The Leopard Hunts in Darkness [Mass Market Paperback]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2006

In Manhattan, Craig Mellow is the toast of the literary world, a young writer whose bestselling novels and larger-than-life adventures are fueled by natural-born charisma. But Craig lost a limb and a legacy in Africa. And his heart still clings to the land.
 
A representative of the World Bank recruits Craig to return to his war-torn homeland--to use his knowledge of Zimbawe's people, languages, and wildlife to stabilize its future. But once he sets foot on the continent, Craig cannot resist what runs in his blood…
 
Soon, this scion of a legendary family is caught in a new era of massive ivory poaching, of tribal warfare waged with modern killing tools, and international politics hardwired directly to Washington and Moscow. With a woman by his side and a traitor behind his back, Craig is about to learn a lesson of a brutal new age--if he can survive Africa one more time.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Wild Justice, nicely read by Steven Pacey, involves Col. Peter Stride, who leads an elite force in an assault on a hijacked airliner in an attempt to free endangered hostages. Though the raid succeeds, Stride is fired for not fully following orders. Free from his military connection, he is then in a position to fight terrorism and conspiracy independently. A good story with lots of twists and treacheries. Together or separately, these three books are fine short adventures; each tale is about one-sixth the length of its original novel and loses an awful lot in the abridging. A recommendation: get these audios if you must for patrons in a hurry, but point them to an unabridged version if you can. - Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Smith deftly evokes not only the horrific but also the beautiful, particularly the lush landscape of Africa."—The Washington Post Book World

 

"Wilbur Smith's written another page-turner."--Daily Mail

 

Praise for Wilbur Smith

“Smith is a master.” —Publishers Weekly

“One of the world’s most popular adventure writers.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship.” —Tulsa World

“Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared.” —The Times (UK)      
"Best Historical Novelist--I say Wilbur Smith, with his swashbuckling novels of Africa.  The bodices of rip and the blood flows.  You can get lost in Wilbur Smith and misplace all of August."--Stephen King

"Action is Wilur Smith's game, and he is a master."--The Washington Post Book World

“The world’s leading adventure writer.” —Daily Express (UK)

"Wilbur Smith rarely misses a trick."--Sunday Times

“Smith is a captivating storyteller.” —The Orlando Sentinel

“No one does adventure quite like Smith.” —Daily Mirror (UK)

"A thundering good’ read is virtually the only way of describing Wilbur Smith’s books.” —The Irish Times

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312940777
• ISBN-13: 978-0312940775
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Family Saga

More About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. After the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS in 1964 he became a full-time writer, and has since written 30 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have been translated into twenty-six different languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost treasure, ancient tribal enmities, and lots of action, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Leopard Hunts in Darkness (Hardcover)

The young country of Zimbabwe, created out of the ashes of "white" Rhodesia after the spilling of blood over a decade-long civil war, struggles to survive the inter-tribal clashes between Shona and Matabele that threaten to doom the country to another bout of civil war. The struggle is personified in two government ministers and heros of the war, General Fungabara and Tungata Zebiwe aka Sam Kumalo, scion of the Matabele royal line. Into the mix is thrown Craig Mellow, Rhodesian ex-pat and best-selling author returned to claim his family patrimony and return from New York to the land he loves best. The story progresses with an adrenaline pace where things are not as they first appear. Hundred year old legends and actions make an effect on current events as the tribes struggle for domination and liberation with Cold War implications. Only the male-female relationship between Craig and Sally Mae (or whatever) is entirely unconvincing keeping me from giving it five stars.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, and so close to reality, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Leopard Hunts in Darkness (Hardcover)

This has been one of the closest accounts as to how life was in Zimbabwe. It says alot more to the reader if you read between the lines, especially if you have lived there. It is such a pity that the book was banned in our country, obviously too close to the truth on certain issues.

Once again, Wilbur Smith shows his amazing gift.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally AWESOME!, December 3, 1999

By 

Lorien Silmaril "Let knowledge and intellect ... (Valinor) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Leopard Hunts in Darkness (Hardcover)

Even for those who were not born in Africa could smell the scent of it in the air, feel the deep passion Wilbur has toward his homeland, and the wildlife that he always loved. This book and another masterpiece of Smith's work: Elephant Song, are both among my favorites.