Those in Peril

By Wilbur Smith

In Those in Peril, a nail-biting tale of adventure, bestselling author Wilbur Smith brings his matchless storytelling to bear on the violent, ruthless world of twenty-first-century piracy.

While cruising on the family yacht in the Indian Ocean, nineteen-year-old Cayla Bannock is attacked and taken hostage by Somalian pirates. Her kidnappers demand a staggering ransom: twenty billion dollars. And Cayla's not just anyone--she's the daughter of Hazel Bannock, heiress to the Bannock Oil Corporation, one of the world's foremost oil producers.

The sensitive global political climate means not even the most powerful groups in the world can intervene. Left to handle the problem on her own, Hazel calls on Hector Cross, head of the security agency that protects Bannock Oil. As threats increase and evidence arises of horrific torture, the need to take action becomes more urgent than ever--and soon Hazel and Hector will have no choice but to take the law into their own hands...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: May 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781429921169

Wilbur Smith

Described by Stephen King as “the best historical novelist,” WILBUR SMITH made his debut in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds and has since sold more than 125 million copies of his books worldwide and been translated into twenty-six different languages. Born in Central Africa in 1933, he now lives in London.

Reviews for Those in Peril

[parhamj-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So in reading the reviews for Those in Peril by the inimitable Wilbur Smith, I have had a distinct epiphany: I have the worst reading tastes on the planet. Shouldn’t be too surprising since my taste in music sucks, so…

But I was surprised to find that so many people absolutely loathed this book. Almost every review I came across couldn’t believe “this trash” had been written by the same author who had written such incredible works on Ancient Egypt; the novel was an absolute mess; the dialogue was ridiculous; and the characters were completely unbelievable. And let me say, I can see where all of these reviewers are coming from. I guess my take is: I thought it wasn’t *that* bad.

The novel centers on Hazel Bannock, the president and CEO of her late husband’s empire, Bannock Oil, and her chief security officer, Hector Cross. In the opening chapters, Hazel’s only daughter, 19-year-old Cayla, is abducted by pirates while she is en route (via private yacht) to meet her mom for the holidays. When Hazel’s attempts to enlist the assistance of the US military go nowhere, she turns to her last resort: the head of her own security team. Together, Hazel and Hector concoct a daring plan that will take them into the heart of jihadist Africa to save Cayla. Of course, obstacles await – one taking the form of a trusted confidante that turns out to be a double agent – but as Hazel and Hector come together to rescue Cayla, they also find their initial disdain of each other might be the seeds of a deeper attraction.

So yeah, it’s slightly predictable. And yeah, the dialogue is ridiculous – Hector is about as profound as a soup spoon with his self-ruminations – and, yes, I got a little tired of the step-by-step writing style. I mean there were passages that literally went as thus: “Hector stood up and stretched his arms over his head. He bent down and picked up his pack, slinging it over his left shoulder. He took three steps forward and when he came to the rock, he stopped. He turned to the left and took two steps. Then he stopped again, turned right, and took three more steps. The rock now to his right, he turned again, took a few more steps, and then stopped when the rock was directly below his right arm. He turned to the left one last time, and continued walking. He had skirted the rock entirely.” At first, I thought this was an attempt to build suspense – I kept waiting for some jihadist radical to jump out from behind that rock with an uzi – but after a while, I saw this was just Wilbur’s method of providing detail. And then I got bogged down in it.

But I kept going because I was committed to the story. I wanted to know what happened to these crazy characters. And I absolutely loved all the detail on modern-day African piracy. I also listened to this book on audio, and I’m sure part of my commitment came from Rupert Degas’ expert reading of the story. He was absolutely fabulous.

But even with Degas (who really was amazing), I didn’t think the novel was that bad. Not Smith’s best work, definitely, but still entertaining… at least to me. I do have the worst reading tastes, after all.

[nandadevi_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lightweight perhaps, but Freeling does something with language that is always special. It's a kind of shorthand that blends thought and dialogue, and leaves enough gaps to give the reader a sense of the disjointedness of real life captured in a crime novel. Those that know Freeling will enjoy this, but those looking for an introduction to him might do better to look at one of his early much grittier novels.

