto de sobrevivência!...
Confesso que me recordou vagamente aquela fábula do lacrau que pede à rã para o ajudar a atravessar um rio, e durante o trajecto crava-lhe o ferrão, alegando enquanto ambos se afogam: «Que esperavas?!...Não posso renunciar à minha natureza».
Tamanha bestialidade irracional, só mesmo no DNA!!!...
Enfim, não irei adiantar mais nada, pois tratando-se dum thriller, quanto menos se souber, melhor!...
Leiam!... Leiam, que é dos bons! 😉👍🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 12, 2017
I received this book for a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the authors, Wilbur Smith and Tom Cain, and the publisher, Harper Collins, for the opportunity. This has in no way impacted my judgement and all opinions are my own.
Predator is the third installment in the Hector Cross crime series, which I was unaware of before receiving the book. I had not read the previous installments but it did not diminish my understanding of the book and I didn't feel lost in any aspect of the plot.
In fact, I may have been oversold the events of the previous novels. The murder of Cross' wife is brought up repeatedly and he refers to her as "my dead wife" so often that it left me utterly bereft of emotion for what was undoubtedly a tragic and harrowing ordeal. I felt like many of the emotions that were supposed to be elicited from me, whilst reading this, weren't and I can't pinpoint exactly why.
Maybe it was the complexities of the politics discussed that often went completely over my head, but I felt such a separation from the story and had little opinion on any character or their individual plights. Perhaps this does have something to do with me beginning this series from this point in the story but, after reading this, I have no desire to go back and start from the beginning.
The story is complex and well-executed with multiple dynamics at play at any one point and I enjoyed the geographical journeys made in the story. However, the multiple perspectives deployed led to the thrilling aspect I ordinarily look for in crime fiction to be missing as we are given insight information into any shocking event beforehand. This is a great crime story, but perhaps not suited to my individual tastes of more scandalous or abhorrant, and less political, crimes.
Predator is the third installment in the Hector Cross crime series, which I was unaware of before receiving the book. I had not read the previous installments but it did not diminish my understanding of the book and I didn't feel lost in any aspect of the plot.
In fact, I may have been oversold the events of the previous novels. The murder of Cross' wife is brought up repeatedly and he refers to her as "my dead wife" so often that it left me utterly bereft of emotion for what was undoubtedly a tragic and harrowing ordeal. I felt like many of the emotions that were supposed to be elicited from me, whilst reading this, weren't and I can't pinpoint exactly why.
Maybe it was the complexities of the politics discussed that often went completely over my head, but I felt such a separation from the story and had little opinion on any character or their individual plights. Perhaps this does have something to do with me beginning this series from this point in the story but, after reading this, I have no desire to go back and start from the beginning.
The story is complex and well-executed with multiple dynamics at play at any one point and I enjoyed the geographical journeys made in the story. However, the multiple perspectives deployed led to the thrilling aspect I ordinarily look for in crime fiction to be missing as we are given insight information into any shocking event beforehand. This is a great crime story, but perhaps not suited to my individual tastes of more scandalous or abhorrant, and less political, crimes.
April 26, 2016
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”
----Marcus Aurelius
Wilbur Smith, the bestselling author, pens his latest thriller from his Hector Cross series called, Predator that is also contributed by the internationally bestselling author, Tom Cain. This book centers around the ex-SAS warrior and former private security consultant Major Hector Cross who is now on a man-hunt yet one more time to finish off his enemy who murdered his wife as well as to find a new enemy who is creating terrorism and fear in the name of global domination.
Synopsis:
THEY MURDERED HIS WIFE.
THEY DESTROYED HIS FUTURE.
NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY.
Two men are responsible for the death of Hector Cross’ wife and only one is left alive: Johnny Congo – psychopath, extortionist, murderer, and the bane of Cross’s life. He caught him before and let him go. Now, Hector wants him dead. So does the US government.
Congo is locked up on Death Row in the most secure prison in the free world, counting down the days until his execution. He’s got two weeks. He wants out. He’s escaped before and knows he can again, and with whizz kid D’Shonn Brown enlisted, he might just have a chance.
Cross, still licking his wounds from his last bruising encounter with Congo, is back and ready for work. In the middle of the rough Atlantic stands oil supertanker Bannock A.
Terrorist activity in the area has triggered panic and there’s only one person they can trust to protect her.
