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Fever Coast
A gripping historical thriller of betrayal, retribution and the indomitable will to survive set against the lawless coasts of 18th century Africa and the brutal European wars in colonial India.
East Africa, 1750: Lachlan McKenzie doesn’t know why he and his family live on a remote trading post on the slave coast of Africa. The past is best left buried, is all his father will say about it. But then one day three warships sail downriver and turn their guns on their tiny fort. Suddenly Lachlan is in the fight for his life against a formidable enemy.
His quest for survival and burning thirst for revenge take him from the African savannah and the slave markets of Mozambique to the Moghul palaces and British redcoat forts of Carnatic India, where he must ultimately decide between the life that he always dreamed of and his sworn promise of vengeance.
With the future of his new family at stake, Lachlan must search his soul and answer the impossible… how much revenge is enough?
Perfect for fans of Wilbur Smith.
'Blazing with adventure, epic in scope, and utterly compulsive.' Waterstone's.
'Spectacular historical fiction blazing with romance, intrigue and dramatic action.' Booklist.
Experience the Epic Adventure Series
Thrilling journeys through vividly imagined worlds, heart pounding action and unforgettable characters.
Multi-bestselling stand-alone tales that can be read in any order.
10,000+ five-star reviews.
Translated into 25 languages.
Part thriller. Part history. All adventure.
East Africa, 1750: Lachlan McKenzie doesn’t know why he and his family live on a remote trading post on the slave coast of Africa. The past is best left buried, is all his father will say about it. But then one day three warships sail downriver and turn their guns on their tiny fort. Suddenly Lachlan is in the fight for his life against a formidable enemy.
His quest for survival and burning thirst for revenge take him from the African savannah and the slave markets of Mozambique to the Moghul palaces and British redcoat forts of Carnatic India, where he must ultimately decide between the life that he always dreamed of and his sworn promise of vengeance.
With the future of his new family at stake, Lachlan must search his soul and answer the impossible… how much revenge is enough?
Perfect for fans of Wilbur Smith.
'Blazing with adventure, epic in scope, and utterly compulsive.' Waterstone's.
'Spectacular historical fiction blazing with romance, intrigue and dramatic action.' Booklist.
Experience the Epic Adventure Series
Thrilling journeys through vividly imagined worlds, heart pounding action and unforgettable characters.
Multi-bestselling stand-alone tales that can be read in any order.
10,000+ five-star reviews.
Translated into 25 languages.
Part thriller. Part history. All adventure.
404 pages, ebook
First published September 30, 2022
685 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Colin Falconer
68 books737 followersColin Falconer writes fast-paced historical adventures that sweep readers across centuries and continents, from the battlefields of Rome to the intrigues of forgotten empires. His novels blend action, danger, and unforgettable characters in richly imagined worlds.
Born in London, Colin now lives in Australia with his wife and their cocker spaniels. Click FOLLOW for updates on new releases, or join his mailing list for exclusive offers.
Born in London, Colin now lives in Australia with his wife and their cocker spaniels. Click FOLLOW for updates on new releases, or join his mailing list for exclusive offers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 16, 2022
This is a great latest addition to this series. Pacy and exciting, with humour and a touch of the exotic. Takes you to Africa and India with finely drawn and unique characters. Absolutely loved Napoleon and his daughter. Brilliant read. Five stars.
December 17, 2025
I'm surprised this has such a high rating. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. A moderately entertaining, but instantly forgettable, adventure novel. The sort of book you'd pay $2 for in a charity shop and happily discard after reading. Not for me
October 28, 2024
Great read. 18th century Madagascar, Portugese traders, renegade mercenaries. Raids, seiges.
A family destroyed, and a vengeanace enacted.
Good stuff.
A family destroyed, and a vengeanace enacted.
Good stuff.