[mamzel_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Exciting high seas and desert adventure with kidnapped heiresses, a blood feud, lots of guns and guts, and, of course, a gizzled hero. Hector Cross is the security head of a large oil-based company headed by the attractive widow, Hazel Bannock. When her luxury yacht, the Amorous Dolphin (!), is pirated with daughter, Cayla, aboard, Hazel seeks help from the U.S. and Royal Navy without results. It's up to Hector to save the girl from the brutal Arab pirates. Little does he know that he is up against the Sheikh who has already lost two sons to Heck and has engineered this kidnapping to draw Heck into his sights. The rescue is one of two climaxes in this story. The first is carried out on land in a fictitious emirate named Abu Zara. The second on board the natural gas carrier called the Golden Goose which is used to lure the evil Arabs into Heck's sights.Full of stereotypical Arabs, Smith doesn't paint the 'civilized' Americans much more civilized as they end the blood feud bloodily. Lots of action, this book is a real page turner.

[stuartechambers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I happen to really like most all of Wilbur Smiths books but I really didn’t fancy this one for some reason … until my parents sent the book to me with high praise indeed from both of them…. Having said that, the fact that my parents are in their late seventies reading a book by an author in his late 70s is rarely going to light my fire … and the idea of an immensely wealthy lady mixing it up with an ex SAS operator kind of sums it all up in my mind. This is simply NOT going to be a Wilbur Smith classic but …I didn’t like the fact that the bad guys were all dangerous Muslim Arabs as that rides the sad but recent tide of negative anti-Islamic press I didn’t like the fact that the sharia law was shown up sensational, yes people are beheaded but not in the numbers Wilbur Smith implies and certainly not on one dayI didn’t mind the occasional graphic sex because for an old man it was well written … though I question why it was there The book did stun me with one twist and turn in events that I didn’t see coming and that takes some doingI kind of hope Wilbur Smith doesn’t write too much more. This feels like a book that has sat on a back burner for some years and the publishers suggested, let’s bring it up to date, make the woman immensely wealthy and the bad guys pirates etc BUT … if its mind candy you are looking for this is without doubt a seriously good, old-fashioned gripping yarn but that’s all it is; escapism, adventure

[lisalynne_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Wilbur Smith's Those in Peril would make a pretty decent spy novel. The problem is, he tries to make it more than that. He tries to add a romance that just doesn't work; his female characters are painful to read. And there should be a law: that he never writes another sex scene. The other problem for me was that this was an audiobook, and the reader, Rupert Degas, did not enhance the experience of this book.The story centers around Hector Cross, owner of Crossbow Security and his boss, Hazel Bannock. Hazel is the head of Bannock Oil; Crossbow provides security for their oilfields, shipyards and personnel, in dangerous Middle East locations. Hector is tough and worldly-wise. Hazel is beautiful and tough, worth millions, and absolutely devoted to her daughter, Cayla.Cayla is a spoiled little bitch, and everyone but her mother can see it. She's blowing off her college classes to spend her time in bed with her boyfriend, Rogier. While she is ensconced on the family's luxury yacht, sailing off to visit her grandmother on her vineyard estate in Capetown, the yacht is overtaken by pirates and Cayla is kidnapped. There are no simple ransom demands, as this is no simple kidnapping. There is far more involved here -- and far more at stake -- than Hector and Hazel realize.Now, for the good stuff. The story is interesting, although it would have been better without the romance angle. The inside look at Middle Eastern pirates and radical Islamic blood feuds definitely makes an interesting read. There are some good plot twists that keep you going. However...The female characters are terrible. Hazel Bannock does not sound like an oil company executive. Some of the things she says are so ridiculous, I literally groaned to hear them. No one addresses their college-age child by saying, "Oh, my darling daughter!" Does. Not. Happen. And the sex scenes? My god, they were painful to read. I felt bad for the Rupert Degas, the audiobook reader, for having to suffer through them.I could have done without the detailed descriptions of torture that Smith keeps repeating. When the group is on the run and stumble upon an Islamic village where the residents are rounded up to watch the "public punishment," I had to fast forward. There are also detailed rape scenes that were difficult to read (or listen to, in my case). Not for the faint of heart.As for listening to it, this is one case where the audiobook doesn't improve the story. Degas, the reader, does not do women's voices well. Hazel sounds bad, but Cayla is even worse. I don't know how you could hear her whiny little voice and not hate her.All around, Those in Peril was not a good experience.

[bhowell_35 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have to agree with BobH1 's review.

[bobh1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It's time for Wilbur to lay down his pen and stop writing! His books are getting increasingly formulaic and shallow. This one adds pornography to the mix. Whilst his early books were fast paced, one got an idea of the author's engagement with the protaginists and their South Africa. This book on the other hand has cardboard characters where to be caucasian means you are intrinsically good and all arabs are naturally and essentially evil.

[smits_52 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

another wonderful adventure romp by Wilbur Smith. Found this one a tad violent. maybe I'm just getting old. however I still am glued to the pages and Mr Smith can still tell a rivoting story like no one else.

[ronrose1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If you like lots of action and a fast paced story, you will like this book. I like a good adventure story, full of action and well plotted, as much as anyone. If you are turned off by explicitly detailed, often violent sex scenes as well as descriptions of brutality and torture, you should probably skip this one. I felt this crossed the line a couple of times, before I decided to put it aside. I haven't read any of the author's other books so I don't know if this is typical of his writing style or an exception. This book was provided by the well read folks at Amazon Vine.

[rbott_5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book made a nice afternoons read. The first third and the last third were filled with gory and fast action but the middle third was slow, made up of YA mush, could have done without this part. I would be interested in reading more by Wilbur Smith to see if he gets any better.

[chromiumdomium · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Formulaic, pronographic in parts and totally predictable with wooden characters and little imagination. The basic plot is fairly predictable, but actually not too bad. Unfortuanately WS's recent works have gradually succumbed to the tendency of many modern authors (of little imagination) to describe exactly the function of our body parts during sex or rape. Wilbur Smith used to do this sort of stuff without going into all the gory detail, but describe enough to let your imagination build the picture. I've read all but one of Wilbur Smith's novels and apart from "Assegai", "Warlock" and the "Quest" this is without doubt his worst yet.If you can stomache an anachronistic story about a beautiful, super rich, super talented, super athletic, godess like female called Hazel, teamed with a super tough, super handsome, super ruthless hero called Hector seeking vengeance against the tyranny of some dastardly Islamic Somalian Pirates, mixed with predictable treachery and barbarism then this is the story for you.

[velopunk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Piracy off the Horn of Africa is at the heart of this novel. Hector Cross is the owner/operator of Crossbow Security. His main client is Bannock Oil, now run by Hazel Bannock since her husband's death. Hazel thinks that Hector is a violent, racist man and has come close to firing him. All this changes when Bannock's daughter is kidnapped by Somali pirates and held for a large ransom. Hector has had clashes with this clan before and has killed two of the clan leader's sons. A blood feud is now directed against Cross. They know that Hector Cross will likely be involved in a rescue attempt. There is plenty of action in the book. I found it to be a touch unrealistic and somewhat predictable, but still entertaining. One episode strains credulity in my mind. Bannock's daughter has been spirited from her captors and is about to be picked up by a rescue helicopter when Hazel herself leaps out of the helicopter and runs to embrace her liberated daughter. This causes a crucial delay and the helicopter is shot down and the crew killed, leaving Cross and his surviving team members stranded in Somalia their only avenue of escape now overland to Ethopia or by sea through pirate controlled waters. Cross had told Mrs. Bannock that she could not be in the rescue mission because of the danger but does Cross get upset? No.

[miked_181283 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A thrilling book of piracy and terrorism off the coast of Africa. It involves the daugher of a beautiful oil heiress and the secretive man she hires to get her daughter back from pirates controlled by muslim terrorists. Hector Cross is the new hero of suspense filled thrillers. A good read for everyone!

[jjking_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sorry,its taken so long to review this book,through I had lost it but my brother took it and loved it so much gave it to a friend.Hope to get it back soon,the way he talked about it,can't wait.Was told the story line was exciting and the hero is so believable,not stop action.