What is promised as a cakewalk turns out to be much more, a mission that will test Cross to his emotional and physical limits. But a life spent in the SAS and private security has left Cross hard-wired for pain and as he is thrown into the bull pit once more, he will not stop until he has snared his prey.
Hector Cross is Predator.
Hector Cross is now on the move again and this time he has taken the laws on to his own hands to finish off the man who killed his wife- Johnny Congo. As Congo is being shifted to another prison where he will be executed for his crimes, he escapes while leaving a trail of dead bodies. Cross has been requested to take care of some suspected terrorist activities on the freezing Atlantic on an oil supertanker. Both Congo and Cross has become ruthless and will not stop at nothing to kill each other. Who gets to win, only reading this story will tell that and for which you need to pick a copy of this book now.
This is my first time that I read anything written by either Tom Cain or Wilbur Smith so I could not differentiate much who wrote which part of the story. The authors' writing style is fantastic, edgy, laced with tension and gripping suspense. The book is addictive from the first page itself as the authors delve the backstories of the characters with lots of details thus providing the story with a moderate pace. The narrative is engaging and at times is laced with raw-violence that will sometimes become bit too painful enough to digest.
The mystery itself is tightly wrapped under so many layers and confusing twists and turns that are so hard to predict from a reader's POV. The authors help their readers to move smoothly with the flow of the mystery and suspense and with their vividly arresting details, the readers are bound to feel the adrenaline-rushing thrill from the pages of this book. The story itself is not a page turner, although the adventure will keep the readers on their edges pretty much all the time.
The main characters have that psychological hold on to the minds of the readers. From a first time readers of this series, like me, the story does not disappoint with the characters who were already developed in the previous books, as the authors have introduced them yet one more time with their past lives, thus making it easier for the readers to comprehend with the characters. The main character, the hero of the story has lot of similarities with the negative character, the villain of the story. Both Congo and Cross tortured people and showed an inhumane brutality on their way to their goals. Rest of the supporting characters are also quite well-developed.
Overall, this enthralling thrilling adventurous mystery is a must read for those who enjoy a compelling crime-fiction that involves murder, rape, torture, terrorism, scandal as well as adventure.
Verdict: A captivating as well as an intriguing thriller.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Marcus Aurelius
Wilbur Smith, the bestselling author, pens his latest thriller from his Hector Cross series called, Predator that is also contributed by the internationally bestselling author, Tom Cain. This book centers around the ex-SAS warrior and former private security consultant Major Hector Cross who is now on a man-hunt yet one more time to finish off his enemy who murdered his wife as well as to find a new enemy who is creating terrorism and fear in the name of global domination.
Synopsis:
THEY MURDERED HIS WIFE.
THEY DESTROYED HIS FUTURE.
NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY.
Two men are responsible for the death of Hector Cross’ wife and only one is left alive: Johnny Congo – psychopath, extortionist, murderer, and the bane of Cross’s life. He caught him before and let him go. Now, Hector wants him dead. So does the US government.
Congo is locked up on Death Row in the most secure prison in the free world, counting down the days until his execution. He’s got two weeks. He wants out. He’s escaped before and knows he can again, and with whizz kid D’Shonn Brown enlisted, he might just have a chance.
Cross, still licking his wounds from his last bruising encounter with Congo, is back and ready for work. In the middle of the rough Atlantic stands oil supertanker Bannock A.
Terrorist activity in the area has triggered panic and there’s only one person they can trust to protect her.
What is promised as a cakewalk turns out to be much more, a mission that will test Cross to his emotional and physical limits. But a life spent in the SAS and private security has left Cross hard-wired for pain and as he is thrown into the bull pit once more, he will not stop until he has snared his prey.
Hector Cross is Predator.
Hector Cross is now on the move again and this time he has taken the laws on to his own hands to finish off the man who killed his wife- Johnny Congo. As Congo is being shifted to another prison where he will be executed for his crimes, he escapes while leaving a trail of dead bodies. Cross has been requested to take care of some suspected terrorist activities on the freezing Atlantic on an oil supertanker. Both Congo and Cross has become ruthless and will not stop at nothing to kill each other. Who gets to win, only reading this story will tell that and for which you need to pick a copy of this book now.
