The Brigandshaw Chronicles Box Set: Books 1 to 3: A captivating historical come to life series

The Brigandshaw Chronicles #1-3

by Peter Rimmer

Perfect for fans of Wilbur Smith!The first three books in Peter Rimmer's MASSIVE historical fiction series, The Brigandshaw Chronicles.1. Echoes from the Past In 1887, Sebastian Brigandshaw is exiled from England by his abusive father, leaving behind his childhood sweetheart, Emily… Disembarking from a ship, he meets a Boer hunter, Tinus, who takes him under his wing to build a new life in southern Africa. After several months, with the direction of his new friend, Sebastian begins to enjoy himself, deciding to settle in this unknown land.However, not long after, he learns of a heart-twisting secret about his lost love and decides to travel back to England.2. Elephant Walk War is inevitable, with two enemies finding themselves fighting on the same side. But one wants peace, the other intent on murder...As 1914 approaches, England declares war on Germany. With the conflict in full swing and those closest to Harry Brigandshaw enlisting in the army, Harry’s brother is killed in action. Devastated, Harry enlists for vengeance. As he moves up the ranks, a past acquaintance from Oxford is also making a name for himself – the invincible killing machine, Fishy Braithwaite. Fishy becomes jealous and a burning hatred begins to simmer. The motive turns personal. Winning is not so important. Just who is Fishy after and who is he out to kill?3. Mad Dogs and Englishmen Two one broken, the other, a vicious drunk. Can either man let go of their past without self-destructing?Having been forced to return to England, Harry Brigandshaw immerses himself in hedonistic 1920 London. Conversely, his cousin, Barend Oosthuizen, wends his way to the gold mines of South Africa where violence and booze are the order of the day. Both have demons to settle. But Elephant Walk is calling where only the mad go out in the midday sun. Both men are lured back where the madness is about to begin all over again. There’s a price to pay. Who will it be, Harry or Barend?The Brigandshaw Chronicles Box Set One is the first in a series of five box sets - that's a total of 15 full-length novels. Book 16, the penultimate book in the series, was released in January 2024.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Africa

1562 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2017

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

[Blair Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!

Really enjoyed the three books in the box set. Cannot wait to read the next one! Brings back memories of my teens when I first discovered Wilbur Smith and used to read all night!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding read

I can’t believe it’s taken so long for me to discover the works of Peter Rimmer. These books are completely absorbing, extremely well written, and incredibly thought-provoking.
I can’t wait to start the next series.

[Kate Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed these books. The characters captured my interest almost immediately but the real beauty of the books are the descriptions of pre- WWI life in Africa. If you are a fan of Out of Africa, you’ll enjoy these interwoven stories of the people of Africa. I learned a lot about African animals and landscape. Now on to the second trio of the Brigandshaw chronicles.

[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing capturing the peace and war within Africa at the beginning of the 20th Century. Read the three books back to back and now onto the next.

[Marcy Silverstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed the first 3 books and found the various characters varied and interesting. I do feel that some of the books were more repetitive than necessary but when that happened I could just skim through facts put in the book to let people who had not read the previous novel know what was happening. the facts about both Boer and English war were very interesting and a lover of history I learned things. The same goes for WWi and the horrors that occured the people fight in it many with no regard from their countries of how many were dying , injured in ways they would never recover from and basically all for nothing. I believe Mr Rimmer is well acquainted with the many areas of Southern Africa and it's many diverse peoples. I have spent a small amount of time in the areas discussed and related to them with interest and understanding.

[Robert Marsett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get past page 5.

[Lia Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of the Uncivilized

I’ve often wondered about the class snobbery of British elite. Where Americans could be just as condescending and elitist based on finance and family name, you still had the chance to break into high society with new money and the right connections. I suppose Africa offered the same opportunities for expats. For a few it allowed a new freedom from antiquated ideas of what it means to be civilized and the possibility of redefining themselves and future generations. I want to visit Elephant Walk and enjoy cocktails and company on the screened veranda. Such a glowing description of the place and time I could almost hear he bird cries, and smell the exotic meats roasting over he fires!

[bruce weir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Successor to Wilbur Smith

If you have read Wilbur Smith's fascinating stories of African life, you will certainly enjoy Peter Rimmer's stories of African life. Rimmer's books are filled with joy, pathos, adventure and characters that come to life.

[Lejean Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful set telling of peace and war in Africa. It details with such accuracy that you are so drawn into it. You hear the sounds, feel the joys and pains. You see the friendships that bond. Truly well written.

