The Dark of the Sun

I'm sometimes compared to the late, great, Wilbur Smith, who wrote dozens of books set in Africa. I think that if there is a similarity, then my books are probably most like Wilbur's earlier novels, where he tended to write about contemporary southern Africa (as I do now). My favourites were his stand-alone novels, including The Dark of the Sun about a group of mercenaries who have to rescue a train load of civilians during the fighting in the former Belgian Congo in the 1960s. It was made into a movie back in the day (The Mercenaries), and later provided… show more.

I saw the film before I discovered the book, and as usual, the book was far superior, allowing your imagination to crank up the tension. Set in Africa 1960, Bruce Curry’s band of mercenaries go to relieve a diamond-mining town cut off by rebels in the Belgian Congo. Of course, the real mission is to retrieve a consignment of diamonds. Along the way, Curry falls in love with a Belgian woman, Shermaine.

When they reach the town, Curry’s ill-disciplined unit is pitted against bandits, guerrillas, and unfriendly tribes. The action is brutal and unforgiving and the mercenaries are struggling to… show more.