This is my first time that I read anything written by either Tom Cain or Wilbur Smith so I could not differentiate much who wrote which part of the story. The authors' writing style is fantastic, edgy, laced with tension and gripping suspense. The book is addictive from the first page itself as the authors delve the backstories of the characters with lots of details thus providing the story with a moderate pace. The narrative is engaging and at times is laced with raw-violence that will sometimes become bit too painful enough to digest.
The mystery itself is tightly wrapped under so many layers and confusing twists and turns that are so hard to predict from a reader's POV. The authors help their readers to move smoothly with the flow of the mystery and suspense and with their vividly arresting details, the readers are bound to feel the adrenaline-rushing thrill from the pages of this book. The story itself is not a page turner, although the adventure will keep the readers on their edges pretty much all the time.
The main characters have that psychological hold on to the minds of the readers. From a first time readers of this series, like me, the story does not disappoint with the characters who were already developed in the previous books, as the authors have introduced them yet one more time with their past lives, thus making it easier for the readers to comprehend with the characters. The main character, the hero of the story has lot of similarities with the negative character, the villain of the story. Both Congo and Cross tortured people and showed an inhumane brutality on their way to their goals. Rest of the supporting characters are also quite well-developed.
Overall, this enthralling thrilling adventurous mystery is a must read for those who enjoy a compelling crime-fiction that involves murder, rape, torture, terrorism, scandal as well as adventure.
Verdict: A captivating as well as an intriguing thriller.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
April 10, 2016
Okay. I've had enough. My favorite fiction writer of all time is no more. I don't know what has happened, but the Wilbur Smith I know who would keep me on the edge is gone, replaced by something, I'm not sure what, but I will read no more of these. This fills me with great sorrow. I may have to reread his earlier works during my time left on this planet. To those of you to whom I've recently recommended him, I am sorry. Please read his earlier books and avoid this, his Brett Favre era.
April 18, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ = Quite Good.
Audio.
3rd in the series.
This plunged straight into an intense plot. I didn’t enjoy this as much as some of the WS books that I have read, and maybe this was down to the subject rather than the written word.
As always with this author… plenty going on.
Audio.
3rd in the series.
This plunged straight into an intense plot. I didn’t enjoy this as much as some of the WS books that I have read, and maybe this was down to the subject rather than the written word.
As always with this author… plenty going on.
June 26, 2016
This is NOT a Wilbur Smith novel! It is a sorry substitute for one. Wilbur has said that he sincerely followed the advice of his first publisher and Mentor Charles Pick to "Write only about those things you know well." anmd that "Since then hehas written only about Africa..." Well, this novel is not about Africa. Atlleast not the Africa that Wilbur took us to. Lush, green, unforgiving, dangerous but essentially beautiful.
This is ugly, gross and most of the action takes place in Europe and America...so..? Moreover, the plot is so painfully obvious only Hecto Cross takes till almost the end of the book and death of his latest girlfriend to discover it! Being a Hector Cross partner is like having a death wish!
All the detailed descriptions about defense equipment read like a Armaments company brochure. Soooo...boring.
If you are a staunch Wilbur Smith Fan like me, I suppose you will still read this book and manage to control your nausea and boredom.
Wilbur will be well advised to stop this series and drop Tom Cain like a hot potato.
This is ugly, gross and most of the action takes place in Europe and America...so..? Moreover, the plot is so painfully obvious only Hecto Cross takes till almost the end of the book and death of his latest girlfriend to discover it! Being a Hector Cross partner is like having a death wish!
All the detailed descriptions about defense equipment read like a Armaments company brochure. Soooo...boring.
If you are a staunch Wilbur Smith Fan like me, I suppose you will still read this book and manage to control your nausea and boredom.
Wilbur will be well advised to stop this series and drop Tom Cain like a hot potato.
March 31, 2016
I thought the book was really poorly written. The ebook copy I had (from OneClick Digital) did not have any chapter markers and had numerous grammatic and spelling errors. But the worst part was the way the story line jumped around and the plot holes.
The author spent a lot of time telling us about what a fearsome fighter Nastiya is yet she was quickly bested by the bad guy in the final battle.
The author spent a lot of time telling us about what a fearsome fighter Nastiya is yet she was quickly bested by the bad guy in the final battle.
July 12, 2017
The hunt begins...
Fast-paced-ongoing action, interesting characters, and a big journey from the meanders of Africa to Alaska, Arabia, USA and Europe, following the main character and his team in his adventures and misadventures as a Bannock oilfield industry security chief.
This is not my type of book, but I ended up liking it.