[drlord_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Having never read a book by Wilbur Smith, I was excited to have the opportunity to read his newest called "Those in Peril". The book is about the kidnapping of an oil executives daughter and the elaborate methods used for her eventual return. But this book goes well beyond that premise and the readers will have their share of mouth dropping surprises.At times, this book resembles a flow chart where what happens has been expected. These parts take away from the parts of the book that leaves you glued to your chair. As I ended the book I was appreciative of the authors efforts and enjoyed my time reading.

[daisygrl09 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hector Cross owns and runs Cross Bow, a private security company. Their main client is Bannock Oil in the Middle East. The daughter of the owner of Bannock Oil is kidnapped and held for ransom. Hector and his men, along with the owner if Bannock Oil go after the daughter. The book is full of action. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys lots of action and adventure.

[lyncos · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Profoundly disappointing! I have read and enjoyed a great many of Wilbur Smith's books and was looking forward to reading this one. I almost can't believe this book is by the same author! This book is totally formulaic, with one dimensional characters and a very predictable plot (if that is what it is). His descriptions of raw , graphic brutality seem designed for one reason only - to sell the book. And that is a very sad commentary on a formerly good author.I do not recommend this book. It was a waste of my very valuable reading time!

[kerril_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my third Wilbur Smith book (I've read the first two in the Egypt series and loved them). I was a bit apprehensive at first given the subject matter: oil, pirates, shipping. I thought it might bore me with a lot of language and subject matter I didn't understand or wasn't interested in. I should have known better. Wilbur Smith is an amazing author.This book takes you on a fast paced, dramatic, often graphic adventure in the race to save Hazel Bannock's kidnapped daughter...and so much more. Hector Cross is exactly what a hero should be: fearless, strong, determined, brilliant, and he has a heart.I connected with the characters in this book, and I felt Hector's pain at the betrayal of one of his most trusted men; I felt Hazel's anguish as she received messages from her daughter's kidnappers. It was an intense book and definitely worth reading.

[stang50logan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great read. This was a book that was a roller coaster from the get go. The characters were well developed and the story line was pretty good. There were many highs and a few lows. I struggled a bit with some of the terminology throughout...Author seems to be from another country. Worth the read very enjoyable.

[gwnsad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hector Cross, security specialist, is asked by his boss to rescue her hi-jacked daughter. The ensuing chase across oceans and continents is chocked full of peril and intrigue. The action is non-stop with edge-of-your-seat tension that only makes you wish for more. The characters are fully realized and work together with the obvious frisson that would be expected in such precarious circumstances. This book is just absolute terrific. I was so sorry when it came to an end. This was my first read from Mr. Smith. I look forward to reading his other books.

[sundance41 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Those in Peril is a great thriller that keeps your interest and excitement up throughout the entire story. Exciting plot that gets everyone involved, characters that are well developed and keeps your interest. IT was two stories in one, The first was an unabashed thriller, revenge seeking plot line that works for what it is. His story has you rooting for the good guys and keeping your anxiously awaiting the finale. The second, is a love story of 2 diametrically opposed forces of nature. While just as unbelievable as the first plot line, I found it a bit tedious and less germane to the whole story. If you are looking for a great summer beach read, this book is it.

[thejazzmonger · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Terrific, and timely, plot idea: daughter of a wealthy female American oil oligarch is kidnapped by fanatical Islamic sea pirates. And the plot unfolds in surprising but plausible ways. A good story, and yet...I was somewhat disappointed. It's kind of picky, I know, but the main character, Hector Cross, is pushed at us just a little too aggressively. He is a little TOO perfect at absolutely everything. And we learn this not so much by seeing it played out in the story but just being told, like in a press release. In a few paragraphs, our "security expert" becomes the brilliant, innovative force behind the resurgence of Bannock Oil.""Bannock Oil's affairs had been lagging of late but now they took an upward turn, not entirely because of the increasing price or oil. Hector flew to Abu Zara and after five days of discussion with the Emir he obtained the offshore drilling rights foe the entire coastline of the Emirate abutting the Zara no. 8. They brought in the first productive gas well eleven months later. It was a storming success." (pp. 244-245.)A couple of pages later:"At Hector's urging the Bannock management started to take seriously the exploration of alternative energy. Hector acquired five patents from a young engineering savant that nobody else had ever heard of. The patents had such potential for cheaper and more efficient production of wind energy that both Shell and Exxon were soon bidding for a share in the venture. At the end of the second financial year since Hector had come on board, Bannock was able to declare an increase of seven and a half per cent on their dividend. The share price, which had been drifting in the doldrums for several years, shot up to $255." (pg. 249)Not enough that our guy knows his weapons and tactics, is a beloved leader of his crew, an affectionate and lusty lover and has the wits and daring to overcome a powerful enemy. He is the second-coming of Warren Buffet, too. These "resume buffers" were completely unnecessary and were a side trip that killed the momentum of the story.It is a rousing tale. And Wilbur Smith creates a fascinating antagonist who is easy to loathe. I enjoyed it, to a degree, but it was a little like watching a good adventure movie be interrupted by presidential campaign ads every half-hour. You remember what that's like, don't you?

