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Zambezi : A Wild Paradise Is about to Erupt
When a young American research assistant is killed by a man-eating lion, three people are devastated - Jed Banks, an American Special Forces soldier serving in Afghanistan; Professor Christine Wallis, a wildlife researcher in South Africa; and Hassan bin Zayid, a hotel magnate in Zambia. The victim, Miranda Banks-Lewis, was their daughter, protegee and lover respectively.
Desperate to find out what happened to Miranda, Jed and Christine, with the help of a determined Australian journalist, set out on a perilous journey of discovery in Africa. Forced to pit themselves against the continent's dangers, they will also learn shocking truths about the woman they thought they knew.
A superb successor to the bestselling Far Horizon, Zambezi is an unputdownable novel of love, loyalty, betrayal and revenge set against the magnificence and terror of Africa.
Desperate to find out what happened to Miranda, Jed and Christine, with the help of a determined Australian journalist, set out on a perilous journey of discovery in Africa. Forced to pit themselves against the continent's dangers, they will also learn shocking truths about the woman they thought they knew.
A superb successor to the bestselling Far Horizon, Zambezi is an unputdownable novel of love, loyalty, betrayal and revenge set against the magnificence and terror of Africa.
423 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2005
68 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Tony Park
37 books299 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 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 8, 2020
An enjoyable action adventure novel, we have bereaved father Jed, a special forces soldier, travelling to Zimbabwe after the death of his daughter Miranda, who was studying lions in the bush. Desperate for answers, Jed meets up with Miranda's boss Chris, who seems to have her own agenda. As Jed gets closer to finding out what happened to Miranda, he finds he has more questions than answers. What is Chris hiding? Where is Miranda's mysterious lover? What really happened that day in the bush? Jed is in for some answers that will shock him to the core.
While I found this book well-plotted and hard to put down, I really didn't connect with any of the characters, finding them unlikeable for the most part. While this didn't detract from the book it did rankle a bit. However this wont stop me looking out for more of Tony Park's work, and I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all lovers of action-adventure.
While I found this book well-plotted and hard to put down, I really didn't connect with any of the characters, finding them unlikeable for the most part. While this didn't detract from the book it did rankle a bit. However this wont stop me looking out for more of Tony Park's work, and I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all lovers of action-adventure.
February 9, 2022
I don't normally read a lot in the action-adventure genre, but found Zambezi a rollickingly-good read, with plenty of intrigue, a varied cast of characters and exotic settings.
Zambezi opens with American Special Forces Soldier Jed Banks, engaged in a deadly skirmish in Afghanistan, saving the life of an Australian press correspondent in the process. No sooner has Jed returned to safety than he learns the devastating news of his daughter's disappearance, and presumed death, while on a research posting in southern Africa. Jed travels to the Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwean bank of the Zambezi River, in order to uncover the circumstances of Miranda's apparent loss to a lion attack.
There, he becomes acquainted with her research supervisor, Professor Christine Wallis, a tentative romance quickly blossoming. However, it doesn't take military-trained Jed long to come to the conclusion that Christine is hiding something from him, and that there is more to Miranda's apparent death than meets the eye.
Meanwhile, hotel magnate Hassan bin Zayid runs his extensive business empire from the exotic island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. We learn of bin Zayid's complex personal history and his romantic relationship with the ill-fated Miranda. But is he really the upstanding philanthropist that the world sees, or does his support of environmental causes hide a darker purpose?
The various storylines converge into an action-packed final sequence that had me glued to the pages. There's some pretty graphic violence, a few distinctly male-oriented sex scenes and some confronting themes, but overall it was a satisfying read that I'd recommend to any reader who enjoys complex plots and great settings.
Zambezi opens with American Special Forces Soldier Jed Banks, engaged in a deadly skirmish in Afghanistan, saving the life of an Australian press correspondent in the process. No sooner has Jed returned to safety than he learns the devastating news of his daughter's disappearance, and presumed death, while on a research posting in southern Africa. Jed travels to the Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwean bank of the Zambezi River, in order to uncover the circumstances of Miranda's apparent loss to a lion attack.
