Scent of Fear is the fifteenth installment from Tony Park, author of a series of fictional thriller books set in Africa, that explore issues surrounding conservation and poaching in public and private parks.
Scent of Fear focuses on a new element in this brewing war: the introduction of IEDs, developed to target tracker dogs and their handlers.
With a background as a soldier who served time in Afghanistan and as someone who lives largely in Africa, Park writes with a comprehensive and captivating knowledge of the military lingo and South African flora and fauna.
This deep understanding makes up for blander narrative prose and helps to paint a rich image of the landscape his characters live in.
It’s a novel written with an obvious love for country and Park feels at home navigating the political terrain that exists between the world of the virtuous anti-poachers, the evil poachers themselves and those who fuel their activities.
However, this confidence may be brash as his characters can play a little simple.
This softening of what could be an engagingly intrusive lens into the ethical complexities leaves much to be desired for the reader who is after more than pure poacher hunting adrenaline.
The message however, is strong and real and the reader can learn much about the intense world of illegal animal trade, poaching and war veterans.
The fast paced thriller even includes a smidge of romance, just to cover all bases.
Park is at home in the wild world of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and if you’re looking for reliable narrator who knows action, this man and his book, is your sideline ticket to the most dangerous game of all.