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The Brigandshaw Chronicles #3

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

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Tragedy has struck twice, leaving one grief-stricken man and another fighting his demons. Will they ever be happy again?
It's post-World War 1. Harry Brigandshaw runs away to the Skeleton Coast to hide his grief and anger from anyone who cares. Several, lonely years pass before Harry returns to Elephant Walk putting aside his rage and sorrow to begin anew. But can he? Unbeknownst to him, a letter awaits his return. And yet again his future is thrown into turmoil!

Mad Dogs and Englishmen takes you to the roaring 20’s of London where beautiful, seductive women snare the wealthy, where cut-throat deals are made, and hedonism plays out at the supper clubs and theatre. Yet always, Africa is calling. Africa, where only the mad go out in the midday sun. Beckoning. Back to Elephant Walk. The heart and soul of the Brigandshaw family.

The unmissable Brigandshaws and the colourful character’s Peter Rimmer paints return in this eagerly awaited sequel to Elephant Walk.


MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN is the third book of the Brigandshaw Chronicles with ECHOES FROM THE PAST being the first.

430 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2017

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454 people want to read

About the author

Peter Rimmer

77 books86 followers
Peter Rimmer was born in London, England, and grew up in the south of the city where he went to Cranleigh School. After the Second World War and at aged 18, Peter joined the Royal Air Force, reaching the rank of Pilot Officer before he was 19. Then at the end of his National Service and with the optimism of youth, he sailed for Africa with his older brother to grow tobacco in what was then Rhodesia, and the odyssey of his life began.

The years went by and Peter found himself in Johannesburg founding an insurance brokering company. Over 2% of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange were clients of Rimmer Associates. He opened companies in the United States of America, Australia and Hong Kong and travelled extensively between the branches.

His passion had always been writing books, which he started at a very early age, though running a business was a driving force too and a common thread throughout his books. By the 1990’s, he had written several novels about Africa and England, and his breakthrough came with Cry of the Fish Eagle published by HarperCollins, Zimbabwe. It was a bestseller, which was followed up with the release of Vultures in the Wind. However, during this time, Zimbabwe was going through its struggles and the books did not get their just international recognition.

Having lived a reclusive life on his beloved smallholding in Knysna, South Africa, for over 25 years, Peter passed away in July 2018. He has left an enormous legacy of unpublished work for his family to release over the coming years, and not only them but also his readers from around the world will sorely miss him. Peter Rimmer was 81 years old.

To learn more about Peter, and to get a free starter library of novels, visit his website at www.peterrimmer.com, or find him on Facebook.com/PeterRimmerAuthor, follow him on Twitter @htcrimmer.com, and on BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/peter-rimmer

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5 stars
635 (58%)
4 stars
359 (33%)
3 stars
73 (6%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Marilyn Spencer.
1 review
March 25, 2023
To my surprise I enjoyed this book very much. I didn’t know very much about this period of time in Africa. In fact my knowledge of African history, and the aftermath of the war is shameful. Best comment … I’m on to the next book.
Profile Image for Nancy.
696 reviews6 followers
March 29, 2021
This third in the epic series of Harry Brigandshaw winding in and around the family of his best friends, Robert St. Clair and Barend Oosthuizen and all their girl friends, business acquaintances, and some contacts with the war between the Germans, British, and the Boer war. Harry worries about Fishy Braithwaite wishing to get even for his interest in Fishy's Fiance, Sara and about anyone Harry is attracted by. The last half of the book seems to roll along like a freight train. I enjoyed this series very much
1 review
February 17, 2018
I rather liked the series of books as I have worked in that part of Africa. At times the books seem repetitious where the past is repeated but in general its a fast moving page turner. One criticism- "Fishy" is considered a "Hero" in the book and this irritates me.. He is a psychopathic killer, a clone product of the military who never accept responsibility to deprogram their creations no matter the country.
4 reviews
June 28, 2019
A must read

