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Mbuno & Pero #3
Kidnapped on Safari
The third book in the Mbuno & Pero series pulls terror from headlines to create a gripping international thriller for readers of John le Carré, Daniel Silva, and Iris Johansen.
Expert safari guide Mbuno and wildlife television producer Pero Baltazar are filming on Lake Rudolf in Northern Kenya, East Africa, when they receive news that Mbuno’s son, himself an expert guide, has been kidnapped while on a safari five hundred miles away in Tanzania. After gathering the clues and resources needed to trek through the wilderness, they trace the kidnappers back to an illegal logging operation clear-cutting national park forests, manned by sinister Boko Haram mercenaries. There, they find not only Mbuno's son but also a shocking revelation that has terrifying and far-reaching consequences.
Relying on Mbuno’s legendary bush skills, the pair must overcome the danger both from inside and outside the camp to bring Mbuno’s son out alive. In doing so, Mbuno and Pero discover that kidnapping and deforestation are only the beginning of the terrorist group's aspirations, and they realize a threat that would herald an even more dangerous outcome for Tanzania—a coup. A rescue might just risk the entire stability of the region.
Exciting and expertly plotted using facts ripped from news’ headlines, Kidnapped on Safari is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in deepest, darkest, Machiavellian, East Africa.
Expert safari guide Mbuno and wildlife television producer Pero Baltazar are filming on Lake Rudolf in Northern Kenya, East Africa, when they receive news that Mbuno’s son, himself an expert guide, has been kidnapped while on a safari five hundred miles away in Tanzania. After gathering the clues and resources needed to trek through the wilderness, they trace the kidnappers back to an illegal logging operation clear-cutting national park forests, manned by sinister Boko Haram mercenaries. There, they find not only Mbuno's son but also a shocking revelation that has terrifying and far-reaching consequences.
Relying on Mbuno’s legendary bush skills, the pair must overcome the danger both from inside and outside the camp to bring Mbuno’s son out alive. In doing so, Mbuno and Pero discover that kidnapping and deforestation are only the beginning of the terrorist group's aspirations, and they realize a threat that would herald an even more dangerous outcome for Tanzania—a coup. A rescue might just risk the entire stability of the region.
Exciting and expertly plotted using facts ripped from news’ headlines, Kidnapped on Safari is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in deepest, darkest, Machiavellian, East Africa.
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 21, 2020
11 people are currently reading
3028 people want to read
About the author
Peter Riva
9 books103 followersUCLA Film School, BBC Apprentice, creator and producer 78+ hours of primetime wildlife TV, co-founder film history museum in Berlin, 30+ years work/w leaders aerospace + space exploration and environmental movement. 40+ years literary agent, writes Sci-Fi and Thrillers; true tales, knowledge, all based on life experience. Raised New York City, London, and Switzerland, lives in New Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 21, 2019
Special thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for Kidnapped On Safari, a book of gripping, non-stop action. The setting, both in Kenya and Tanzania seemed authentic, and I was pleased with the inclusion of a map depicting the various locations. I felt that these areas were well known to the author.
This is the third book in the Mbuno/ Pero series. The book works as a stand-alone but reflects back occasionally to past events, friendships, and characters mentioned in Murder On Safari. I am now interested in reading the two previous books in the series.
Pero is an American producer of documentary films but also works undercover for the CIA and some affiliated espionage agencies. Mbuno is an expert East African guide, but also has many leadership skills which makes him indispensable to Pero. The two men are friends and consider themselves brothers.
The story begins with a pleasant wildlife photography session in Northern Kenya for a documentary TV program. Pero, wives and colleagues are interrupted in this work when they receive worrisome news. Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew, Ube, has disappeared while guiding several photographers on Safari in a wildlife park in Tanzania. Pero, Mbuno, and one of the men who had been on Ube’s safari in Tanzania start out on a search and rescue mission to find Ube. The others remain behind to keep in contact by radio and to edit the film.
On the rescue mission, the men learn that forests have been cut down to clear land which is being used to produce cocaine and that illicit gold is coming in from Siberia. Tobacco crops are being sold to the Chinese. The rescue of Ube is a riveting scenario where they must climb barriers and crawl through muddy swamps. They find the drugged and comatose Ube in a compound of Boka Haram terrorists. They also notice that about 30 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls are being held in the building. Underlying all this is a possible coup to take over the Government of Tanzania.