There, he becomes acquainted with her research supervisor, Professor Christine Wallis, a tentative romance quickly blossoming. However, it doesn't take military-trained Jed long to come to the conclusion that Christine is hiding something from him, and that there is more to Miranda's apparent death than meets the eye.
Meanwhile, hotel magnate Hassan bin Zayid runs his extensive business empire from the exotic island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. We learn of bin Zayid's complex personal history and his romantic relationship with the ill-fated Miranda. But is he really the upstanding philanthropist that the world sees, or does his support of environmental causes hide a darker purpose?
The various storylines converge into an action-packed final sequence that had me glued to the pages. There's some pretty graphic violence, a few distinctly male-oriented sex scenes and some confronting themes, but overall it was a satisfying read that I'd recommend to any reader who enjoys complex plots and great settings.
May 16, 2019
4.5 stars. I quite enjoyed this book, but it didn't start off that way. I enjoyed the use of US Army acronyms, but the confusion took a while to dissipate and that the somethings were heavily anthropomorphised did not help any. The action picked up quickly and this became impossible to put down. The climax, when it turned up was gripping and rather delicious, and I loved the resolution, but I would have preferred to read more about what happened after.
May 6, 2021
My first by Tony Park and it was great with lots of suspense.
June 11, 2022
A good read worth about Southern Africà worth about 3 1/2 stars in my ràting system. SOme cliched parts of t’he storyline were rather predictable bit all In all a book worth reading for some night time entertainment .
May 17, 2016
This was a great storyline that could have been better executed in fewer words.
On hearing Park was excellent at creating a 'sense of place', I hoped to learn from him. Having already been to southern Africa, I should have felt that sticky heat again, felt the rumble of elephants, cried with ecstasy at the liquid gold sun rising over the lowveld, and relived the fright of lions on the hunt. But I didn't.
I was just not able to suspend my sense of disbelief, that critical factor in escapism. Throughout the whole book, I felt Park was there with me, pointing and explaining, which made it awkward, uncomfortable, and even creepy in the sex scenes.
In this book, Park mastered the sin of 'the dramatic flashback': where we leave a character in a tense situation, return to him later with a dramatic opening chapter line that makes us gasp... then bogs us down in laborious flashbacks of what we missed, filled with 'he had' and 'he had had'. It only takes two or three of these to dull the senses.
Having said that, this is an older book and the market was probably different back then. I won't let this disappointment stop me from reading one of his later novels.
On hearing Park was excellent at creating a 'sense of place', I hoped to learn from him. Having already been to southern Africa, I should have felt that sticky heat again, felt the rumble of elephants, cried with ecstasy at the liquid gold sun rising over the lowveld, and relived the fright of lions on the hunt. But I didn't.
I was just not able to suspend my sense of disbelief, that critical factor in escapism. Throughout the whole book, I felt Park was there with me, pointing and explaining, which made it awkward, uncomfortable, and even creepy in the sex scenes.
In this book, Park mastered the sin of 'the dramatic flashback': where we leave a character in a tense situation, return to him later with a dramatic opening chapter line that makes us gasp... then bogs us down in laborious flashbacks of what we missed, filled with 'he had' and 'he had had'. It only takes two or three of these to dull the senses.
Having said that, this is an older book and the market was probably different back then. I won't let this disappointment stop me from reading one of his later novels.
January 6, 2018
Action-packed adventure about tracing an American wildlife reseacher who was reportedly eaten by lions in Zimbabwe.
The beautiful, dangerous Zambezi River region is the perfect setting for the story that combines all the major elements of a fun adventure. Plenty of animal encounters and danger around every corner. Lots of mystery and plots.
The characters are the perfect blend: a wildlife researcher, an army soldier, a journalist, a magnate, and a down-on-his luck local guide (my favorite character).
What action novel doesn’t come with some raunchy potential love interest? This is no exception. It doesn’t get in the way of the story.
You can easily escape in this book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes action-packed stories or African safaris.
The beautiful, dangerous Zambezi River region is the perfect setting for the story that combines all the major elements of a fun adventure. Plenty of animal encounters and danger around every corner. Lots of mystery and plots.
The characters are the perfect blend: a wildlife researcher, an army soldier, a journalist, a magnate, and a down-on-his luck local guide (my favorite character).
What action novel doesn’t come with some raunchy potential love interest? This is no exception. It doesn’t get in the way of the story.
You can easily escape in this book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes action-packed stories or African safaris.
April 28, 2011
I liked the story and the idea. It was fast paced with lots of twists and turns. However, I didnt really like any of the characters, found some of it too far fetched to be true. For somebody who is supposed to spend time in Southern Africa I also felt like he wasnt really that familiar with the area and its people. This was full of stereotypes and fairly negative about the area. I wondered why if there seems to be a dislike of a region that you would bother to write a book about it. Having said that I will definitely try another one of his books, since there was a lot that I did like.
October 26, 2015
Sort of enjoyed most of the book but towards the end couldn't wait o get it over with! I didn't engage with any of the characters & found the gung ho hero very tiresome. All very predictable especially the inevitable romance. I did enjoy the backdrop of Africa , the author certainly writes well about the landscape & animal life but otherwise not really my cup of tea.
January 3, 2018
This book completes my challenge of reading books that took place in each of the letters of the alphabet. Z is for Zambezi. Entertaining fast read. Spies, macho military hero, running and hiding through Africa and all the cities and rivers that start with Z, some sexy romance, and terrorists wreaking havoc. Fun read to end the year. On to 2018 challenges.
February 6, 2008
Great adventure that girls will love too.
February 22, 2012
An easy read with a good plot that keeps you guessing. Could have done without some of the raunchy bits though!
June 1, 2013
Great read! Love Tony parks always fast moving good stories.
September 4, 2013
Eh...kept my interest mostly, but pretty predictable and it gets draggy in some parts.
December 9, 2014
Throwaway read to pick up off the bottom shelf of the bookcase at the holiday home you're staying in. It will keep you mildly amused without taxing your holiday fogged tiny little mind :-)
November 18, 2017
Action galore
Great setting and plenty of action. The main characters and the plot thicken as a man searches for his daughter In the wilds of africa. Don't miss it great story
Great setting and plenty of action. The main characters and the plot thicken as a man searches for his daughter In the wilds of africa. Don't miss it great story
February 20, 2017
The most dangerous predator is a two-legged creature - says Moses, local guide of Jed Banks, main character of the novel. This holds true of the African poachers and terrorists, often being the same persons. Jed gets enchanted with the land of the Zambezi river when he gets there looking for his daughter, supposedly killed by a man-eater lion. As always with Tony Park's novels, my full admiration for his skillful rendering of the African wildlife marvels, not so much for his handling of the criminal intrigue.
Jed, żołnierz amerykańskich sił specjalnych w Afganistanie, dowiaduje się, że jego córka, Miranda, zajmująca się badaniem afrykańskich lwów, zniknęła i wszystko wskazuje, że mogła stać się ofiarą lwa-ludojada. Zrozpaczony, rusza do Zambii i Zimbabwe, aby w dolinie rzeki Zambezi trafić na jakieś ślady wydarzeń, które doprowadziły do tragedii.
Mniej więcej połowa książki to typowa powieść afrykańska, prawdziwa frajda dla miłośników tamtych klimatów, niepowtarzalnej przyrody, drapieżników i ich zwyczajów oraz emocji, które afrykański busz wyzwala w ludziach. Nastrój zbliżony do powieści Wilbura Smitha czy Leona Mare. W drugiej części Afryka ustępuje wątkowi sensacyjnemu, bo - jak twierdzi lokalny przewodnika Jeda, Moses - najbardziej niebezpieczny drapieżnik, także tam w buszu, to istoty dwunożne. A konkretnie terroryści i ich żądza zemsty.
Można wybrzydzać, że mariaż niezbyt się autorowi udał: Afryki za mało i mniej autentyczna niż u Smitha, sensacja za to przerysowana i zbyt efekciarska. Niemniej skonsumowałam książkę ciurkiem. Jest to po prostu wciągające czytadło, wspomagane - co staram się często robić - wersją audio. Na dodatek, tym razem lektor imituje różne dialekty angielskiego, jako że wśród bohaterów Zambezi obok lokalsów i Amerykanów jest nawet Australijczyk.
Jed, żołnierz amerykańskich sił specjalnych w Afganistanie, dowiaduje się, że jego córka, Miranda, zajmująca się badaniem afrykańskich lwów, zniknęła i wszystko wskazuje, że mogła stać się ofiarą lwa-ludojada. Zrozpaczony, rusza do Zambii i Zimbabwe, aby w dolinie rzeki Zambezi trafić na jakieś ślady wydarzeń, które doprowadziły do tragedii.
Mniej więcej połowa książki to typowa powieść afrykańska, prawdziwa frajda dla miłośników tamtych klimatów, niepowtarzalnej przyrody, drapieżników i ich zwyczajów oraz emocji, które afrykański busz wyzwala w ludziach. Nastrój zbliżony do powieści Wilbura Smitha czy Leona Mare. W drugiej części Afryka ustępuje wątkowi sensacyjnemu, bo - jak twierdzi lokalny przewodnika Jeda, Moses - najbardziej niebezpieczny drapieżnik, także tam w buszu, to istoty dwunożne. A konkretnie terroryści i ich żądza zemsty.
Można wybrzydzać, że mariaż niezbyt się autorowi udał: Afryki za mało i mniej autentyczna niż u Smitha, sensacja za to przerysowana i zbyt efekciarska. Niemniej skonsumowałam książkę ciurkiem. Jest to po prostu wciągające czytadło, wspomagane - co staram się często robić - wersją audio. Na dodatek, tym razem lektor imituje różne dialekty angielskiego, jako że wśród bohaterów Zambezi obok lokalsów i Amerykanów jest nawet Australijczyk.
July 9, 2008
Thinking that since Park had spent some time in Africa, this would be an enjoyable read.. I have to conclude, however, that this was one of the worst books I've ever read. It was so bad that I actually took it back to Borders and got it exchanged for some other book. The story was lame and I thought badly written. The whole military side of things was just not credible (though I'm quite aware that Park has had some military experience himself, which puzzles me even more). And the fact that the "main character" was a lion and had a narrator voice really confused me. Perhaps I'm just a bit slow but it took me quite some time to realise that the person I thought was narrating some of the story wasn't a person at all but an animal.. how bizarre..
December 30, 2014
Excellent Read....given a perfect insight on South Eastern Africa.. this book had all the elements a good book should have.. adventure, passion, romance, responsibility & commitment. This book took me through a direct passageway to a lot of dark corners which all came to light in a very pleasant and unexpected ending. Zimbabwe and Zambia seem to have quite a bit of rivalry, Zambezi seems to hold many dark secrets.. This book and perhaps the river itself. A perfect book to take you out of this world to the promised land.
January 14, 2019
Zambezi was an enjoyable action-almost-thriller read made more intriguing than many of its genre because it was set in parts of southern Africa. Big game, brave and multi-talented heroes both male and female and solid descriptions of the setting added to the enjoyment of not quite knowing through much of the book how the story would resolve. Tony Park can write an engaging story. This particular story would make a great movie with the right cast.
November 13, 2015
I can't really express how much I enjoy Tony Park's writing. Put simply, I love it, evocative settings, thrilling adventures and authentic characters. Filled with excitement, lions, and the amazing African bush... what's not to like?
Five Stars from me.
Five Stars from me.
October 25, 2017
Another glued to the page book! Really enjoyed. So much action, and killing. I could have gone without having sex WITH some of the characters-certainly well written though- but that’s just me. Otherwise, loved, loved the book.
October 23, 2013
Another gripping story loved it
June 27, 2015
Really good book. The book was so gripping I read it in 4 days. It has a nice twisting end and one cannot foretell the story. Love it.
Read
February 15, 2016Pacey, riveting!
March 11, 2016
a good listen
December 22, 2016
very enjoyable
January 27, 2018
Very easy read. I liked the characters and great action and suspense.
November 4, 2018
Brilliant
Didn't,t want it to end. Read all his books and now reading again. The are all so good, up to Wilbur Smith's anyday
Didn't,t want it to end. Read all his books and now reading again. The are all so good, up to Wilbur Smith's anyday
January 3, 2019
He never disappoints!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews