Elephant Walk

The Brigandshaw Chronicles #2

by Peter Rimmer

After completing his geology degree at Oxford University, Harry Brigandshaw is invited to spend the summer at Purbeck Manor in Dorset, home to his friend Robert St. Clair. Once there, Harry meets Lucinda, his friend’s sister who loves him even though he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. During a day out shooting, Harry receives an urgent telegram from home in Africa and must return immediately. He sets sail with Robert to sort out his affairs back home, with an assortment of individuals with their own agendas.

As the years pass, Harry’s life continues on Elephant Walk in Rhodesia whilst Lucinda in Dorset pines away, forever in hope. The middle of 1914 approaches with England declaring war on Germany. With the war in full swing and those closest to Harry enlisting in the army, he receives a telegram that his brother has been killed in action. Devastated, Harry enlists for vengeance. As he moves up in the ranks, a past acquaintance from Oxford is also making a name for himself - the invincible killing machine – as he devises a vengeful plan of his own against Harry. As the war wages on, Harry is dealt several more blows as he attempts to stay alive and keep his family safe. But with danger brewing around every corner, this proves to be a challenging feat.

ELEPHANT WALK is the second book of the Brigandshaw Chronicles with ECHOES FROM THE PAST being the first.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Africa

457 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2016

About the author

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

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuing saga of the Brigandshaw Chronicles, entertaining, well researched on WWI history and Southern Africa. Perhaps a few too many characters, but he did need them to flesh out the plot.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This second book brings us the stories of the families as they move into the 20th century and World War I. There is excitement and heartache among the people and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really hooked on this epic series. The Brigandshaw Family braces for the war while Bartend discovers some rather large diamond-looking stones on the beach on the West coast of Africa. His hatred of the British after a long boil starts to dissipate. Bored Jack Merryweather signs up to serve in the war. Sallie and Albert Pringle go into the business of explosives and gold mining as speculation for riches. Robert and Lucinda are a bit aimless in life, both wishing for a path or goal. What unfolds, really becomes a very interesting read. On to the last book now....

[Ian Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got bigger down with the large number of characters

I don't know if it's my age (70+) but I had a problem working out who was who e.g. I got it completely wrong identifying the murderer. It was extremely annoying to find a glossary of characters at the end of the rather than the beginning. It was however a good read.

[sandra l DICKSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

To know Africa is to love it, with all the heart-brakes, the country side is so beautiful the wild is in abundance, you can forget your sorrows!

Peter knows Rhodesia that’s for sure, the diamond discovery is so true, many a man went to South West Africa to hunt for the diamonds that washed up on the beach. There were Germans guards who would shoot you if they saw you as SWA, was under German occupation. I’m enjoying his book a lot, my favorite author on Africa is Wilbur Smith, was I should say, he passed a few years ago, I read every book he published. This series is excellent so far I read three, and will read all of his. You’ll love it, be sure to start at book one

[Neil Basnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and could never guess what was going to happen next with twists and turns right to the very end of the book. Yes...there are many characters in it and I very often lost track of who was who meaning that I had to keep going back. So many actually died so he will have to introduce loads of new characters in the next instalment....book 3. Unlike the previous book, much of this one was set outside Africa especially during world war 1. It features a whole range of differing characters, some nicer and more normal than others!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the family saga. Lots of African history, that I am assuming is mostly true. The 2 families seem to have a hard time being happy and finding/keeping love interests. War begins, fortunes are made. It's not a gripping story, but good. And I seemed to keep better track of who was who in this one. Perhaps because there weren't as many new characters.
I got books 1,2 and 3 for free.

[Carol May · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is very skilled in weaving this tale from Rhodesia to London to the First World War

This second book continuing the story of the Brigandshaw family in Rhodesia, takes Harry and Berand far from home. Family, friends and acquaintances inter-relate as war crashes around them. There are amazing winners and many more who have sorrowful losses. I highly recommend Peter Rimmer’s fascinating novels.

[John J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vacation book for me. Read it in two days.
This is the third book in the Brigandshaw series by Peter Rimmer. I will soon purchase the fourth and final one.
I enjoy the style of writing and the way the author develops some very interesting, very complex characters. The period of time leading up to and including WWI is revealed from the distinctive point of view of English merchants, traders, farmers, white hunters, and scallywags living in Africa.
A very good read

[Karen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story teller.

This was my second book by Peter Rimmer and I have to say I am thrilled to have found him. I've been searching for a new author for awhile. When reading some reviews one reader compared him to Wilbur Smith. So I bought the book and now I cannot wait to read more. His characters are very real and he has researched the period very well.

[Michael O.Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

This is a well written series of books. The author has intertwined history with an excellent plot and characters. The characters themselves are very believable and you feel that you are in the plane with the pilots as well as in the countries described. I strongly recommend these books.

[Nancy G. Murdoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book

Mr. Rimmer really hit his stride in this second book of his saga. I struggled a bit with the first book, but decided to at least check out Elephant Walk. So glad I did. The story and characters are rich and well fleshed out. Hope number 3 will be as good. I'm hooked on The Brigandshaw Chronicles.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars from me. For some odd reason Goodreads is only showing 1 star as a possible rating instead of the usual 5. Very odd.
It was great to find out what happens to the characters and their offspring from the first book. Very very enjoyable. This one takes place throughout the First World War. Good stuff.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 2nd book of the series much more than the 1st book. I haven't read too many books about WWI so that was interesting. Also, I liked the characters much better in this book and I look forward to reading the rest of their stories in Book 3. I just learned that there are actually 11 books in this series.....

[willem klinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

African adventures


Read every book by Wilbur Smith so I like the African adventures.
Peter rimmer is probably the next best author to read about this kind of story.
Lot of people involved,sometimes a bit confusion if you read a little at the time.
Read 4 books sofar, will continue. Willem Klinker

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finding it a bit challenging to keep track of the characters in the first book, I am so pleased that this second book was a great deal easier to read, and that it has inspired me to want to read the rest of the Brigandshaw Chronicles. It's exciting to know that so many Peter Rimmer books await me.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and read these books together and just finished this, the second book. We truly like the authors style and the storyline is fascinating (you have to keep up with the family connections). We are now reading Mad Dogs and Englishman, the third book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series goes down MANY different avenues but it is very interesting and a good review of history. I enjoyed the book and the characters (mostly) and while not GREAT LITERATURE - a good yarn to listen to.

[Linda LaRoque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I loved the history of Rhodesa, life in the bush, and the trials of World War I. The characters are intriguing. My one complaint is the number of characters. In my opinion there are too many. It was hard for me to keep up with them and that slowed me down.

[Alan Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading

Read and thoroughly enjoyed this the second one in the Brigandshaw chronicles the story following the lives adventures and mishaps of the family and close retainers ,very good very interesting reading highly recommended by myself

[Thomas Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy the Walk

This is a great book. I enjoyed it even more than Book 1. The characters are relatable and unforgettable. Peter Rimmer makes you feel the horrors of war and the love of family. I can't wait to read book 3.

[Edina Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to be weary of a series as the second and next books tend not to be as good as the first. This, however, is a definite exception. Such a well-written book, great character development, and story lines. Can't wait for the next book.

[Robert Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Can’t wait to start the next one.

[Mrs C M Egarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive

I am currently on the last, for the moment, of the Brigandshaw series. Just soo good and more to follow.

[Mrs. J D Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

Really enjoyed reading this book, looking forward to the third book in this series.
Thank you to the Rimmer family.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first. Easier to follow and kept my interest.

[EileenNH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Series

This series is very well written. The plot and characters have a very nice pace to them. Interesting backdrop of Rhodesia and South Africa.

[Steve Rumpf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Details Abounding

It was like I could actual
ly see the countryside, the animals, the storms, the boats, the trains, the people.

[Joan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters are relatable and interesting. Portrays the awful experiences of those caught up in WWI. The depictions of Africa are wonderful and remind me of my trip there.

[Angela Michels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good follow up

Elephant walk was a great sequel and tied everything together. Will look forward to number Three and then the others.