[missyvonnee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Having read Wilbur Smith’s novels in the past I was looking forward to his newest adventure in “Those in Peril”. The premise of modern day piracy sounded interesting and exciting. The main characters were interesting but not completely believable. There is a lot of detailed violence, brutality and sex in this novel. Not one of his better novels for me.

[deaconbernie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One really gets their money's worth with this book. Two main plot lines and a host of lesser stories. Of course, the characters are pretty much the same but it just doesn't stop, ignoring an excellent place. It is also rather brutal. The two principal characters are the stuff of Superman and Superwoman with hardly a human flaw between them. Still, I would read more work of Mr Smith

[aztwinmom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The premise of this book sounded promising, but it was more graphic than I enjoy reading. The story never caught my interest and I didn't enjoynit as much as I thought I would.

[mpolino_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I got this as a free, pre-publication review book through Library Thing. This could have been a good book. But it's not. Both the plot and the characters are incredibly inconsistent. There are unnecessarily graphic scenes in the beginning and then an underdescribed ending. Half the book is devoted to the successful rescue of a billionaire's daughter only to see her killed a few pages later turning this into a revenge book. Finally the dialogue often doesn't fit. It's like actors in a movie with bad accents. The South African billionaire's wife who lives in Texas now and is shown to come from humble roots, speaks like an upper crust English woman. I know that this is a pre-publication copy but there were a signifcant amount of typos, words run together, etc. I think the work Air Force had 3 different spellings and Denver, Colorado is referred to as Denver City. All in all, the title, Those in Peril, should refer to the readers.

[coker74 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading Those In Peril was my first Wilbur Smith book. It won't be my last either. His writing style is a good bit more graphic than what I find in most books, but I liked it. It's more of a "guy" book. His storyline kept me coming back for more, wondering what was around the bend or over the next sand dune. His "Superman" character, Hector Cross, does everything and anything, but that's what a good character is supposed to do in an adventure. Makes for a good yarn. I would recommend this book to anyone who has not read Wilbur Smith. Think you'll find his style "different," but entertaining.

[23blue · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

On the outset I wasn’t sure I would like this book because of some incorrect or impossible technical details (discerning a boot pattern from a moving helicopter after a sandstorm, shooting semtex and having it explode, and the weight of ammunition). However the story captured my attention and I ended up really enjoying it. One of the things that Smith did is he lets the story takes place over a longer time frame, years. In other books in this genre the story and the action seems to take place over a compressed periods of time. He is also willing to let good guys die, to often we see all the bad guys get wiped out and all the good guys go on living, and this seem unrealistic to me. Overall once I got into it I hardly set it down.

[lwhitmill_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great story line that captures the imagination because of both its timeliness and its poetic justice of love gained, lost and then gained again. I must warn you that some of the language is a bit “sappy” for a mystery but the overall store is well worth forgetting the romantic dialog.A must read for those who are news and mystery junkies.

[clmcq57 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read any of Wilbur Smith's books in several years. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read his latest book, "Those in Peril". It was an exciting story, once I got thru the first few chapters - I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the main character, Hector Cross, and hope to see him in future books. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy adventure type stories. I am now going to go back and look for other books written by this author.