Posted on Amazon.co.uk

This is Nicholas Gordon's first novel and it provides a very deep and profound insight into his feelings about the countryside and many of the problems it currently faces.

Not only does it provide some excellent observations of the sport of shooting both past and present; it also has the elements of a good thriller and crime novel.

Anyone with an interest in the countryside in general is likely to find it an interesting and absorbing read. Far from being bland political statement; the book is a finely crafted tale with an intriguing and at times very disturbing plot and so in mamy ways it should have wide appeal.

The imagery in the book is extremely vivid, it is clear that Gordon's writing is based on his real life experiences. The fine detail of events and scenes is very informative and the reader could almost be there with him.

The chapters ouside the UK are excellent and at times it almost becomes a travel book; such is the accuracy of its research, this shows in the descriptions of the events in South Africa and Ecuador. I was put in mind of a reincarnation of Hemmingway at times.

The plot is all too real and credible and the feeling of exploitation and injustice it creates is almost too real to be comfortable.

The tale roles on at a cracking pace towards its surprising and tragic end, there are no long hard slogging sections to read through before the next interesting or exciting bit. The author has not `padded it out` just to produce a huge number of pages as so often happens in modern novels.

If I had to criticse somthing I would say I found it too short; I hope theres a sequel or two, although the ending does leave you guessing as to whether there will be.