[cameron ross paton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this box set by Peter Rimmer. Very interesting about the British settlement in Southern Africa.
Good storyline and good character development.
Will probably read the rest of the series at some time

[Ronald P. Larner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the three books were long, the characters were very well developed and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them. Africa was made highly interesting and I felt any reader would want to go there. I am looking forward to the next three books in the series.

[Suzanne Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

This historical novel draws you in from the first page until the last. I have only read the first three books but i am definitely looking forward to the rest of the saga. Very well done. Read about the author it will give you a lot of insight to the book.

[shirley Mccombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

African saga

I really liked the book and was sorry when it ended. I have always found Africa fascinating and the scenery and people interspersed with the family saga was hard to put down. A very good read

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

read all three back to back. Anyone who likes family sagas should like this series. Solid 3.5 rounded up to 4.0

[JOHN J RYAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed so much, hated to finish it. Now looking for more.

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating saga

Once you have read a few chapters,your hooked. Characters come and go,then appear later in the saga. Just ordering the next episode.

[judy a cross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not thrill me.

[Mr David S Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a recommendation from Bookbub, based on my reading history. But not really my bag, thought the characters were quite insipid and the plot move too slowly for me

[Trish Lynch]

Loved these books, cant wait to read the next three. So much history, made reading very interesting.

[ARTHUR S WAGGOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of great interest

A great read which has one eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Full of interesting characters ,places and events. Highly recommended.

[Robert Brookes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a bit hard going, sorry!

[David Finkleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, detailed story with many well crafted characters

This was one of a few page turners in years. How the author knew so much about England and Africa amazes me. I have been to both, and everything confirms my memories. I would spoil the read if I said much more. The novel is an education in the founding and growth of South Africa and Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]. The Boers and the British. The natives and the settlers. Tribes decimating tribes. Please read. I am on to the second boxed set.

[sonia heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgia at its best.

I really enjoyed this trilogy . I've never read 3 books one after the other before & enjoyed each one as much as the previous. The author captures the essence of South Africa, bringing back memories of the wild life. The savage destruction war creates. I would recommend the chronicles 1 to 3 & will continue reading the next episode. Excellently written.

[Deana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m surprised at all the four and five star ratings for the Brigandshaw Chronicles. I am slogging through it. I wonder, as I often do, why an author writes 10 paragraphs when one will do and uses 10 words when one will do. I like historical fiction and I’ve read many books of the genre but this one is moving so slowly; it just gets so bogged down I feel like I could skip ahead pages at a time and still get the whole story.

[Susan]

This is just an excellent story.
The characters are hard to keep track of but it gets easier because they all fit in with the story.
I had no idea about the history of Africa or the Boer’s War but Harry made it so enthralling. He is one of the main characters.
This is a LONG read.
I had NO IDEA THE SERIES CONTINUED it I ordered the next three.
They are long too.
I would recommend this series to anyone.

[Hanne Bollhorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rimmer has a beautiful style of writing. He keeps you captured by writing about the beautiful country of Africa and its animals. Of interest to me was also the history of the Southern Africa and its strong link to Britain at that time.
But most of all I enjoyed the insight into human nature with all its follies, greed, strength and weaknesses,
I am looking forward to learn more African history and how it relates to Europe.

[nancy werschin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books were riveting. The characters were alive on the pages. Especially enjoyed the historical settings, I.e., the wars to set the tone. The third book was quite a disappointment until the end, when it tied everything together as we knew it would. It was too repetitious and confusing with the introduction of new characters that were left hanging. I think it was a set up for the next series.

[Ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read , this is my second series that I read by
Peter Rimmer and I enjoyed them very much . His books give you very good story , griping adventures and romance. His beautiful description of Africa opens your eyes and imagination. I started my journey through African bush in late 19th century with Cecil Rhodes and followed my main characters into 20th century.
Highly recommended for everyone who is looking for great historical fiction and like Wilburn Smith’s books.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

I was tempted by the cheap price of this box set, incredible value. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the set.
Think Wilbur Smith but better, great characters in great interwoven storylines, each book is hard to put down.
Give them a try, you will not be disappointed.

[Mr J L Nadin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining History

I thoroughly enjoy well written historical novels and these were no exception. The author skilfully portrays the British Class differences between wealth and poverty in vivid technicolour and also the horrors of war. The predilection of women with large breasts amused me throughout the series. Thoroughly enjoyable.