Mansur and Verity Courtney were sitting in their parlour, playing chess, when Meridew arrived at the door. Their house was a short distance from his. They had an uneasy relationship with the East India Company, and Mansur did not want to be too close to the walls of Fort St George. The terrace was now awash with light. The music had stopped; merchants were hanging out of the upper windows to see what was happening. Below, the terrace which had been empty a few moments ago was crowded with onlookers. Every servant in the house had come to witness the commotion. And what was the nature of this entertainment?’ asked Verity innocently. She was behind her husband, peering over his shoulder.

Storm Tide is out now - Wilbur Smith

But on the other side of the Atlantic, unbeknownst to Rob, his distant cousins Cal and Aidan Courtney are leading a campaign against the British in a quest for American Independence. When Aidan is killed in a fierce battle with British troops, Cal vows he will not rest until he has avenged his brother's death, by driving the British out of America - by whatever means necessary . . . Smith stayed with the Courtney family for Power of the Sword (1986) (up to World War II), Rage (1987) (the post-war period up until the Sharpeville massacre), A Time to Die (1989) (the war in Mozambique) and Golden Fox (1990) (the Angola War).Louisa had never heard him speak like this. She supposed that as Jim’s strength waned, he felt his own impotence more keenly.

Ghost Fire: The Courtney series continues in this bestselling

George’s hand landed heavily on Rob’s shoulder. He spun his son around. Before Rob could react, George hit him hard across his cheek.Smith wanted to become a journalist, writing about social conditions in South Africa, but his father's advice to "get a real job" prompted him to become a tax accountant ( chartered accountant). [11]