VICIOUS CIRCLE

This book was recommended by a friend who thought I would not mind the little bit of naughty stuff. Well, she was wrong. The explicit and sickening, sadistic violence in this book was not essential to the story. I wonder what kind of person can think this stuff up. The character development was shallow, the dialogue sophomoric, and the plot ridiculous. Real people do not act that way. I would give it no stars, except the spelling was pretty good.

This story is laced with perversion and ugliness. Unlike Mr. Smiths earlier books, which were graphic at times, this book was so dark and creepy I considered not completing it. I forced myself to finish the book hoping there would be some redeeming qualities. I have read most of Wilbur Smith's books and proudly display them on my book shelf. I will not add this book to my collection. I am sad to see such a fine writer of old, succumb to the slime level so prevalent in much of the current culture. I wish I had not read the book. I will not buy his next book if there is one.

Smith is getting old and showing it. His understanding of technology is glaringly absent (call recordings being extracted from a cellphone?). There is also no such thing as an iPhone S4. The level of sexual violence borders on the perverse. It is really not necessary to get so graphic Wilbur - show a bit of restraint and leave things to the reader's imagination. As always his command of the language and his ability to create tension are first-rate.

i did not like the Graphic detailed description of sex and murder. I believe the details are to graphic for the average recreational reader. I skipped several pages as i did not like some of the gruesome details of murder.

Otherwise an interesting book but consider the previous 'Wilbur Smith books' more entertaining.

The story line is greatly marred by unnecessary violence ,sadism and gory scenes. Wilbur Smith seems to be getting dirty, sexually aberrant and bloody in old age. Seems nearly pathological as the mental deterioration from "River God" to this book attests Compare this book with "Shout at the Devil "..
Will be his last book to read.

Not as exciting as the first book in the series. Very graphic description of the violent and torture scenes. Could have done better. Also the end is very much inclined towards a continuation of the same maybe in another sequel?

I agree totally with Paul H. The whole section on the poison seed is sick and disgusting. It's hard to believe an old man like Wilbur Smith could think up such filth. I wonder if someone else is writing with him. I won't waste my money on another one of his books.

Is Wilbur Smith suffering dementia? I have read every book written by Mr. Smith but never something
resembling this. By comparison this is borderline trash. It is the product of a new group of co authors? Too bad for the credibility and reputation of a great author.

Another great story from my favourite author. I have been a long time follower of Wilber Smith and find that his stories have you hooked from the first page. He is the kind of author who's books you find hard to put down once you start. Once again I have been completely enthralled in an action packed read.

These novels read like they are just being churned out now. Every character is either the most beautiful talented person ever imagined or the meanest badest person in creation. No reality in this at all. So sad because the author's original novels were vert good and well researched

I began reading Wilbur Smith's books in 2006, having been introduced by a friend. I read all of his books in 6 months, and have kept up with the newer ones. Vicious Circle is not in the same category as his previous ones, and I was truly disappointed. Bring back the real Wilbur whose writing is superb and who has thrilled so many of us for years.

Never take someone you are sleeping with into a fire fight! The plan was simple go in and kill Carl Bannock and Johnny Congo! No prisoners! Hector Cross broke his own rules of combat and put his team at risk! Hector was taking orders from a selfrighteous women unbelievable! Up to that point in the book Hector acted like a real leader.
Ron Rarick

Wilbur Smith was my favourite writer! I believe I have read everything he has written! Recently I have felt he is writing for the approval of the publishers rather than his readers. This book had promise but he spent so much time setting up the "Carl" plot in the middle of the book that I almost lost track of the main theme! The plot seems to be set up for a sequel so I hope it will be set up in a less distracting manner.

I found the book with too many sadistic scenes. I much preferred his old books about Egypt and South African dynasties. I wish he could write again about those characters.
Did he really write this book? Although I read his previous book with Hector Cross as the main character, I have some doubts.

Wilbur Smith should stick to Africa and tone down his far too graphic descriptions of the depraved behavior of his villains. The two Hector Cross novels are a real disappointment to those of us who loved his earlier books about the Courtneys in South Africa and Tata the Eunuch in Ancient Egypt.

This book was a great disappointment. Wilbur Smith has been a favourite of mine for years but his last two books have been vicious and unpleasant to read. There is enough violence in the world without this kind of revenge tit for tat. I note that there is the ability to follow up this horror as one of the characters escaped, but I ,for one, will not be reading it, or any more of Mr Smith's offerings.

Sooooooooo disappointing to see WS name on such drivel. Started out with the last Hector Cross novel and has slid downhill to the bottom of the barrel. I still feel he is the gold standard in Action Adventure writing, but this has got to end, I would be very reluctant to purchase another WS novel.
Dan J. Killoy

It is the most gruesome nauseating book I have ever had the misfortune to read
I will not recommend anyone to read this book and discourage anyone to read any further books written buy him or hi ghost writers
Wilber Smith you should be ashamed to have allowed yousef to go to this level after some of the greatest books the world has ever known

Vicious Circle held my interest all the way through, and it was hard to put down. My only view is that Wilbur Smith must have a really twisted mind to even think up the torture that those girls were put through. That section was totally sick. Otherwise a very good story.

I have read every book WS has written(or published). I will never read another of his books. His mind has become more sick and disgusting over the years and have now reached a stage where I have to skip several pages as I can't read the diabolical and sick details of his explicit details of torturing / killing children and woman.

I enjoyed the book, but there were times when the story line was just too shallow and too predictable. Saying that, Wilbur Smith has been around for a long time and I have enjoyed his books since the mid 70s, but you can see the writing style is starting to 'age' so at this stage of my life I am probably more critical than I was when I was younger.

I really think that he did everything in his power to try to shock his readers with the gruesomeness and vulgarity which I think is out of character for him. I was an avid fan of Wilbur Smith and have read almost all of his books, but I definitely won't rush out to buy the next one. It's such a pity as he really does his research on all of his stories and doesn't need to revert to this kind of tactic.

I really wondered about the mind of Wilbur Smith. This book is just sick. Too much horrendous violence and sickening sex descriptions that are not necessary to the plot. I have read most of his books and enjoyed them, but will now think twice before considering another. I cannot recommend this book to even the closest of friends.

Mr Smith is clearly not mellowing with age. The action is gripping and fast paced. However, the gruesome violence detracts from the plot and some of the sex scenes are downright disturbing. Not in the same league as River God or A Time to Die.

No story line to speak of and graphic, unnecessary violence and abuse. Mr Smith seems to be more concerned with creating a shock effect then he is with telling a story. I have read all his books and am sorry to see that he seems to concentrate more and more on the slaughter and abuse of innocents.

This book was more reminiscent of a Matthew Reilly novel rather than the well constructed and deeply engaging novels that make up Wilbur's earlier work. Having read everything that he has written it pains me to say that maybe enough is enough.

This book is the continued story which started with THOSE IN PERIL. Smith has verged away from his African history in both of these novels even though the characters are both black and white and much of the story takes place in parts of Africa and London. Much of both books have extreme brutality depicted, but this is part of Smith's acclaim. Both stories keep the reader turning the pages to find out what will happened next as the adventures unfold. From a daughter's brutal kidnapping in THOSE IN PERIL to the search for the villains behind the mother's murder in VICIOUS CIRCLE, a story of big oil, an enormous fortune, London life and African jungles will keep the reader mesmerized. A great read for those who like great mystery and fantastic adventure.

Interesting and standard Wilbur where the hero is the toughest man on the planet and the woman character is also the toughest. However I'm not sure what is happening in Wilbur's life as his description of rape scenes etc is way over the top and a bit hard to read. Wilbur, take some happy pills please.