The Afrikaans

Thomas Prescott #3

by Nick Pirog

Intimate in scale, but grandly outfitted, the luxury cruise liner 'The Afrikaans' hosts no more than 208 pampered guests, among them; former FBI contract agent Thomas Prescott. When the ship is overtaken by African pirates who are demanding the U.S. send medical relief to a small Zulu village in South Africa, it is up to Prescott to keep the 400 hostages alive. As the U.S. tries to figure out how to combat the terrorists' plot from the outside, World Health Organization doctor, Gina Brady, undertakes the impossible task of rescuing three children from the secluded village. As the deadline draws near, Prescott and Brady must race against the clock to discover the truth; is it medical relief the pirates seek or a two billion dollar ransom from one of the richest men in the world. Or could the implications be so profound, and the stakes so high, a war hangs in the balance.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Nick Pirog is the bestselling author of the Thomas Prescott series, the 3:00 a.m. series, and The Speed of Souls. He lives in South Lake Tahoe with his other half, Stephy, and their pup, Potter.

Reviews

[TXGAL1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE AFRIKAANS is the third offering in the Thomas Prescott series by Nick Pirog. I liked this story the best so far even though I rated it 4 stars.

Thomas Prescott and his sister Lacy are enjoying the gift of an ocean cruise off the coast of South Africa. The landscape is scenic and the feeling is laid back. All in all very enjoyable, right? Could anything go wrong?

We’re talking about Thomas Prescott here. You’d think he was the lead from DIE HARD. The hundreds of passengers hope they have nothing to worry about. Maybe, though, it will be different this time.

I shaved a star off because I was disappointed in some of Thomas’ sexist/racist dialogue. I know he’s snarky, but it doesn’t play well.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHH.

I am so tired of the socially unaware gaffes that Nick Pirog continues to make in this series: referring to a group of lesbians as "lesbos", calling one of his African characters "Timon" and the UNCEASING sexist need to come up with different euphemisms for women's breasts. Also please, sir, DO NOT ATTEMPT EROTICA EVER AGAIN.

If there's one thing everyone can agree on: Thomas Prescott is a controversial character.

I kept getting tripped up by Pirog's bulls**t choice of words and almost gave up on the book, but kept slogging through and then realized wow, this is actually a really good story (if lacking some of the humor that is Prescott's saving grace).

The plot has more depth and weight than the first two books in the series. Somehow Pirog took an article about pirates attacking a cruise ship and statistics about the current AIDs situation in South Africa and mashed them into a somewhat plausible, rather Jason Bourne-esque, international intrigue with high-profile politics, billions of dollars, redemption, and even a little romance. And he is definitely king of the plot-twist. There's some details that require a suspension of belief but if you just squint a little, you can pretend this is a James Bond book.

It's a shame Pirog still writes about women and other groups like he's stuck in 1995. That's a huge flaw that I see constantly in the comments that drives people away from these stories. It's a shame because Pirog has real talent. I just wish he'd bring Thomas Prescott into the 21st century just...a...little...bit...more. Would I make Prescott completely politically correct? No, his lack of giving a rat's ass about what people think of him or what he thinks of them is part of his charm. BUT, it's not just Prescott that "talks/thinks" like this...the sexism, passive racism, agism, body shaming, and stereotyping leaks into other characters which makes it clear it is really Pirog himself that is the problem and I don't think it will change. He's made a niche with this series, why would he change the formula now?

I downloaded four Prescott stories as a free bundle from Amazon and I'll listen to the fourth story, still with the hope that there will be some maturity in how Pirog describes his characters. He's grown a lot from "Unforeseen"in plot development, but character development and delivery still feel jarringly out of place and time.

As for the narrator of the audiobook. Johnny Heller is great...he has a Luke Evans raspy voice and he has grown in his narration of these stories (the first book was delivered way too fast, with a film-noir flavor that made Prescott seem like he was a 60 year old retired homicide detective rather than 30 years old.) That said, Heller may have cringed when he realized he'd have to do a myriad of international accents. He gives it a good shot, but it was a challenge to stay in the story when I was fixated on some of the cringe-worthy voiceovers.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites from Nick Pirog. Maybe it's because many of us can relate to the slightly anarchic sense of humour that Thomas has, but whatever the reason he is a likeable guy that you can pretty much bank on to say or do something stupid when it comes to the fair sex. The stories have always got something to give at the end and this is no different. I like a surprise! Please keep them coming Mr P

[Heather McNeill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried hard to overlook the blatant sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism (not necessarily in that order) of the first 2 books because the plots were entertaining enough, but it bothered me throughout both. Then I started Afrikaans. I made it to the main character saying people basically deserved to get AIDS and it wasn't that big of a deal because Magic Johnson is still alive and it hadn't been in the news recently. Almost threw my phone across the room, instead turned off the audiobook and deleted the series from my library. I'll never listen or read anything by this author again. The "quirky and snide comments" Thomas Prescott makes aren't charming or funny. This character embodies exactly what is wrong with society today.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pirog's writing has definitely grown up since the second Prescott book - and Prescott has, as well. Better research and fewer flaws, unless you know anything about South Africa, less blatant misogyny. Still, lots of racism, sexism, and body judgement.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read! Really liking Nick Pirog’s writing!

[Renee Doucette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick Pirog hit his stride in this book. The narrator is less grating and the story is more complex, focusing on different locations and simultaneously unfolding events. There were some good twists in the end, and the long term development of characters across the series makes this a worthwhile read.

[Dan Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of the same stuff so, if you enjoy one you'll enjoy this one.
Injuries, death, action, inappropriate juvenile quips, which is fine as long as your not a PC POS that need to GFY and that kinda stuff. 🖖🏼

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

omg how many stereotypes and errors about Africa / South Africa could one book bear?

[Jason Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The USA is the number one contributor to ARV drugs in South Africa. That factoid should have come up in the author's research (it certainly came up during the one week I spent in South Africa a few years ago). South Africa and the USA have a tenuous relationship, and so the fact that the USA supports the bulk (if not all, despite my nagging the author for not researching, I don't feel it is my prerogative to research for a review) of SA's ARV program SA doesn't like to acknowledge it. That probably has something to do with the CIA telling the apartheid government where Nelson Mandela was hiding at Lillisleaf. Sorry, make that "allegedly"... And now, just like the book had very little actually set in South Africa, this review has very little to do with the actual book. If you like implausible plot, unbelievable (not in the good way) plot twists, and a mid-thirties protagonist who has the emotional intelligence of a 16-year-old stereotypical "jock", then this is the book for you. At this point I'm listening to the ("included with audible") series to poke fun at the narrator and the absurdities the author comes up with.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Few stories within This story.. Navy SEALS, AIDS, Shady Whitehouse Folk.. A Dog.. Yeah.. it was good. On to the next

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high end cruise ship is taken over by African pirates seeking US aid for South African AIDs patients and a large ransom for one passenger

[Julie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good, but I got confused in the beginning and end lol

[Jillian Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book but it seemed misplaced in this series. Thomas Prescott seems to be a better detective on land. It was still a good read though.

[Jill S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read through the Thomad Prescott series (up to this book) in 4 days. I am addicted. This is my favorite book of the series thus far. All the intricate planning Pirog had to do to keep things straight. The time spent researching the AIDS crisis and familiarizing with a cruise ship... The reviews bashed Thomas' personality for being crass, abrasive, disrespectful and misogynistic. He is very sarcastic and rude but also smart and hilarious. And very emotional. I may be in love with him. It's been a long time since I found a thriller series I enjoyed so much. I'm a Davenport fan and this gives old Lucas a hard run for his money. Said those exact words to my father (who introduced me to the Prey series) and he legitimately gasped in horror at my blasphemous self. He just picked up the first book of the Thomas series today.

[Zulile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racist, homophobic, sexist.. to name a few. Got this book as a 4 in one bundle and the character is a hoot. I've literally laughed out loud at times - I'm sure there are people like him in real life.
Unfortunately, not only is the character stuck in the 40's, so is the author.
The authors scene descriptions in the Afrikaans were so racist I cringed often. Bare breasted women, loinclothed men, gun wielding children. I'm surprised he left out the proverbial fly hovering around a dying childs eye.
He wrote multiple times 'this isnt apartheid', yet his writing perpetuates worse imagery.
If one is going to write about a foreign country, do some research first, for goodness sake.
There are so many things wrong with this book and the author.
I deleted all his books after this one.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Thomas Prescott series. Thomas takes his honeymoon cruise sans bride, being that they broke up shortly before the sailing date. Sister, Lacy, went, instead. Everything is going well (except maybe for the entertainment onboard), when the ship is overtaken by pirates. Thomas can hardly save his, his sister's and Baxter's (their dog) life without protecting all 400 passengers. I, almost, quit reading after Book One (mostly, due to language) but now can hardly wait for another.

[Lyn Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. I enjoy Nick Pirog but this one, let him down. The basic story of the sea-jacking of the boat was good - very good, but once he moved the story to South Africa it became terribly obvious he did not know the country at all. It spoilt the story and the good impressions initially fell by the wayside.

[Brett Bumeter]

This was an excellent book while everyone was still on the boat!

I really enjoyed this book. The author took a detective completely out of his normal surroundings (2 previous books) of solving serial killings in the United States and put him on a cruise ship off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean where they were beset by pirates.

The detail and care of crafting a pretty interesting and exciting story while the character was on the boat really showed. The character’s normal charms and or lack of charm (inability not to be a smart ass) really shined in this scenario.

The audio performance (audiobook version) of this was excellent as well. I’ve read the 2 previous books and the 4th book in this series and this 3rd book is so far the best of the series.

All that said, things get a little weird and rushed after the main character gets off the boat and then attempts to notify authorities about a bomb, maybe a tactical nuke or something that is going to be used to wipe out most of the Aids population in South Africa in order to wipe out Aids.

This aspect of the plot feels more like James Bond than a typical detective novel and comes together plot wise pretty fast.

The author does a great job tying in a secondary character on their own plot line to connect with Thomas the main character in Africa. (Maybe the first time they have done that in what I have read by the author so far). That part was excellent and the secondary character plot line worked very well.

But things feel a little campy when the main character and his new recently self-rescued group of people steal a bus and race to a distant village (that took the secondary character a lot longer to get there in a vehicle equiped for the journey driven by an experienced guide no less).

It was fun. I was able to continue to hold my suspended disbelief throughout… But the main part of the book was just a whole lot better than the wrap up ending.

Its sort of like a very very good Pirate/Rescue escape from Terrorists book, with a weird short Bond thriller thrown on at the end.

Sort of like if John McClain of Die Hard stopped the terrorists at the tower only to then to morph into Roger Moore’s James Bond in a View to a Kill to stop the bomb from going off and succeeding, but in just a few last chapters.

All good stuff, not complaining, I guess what I’m mostly excited about is the talent that is evident and continues to emerge from Nick Pirog (relatively new to me) in this series.

[Liz Mandeville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite of the Thomas Prescott Books, the Afrikaans takes place aboard a luxury cruise ship sailing around Southern Africa. All is typically luxury cruise, eating, drinking, sunning, repeat, until pirates board the ship and all hell breaks lose!
Another great study of characters under pressure with the added issue of the AIDS epidemic and the impact it's had on South Africa and continues to have despite the rest of the world seeming to have moved on.
I love how Nick Pirog so deftly weaves seemingly unrelated themes into his stories and makes you think about them in a different light. The AIDS element brings up humanitarian efforts and their effect on the individuals who are actually doing the work, the doctors, aide workers and the people in the villages affected by the scourge. What impact it has had on their lives and how they try to cope.
The lives of the super rich, what do they do with their time, how do they interact with their children? What would make a man so desperate that he'd turn to piracy?
Read this book, Do it. Now.

[Carolyn Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected this to be my favorite one, but it is not, and I have hopes for the next one. There was just so much going on, and in several countries, with the unique and exaggerated characters on the cruise, as well as kidnapped children, pirates, government players from afar, etc. I had a hard time keeping them all straight. Otherwise, I liked the story telling, the camaraderie among the hostages, and Lacy's brave character. As usual, the retired 34 year old Prescott, who just wants to relax on a cruise, is once again thrust into saving the world. Again.

Prescott's character seems tamer in this book, and perhaps not as quippy and funny, but less misogynistic, and perhaps the same amount of political correctness. I mean, anyone who is not white and straight must be described in more detail, but at least as the protective brother he stays true to character. From his books, I would assume that Pirog would like to avoid the justice system and punish criminals based on the crime, or have those who have been wronged institute an appropriate punishment.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real page turner that had quite a few unexpected twists. Despite some reviewers harping about sexism and other PC type comments, I enjoyed this romp. People can be basically good, even if they are rough and unpolished. Just because they don't speak PC doesn't make them unacceptable. I want Thomas Prescott in my corner when the crap hits the fan.

Now I'll get off my soap box. This is the second book in this series for me, I read Jungle Up and this novel is much better. I like how Nick Pirog portrays Prescott as no superman and almost all of what he does is in the realm of possibility. It is an action/adventure book so the action comes fast and intense, but mostly believable. I'll be reading the rest of the series.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Afrikaans was trending at three stars for the first 1/2 of the book, then gained momentum to finish at 3 and 1/2, but that rating isn't available and overall I like Nick Pirog's writing enough to round up to four stars; not that my opinion in the overall scheme of life, nor in the author's career. makes any difference.

Missing from the Afrikaans was the wickedly laugh-out-loud humor of the other books I have read by this author, yet the story of Thomas Prescott and his sister finding themselves along with the other passengers on the cruise ship Afrikaans, held captive by pirates off the coast of Africa, had enough twists and turns to keep me reading.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is quite the imaginative thriller with many unexpected plot twists involving who is really responsible for the atrocities that occur.
I am aware that many cruise companies employ the Nepal Gurkha and Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD. We were on a cruise that sailed past the region of the Somali Pirates and had appropriate training ( when you must walk the plank, pinch your nose, look down and step off but do not jump)! I was disturbed by the account of the massive assembly of the natives and could not help but wonder about the lack of sanitary disposal of all the human waste (no porta potty?)

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jungle Up so much (after listening to it in my car), I decided to listen to another likely winner in the Thomas Prescott line. I was right. This book was lots of fun to read and I made sure
I was able to listen as soon as I started driving--no matter how short my drive would be. In this story,
Prescott goes on an expensive boat excursion with his sister, which turns into an exciting adventure story when pirates board the ship off the coast of South Africa. Suffice it to say, I will take another
look at the list of Thomas Prescott books written by Nick Pirog to see which of them I will read next.
They are great fun!

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 3 in this series was another letdown. It takes place on a cruise ship with the only character we know besides Thomas being his sister. The remainder of the characters are just there to be put in peril and not fleshed out. They serve their purposes merely so the story can continue. The cruise ship is overtaken by pirates whose purpose is to bring aid to a village in South Africa that is overrun with AIDS. There's a side story about one of the hostages being the illegitimate daughter of one of the richest men in the world and the pirates also wanting some muti-billion-dollar ransom. It all seems very forced and unbelievable.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Waiting wasn't one of my specialities."
Third in the Thomas Prescott series
Instead of it being a dream honeymoon trio, Prescott accompanies his sisterHood on the cruise instead. The Afrikaans is a small luxury cruiser: food, drink, sunbathing and entertainment whilst sailing round the African coast. But then the ship was boarded by pirates apparently demanding help in combating the ongoing AIDS epidemic.
Nicely performed again by Johnny Heller as he becomes the sarcastically irreverent Prescott although the full on irritating personality has finally been dampened down down to a much less intrusive level.
Another enjoyable thriller from Nick Pirog.
Recommended

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format : Audiobook )
"Waiting wasn't one of my specialities."
Third in the Thomas Prescott series
Instead of it being a dream honeymoon trio, Prescott accompanies his sisterHood on the cruise instead. The Afrikaans is a small luxury cruiser: food, drink, sunbathing and entertainment whilst sailing round the African coast. But then the ship was boarded by pirates apparently demanding help in combating the ongoing AIDS epidemic.
Nicely performed again by Johnny Heller as he becomes the sarcastically irreverent Prescott although the full on irritating personality has finally been dampened down down to a much less intrusive level.
Another enjoyable thriller from Nick Pirog.
Recommended

[Rebecca Zehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give 5 stars often, but this one deserves them.

3 stars is my typical rating. 4 stars for exceptionally well written, and 5 for books that are life changing. Okay, so this one isn't life changing, but the complexity of the plot combined with a writing style that is readable, humorous, thoughtful, and characters that make me laugh, cry, cringe and cheer....well, it gets a 5. My new favorite author. Will he marry my daughter so that he can make us both laugh for the rest of our lives?