If this wasn’t enough action and heroic exploits, they decide with some volunteers, to hijack a train and return to the Boka Haram terrorist stronghold to rescue the kidnapped girls and return them to safety. As I read, I thought what a compelling action movie could be made based on the rescue.
My reservations were with the complexity of the plot and its high number of characters. It was not an easy read while there was so much thrilling, but complicated, edge- of- the- seat action going on. Recommended for those who enjoy an action-packed story with likable, skilled protagonists.
This is the third book in the Mbuno/ Pero series. The book works as a stand-alone but reflects back occasionally to past events, friendships, and characters mentioned in Murder On Safari. I am now interested in reading the two previous books in the series.
Pero is an American producer of documentary films but also works undercover for the CIA and some affiliated espionage agencies. Mbuno is an expert East African guide, but also has many leadership skills which makes him indispensable to Pero. The two men are friends and consider themselves brothers.
The story begins with a pleasant wildlife photography session in Northern Kenya for a documentary TV program. Pero, wives and colleagues are interrupted in this work when they receive worrisome news. Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew, Ube, has disappeared while guiding several photographers on Safari in a wildlife park in Tanzania. Pero, Mbuno, and one of the men who had been on Ube’s safari in Tanzania start out on a search and rescue mission to find Ube. The others remain behind to keep in contact by radio and to edit the film.
On the rescue mission, the men learn that forests have been cut down to clear land which is being used to produce cocaine and that illicit gold is coming in from Siberia. Tobacco crops are being sold to the Chinese. The rescue of Ube is a riveting scenario where they must climb barriers and crawl through muddy swamps. They find the drugged and comatose Ube in a compound of Boka Haram terrorists. They also notice that about 30 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls are being held in the building. Underlying all this is a possible coup to take over the Government of Tanzania.
If this wasn’t enough action and heroic exploits, they decide with some volunteers, to hijack a train and return to the Boka Haram terrorist stronghold to rescue the kidnapped girls and return them to safety. As I read, I thought what a compelling action movie could be made based on the rescue.
My reservations were with the complexity of the plot and its high number of characters. It was not an easy read while there was so much thrilling, but complicated, edge- of- the- seat action going on. Recommended for those who enjoy an action-packed story with likable, skilled protagonists.
May 1, 2020
An espionage story with an African setting.
While minding his own business, a guy who produces nature films is called in to rescue a guy who was kidnapped by mysterious people during a safari. Turns out our producer is a not so former CIA agent. He and a team including a guy who is what they used to call a Noble Savage stereotype, rescues the guy, only to learn the abduction is the tip of the iceberg.
Not bad. The authentic African setting makes it stand out.
While minding his own business, a guy who produces nature films is called in to rescue a guy who was kidnapped by mysterious people during a safari. Turns out our producer is a not so former CIA agent. He and a team including a guy who is what they used to call a Noble Savage stereotype, rescues the guy, only to learn the abduction is the tip of the iceberg.
Not bad. The authentic African setting makes it stand out.
January 21, 2020
Peter Riva's "Kidnapped on Safari" is his third book highlighting his two heroes, Mbuno (an African hunting guide, tribal elder, and close friend) and Pero Baltazar (a producer of African wildlife films and "former" CIA agent). Riva has traveled widely and often in Africa, and his experience is quite evident in the way he describes the landscape, the animals, the climate, the politics, and the culture. In this story, most of which takes place in the East African nation of Tanzania, Mbuno's son is kidnapped while escorting a couple of clients, and immediately Mbuno and Pero strike out after him. While he is rescued, what the two men discover is far more disturbing, as it involves Boko Haram and their Russian and former East German backers. Pero and Mbuno return to base to organize a much larger undertaking - eventually involving the government of Tanzania, the CIA, and the U.S. Navy. The action is fast and furious. It was hard to put this book down without hurrying back to see what happens next. If you're stirred by the thought of swimming with Crocodiles, using a herd of elephants to wipe out any sign of your tracks, stealing a train, a handful of good men fighting fifty-odd terrorists, and preventing a revolution in an East African country, then this book is for you. (I won't tell you what they discovered, or why their discovery was important enough to risk their lives)
January 22, 2020
This is the third book in the series but it is my first and read perfectly well as a standalone book.