July 30, 2016
"Predator" is an action-packed thriller that continues after the death of Hector Cross's wife , the killing of vicious and ruthless Carl Bannock and the handing over of Johnny Congo an extortionist and multi- murderer to legal justice. Life for Hector returns to normal with his girlfriend Jo Stanley and raising his young daughter Catherine Cayla when Congo escapes the executioner and vows vengeance against him.
In a fast-paced, explosive thrill-ride Hector faces a conspiracy to devalue Bannock Oil shares, and acts of terrorism that include the hostage taking on an oil rig near Cabinda and the destruction of the oil supertanker Bannock A which costs multiple lives. As head of security and a director for Bannock Oil even though the oil rig and its crew are saved Hector not only faces the loss of his daughter's fortune, a blot on the reputation of his security firm Cross Bow Security but legal action against him. Tension and suspense continually build throughout the story as he tries to find the psychopath that's trying to destroy Bannock Oil while keeping his daughter safe.
In this story Jo Stanley threatened by a promise she had Hector make walks away citing all the darkness, death and violence that's so much a part of his life. Yet she cannot forget him and continues to delve into a scheme that will devalue Bannock Oil and make billions for the conspirators in collusion with Congo. Hurt by her rejection Hector quickly moves on and becomes smitten with young, sexy Zhenia Voronova. In a action-packed story that's gripping from start to finish it's the love interests and portrayal of the female characters that bring it down. The woman are not believable; either loose and sexy or tough and sexy, no in-between except perhaps cowardly, rule-oriented Jo Stanley who walks away from Hector because she wanted legal justice rather than blood on his hands. Even though Hector is entranced by a smart, attractive crime profiler closer to his age he easily succumbs to a relationship with the young, flighty and loose Zhenia, sister of tough, no-nonsense warrior Nasiya O'Quinn ironically believing he'll finally have an ideal family life.
Although the woman aren't realistic the characters do infuse the story with intensity, excitement and drama. Major Hector Cross the private security consultant and ex-SAS who plays by his own rules, is headstrong and proud but is also a tender-hearted father with his daughter. Included in his security team is the quick-witted, tough and hot-tempered Paddy O'Quinn; his wife the clever and skilled warrior Nasiya; and the brains behind the brawn Dave Imbliss. Yet it's the depraved, heartlessness, and brooding vengeance of Johnny Congo (aka King John Kikuu Tembo) and the sophisticated charm of the greedy, cynical and ruthless Mateus da Cunha that add a dangerous chill to the story.
Basically I liked the action thriller "Predator" as Hector Cross hunts a depraved killer who unleashes a deadly conspiracy and intend to read other series by the Wilbur Smith.
In a fast-paced, explosive thrill-ride Hector faces a conspiracy to devalue Bannock Oil shares, and acts of terrorism that include the hostage taking on an oil rig near Cabinda and the destruction of the oil supertanker Bannock A which costs multiple lives. As head of security and a director for Bannock Oil even though the oil rig and its crew are saved Hector not only faces the loss of his daughter's fortune, a blot on the reputation of his security firm Cross Bow Security but legal action against him. Tension and suspense continually build throughout the story as he tries to find the psychopath that's trying to destroy Bannock Oil while keeping his daughter safe.
In this story Jo Stanley threatened by a promise she had Hector make walks away citing all the darkness, death and violence that's so much a part of his life. Yet she cannot forget him and continues to delve into a scheme that will devalue Bannock Oil and make billions for the conspirators in collusion with Congo. Hurt by her rejection Hector quickly moves on and becomes smitten with young, sexy Zhenia Voronova. In a action-packed story that's gripping from start to finish it's the love interests and portrayal of the female characters that bring it down. The woman are not believable; either loose and sexy or tough and sexy, no in-between except perhaps cowardly, rule-oriented Jo Stanley who walks away from Hector because she wanted legal justice rather than blood on his hands. Even though Hector is entranced by a smart, attractive crime profiler closer to his age he easily succumbs to a relationship with the young, flighty and loose Zhenia, sister of tough, no-nonsense warrior Nasiya O'Quinn ironically believing he'll finally have an ideal family life.