October 17, 2022
Excellent read
May 26, 2025
On re-read, May, 2025. I re-rated the book to five stars. Readers, listen up! You do not want to let this book pass by you. Mr. Falconer is a prolific writer who continues to amaze me. His writing mechanics are excellent. I admit to just getting tired of the act of reading midway the book, but I never tired of this book because Mr. Falconer has sweet 'pic-em-up' timing.
The book is set first in Africa and then, India. Stepping into India from Africa is an extraordinary adventure. The sounds of the monkeys and birds and the colors of landscapes and Indian clothing are thrilling to my senses.
Lachlan McKenzie's family is murdered on their land in Africa. Lachlan, miraculously, survives. He serves one purpose--revenge. He sets out to find and kill the mercenary murderers. He joins the British East India army to find one of the men. Mercenaries, generally can be found in a fighting force.
Lachlan lucked up.
The history of the Carnatic Wars between France and England in the 18th century are played out on the lawless India Coast. I went to Wikipedia to educate myself on the who, what, when and why of those wars. The author gave me that information, but my habit is to look it up to settle myself. At that time, India Mongolian Empire was waning as the West was taking all the trade, taxes on the trade, and under the table deals available in India. The mention of all the tribes and nations and players excites me. India in itself excites me. Through this book I felt a heightened excitement. It only stands to reason that this author excites me. My last advice to you, Readers, is to follow the little Albino girl.
Thank you, Mr. Falconer, for an excellent read.
The book is set first in Africa and then, India. Stepping into India from Africa is an extraordinary adventure. The sounds of the monkeys and birds and the colors of landscapes and Indian clothing are thrilling to my senses.
Lachlan McKenzie's family is murdered on their land in Africa. Lachlan, miraculously, survives. He serves one purpose--revenge. He sets out to find and kill the mercenary murderers. He joins the British East India army to find one of the men. Mercenaries, generally can be found in a fighting force.
Lachlan lucked up.
The history of the Carnatic Wars between France and England in the 18th century are played out on the lawless India Coast. I went to Wikipedia to educate myself on the who, what, when and why of those wars. The author gave me that information, but my habit is to look it up to settle myself. At that time, India Mongolian Empire was waning as the West was taking all the trade, taxes on the trade, and under the table deals available in India. The mention of all the tribes and nations and players excites me. India in itself excites me. Through this book I felt a heightened excitement. It only stands to reason that this author excites me. My last advice to you, Readers, is to follow the little Albino girl.
Thank you, Mr. Falconer, for an excellent read.
October 26, 2022
FIRST let me say, I am loving all of Colin Falconer's Epic Adventure series. His writing is fantastic! He is my favorite contemporary writer.
Of the 11 of his books I have read though, this was not my favorite. Not that his writing wasnt good but it takes place during a time and place in history that doesnt appeal to me. This made it hard to picture in my mind.
The second half of the book is far better than the first half. This is a book about death and revenge and the ripples they make in the universe. Karma can be ugly.
The ending is brutal and sad. I actually feel a bit gloomy having just finished it. I ended up connecting to several of the characters by the end. I feel down because the lessons they learnt about karma are so shockingly true. This book made me think about my own life and what my ledger will look like when my book of life is reviewed.
overall, a good read!
Of the 11 of his books I have read though, this was not my favorite. Not that his writing wasnt good but it takes place during a time and place in history that doesnt appeal to me. This made it hard to picture in my mind.
The second half of the book is far better than the first half. This is a book about death and revenge and the ripples they make in the universe. Karma can be ugly.
The ending is brutal and sad. I actually feel a bit gloomy having just finished it. I ended up connecting to several of the characters by the end. I feel down because the lessons they learnt about karma are so shockingly true. This book made me think about my own life and what my ledger will look like when my book of life is reviewed.
overall, a good read!
March 7, 2024
Very good book , one of my favourite in his historical adventures series, set in middle 1700 Africa and India tells a dramatic story about love, revenge and power struggle between colonial powers of this time .
Very well written, keep you engaged and interested from start to end .