Mbuno an expert safari guide and Peru an American wildlife television producer who works undercover for the CIA, are filming in Northern Kenya when they hear that Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew Ube has been kidnapped while he was working as a safari guide in Tanzania. There is no hesitation as they set off to find the young man and rescue him.
This is just one almighty adrenaline read with a new danger at every turn. They soon realise that they are up against one of the most feared criminal organisations the Boko Haram. If this rescue mission goes wrong the consequences will be unthinkable.
What a story, as each chapter brings another danger greater than the one before and the discovery of even more illegal trading in so many things. Mbuno and Peru don’t do things by half, making a very heart in your mouth ending that would be hard to beat in a book or on-screen.
If you enjoy thrillers then this would be your perfect choice. Brilliant writing, fearless heroes and action, action, action!
Mbuno an expert safari guide and Peru an American wildlife television producer who works undercover for the CIA, are filming in Northern Kenya when they hear that Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew Ube has been kidnapped while he was working as a safari guide in Tanzania. There is no hesitation as they set off to find the young man and rescue him.
This is just one almighty adrenaline read with a new danger at every turn. They soon realise that they are up against one of the most feared criminal organisations the Boko Haram. If this rescue mission goes wrong the consequences will be unthinkable.
What a story, as each chapter brings another danger greater than the one before and the discovery of even more illegal trading in so many things. Mbuno and Peru don’t do things by half, making a very heart in your mouth ending that would be hard to beat in a book or on-screen.
If you enjoy thrillers then this would be your perfect choice. Brilliant writing, fearless heroes and action, action, action!
January 5, 2020
This is my first book introduction to this series. You know how the saying goes "first impressions are very important". Well, you can say that I hit it off very nicely with this book. I enjoyed it so much that I want to go back and read the first two novels.
Instantly, I was transported to the landscape of East Africa. Mbuno and Pero are both engaging characters. Yet, they are not the only engaging characters. All of the rest of the characters are just as enjoyable. Between the combination of the characters and the landscape, this was a good book. There was the right amount of action as well.
The title of this book is appropriate as I was "kidnapped" on a safari reading journey within the pages of this book!
Instantly, I was transported to the landscape of East Africa. Mbuno and Pero are both engaging characters. Yet, they are not the only engaging characters. All of the rest of the characters are just as enjoyable. Between the combination of the characters and the landscape, this was a good book. There was the right amount of action as well.
The title of this book is appropriate as I was "kidnapped" on a safari reading journey within the pages of this book!
September 19, 2019
A clever and entertaining novel in an exotic setting — what more fo you want? Few books set in Africa give such a detailed description of settings and language as this one, due to the extensive experience of the author in the field (mainly as a documentary producer). With an interesting plot and clearly described (and motivated) characters, this book betrays a writer very well at home in his craft. The plot is clearly born out of the interest in and concern with Afrika and its future.
January 22, 2020
Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
Kidnapped on Safari is number three in the Mbuno and Pero thriller series. The books primarily take place in East Africa. I began Kidnapped on Safari with a great deal of anticipation. After all, I’d been on safari! I’d read the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books! I’d been chased by an elephant mother protecting her baby! In many ways, the photo safari descriptions met my expectations, and the plot was definitely more than I expected.
Author Peter Riva has spent a great deal of time in Africa, and his intimate knowledge is very much in evidence in his novel, which is part mystery, part thriller, part espionage, and part terrorist plot. Pero is a wildlife television producer, and he has worked with Mbuno, an expert safari guide, for many years. On this particular filming adventure, they get word that Mbuno’s son has been kidnapped, so they set out to rescue him.
Pero and his buddy Mbuno have been through a lot together. “In the past two years or more, he (Pero) had been shot at, poisoned with radioactivity, landed in the hospital twice, and narrowly escaped major catastrophes that would also have affected his friends and hundreds of thousands of innocent people. He was proud of what he had helped achieve, but that did not diminish the terror he felt at the prospect of a repeated trial against an unknown enemy.” But nevertheless, he and Mbuno, as well as a small group of associates and an American operative, head out to find the young man—against amazing odds.
About half-way through the book, the action thickens as the group heads across Tanzania to save Mbuno’s son but ultimately to save the country. The start of the book is a bit sluggish, but it ends with a race through the jungle on a hijacked train and includes the rescue of a group of kidnapped schoolgirls. The Publishers Weekly review calls it a “solid, if somewhat plodding, yarn.”
I love mysteries and thrillers that take me to places that I have been, places that I want to visit, or places I will never see in person. Kidnapped on Safari brought back a lot of memories of one of the great adventures of my life. I invite you to take this safari adventure for yourself.
Kidnapped on Safari is number three in the Mbuno and Pero thriller series. The books primarily take place in East Africa. I began Kidnapped on Safari with a great deal of anticipation. After all, I’d been on safari! I’d read the #1 Ladies Detective Agency books! I’d been chased by an elephant mother protecting her baby! In many ways, the photo safari descriptions met my expectations, and the plot was definitely more than I expected.
Author Peter Riva has spent a great deal of time in Africa, and his intimate knowledge is very much in evidence in his novel, which is part mystery, part thriller, part espionage, and part terrorist plot. Pero is a wildlife television producer, and he has worked with Mbuno, an expert safari guide, for many years. On this particular filming adventure, they get word that Mbuno’s son has been kidnapped, so they set out to rescue him.
Pero and his buddy Mbuno have been through a lot together. “In the past two years or more, he (Pero) had been shot at, poisoned with radioactivity, landed in the hospital twice, and narrowly escaped major catastrophes that would also have affected his friends and hundreds of thousands of innocent people. He was proud of what he had helped achieve, but that did not diminish the terror he felt at the prospect of a repeated trial against an unknown enemy.” But nevertheless, he and Mbuno, as well as a small group of associates and an American operative, head out to find the young man—against amazing odds.
About half-way through the book, the action thickens as the group heads across Tanzania to save Mbuno’s son but ultimately to save the country. The start of the book is a bit sluggish, but it ends with a race through the jungle on a hijacked train and includes the rescue of a group of kidnapped schoolgirls. The Publishers Weekly review calls it a “solid, if somewhat plodding, yarn.”
I love mysteries and thrillers that take me to places that I have been, places that I want to visit, or places I will never see in person. Kidnapped on Safari brought back a lot of memories of one of the great adventures of my life. I invite you to take this safari adventure for yourself.
January 21, 2020
Mbuno is an expert safari guide and Pero is a wildlife television producer. They are presently filming wildlife hunting on Lake Rudolph in Nigeria. After a successful filming day, Mbuno receives word that his nephew, Ubo, has been kidnapped in Tanzania. Ubo’s past is troubled as his father was involved in some illegal business and died during that conflict.
This is an expose of a realistic news story, the capture of young girls by Boko Harem. The group is involved in running a lumber mill where forests are cut down, cocoa is grown for drugs, the drugs are stored in the logs of lumber and transported out of Tanzania. It also involves the business arrangement of receiving Russian gold for the drugs and money from the sale of drugs. It becomes an international incident because it involves Russian and American top security and defense administrators.
Those running the mill are responsible for kidnapping Ubo because they thought he had films that could expose their illegal activities. Those who team up with Pero and Mbuno risk their lives to rescue the thirty young girls. It also winds up in some fighting and dying, a massive railroad accident, climbing through muddy swamps and fields, and living in the most wild and uncomfortable conditions. Fortunately, many of the members of the team have antiterrorist positions and experience. There are many references to past activities of these individuals in Iraq and elsewhere.
The growth of the deforestation program in Africa is highlighted with little being done to stop its progress.
Kidnapped on Safari… is full of multiple characters, riveting adventures and danger, and strong individuals determined to preserve a moral good over the threats of negative terrorist activities. Africa remains a changing, threatened continent with different countries vying for domination economically and politically. Exciting and compelling read!
This is an expose of a realistic news story, the capture of young girls by Boko Harem. The group is involved in running a lumber mill where forests are cut down, cocoa is grown for drugs, the drugs are stored in the logs of lumber and transported out of Tanzania. It also involves the business arrangement of receiving Russian gold for the drugs and money from the sale of drugs. It becomes an international incident because it involves Russian and American top security and defense administrators.
Those running the mill are responsible for kidnapping Ubo because they thought he had films that could expose their illegal activities. Those who team up with Pero and Mbuno risk their lives to rescue the thirty young girls. It also winds up in some fighting and dying, a massive railroad accident, climbing through muddy swamps and fields, and living in the most wild and uncomfortable conditions. Fortunately, many of the members of the team have antiterrorist positions and experience. There are many references to past activities of these individuals in Iraq and elsewhere.