Although the woman aren't realistic the characters do infuse the story with intensity, excitement and drama. Major Hector Cross the private security consultant and ex-SAS who plays by his own rules, is headstrong and proud but is also a tender-hearted father with his daughter. Included in his security team is the quick-witted, tough and hot-tempered Paddy O'Quinn; his wife the clever and skilled warrior Nasiya; and the brains behind the brawn Dave Imbliss. Yet it's the depraved, heartlessness, and brooding vengeance of Johnny Congo (aka King John Kikuu Tembo) and the sophisticated charm of the greedy, cynical and ruthless Mateus da Cunha that add a dangerous chill to the story.
Basically I liked the action thriller "Predator" as Hector Cross hunts a depraved killer who unleashes a deadly conspiracy and intend to read other series by the Wilbur Smith.
March 23, 2016
This is what is usually called a thriller. Not a psychological one, just a thriller. It seems to be the term used by diverse adventure/action stories, where death is always lurking around, with men prone to violence and description of this violence.
I have just defined what prevents me from enjoying those books: the excess, the continuity of violence. Hector Cross' wife has been killed by two men. One was fed to crocodiles alive by Cross, while the surviving one, Johnny Congo, will manage to escape his prison and try to kill Cross by all possible means. That almost is enough to describe the book. Attempts by one guy to murder the other one, not very nicely, just looking for a result.
As Cross is the hero of thirteen books so far by Smith, it would be a shame to push the author to create a new hero. You know from the beginning he has good chances of survival.
But I don't get what the description of suffering and tormenting brings. I don't understand why Cross did not kill the man he gave to the crocodiles with a bullet first. It reminds me of plenty of other books by DeMille, Reilly, Clancy, etc... and bothers me for the same reasons. Where is the difference between the good and bad ones if they all love violence that much? The end of the book is horrifying, with Congo torturing two sisters, killing Cross' friend until he is finally tortured by Cross himself.
I hoped to find more about Africa than I did. But I must say I went quickly over the torture or rape scenes. Maybe I missed something...
I have just defined what prevents me from enjoying those books: the excess, the continuity of violence. Hector Cross' wife has been killed by two men. One was fed to crocodiles alive by Cross, while the surviving one, Johnny Congo, will manage to escape his prison and try to kill Cross by all possible means. That almost is enough to describe the book. Attempts by one guy to murder the other one, not very nicely, just looking for a result.
As Cross is the hero of thirteen books so far by Smith, it would be a shame to push the author to create a new hero. You know from the beginning he has good chances of survival.
But I don't get what the description of suffering and tormenting brings. I don't understand why Cross did not kill the man he gave to the crocodiles with a bullet first. It reminds me of plenty of other books by DeMille, Reilly, Clancy, etc... and bothers me for the same reasons. Where is the difference between the good and bad ones if they all love violence that much? The end of the book is horrifying, with Congo torturing two sisters, killing Cross' friend until he is finally tortured by Cross himself.
I hoped to find more about Africa than I did. But I must say I went quickly over the torture or rape scenes. Maybe I missed something...
April 12, 2016
Nastiya could have been a much more interesting character. i wanted to know more about her. More detail of her fathers character and him playing more of a part in the overall story would have been a welcome addition also. Her sisters character was so tepid I can't even recall her name although I only finished the book yesterday....
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the sometimes very cumbersome, poorly constructed sentences, and don't even get me started on the spelling errors.
There were parts that's showed a little of the usual Wilbur. Taking back the oil rig and the death row escape to name a couple but I found that the reader wasn't given enough credit to put the parts of the puzzle together themselves, rather that the plot twists were given away freely and that left me feeling devoid of suspense. the last part of the the book though was the real kicker.... Such potential for a classic adrenaline pumping good guy - bad guy fight to the death, and it was wasted. Condensed into less that ten pages it felt like just a rushed way to end the story that left me asking; If Johnny Congo was so easy to kill why didn't he do it in the last book rather that putting me through the anguish of seeing my favourite adventure novelist reduced to this
I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the sometimes very cumbersome, poorly constructed sentences, and don't even get me started on the spelling errors.
There were parts that's showed a little of the usual Wilbur. Taking back the oil rig and the death row escape to name a couple but I found that the reader wasn't given enough credit to put the parts of the puzzle together themselves, rather that the plot twists were given away freely and that left me feeling devoid of suspense. the last part of the the book though was the real kicker.... Such potential for a classic adrenaline pumping good guy - bad guy fight to the death, and it was wasted. Condensed into less that ten pages it felt like just a rushed way to end the story that left me asking; If Johnny Congo was so easy to kill why didn't he do it in the last book rather that putting me through the anguish of seeing my favourite adventure novelist reduced to this
June 23, 2016
I've been a Wilbur Smith reader for many years. I bought this book expecting an exceptional read, a story that took me away to another land.
What I got was a cheap imitation of a Dirk Pitt story with exceptionally bad editing and proofing.
It became clear that the spell check, or the proof reader, didn't know the English language enough to recognize the difference between the words 'round' and 'around'.
And finally, did no one notice that Schrager was killed at the bottom of the stairwell in the Venezuelan house but appears again on the Faucon d'Or in a cabin guarding Da Cunha?
I would hope that Wilbur Smith would extricate himself from the relationship that allowed the production of this very poor piece.
What I got was a cheap imitation of a Dirk Pitt story with exceptionally bad editing and proofing.
It became clear that the spell check, or the proof reader, didn't know the English language enough to recognize the difference between the words 'round' and 'around'.
And finally, did no one notice that Schrager was killed at the bottom of the stairwell in the Venezuelan house but appears again on the Faucon d'Or in a cabin guarding Da Cunha?
I would hope that Wilbur Smith would extricate himself from the relationship that allowed the production of this very poor piece.
August 7, 2017
Although Wilbur Smith is one of my favorite authors, I'm not going to bother finishing this offering. His tales featuring the Courtney Family and the Ballantyne Family were great. Not only the story line but the African panorama he wrote into each story made them well worth the read. This one is pure junk. I'm guessing he relied too much on the contributing co-author and got away from what made him such a great story teller.
If you are used to the Smith tales of a few years ago, don't bother with this. You will be very disappointed.
If you are used to the Smith tales of a few years ago, don't bother with this. You will be very disappointed.
December 19, 2017
Predator was and interesting read i didn't feel that it was Wilbur Smiths Book completly it seemed to take the first 6-7 chapters to get going admittedly the start was quite lively i don't want to give anything away
once the story got going 35% in things started to hop along and i enjoyed the rest of the book
I will give the book 4 stars having read all of the Authors book s this one
was showing a change in writing style that i am not overly happy with.
don't think the Author needs a Co Writer He said He would give us a book every 2-3 years
At his age I feel that would be terrific
once the story got going 35% in things started to hop along and i enjoyed the rest of the book
I will give the book 4 stars having read all of the Authors book s this one
was showing a change in writing style that i am not overly happy with.
don't think the Author needs a Co Writer He said He would give us a book every 2-3 years
At his age I feel that would be terrific
August 15, 2021
It's ok, but this really didn't feel like it was written by Mr Smith.
It has none of his usual energy or African feel. More like the publisher sold the characters to the co-author with Mr Smith's notes, then used his name in big bold print to help sell it.
While interesting, it was also a real letdown.
It has none of his usual energy or African feel. More like the publisher sold the characters to the co-author with Mr Smith's notes, then used his name in big bold print to help sell it.
While interesting, it was also a real letdown.
May 14, 2016
Maybe I just have reached my limits of horrific murders and mayhem in the world . I can't enjoy a story containing so much senseless mayhem. Every morning and every evening no matter where you live,the leading stories are of how many new bodies have turned up ??
Hector Cross and his lawyer girlfriend , Jo Stanley have settled in Scotland and hope to raise his daughter , Catherine. Hector's first wife, Hazel was murdered and his daughter is the only thing left from their marriage. Hector killed Carl Bannock , one of the men responsible for that murder but was restrained from killing his accomplice, Johnny Congo by Jo. She felt that the justice system should be allowed to function.
But on the way to his execution, Congo has arranged for his own escape and plans to avenge himself by killing Cross. The interception of the convoy heading for the death chamber has resulted in terrific carnage but Cross knows he must now finally resolve his wife's other killer. Yes the main story is Hector Cross vs Johnny Congo but the amount of side action almost overwhelms one. Plus ethnic background starts to interfere with the story. Congo's lawyer Shelby Weiss has figured out to get some of the money involved in Congo's life and merge his law practice with Bannock's but several people start to criticize him because he is Jewish , I started to lose interest in the overriding story. At times this story catches you but at other times, there are too many subplots.
Think of it this way...the main theme is Hector Cross vs Johnny Congo but there is so much side action that you really need a score card to keep track of the players!!
Hector Cross and his lawyer girlfriend , Jo Stanley have settled in Scotland and hope to raise his daughter , Catherine. Hector's first wife, Hazel was murdered and his daughter is the only thing left from their marriage. Hector killed Carl Bannock , one of the men responsible for that murder but was restrained from killing his accomplice, Johnny Congo by Jo. She felt that the justice system should be allowed to function.
But on the way to his execution, Congo has arranged for his own escape and plans to avenge himself by killing Cross. The interception of the convoy heading for the death chamber has resulted in terrific carnage but Cross knows he must now finally resolve his wife's other killer. Yes the main story is Hector Cross vs Johnny Congo but the amount of side action almost overwhelms one. Plus ethnic background starts to interfere with the story. Congo's lawyer Shelby Weiss has figured out to get some of the money involved in Congo's life and merge his law practice with Bannock's but several people start to criticize him because he is Jewish , I started to lose interest in the overriding story. At times this story catches you but at other times, there are too many subplots.
Think of it this way...the main theme is Hector Cross vs Johnny Congo but there is so much side action that you really need a score card to keep track of the players!!
October 8, 2018
Lamento tener que opinar sobre este libro, aunque imagino que muchos les gustó. Yo no estoy involucrada en el movimiento feminista ni es un tema que me apasione pero ahora daré mi más cruda critica feminista. Y es que Héctor Cross, el protagonista, hace parecer a James Bond un sensible, empático y adorable feminazi. Así tal cual. Pensaría que el libro lo escribió un adolescente con exceso de testosterona y algo de misoginia, pero resulta que tiene mas de 50. Lo que odié del personaje y de toda la novela, fueron los estereotipos combinados con descripciones sexuales más extensas, o explícitas o inadecuadas de lo necesario. No diré mas para no hacer spoilers pero no creo que a muchas mujeres les guste. Alta violencia, acción y erotismo (sexo en realidad), con un ritmo no tan fluido como se esperaría de tan poca sustancia. Pero creo que es una saga, aunque en ninguna parte lo dice. De todos modos, Hec tendrá acción, de todo tipo, en este y el anterior libro. Muy inverosímil, incongruente incluso, insisto, la fantasía de un adolescente con exceso de hormonas y carencia de cerebro. Y de verdad no lo digo como feminazi (feo termino) sino como lectora objetiva que ya ha leído muchas novelas similares. Tal vez ese sea el problema, saturación. No, demasiado mal gusto y trama infantilizada al punto de caricaturizar los personajes.
April 2, 2017
Adoro a Wilbur Smith y es uno de mis dos o tres escritores favoritos, así que no puedo juzgarlo objetivamente.
Fanatismos de lado, hay que decir que ya está viejito y hace rato que sus libros no son lo que eran.
En lo personal, disfruto mucho más las novelas de Wilbur cuando transcurren en un marco histórico más lejano. Nadie puede retratar tan magistralmente como él al continente africano del siglo XIX, XVIII, y más atrás incluso.
Cuando las novelas son contemporáneas, como en este caso, creo que se pierde la "magia" que ha hecho de Wilbur uno de los más grandes best sellers que existen.
Sin embargo, El Predador trae a un personaje conocido, Hector Cross, en su eterna cruzada de venganza (por última vez?) contra aquellos que ultrajaron a su familia; y, en mayor o menor medida de acuerdo a la exigencia del lector, considero que cumple su objetivo de entretener.
Fanatismos de lado, hay que decir que ya está viejito y hace rato que sus libros no son lo que eran.
En lo personal, disfruto mucho más las novelas de Wilbur cuando transcurren en un marco histórico más lejano. Nadie puede retratar tan magistralmente como él al continente africano del siglo XIX, XVIII, y más atrás incluso.
Cuando las novelas son contemporáneas, como en este caso, creo que se pierde la "magia" que ha hecho de Wilbur uno de los más grandes best sellers que existen.
Sin embargo, El Predador trae a un personaje conocido, Hector Cross, en su eterna cruzada de venganza (por última vez?) contra aquellos que ultrajaron a su familia; y, en mayor o menor medida de acuerdo a la exigencia del lector, considero que cumple su objetivo de entretener.
February 14, 2017
Per la serie aridatece Wilbur... o forse non tornerà mai più lui, chissà.
Questo ennesimo romanzo della serie Cross se lo poteva evitare, così come gli altri. Brutto, insulso, con situazioni al limite della fantascienza e con caratterizzazioni che cozzano col buonsenso, a partire da quella di Hector, uomo che per vendicare la propria donna fa di tutto, anche passare senza preoccuparsi sui cadaveri di amici, colleghi ed ex fidanzate, e pensare al sesso con la sua nuova fiamma cinque minuti dopo; in certi frangenti, anche nei rapporti con le due donne con cui interagisce nel romanzo, sembrano mancare dei pezzi. Smith lasciasse stare questa serie, che tira fuori il peggio di lui.
Questo ennesimo romanzo della serie Cross se lo poteva evitare, così come gli altri. Brutto, insulso, con situazioni al limite della fantascienza e con caratterizzazioni che cozzano col buonsenso, a partire da quella di Hector, uomo che per vendicare la propria donna fa di tutto, anche passare senza preoccuparsi sui cadaveri di amici, colleghi ed ex fidanzate, e pensare al sesso con la sua nuova fiamma cinque minuti dopo; in certi frangenti, anche nei rapporti con le due donne con cui interagisce nel romanzo, sembrano mancare dei pezzi. Smith lasciasse stare questa serie, che tira fuori il peggio di lui.
February 19, 2016
For the most part liked this book. It is a very fast paced thriller and you come to admire Heck. Lots of action. Could have done without the vulgarity and it was more violent than I like. Can be read as a stand alone novel but I might go back and read the previous ones.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
May 18, 2016
A bit disappointed because I was expecting historical fiction.
A good, fast paced, entertaining soldier of fortune adventure story. This was my first Crossbow novel and I found it enjoyable. I will search for another in the series.
This book seemed to flounder a bit in the ending I found the ending to be a bit disappointing as it did not match the build-up.
A good, fast paced, entertaining soldier of fortune adventure story. This was my first Crossbow novel and I found it enjoyable. I will search for another in the series.
This book seemed to flounder a bit in the ending I found the ending to be a bit disappointing as it did not match the build-up.
June 21, 2016
With Wilbur Smith there is no doubt as to who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. The good guys aren't always angels, but the bad guys are pure evil. If you are up for a lot of action, this is a good book for you.
September 24, 2016
Just not the usual Wilbur Smith, you can see his touch but you know it's not him
October 27, 2020
[This was NOT the Kindle Edition, but the paperback book. I tried twice unsuccessfully to correct the error before writing my review.]
Imagine a Texas death row inmate who has previously escaped and is now on his way to his execution once again. How could he escape AGAIN? A small army has been assigned to guard him from here to there..Thus starts the book.
The action does not slow down, and moves all over the world, including mostly Africa. Hector Cross plays his part in chasing this predator, and although Cross rarely loses, it does sometimes happen. Unfortunately, he loses a number of his best players with him.
Excitement throughout and multi-millions of dollars won and lost with little concern. More of Wilbur Smith's books still out there to read.
Imagine a Texas death row inmate who has previously escaped and is now on his way to his execution once again. How could he escape AGAIN? A small army has been assigned to guard him from here to there..Thus starts the book.
The action does not slow down, and moves all over the world, including mostly Africa. Hector Cross plays his part in chasing this predator, and although Cross rarely loses, it does sometimes happen. Unfortunately, he loses a number of his best players with him.
Excitement throughout and multi-millions of dollars won and lost with little concern. More of Wilbur Smith's books still out there to read.
June 2, 2018
Fast paced with good action. Rounds off the Hector Cross Hazel Bannock story very well. It also looks as if an opening has been left for more Crossbow Action.
November 14, 2019
Wilbur Smith is an absolute wordsmith. He writes magic words that sucked me in and I didn't want the story to end but I wanted Cross to win......
January 9, 2025
Los diálogos se me hicieron poco creíbles pero la trama y la cantidad de personajes me entretuvieron hasta el final.
September 29, 2018
My first willbur smith book.. Its a quite a nice revenge thriller.. 😊😊😊Recommending for everybody😊😊😊😊😊😊
June 9, 2017
I am being really generous with 3 stars. It's 90% tedium, 10% 'electronic games - style violence'. This did not read like Wilbur Smith at all. Has the name been franchised, like "Enid Blyton"? The style is totally different. Is it counterfeit, or has Wilbur been very ill? (He's obviously getting-on a bit now.....) I will read no more Wilbur Smith books - having read almost all of his old, and good ones.
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