Return to Africa
by Mike RotheryPublish: Aug 24, 2014Thriller Action & AdventureBook Overview
An exciting and often harrowing story of a hapless sailor as he stumbles from crisis to desperate crisis; from high drama on the Indian Ocean, disgrace and destitution, wanted in Kenya to face a murder charge, and a frantic race across the African savannah to flee armed kidnappers.A British destroyer calls at an East African port to rest the ship’s company. But for Petty Officer Patrick Redman, the discovery of an ancient jewelled pendant during a recreational dive leads to a string of misfortunes, beginning with a fatal shark attack on his friend, civilian diving instructor Niklas Kreutzer. Having lost contact with the dive-boat, the surviving pair face a hazardous twelve-mile swim back to shore. They have almost made it when Patrick, exhausted and dehydrated, is swept onto a turbulent inshore reef and almost dies. Following a spell in hospital he returns to the dive shack to offer comfort and condolences to Stella, the partner of his deceased friend. It is from Stella that he learns of the artefact’s historical significance and begins harbouring a suspicion that its fabled curse is the root of his woes. Despite its obvious value as a priceless gem, he determines to rid himself of the ill-starred relic at the first opportunity. Returning to patrol in the Gulf of Oman, Patrick buries the jewel in the desert during a beach BBQ. But then a senseless error of judgement results in him being repatriated to a Court Martial on drugs charges. Discharged, penniless and homeless, sleeping in shop doorways, Patrick faces a desperate future. And just when life can’t get any worse, he learns that Africa has unfinished business with him, and Stella, who has become significant in his affections, is in trouble.