The growth of the deforestation program in Africa is highlighted with little being done to stop its progress.
Kidnapped on Safari… is full of multiple characters, riveting adventures and danger, and strong individuals determined to preserve a moral good over the threats of negative terrorist activities. Africa remains a changing, threatened continent with different countries vying for domination economically and politically. Exciting and compelling read!
September 29, 2022
People select a book for a variety of reasons, mine being, I was aware Peter Riva's done documentaries and soon learned this book was the third book in the Mbuno/Pero series.
What I love most about this read is the Riva gives us a map and uses his gift of prose to recreate a situation.
This is is an impressive thriller! I'm transported to a mysterious place that feels authentic and I lose myself in the scene and language.
A group including protagonist Mbuno and Pero are along the shore of Lake Rudolf in northern Kenya on a filming project involving spearfishing and I soon learn Mbuno's adopted son/nephew, Ube, who is a guide, disappears while on Safari in a wildlife park in Tanzania.
Mbuno and Pero improvise and create a search and rescue mission which is a feat in itself.
I found my heart pounding in anticipation of their quest and appreciate how they use digital images to figure out why Ube was kidnapped.
Their mission was not without troubles. And, in an area filled with wildlife and known for hunting, we learn of honor.
I received this advance reading copy from FSB Associates.
What I love most about this read is the Riva gives us a map and uses his gift of prose to recreate a situation.
This is is an impressive thriller! I'm transported to a mysterious place that feels authentic and I lose myself in the scene and language.
A group including protagonist Mbuno and Pero are along the shore of Lake Rudolf in northern Kenya on a filming project involving spearfishing and I soon learn Mbuno's adopted son/nephew, Ube, who is a guide, disappears while on Safari in a wildlife park in Tanzania.
Mbuno and Pero improvise and create a search and rescue mission which is a feat in itself.
I found my heart pounding in anticipation of their quest and appreciate how they use digital images to figure out why Ube was kidnapped.
Their mission was not without troubles. And, in an area filled with wildlife and known for hunting, we learn of honor.
I received this advance reading copy from FSB Associates.
January 23, 2020
This was a giveaway win, but I really enjoyed the book. This was my first Peter Riva book. I will be looking to read more. I enjoyed the different characters and it was fast action. It made you feel like you were there.
October 3, 2019
While I haven't read the first books in the series, I feel you don't need to in order to read this one. Well written and interesting... except I just did not connect with the characters at all. Thrillers aren't typically my thing but this was intriguing enough to try and I did enjoy it. It just wasn't quite what I wanted. 3.5 🌟. Rounded up to 4.
September 29, 2019
Crawl through the bush alongside author Riva’s band of heroes, led by charismatic lead Pero Baltazar, on a mission set in East Africa in this fast-paced thriller.
June 7, 2020
Peter Riva, Author
Kidnapped on Safari
Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-1-950994-16-8
Fiction-drugs, murder, thriller, Africa, USA, CIA
274 pages
June 2020 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
This story begins in Lake Rudolf, which is located in Northwestern Kenya, with one of the main characters, Mbuno from the Liangulu tribe and his friend Pero Baltazar on a photo shoot. They are not the only two main characters of this thriller. There is also Susanna the wife to Pero, Heep Heeper and his wife Mary, and two assistants. They have been bumping around in a Land Rover looking for spots to film the wild of Africa.
Pero is the producer for these films. They have come upon a father and son about to embark on a spearfishing trip of sorts. Mbuno thinks this might be a good segment to film. The car stops. They begin to take their gear out to ready for the shoot. Susanna readies the microphone that she devised for such outback films. Mary is their narrator and star for most of their documentaries. She is also known as the “Crocodile Lady” so they search a bit for reptiles to make filming more interesting while she gets into her wetsuit. Mbuno asks the father and son if he can film them. They negotiate a price for doing so. All is set.
The young boy spears a fish way to large for him to control. He begins to get dragged by the fish down the lake causing everyone to fret. He finally manages to stop the progress of the fish by digging his heals into the mud long enough to catch his breath. The fish is not done with the young boy and pulls with renewed force. The son is propelled behind the fish as he makes his way into deeper water. The father gives chase and is eventually able to grab his son and cut the fish in its stomach to stop its forward progression. At the end of the day they managed to get the fish, save the boy, and have an enthralling snippet of the wild.
They head back to the hotel and discuss that day and the remainder of their time there for filming. The next thing they want to shoot is the Nile Crocodile. They begin to make plans for the following day to how and where to do this. It is decided that they will head off to what is known as Crocodile island by boat.
The following day begins without a hitch. They arrive at the Island, Mary is ready, and filming begins. There are many juveniles and some eggs that are about to hatch. The mother comes to protect her young and for a brief moment they are concerned about an encounter they cannot control. They get some great footage. The winds picked up, the heat increased and the water became choppy. They head for shore and safety.
The next day they want to try to get some film of hippos. Later on they will add wild dogs, snakes, camels, and birds.
Before they leave for their hippo shoot the next morning they get an SOS call of sorts. Ube is missing. He was on safari with clients when they encountered a problem of some sort. The clients made it out ok, but Ube was nowhere in sight. Ube is the nephew of Mbuno. Mbuno must locate him.
They scramble to formulate a plan to find out what happened to Ube. He is known as one of the best guides in the region with oodles of experience even in tight situations. They speak to those who took the report initially and call in as many favors as possible to try to locate where Ube may have been lost and what occurred. As they unravel the where they begin to figure out the what and who. This leads them to a big-time drug smuggling operation and more.
Will they find Ube? Is he dead or alive?
Read it. Enjoy it. I did.
Kidnapped on Safari
Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-1-950994-16-8
Fiction-drugs, murder, thriller, Africa, USA, CIA
274 pages
June 2020 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
This story begins in Lake Rudolf, which is located in Northwestern Kenya, with one of the main characters, Mbuno from the Liangulu tribe and his friend Pero Baltazar on a photo shoot. They are not the only two main characters of this thriller. There is also Susanna the wife to Pero, Heep Heeper and his wife Mary, and two assistants. They have been bumping around in a Land Rover looking for spots to film the wild of Africa.
Pero is the producer for these films. They have come upon a father and son about to embark on a spearfishing trip of sorts. Mbuno thinks this might be a good segment to film. The car stops. They begin to take their gear out to ready for the shoot. Susanna readies the microphone that she devised for such outback films. Mary is their narrator and star for most of their documentaries. She is also known as the “Crocodile Lady” so they search a bit for reptiles to make filming more interesting while she gets into her wetsuit. Mbuno asks the father and son if he can film them. They negotiate a price for doing so. All is set.
The young boy spears a fish way to large for him to control. He begins to get dragged by the fish down the lake causing everyone to fret. He finally manages to stop the progress of the fish by digging his heals into the mud long enough to catch his breath. The fish is not done with the young boy and pulls with renewed force. The son is propelled behind the fish as he makes his way into deeper water. The father gives chase and is eventually able to grab his son and cut the fish in its stomach to stop its forward progression. At the end of the day they managed to get the fish, save the boy, and have an enthralling snippet of the wild.
They head back to the hotel and discuss that day and the remainder of their time there for filming. The next thing they want to shoot is the Nile Crocodile. They begin to make plans for the following day to how and where to do this. It is decided that they will head off to what is known as Crocodile island by boat.
The following day begins without a hitch. They arrive at the Island, Mary is ready, and filming begins. There are many juveniles and some eggs that are about to hatch. The mother comes to protect her young and for a brief moment they are concerned about an encounter they cannot control. They get some great footage. The winds picked up, the heat increased and the water became choppy. They head for shore and safety.
The next day they want to try to get some film of hippos. Later on they will add wild dogs, snakes, camels, and birds.
Before they leave for their hippo shoot the next morning they get an SOS call of sorts. Ube is missing. He was on safari with clients when they encountered a problem of some sort. The clients made it out ok, but Ube was nowhere in sight. Ube is the nephew of Mbuno. Mbuno must locate him.
They scramble to formulate a plan to find out what happened to Ube. He is known as one of the best guides in the region with oodles of experience even in tight situations. They speak to those who took the report initially and call in as many favors as possible to try to locate where Ube may have been lost and what occurred. As they unravel the where they begin to figure out the what and who. This leads them to a big-time drug smuggling operation and more.
Will they find Ube? Is he dead or alive?
Read it. Enjoy it. I did.
December 29, 2022
Very enjoyable. I was on the edge of my seat. I also enjoyed the family element with Pero's wife and Mbuno's wife having lots of page time.
My favorite scenes involved Mbuno leading the team through the bush to rescue his nephew. They had to swim and worry about crocodiles. I now know that crocodiles are afraid of elephants and will avoid them. So if you see elephants in the water you should be safe from crocodiles.
My favorite scenes involved Mbuno leading the team through the bush to rescue his nephew. They had to swim and worry about crocodiles. I now know that crocodiles are afraid of elephants and will avoid them. So if you see elephants in the water you should be safe from crocodiles.
July 9, 2020
I had trouble following the story much of the time, but that might be on me. Like the tourists in Kidnapped in Safari, there was much I didn’t understand about the dangers lying just beneath the surface of a guided safari. Western tourists often treat Africa like a theme park without understanding the complexities of this diverse continent.
Tour guide Ubo sacrifices himself to save a careless tourist and is kidnapped by Boko Haram mercenaries for his troubles. The rest of the book is full of twists and turns as Ubo’s uncle, Mbuno seeks his return with the assistance of documentarian producer Pero Baltazar. There is plenty of action and evocative description. This was the third book in a series. I imagine reading them in order would be helpful.
Tour guide Ubo sacrifices himself to save a careless tourist and is kidnapped by Boko Haram mercenaries for his troubles. The rest of the book is full of twists and turns as Ubo’s uncle, Mbuno seeks his return with the assistance of documentarian producer Pero Baltazar. There is plenty of action and evocative description. This was the third book in a series. I imagine reading them in order would be helpful.
February 22, 2020
The third book in this series, Kidnapped on Safari is packed with action, from start to finish. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but Riva heavily references them, and I was able to get an idea of previous adventures characters Pero and Mbuno had embarked on.
Early in the book, Mbuno’s son Ube is kidnapped by unknown assailants while leading a private safari. As Mbuno and Pero, and their team try to figure out why Ube was targeted, and how to get him back, they are thrust into the underbelly of dirty politics in Tanzania, uncovering a coup-in-the-making. Their plan to rescue Ube uncovers even more drama, and of course, Pero and Mbuno can’t turn a blind eye.
Kidnapped on Safari was a fun read, full of drama and suspense. I really enjoyed the brotherhood between the two men, and the trust of Pero’s team to follow him, essentially to the ends of the earth, or to their ultimate demise, whichever comes first.
Early in the book, Mbuno’s son Ube is kidnapped by unknown assailants while leading a private safari. As Mbuno and Pero, and their team try to figure out why Ube was targeted, and how to get him back, they are thrust into the underbelly of dirty politics in Tanzania, uncovering a coup-in-the-making. Their plan to rescue Ube uncovers even more drama, and of course, Pero and Mbuno can’t turn a blind eye.
Kidnapped on Safari was a fun read, full of drama and suspense. I really enjoyed the brotherhood between the two men, and the trust of Pero’s team to follow him, essentially to the ends of the earth, or to their ultimate demise, whichever comes first.
February 20, 2020
KIDNAPPED ON SAFARI, by Peter Riva, is an intrigue-filled, run-for-your-life dash through the exotic landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. Clearly well researched, the settings are so authentic the reader has no difficulty falling into the story. This adventure is fueled by a number of admirable personalities, most notably documentary producer Pero Baltazar and his resourceful advisor Mbuno. As a reader, I was rooting for them from the beginning. It was refreshing to be introduced to so many characters willing to do the right thing against such horrible odds. I was hooked through to the end, and I was not disappointed. The story rolls—in a hijacked train, no less—to an exciting and gratifying conclusion. I am now looking forward to reading more of the Mbuno/Pero books.
February 18, 2020
I don’t usually read thrillers but took Peter Riva’s book on a long plane ride recently. During this same long plane ride, I also read a Michael Connelly novel. The two books compare well. Both authors have spent time building a world that now seems real and familiar, and both have characters that are simultaneously heroic and flawed and interesting. Kidnapped on Safari has the additional appeal of being set in East Africa, written by an author with long experience there. Action and international intrigue is what drives a thriller but I particularly appreciated the nuances of East African life and relationships.
August 6, 2020
Great read! A real page turner!
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