Very well written, keep you engaged and interested from start to end .
January 27, 2024
Karma continues
Very unexpected ending. What happens now? Hmm!! Kindly plot masterfully executed. My first read of this author. Looking forward to reading more.
Very unexpected ending. What happens now? Hmm!! Kindly plot masterfully executed. My first read of this author. Looking forward to reading more.
May 23, 2025
This is an action-packed book, a quick-paced read that is entertaining. But also rather predictable. There are surprises, of course, for the hero must confront significant obstacles and hardships, but we know where the book is going. He marries a beautiful and unconventional woman (this is evident from the moment she is introduced in the book). He undertakes an obsessive revenge campaign against a shadowy villain of great cunning, strength, and resources, who disappears into the ocean mists in his frigate. The hero tracks him down and, against impossible odds (outnumbered 500 to one and outgunned), while impossibly injured, displays herculean feats to defeat his nemesis. There is some historical background to make this enjoyable, but not enough to elevate it to a must-read.
A gripping historical thriller of betrayal, retribution and the indomitable will to survive set against the lawless coasts of 18th century Africa and the brutal European wars in colonial India.
East Africa, 1750: Lachlan McKenzie doesn’t know why he and his family live on a remote trading post on the slave coast of Africa. The past is best left buried, is all his father will say about it. But then one day three warships sail downriver and turn their guns on their tiny fort. Suddenly Lachlan is in the fight for his life against a formidable enemy.
His quest for survival and burning thirst for revenge take him from the African savannah and the slave markets of Mozambique to the Moghul palaces and British redcoat forts of Carnatic India, where he must ultimately decide between the life that he always dreamed of and his sworn promise of vengeance.
With the future of his new family at stake, Lachlan must search his soul and answer the impossible… how much revenge is enough?
Perfect for fans of Wilbur Smith.
'Blazing with adventure, epic in scope, and utterly compulsive.' Waterstone's.
A gripping historical thriller of betrayal, retribution and the indomitable will to survive set against the lawless coasts of 18th century Africa and the brutal European wars in colonial India.
East Africa, 1750: Lachlan McKenzie doesn’t know why he and his family live on a remote trading post on the slave coast of Africa. The past is best left buried, is all his father will say about it. But then one day three warships sail downriver and turn their guns on their tiny fort. Suddenly Lachlan is in the fight for his life against a formidable enemy.
His quest for survival and burning thirst for revenge take him from the African savannah and the slave markets of Mozambique to the Moghul palaces and British redcoat forts of Carnatic India, where he must ultimately decide between the life that he always dreamed of and his sworn promise of vengeance.
With the future of his new family at stake, Lachlan must search his soul and answer the impossible… how much revenge is enough?
Perfect for fans of Wilbur Smith.
'Blazing with adventure, epic in scope, and utterly compulsive.' Waterstone's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
Hamish McKenzie runs a trading fort at Delgoa Bay, Mozambique, in the mid-1750s. How, or why, he ended up there is not talked about with his family, but lurking in the background is a sinister character who has been hunting him down for years. Eventually, he discovers McKenzie’s whereabouts and hires a mercenary to do his dirty work for him.
Hamish has plans for his elder son, Lachlan, believing a better life awaits him working for the East India Company, but Lachlan would prefer to stay in Africa. When disaster and death strike the family and he barely escapes with his life, Lachlan vows revenge. He will find himself in Madras, on the Carnatic coast of India, and where he will not only face the McKenzie’s family nemesis but also military challenges far beyond anything he could imagine.
This is a rousing, swashbuckling tale that will have you glued to the pages. Exotic places and people are described with vibrancy and colour. It is extremely gory in places, and with a massive body count, but this is historical adventure writing at its best. My only quibble is that a couple of maps might help readers unfamiliar with the regions, also some author’s notes on the historical background, especially as regards the Carnatic Wars during this turbulent period in Indian history.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
Hamish has plans for his elder son, Lachlan, believing a better life awaits him working for the East India Company, but Lachlan would prefer to stay in Africa. When disaster and death strike the family and he barely escapes with his life, Lachlan vows revenge. He will find himself in Madras, on the Carnatic coast of India, and where he will not only face the McKenzie’s family nemesis but also military challenges far beyond anything he could imagine.
This is a rousing, swashbuckling tale that will have you glued to the pages. Exotic places and people are described with vibrancy and colour. It is extremely gory in places, and with a massive body count, but this is historical adventure writing at its best. My only quibble is that a couple of maps might help readers unfamiliar with the regions, also some author’s notes on the historical background, especially as regards the Carnatic Wars during this turbulent period in Indian history.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
June 23, 2024
After having read a string of fast-moving thrillers, Fever Coast seemed to be more of a drawn out, slow-burn, adventure story. Although I had a pretty good idea of the various locations mentioned -- it would have been helpful to those unfamiliar with that time period if the author inserted a map of the locations cited; as some of the 1700’s East African and Indian cities / locales might not be listed on recent maps.
The lengthy descriptions of the various towns and villages put you right in the scene, as do the extensive sights, sounds, and smells. The various political, national, and personal rivalries add to the meat of the story.
The lengthy descriptions of the various towns and villages put you right in the scene, as do the extensive sights, sounds, and smells. The various political, national, and personal rivalries add to the meat of the story.
August 7, 2025
Naslov na srpskom - ,,Mesec nad Zanzibarom".
Sredina 18. veka, mesto na obali Afrike do koga mogu stići samo vešti moreplovci. Tu živi porodica Makenzi - Hejmiš i Johana sa sinovima Loklanom i Kalumom i ćerkom Katjom. Oni ni ne slute da su im životi ugroženi kada Johanin bivši muž Fereira unajmljuje plaćenog ubicu Ganjona da uništi sve članove porodice Makenzi. Nakon pokolja, Loklan kao jedini preživeli Makenzi započinje sada svoju osvetu usmerenu ka ubicama svoje porodice i njihovim saučesnicima.
Jako lep i dinamičan istorijski roman. Jedino što iritira u ovom romanu je ta nerealna sreća koju Loklan ima kada prečesto uspeva da izbegne gotovo sigurnu smrt.
Sredina 18. veka, mesto na obali Afrike do koga mogu stići samo vešti moreplovci. Tu živi porodica Makenzi - Hejmiš i Johana sa sinovima Loklanom i Kalumom i ćerkom Katjom. Oni ni ne slute da su im životi ugroženi kada Johanin bivši muž Fereira unajmljuje plaćenog ubicu Ganjona da uništi sve članove porodice Makenzi. Nakon pokolja, Loklan kao jedini preživeli Makenzi započinje sada svoju osvetu usmerenu ka ubicama svoje porodice i njihovim saučesnicima.
Jako lep i dinamičan istorijski roman. Jedino što iritira u ovom romanu je ta nerealna sreća koju Loklan ima kada prečesto uspeva da izbegne gotovo sigurnu smrt.
September 4, 2023
An engrossing story of a family settled in Mozambique on the eastern coast of Africa in the 1770's during the struggle for control of Africa and India by England, France, and Portugal. Personal revenge motivates an attack on the fortress controlled by the McKenzie family, touching off a plan, of virtually historic significance, to be revenged -- but demonstrating the futility of revenge and the dominance of karma. Another of Colin Falconer's adventures.
March 25, 2024
Out.Standing! Phenomenal Tale.
Without any doubt, if you have not yet read these books - buy them ALL — NOW!
So much clever, active, cerebral storytelling that is the book equivalent of Oscar Winning Movies!
I honestly don’t know why people would not read these books and this author.
Without any doubt, if you have not yet read these books - buy them ALL — NOW!
So much clever, active, cerebral storytelling that is the book equivalent of Oscar Winning Movies!
I honestly don’t know why people would not read these books and this author.
March 16, 2023
Fever Coast
Wonderful book and a quite extraordinary story. They talk about books being page turners, well this one is one of those. I have just finished it and it’s 2.30 am. The final few chapters had my hands sweating. This book comes highly recommended.
Wonderful book and a quite extraordinary story. They talk about books being page turners, well this one is one of those. I have just finished it and it’s 2.30 am. The final few chapters had my hands sweating. This book comes highly recommended.
December 18, 2024
Rip-snorting adventure
Fever indeed! This tale reminds me of those B&W movies of my youth, with men and women in exotic locales, overcoming so many obstacles in order to fulfill a personal vow of vengeance. Author Falconer can always be counted on for a great read.
Fever indeed! This tale reminds me of those B&W movies of my youth, with men and women in exotic locales, overcoming so many obstacles in order to fulfill a personal vow of vengeance. Author Falconer can always be counted on for a great read.
May 15, 2025
A Compelling Story
A complicated storyline full of gore and guts. Not for the faint hearted. I have read several of Colin Falconer’s books but will look for a change after this savage story.
A complicated storyline full of gore and guts. Not for the faint hearted. I have read several of Colin Falconer’s books but will look for a change after this savage story.
August 25, 2025
I loved this book. Having spend time in largely under developped regions with mixed populations I enjoyed the way the autor blended thier way of thinking intobthe story. Dont get me wrong, I respect many ways of thinking without disqualifying any.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
Another great read from Mr Falconer. Some very interesting and different characters that are well portrayed. Also some fascinating descriptions of people and life that have all but dissappeard today. Looking forward to reading the sequel
November 15, 2025
Falconer book 3 I've read. Says it all.
Excellent read. 3rd Falconer book I've read this month. Great description of the siege and a bit of mystery and intrigue.
Shall definitely be reading all his other novels.
Excellent read. 3rd Falconer book I've read this month. Great description of the siege and a bit of mystery and intrigue.
Shall definitely be reading all his other novels.
December 21, 2022
A different time and a different place
I enjoyed this story as it was far from today's elements. The turmoil of life back then was hard and in being in Africa almost inconceivable.
I enjoyed this story as it was far from today's elements. The turmoil of life back then was hard and in being in Africa almost inconceivable.
March 17, 2023
wonderful!
I have read so many of Colin Falconer’s books.
I always feel like i learn history and have so much fun doing it.
I have read so many of Colin Falconer’s books.
I always feel like i learn history and have so much fun doing it.
April 12, 2023
A successor to Wilbur Smith?
Well written, fast moving spread across a broad geographical canvas together with accurate military facts make it an enjoyable read
Well written, fast moving spread across a broad geographical canvas together with accurate military facts make it an enjoyable read
November 23, 2023
Exciting story
The writing style makes this an easy book to get stuck in to. The story moves at a good pace and the subplots keep you engaged.
The writing style makes this an easy book to get stuck in to. The story moves at a good pace and the subplots keep you engaged.
April 7, 2024
Worth reading
Falconer is a good storyteller whose plots are made richer by his use of exotic settings. I am now a devoted fan.
Falconer is a good storyteller whose plots are made richer by his use of exotic settings. I am now a devoted fan.
August 25, 2024
Such a let down from the author of Silk Road. If you want to read something mindlessly, just for passing time, read this.
September 22, 2024
Exceptional
Very impressed again with Colin's knowledge of history and the great fictional characters!. Another winner by the master. A must read!
Very impressed again with Colin's knowledge of history and the great fictional characters!. Another winner by the master. A must read!
October 1, 2024
Kind of an historical thriller set in Africa. While I enjoyed the historical facts in it, it was not one of my favorite Falconer books, but good nonetheless.
February 9, 2025
Excellent read
Filled with action and adventure. I totally enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Filled with action and adventure. I totally enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
May 11, 2025
Fab read 📚 👌 solid author 👏
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews