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Sonja Kurtz #5
The Pride
A heart-racing thriller from the master of adventure. New novel Vendetta out soon.Ex-mercenary Sonja Kurtz is out for revenge after her daughter Emma is assaulted by an abalone poacher while on a beachside holiday near Cape Town.When the poacher is murdered, Sonja is targeted by a violent local gangster and must flee the country.As Sonja leaves a trail of destruction in her wake - from the threatened wilderness of Zimbabwe to the treacherous beaches of northern Mozambique - a concerned Emma must find the courage to rescue her mother.But is Sonja a cold-blooded killer? Or is there a darker conspiracy taking place in southern Africa's underworld - one that will change their lives forever?PRAISE FOR TONY "Gripping action thrillers...never disappoints as a storyteller" Daily Telegraph"Tony Park is a master storyteller. I love his work." Deon Meyer"Australian author Park knows his subject intimately" The Guardian
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 26, 2022
42 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Tony Park
37 books298 followersTony Park was born in 1964 and grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. He has worked as a newspaper reporter in Australia and England, a government press secretary, a public relations consultant, and a freelance writer.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 8, 2022
Sonja Kurtz returns in Tony Park’s twentieth novel. Sonja’s body is beginning to feel the effects of the various punishments it has taken over the years but her spirit is still undaunted.
Sonja is holidaying in Cape Town with her daughter, Emma; Hudson Brand, Sonja’s long time, on again-off again lover, is temporarily managing a luxury safari lodge in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
An incident on a beach in Cape Town not only throws Sonja’s switch to full protective mother mode but also alerts her to the insidious practice of abalone poaching in South Africa. Meanwhile, Hudson gets into a spot of bother in Zimbabwe which sees Sonja, together with Emma, flying to his aid.
Sonja throws herself headlong into her investigation of the abalone smugglers but questions are hanging over her actions; is she suffering from PTSD and is she going too far this time?
This book has everything Tony Park’s readers look for: stunning depictions of the African bush; heart-stopping action scenes; highlighting of a serious environmental issue, in this case abalone poaching; and, of course, the larger-than-life Sonja Kurtz. Emma, too, plays an important part in the story; she is strong and brave like her mother and, although trying to lead a quiet, trouble-free existence, she is prepared to meet dangerous situations when they arise head on, if that is required.
No spoiler alerts here but watch out for new developments!
This is Tony Park in rare form and his legion of fans will not be disappointed. Top marks, Tony!!
Sonja is holidaying in Cape Town with her daughter, Emma; Hudson Brand, Sonja’s long time, on again-off again lover, is temporarily managing a luxury safari lodge in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
An incident on a beach in Cape Town not only throws Sonja’s switch to full protective mother mode but also alerts her to the insidious practice of abalone poaching in South Africa. Meanwhile, Hudson gets into a spot of bother in Zimbabwe which sees Sonja, together with Emma, flying to his aid.
Sonja throws herself headlong into her investigation of the abalone smugglers but questions are hanging over her actions; is she suffering from PTSD and is she going too far this time?
This book has everything Tony Park’s readers look for: stunning depictions of the African bush; heart-stopping action scenes; highlighting of a serious environmental issue, in this case abalone poaching; and, of course, the larger-than-life Sonja Kurtz. Emma, too, plays an important part in the story; she is strong and brave like her mother and, although trying to lead a quiet, trouble-free existence, she is prepared to meet dangerous situations when they arise head on, if that is required.
No spoiler alerts here but watch out for new developments!
This is Tony Park in rare form and his legion of fans will not be disappointed. Top marks, Tony!!
March 25, 2023
Book 4 in 2023
Title :- The Pride
Author :- Tony Park
Pages :- 344 pages
Genre :- thriller, suspense, adventure fiction
A lioness will kill to protect her own.
How far would you go to protect the ones you love????
I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed thriller, filled with suspense, drama and the underworld illegal activities of poaching/ trafficking/ drugs and guns in South Africa.
The plot twist did surprise me, but given the front cover line of a lioness will kill to protect her own… No spoilers here…. I’m just leaving it at that.
Add in a little Romance, all round good page turner…
My Notable Quotes
- p21
“These days military people called it ‘embracing the suck’ - not complaining about things out of one’s control, such as cold or rain or heat or dust, but accepting them, even revelling in them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌟out of 5 stars
#bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #readmorebooks #soniasreads2023 #thepride #tonyparkauthor #southafrica #thriller #suspense #adventurefiction
Title :- The Pride
Author :- Tony Park
Pages :- 344 pages
Genre :- thriller, suspense, adventure fiction
A lioness will kill to protect her own.
How far would you go to protect the ones you love????
I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed thriller, filled with suspense, drama and the underworld illegal activities of poaching/ trafficking/ drugs and guns in South Africa.
The plot twist did surprise me, but given the front cover line of a lioness will kill to protect her own… No spoilers here…. I’m just leaving it at that.
Add in a little Romance, all round good page turner…
My Notable Quotes
- p21
“These days military people called it ‘embracing the suck’ - not complaining about things out of one’s control, such as cold or rain or heat or dust, but accepting them, even revelling in them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌟out of 5 stars
#bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #readmorebooks #soniasreads2023 #thepride #tonyparkauthor #southafrica #thriller #suspense #adventurefiction
January 4, 2023
How far would you go to protect the ones you love.
Returning to the world of Sonja Kurtz, Tony Park delivers another high paced African thriller. When Sonja and her daughter Emma come across abalone poachers while on holiday, they quickly find themselves tangled in an international conspiracy. Will Sonja go too far this time, will she lose herself in a quest for revenge?
I always enjoy Park's books, and this one was no exception. All the hallmarks are there, with plenty of action and intrigue, but what I enjoyed most was how this story delved into Sonja's psyche and her struggles with PTSD. This gave the story a little more introspective elements than usual.
Park knows how to stick to a successful formula, which is great except that it makes the occasional plot point or twist obvious from a mile away.
If you like Tony Park, action, or Africa, you'll like The Pride.
Returning to the world of Sonja Kurtz, Tony Park delivers another high paced African thriller. When Sonja and her daughter Emma come across abalone poachers while on holiday, they quickly find themselves tangled in an international conspiracy. Will Sonja go too far this time, will she lose herself in a quest for revenge?
I always enjoy Park's books, and this one was no exception. All the hallmarks are there, with plenty of action and intrigue, but what I enjoyed most was how this story delved into Sonja's psyche and her struggles with PTSD. This gave the story a little more introspective elements than usual.
Park knows how to stick to a successful formula, which is great except that it makes the occasional plot point or twist obvious from a mile away.
If you like Tony Park, action, or Africa, you'll like The Pride.
Read
August 31, 2022One thing you can always rely on with Tony’s books are consistency and a good action-packed storyline. There are bullets flying everywhere and things being blown up and the good guys winning and the bad guys getting their just desserts and a lot of information about smuggling and poaching and international conspiracies and some romance along the way!
The Pride continues the story of the character of Sonja, a woman now in her late 40’s who has spent a life in the military, then a mercenary and now struggles with PTSD and trying to deal with normal life. Her relationships with men and her daughter are troubled and it is nice to see more about her daughter Emma in this one, but there is also a nice twist coming for those fans of this character. Throw in some abalone smuggling and yet another crooked international corporation and corrupt officials and you have an entertaining and purely escapist read.
- Leanne
The Pride continues the story of the character of Sonja, a woman now in her late 40’s who has spent a life in the military, then a mercenary and now struggles with PTSD and trying to deal with normal life. Her relationships with men and her daughter are troubled and it is nice to see more about her daughter Emma in this one, but there is also a nice twist coming for those fans of this character. Throw in some abalone smuggling and yet another crooked international corporation and corrupt officials and you have an entertaining and purely escapist read.
- Leanne
September 21, 2022
A good read!
September 11, 2022
The Pride is another fantastic, action packed, exciting thriller by Tony Park. He has provided readers with another great insight into the illegal poaching events in South Africa. Yet again Tony has obviously used well researched material to provide realism and authentic reading to another smashing page turner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
A page turning African thriller from Tony Park. Sonja is on holiday with her daughter Emma, when Emma is bullied at the beach and her phone taken. That's the spark for Sonja to take on abalone poachers, Cape Flat gangs, and Chinese smugglers. Along the way, the tables are turned and Emma has to front up to rescue her mother. As high-octane as it gets, but Sonja and Emma have their personal problems to resolve also and that makes them both more accessible characters.
The Pride is hard to put down.
The Pride is hard to put down.
December 21, 2023
Sonja Kurtz never disappoints.
Another rollicking read from Tony Park. While perhaps a more sentimental and vulnerable look at action queen Sonja Kurtz than usual, this book had it all. Park's world building drops you straight back in Africa with all its heat, sand and thorny trees, while the narrative develops into a rapid page turner full of danger, excitement and suspense. Highly Recommend.
Another rollicking read from Tony Park. While perhaps a more sentimental and vulnerable look at action queen Sonja Kurtz than usual, this book had it all. Park's world building drops you straight back in Africa with all its heat, sand and thorny trees, while the narrative develops into a rapid page turner full of danger, excitement and suspense. Highly Recommend.
November 21, 2022
Another fantastic novel from Tony Park. I always love his novels of Sonja Kurtz and Hudson Brand and now Sonja's Daughter Emma is becoming a regular charicter as well.
