Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As predicted in a previous review, Wilbur Smith - having sold his good name for several million dollars - is now permitting the evisceration of the Courtney series by giving it to his ghost writers. At least this time the "co-author" (though if Smith himself wrote more than the dedication, I'd be surprised) is listed on the cover. Smith sold the rights to his name a couple of years ago, in case you are wondering why his recent books are so bad; you can easily Google this information. This one isn't quite as badly written as the Those in Peril rubbish, but it's bad. To be specific: the action is unrealistic and very clumsy, the transitions are risible, the descriptions of nature dull, and the characters themselves mere caricatures. Purporting to fill in the period of time between Birds of Prey and Monsoon, Hal is two-dimensional, Aboli almost a cartoon parody of his former self, and Ms. Nazet speaks like a suburban housewife. Hey; maybe they could hire these guys to write the next Star Wars screenplay. Wilbur Smith's (real) books have provided me with enormous pleasure. I have read each one several times; Birds of Prey perhaps being my favorite, although the Ballantyne books are wonderful. Desperately gripping action, mavellous descriptions of nature, resounding and realistic dialogue; three dimensional, original characters (think Mungo St. John, Katinka, Big Daniel, Slow John, Jordan, Sean Courtney, Mark) they are all there. I suppose I should give the old fart credit for that, but I still think it's disgraceful for him to put his name on the covers, deceiving the public and blackening a previously pristine reputation.