A very good read could not put it down fell asleep reading ....some nights did not go to sleep till the early hours I loved all three I will read number 4 as soon as I can I bought them for hubby but really enjoyed them myself
Profile Image for Constantine.
100 reviews10 followers
November 20, 2022
The Brigandshaw Chronicles series is thoroughly enjoyable. Peter Rimmer had an ingenious way of progressing his story by frequent jumps back and forth in time, place and perspectives, often in mid sentence. The way the many characters and their viewpoints and complex stories are interweaved into a richly textured yarn is extraordinary. If you think you’ve missed or forgotten something because it is seemingly dropped at random into the plot, well, it usually is, but it is inevitably explained in due course — seamlessly and cogently. The series flits around Europe, England, Africa and long sea voyages revealing the rich history of colonial central Southern Africa. Books 1 to 3, beginning shortly before the Anglo-Boer war, depict the war itself, the rise of the Johannesburg gold mining town, the First World War, and on through the roaring and flapping twenties, the beginnings of commercial aviation, heading to the Depression that no-one sees coming. Looking forward to the next in the series.
456 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2022
#3 in a series. This author does a good job of truly finishing each book. I do think you need to read them in order, but I feel you can stop at the end of any book and have those stories basically complete.
There is a man trapped in a mine cave-in, segment that was interesting and carried through to the end of this book.
There are a few places where descriptions or conversations go on for a few pages that don't seem to add anything to the story. Not many but noticeable.
I got the #1-3 books as a set, for free. Probably will not buy the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Yahya.
327 reviews15 followers
September 16, 2024
Mad dog and Englishmen is the third book in the Brigandshaw series.
It was a battle to finish reading this book. The novel features some beautifully crafted chapters that vividly capture the setting and cultural backdrop. However, the reading experience can be uneven; while certain sections are engaging, others may feel lengthy and less compelling. At times, the extensive background narrative can obscure its relevance to the main plot, potentially leading to confusion.

It left me nostalgic to reading a good Wilbur smith or Bryce Courtney novel.
Profile Image for K. Leach.
77 reviews
June 9, 2024
I wish this series had more history & less sexual drama. The author could be an erotica author. The characters can be quite ridiculous.

Book 3
Info

Spoiler Alert: Mervyn Braithwaite “fishy” escaped again & followed Harry to Africa to murder him. He shot & killed Barend, but was killed by Tembu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
6,211 reviews80 followers
May 10, 2017
I won this book in a goodreads novel.

Sort of a family epic, this book takes place in the 1920's, where people struggle along, trying to act like they're in the Lost Generation.

Not really my kind of book. Your mileage may vary.
Profile Image for Irene.
1,554 reviews
June 4, 2018
Fast read and recommended for a general audience. The author introduced The Roaring Twenties and mining in the UK. ifonot feel like I am walking with the people and there are books out there about aristocrats and the greedy class.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
576 reviews
August 24, 2021
The 3rd in the series and my favorite so far. Bodes well for someday finishing the other 8 books. I have always liked generational stories, and this fits the bill. I also love Africa so that makes it even better.
Profile Image for Cletus Lee.
129 reviews
October 28, 2022
Book #3 in the Brigandshaw Chronicles. Jumps chronologically into a period after WWI with new characters and locale at the beginning. This made for me a difficulty in following as I was a little lost until one of the main characters showed up.
8 reviews
November 9, 2022
I love this series

I love to read books that flow and live up to great expectations. That help you remember parts of your life too. Then finishing one book to move onto the next. So fun.
271 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2023
Good read. This is one of my favorite series, not much to say to an individual book, but the series is well done. I’ve already started the next one. I’ll probably take a break after that one if a pattern appears.
105 reviews1 follower
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October 22, 2023
Fabulous

I didn't realise there was a 4th book. I'm so glad. This is a delightful series that I can't put down. I'm not going to describe the story, but just say that it is truly a great book
Profile Image for Edina Rutland.
128 reviews
August 17, 2025
The third book in the series is just as good as the first two. Peter Rimmer is a fabulous storyteller. The characters are well-developed, the story is captivating, and there is just so much to learn about Africa. It is a book that is hard to put down. Can't wait to start reading the next one.
51 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2018
Another great story

The third book in the Brigandshaw trilogy was a lot of fun to read. The characters are unique and the setting in Africa is intoxicating.
119 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2021
I have enjoyed reading the first three books in this family saga and plan to read the next set.
1 review
May 3, 2022
Magical book

Wonderful book full of life. Didnt want it to end. pure escapism takes you another place.must get the next book.
277 reviews
May 5, 2022
The saga continues. An interesting story as I'd suspected.
12 reviews
May 15, 2022
lovely read

I have enjoyed reading these novels especially because they take place in Africa. I think the characters are well developed.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,549 reviews6 followers
December 2, 2022
I’m enjoying this family saga - very detailed but interesting and I’m on to the next book in the series #4.
2 reviews
December 13, 2022
Good read continuing the Brigandshaw story

A good, interesting instalment of the saga. I look forward to reading the next book. Well written with many varied characters.
1 review
December 21, 2022
Excellent books (read 1 -3) real page turner's. Only problem being difficult to put down. Hunters with a conscience Only shoot old animals and food for the table. Lol
5 reviews
July 3, 2023
the best one yet!

Because I finally figured out the whole group, now I can’t wait for the rest of the story to begin.
3 reviews
May 30, 2023
the saga continues

Excellent story that weaves in and out of the lives of characters introduced in the first of the Brigandshaw Chronicles and carefully adds new characters into the tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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