Another thriller I can't put down. One of my favorites who's books always grab by the first page!! Love his stories of South Africa, hunting, Guns and the wildness of human nature!
Another thriller I can't put down. One of my favorites who's books always grab by the first page!! Love his stories of South Africa, hunting, Guns and the wildness of human nature!
January 10, 2023
Action packed, relevant theme and plot. Fast paced.
I, personally, felt the violence towards the end a bit twisted and disturbing and the extra twist a little too fetched at times. A bit too much for me.
Regardless an enjoyable read and good escapism.
I am never sorry I picked up a Tony Park. Not my favourite of his though..
I, personally, felt the violence towards the end a bit twisted and disturbing and the extra twist a little too fetched at times. A bit too much for me.
Regardless an enjoyable read and good escapism.
I am never sorry I picked up a Tony Park. Not my favourite of his though..
October 20, 2022
Although it is a typical Tony Park book with his main character Sonja Kurtz. It is packed with action and there is great interaction between the characters particularly between Sonja and daughter Emma. It a book you cannot put down and a most enjoyable read
June 13, 2023
Fast paced, total escapism reading. I really enjoyed this book.
August 20, 2023
Action packed and engaging from the start to finish. Strong character development and enjoyable story line.
May 20, 2024
Held my attention. Lots of killing
December 24, 2025
One of Tony's better ones. Loved it!
December 25, 2025
My first Tony Park book. Was a great read and reminded me of both Deon Meyer and Wilbur Smith. Enjoyed the story and the scenery!
July 31, 2022
Sonja Kurtz returns in Tony Park’s twentieth novel. Sonja’s body is beginning to feel the effects of the various punishments it has taken over the years but her spirit is still undaunted.
Sonja is holidaying in Cape Town with her daughter, Emma; Hudson Brand, Sonja’s long time, on again-off again lover, is temporarily managing a luxury safari lodge in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
An incident on a beach in Cape Town not only throws Sonja’s switch to full protective mother mode but also alerts her to the insidious practice of abalone poaching in South Africa. Meanwhile, Hudson gets into a spot of bother in Zimbabwe which sees Sonja, together with Emma, flying to his aid.
Sonja throws herself headlong into her investigation of the abalone smugglers but questions are hanging over her actions; is she suffering from PTSD and is she going too far this time?
This book has everything Tony Park’s readers look for: stunning depictions of the African bush; heart-stopping action scenes; highlighting of a serious environmental issue, in this case abalone poaching; and, of course, the larger-than-life Sonja Kurtz. Emma, too, plays an important part in the story; she is strong and brave like her mother and, although trying to lead a quiet, trouble-free existence, she is prepared to meet dangerous situations when they arise head on, if that is required.
No spoiler alerts here but watch out for new developments!
This is Tony Park in rare form and his legion of fans will not be disappointed. Top marks, Tony!!
Sonja is holidaying in Cape Town with her daughter, Emma; Hudson Brand, Sonja’s long time, on again-off again lover, is temporarily managing a luxury safari lodge in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
An incident on a beach in Cape Town not only throws Sonja’s switch to full protective mother mode but also alerts her to the insidious practice of abalone poaching in South Africa. Meanwhile, Hudson gets into a spot of bother in Zimbabwe which sees Sonja, together with Emma, flying to his aid.
Sonja throws herself headlong into her investigation of the abalone smugglers but questions are hanging over her actions; is she suffering from PTSD and is she going too far this time?
This book has everything Tony Park’s readers look for: stunning depictions of the African bush; heart-stopping action scenes; highlighting of a serious environmental issue, in this case abalone poaching; and, of course, the larger-than-life Sonja Kurtz. Emma, too, plays an important part in the story; she is strong and brave like her mother and, although trying to lead a quiet, trouble-free existence, she is prepared to meet dangerous situations when they arise head on, if that is required.
No spoiler alerts here but watch out for new developments!
This is Tony Park in rare form and his legion of fans will not be disappointed. Top marks, Tony!!
June 26, 2024
Вече се питам - аз ли съм прекалено остарял да му чета сафари-екшъните, или той - да ги пише. Но си е традиция. Сафари из африканския юг без четиво от Тони Парк под ръка, какво сафари е. Тук освен стрелби по/от вертолети и гладиаторски борби в съвременен реалити формат на V&A Waterfront в Кейптаун е вкарал и ковбойска сцена с конна езда в Зимбабве
September 13, 2022
Daughters
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. Who is causing all the trouble and who is friend or foe as things are not what it seems. You will have to read the book to find out.
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. Who is causing all the trouble and who is friend or foe as things are not what it seems. You will have to read the book to find out.
December 3, 2022
Definitely an action packed thriller but silly, unbelievable, exaggerated action/plot. 3.5 stars because of the pace of the book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews