An adventure story set in Africa highlighting rhino and elephant poaching.
Rhinos are being poached and slaughtered for their valuable horns, Elephants and being killed for their tusks; diamonds are being stolen, a man is killed, a woman raped and another kidnapped. Who is responsible for this violence?
A family from Zimbabwe who set off to start a deep-sea fishing business in Mozambique are accidentally caught up in the illegal operations of a ruthless, greedy individual who will stop at nothing to prevent interference in his despicable operations.
Ther involvement leads to a series of exciting and dangerous adventures as they chase back and forth across the sub-continent in their oursuit of this poacher in their attempt to bring him to justice.
The reader will experience the thrill of big-game fishing off the coast of Mozambique and the horror of the indiscriminate poaching of rhinos and elephants by greedy entrepeneurs who make furtunes while endangerering the future of the magnificent animals.
Excerpt
Suddenly, in a loud whisper, Len told Tom to stop. Fearing they were about to hit the reef, he quickly threw the motors into neutral to stop the forward momentum of the boat. They waited drifting in the calm waters - too close for comfort from the small rocky island. A few moments later the instruments showed that they were over the reef and drifting into deeper water - the depth down to 3 meters and dropping off steeply. There was no indication of another reef - only open water lay ahead, and thick fog.
“What’s it Len - is there something in the water?” Tom kept his voice down.
“No, but I think there is something up ahead. I’m sure I heard voices,” Len spoke quietly. “We don’t want to ram into another boat in this pea-soup.”
“It’s a pity about the bloody fog. The weather report last night certainly didn’t predict it - must be just localised,” observed Tom keeping his eyes on Len.
“Well, we’re in no hurry, unless the weather turns really foul on us and we have to dash back to camp,” Kyle added. “I’m sure it’ll clear away soon. Surely this is just an early morning land mist.”
“I certainly hope so. We’re still about 4 kilometers from Miramar and the entrance to Inhambane Bay,” Tom said glancing down at the SatNav.
Just then Len turned around, and with his index finger raised to his lips, signaled for them to keep quiet, indicating that he had again heard something. It was quiet and damp in the early morning light, with the sun trying to break through the mist. The only sounds were the quiet murmuring of the motors and the soft slapping of small waves against the sides of the gently rocking catamaran. The minutes ticked by while they waited and listened.
Professional Reviews
Bruce Brislin review
Ken Tilbury's new book, The Golden Horn, apart from being a 'darn good read' carries a message we should all be aware of: the wildlife in Africa, especially those species whose body products have a real or perceived value are not only under threat but are in real danger of extinction. Unscrupulous dealers are more than willing to take the risks involved in procuring ivory, rhino horn or big cat parts for the vanity market or for their supposed but utterly unsubstantiated medicinal properties. The have a ready market in the Far East and in Asia in general where they can dispose of, say, rhino horn, at astronomical rates. Ken feels so strongly about this illicit trade that he provides a portion of the royalties from the sale of this book to the charity, 'Save the Rhino.'
The story itself is fast moving and exciting throughout, a book that's hard to put down and in buying it you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you'll be doing something to help a very worthy cause as well as enjoying a well written story that owes quite a bit more to personal experience than one might imagine. You will not be disappointed.
Bruce Brislin.
I'd upgrade Ken's book from a 'darn good read' to a 'must read.' This is especially so for people with an interest in African wildlife but no one could read it and remain unaffected.
Bruce Brislin.
The poaching of Rhino for their horn is becoming endemic in Southern Africa due to the demand by people from the East. Rhinos are fast becoming extinct.
In Golden Horn, this problem is brought to light, in a fast moving story about poachers and those that protect the animals. By land, sea and air the battle goes on.
Golden horn should be read by all who have an interest in protecting out Rhino. A very good read.
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