Secondhand Historical Adventure Bargain Book Box SP2267

Secondhand Historical Adventure Bargain Book Box

This substantial collection of twenty-three books brings together high-stakes adventure novels and atmospheric crime fiction. The box is heavily anchored by the works of Wilbur Smith, offering a sweeping tour of his African historical sagas, from Ancient Egypt to the colonial frontier. Complementing these epics are classic mysteries from celebrated authors like P.D. James, Colin Dexter, and Donna Leon, providing a mix of British police procedurals and European detective stories. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Original Sin by P.D. James Set in a prestigious but failing London publishing house, this mystery follows Commander Adam Dalgliesh as he investigates a murder in the workplace. The arrival of a ruthless new managing director stirs old resentments, leading to a body found in the archives. James constructs a classic, atmospheric whodunit filled with complex characters and professional rivalries.

2. The Song of the Gladiator by Paul Doherty Set in ancient Rome during the reign of Tiberius, this historical mystery delves into the dangerous world of the gladiatorial arena. The plot concerns a series of murders connected to a secret society and the political machinations of the imperial court. Doherty brings the grit and grime of the Roman underworld to life, combining accurate period detail with a fast-paced investigation.

3. Assegai by Wilbur Smith Set in East Africa in 1913, this adventure novel follows Leon Courtney, a former soldier turned professional hunter, as he gets entangled in German espionage before World War I. He is recruited to stop a rebellion that threatens the British Empire, leading to a high-stakes game of survival. Smith combines his signature big-game hunting scenes with a tense spy thriller plot set against a sprawling landscape.

4. Warlock by Wilbur Smith In this installment of the Egyptian series, the magus Taita must guide and protect his charge, Prince Nefer, as they navigate a land torn apart by Hyksos invaders. The narrative blends warfare, mysticism, and political intrigue as Taita uses his sorcery to reclaim the throne. It is a sweeping historical epic that showcases Smith's ability to mix fantasy elements with the brutal realities of ancient combat.

5. The Triumph of the Sun by Wilbur Smith This historical epic marks the first meeting of Smith’s two famous families, the Courtneys and the Ballantynes, set against the backdrop of the Siege of Khartoum. Trader Ryder Courtney and Captain Penrod Ballantyne must join forces to survive the Mahdist uprising in the Sudan. The story delivers intense battle scenes and romantic entanglements, capturing the desperate atmosphere of a city under siege.

6. Night Ferry to Death / Black Girl, White Girl by Patricia Moyes This volume contains two complete mysteries featuring Chief Inspector Henry Tibbett, offering a double dose of classic British detection. In Night Ferry to Death, a robbery and murder occur on a channel crossing, creating a closed-circle puzzle for the detective. Black Girl, White Girl moves the action to the Caribbean, where Tibbett investigates corruption and racial tensions masking a deadly crime.

7. The Leopard Hunts in Darkness by Wilbur Smith Craig Mellow, a writer and descendant of the Ballantynes, returns to a tumultuous Zimbabwe to investigate a poaching ring but finds himself in a deeper political conspiracy. The novel explores the tensions of a post-colonial nation as Mellow fights to save his heritage and his life. Smith blends modern thriller elements with his traditional themes of wildlife conservation and the violent history of the African continent.

8. The Angels Weep by Wilbur Smith This novel serves as the third part of the Ballantyne saga, split into two distinct sections that contrast the early colonial wars of the 1890s with the Rhodesian Bush War of the 1970s. It traces the legacy of violence and betrayal that haunts the family across generations in Southern Africa. The book provides a brutal and panoramic view of the birth and death of a nation, focusing on the cyclical nature of conflict.

9. Acqua Alta by Donna Leon Commissario Brunetti investigates a savage beating and a murder against the backdrop of the acqua alta, the rising tide that floods the streets of Venice. The case leads him into the world of the art mafia and international smuggling, revealing corruption beneath the city's beautiful facade. Leon captures the atmospheric gloom of a waterlogged Venice, using the setting to mirror the murky moral choices of her characters.

10. Dying Flames by Robert Barnard In this psychological mystery, a successful writer is visited by an old friend who brings up memories of a romantic triangle from their youth. The past comes back to haunt the present when a death occurs, forcing the characters to confront secrets long buried. Barnard is known for his sharp wit and observation of social nuances, creating a suspenseful story that relies on character interaction rather than forensic details.

11. River God by Wilbur Smith Told through the eyes of the eunuch slave Taita, this novel is an epic adventure set in Ancient Egypt during a time of civil war and foreign invasion. Taita must use his intellect and varied skills to protect his mistress, Lostris, and ensure the survival of the dynasty. It is a grand tale of love, betrayal, and engineering feats that established Smith’s reputation for vivid historical fiction.

12. Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith Set in the 17th century, this maritime adventure follows Sir Hal Courtney as he patrols the waters of Southern Africa to protect the English East India Company from pirates. The plot involves spectacular sea battles, treasure hunting, and the harsh realities of life aboard a wooden warship. Smith delivers a swashbuckling narrative focused on the origins of the Courtney dynasty and the maritime struggle for control of the trade routes.

13. A Venetian Reckoning by Donna Leon Commissario Brunetti investigates the death of a prominent lawyer on a train, which soon links to a truck crash involving illegal cargo. The investigation exposes a network of corruption involving the sex trade and high-level Venetian society. Leon offers a cynical but compassionate view of the justice system, where the truth is often known but difficult to prove in a city run by influence and money.

14. As Good as Gold by Colin Dexter This volume collects several short stories featuring the curmudgeonly Oxford detective Chief Inspector Morse, including the titular "As Good as Gold." It showcases Dexter’s talent for intricate puzzles and cryptic clues in a shorter format, providing quick bursts of deduction. The stories offer glimpses into Morse's character and his working relationship with Sergeant Lewis, perfect for readers who enjoy concise, clever whodunits.

15. A Falcon Flies by Wilbur Smith In 1860, siblings Robyn and Zouga Ballantyne travel into the uncharted interior of Africa in search of their missing missionary father. Their journey puts them on a collision course with slave traders and the hostile wilderness, testing their morality and endurance. This novel launches the Ballantyne saga, combining a quest narrative with a gritty depiction of the mid-19th century ivory and slave trade in Southern Africa.

16. Rage by Wilbur Smith Set in South Africa during the 1950s and 60s, this novel continues the Courtney saga as Shasa Courtney becomes a powerful figure in the government. The story deals with the rising racial tensions of the apartheid era and the violent resistance that begins to form. Smith weaves personal family drama with the explosive political history of the region, portraying a society fracturing under the weight of its own laws.

17. Kennedy's Brain by Henning Mankell After her son is found dead in his apartment, archaeologist Louise Cantor rejects the verdict of suicide and embarks on a desperate search for the truth. Her investigation takes her from Sweden to Australia and Mozambique, uncovering a conspiracy involving the pharmaceutical industry and the AIDS crisis. Mankell delivers a bleak, angry thriller that addresses global inequality and the exploitation of the African continent.

18. The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco is sent by the Emperor Vespasian to the northern frontier of Germania to deliver gifts to a rebellious legion. Accompanied by his partner Helena Justina, he encounters a giant pine cone, a lost legate, and a murder mystery in the barbarian wilds. Davis combines historical accuracy with a modern, noir-inspired voice, creating a humorous and engaging detective story set in the ancient world.

19. The Remorseful Day by Colin Dexter In the final installment of the Inspector Morse series, the ailing detective tackles a cold case involving the murder of a promiscuous nurse. Despite his declining health, Morse is determined to solve the riddle that has plagued the Thames Valley police for a year. The novel serves as a poignant farewell to one of fiction’s most memorable detectives, blending a complex investigation with a moving exploration of mortality.

20. Blue Horizon by Wilbur Smith Following the events of Monsoon, this adventure tracks the next generation of the Courtney family as they stake their claim in the Cape of Good Hope. Jim Courtney and his cousin Mansur face the dangers of the frontier, warring with Dutch settlers and indigenous tribes. It is a story of migration and settlement, filled with the romance and violence typical of Smith’s historical sagas.

21. Through a Glass, Darkly by Donna Leon On the island of Murano, famous for its glassblowers, the body of a night watchman is found in front of a furnace. Commissario Brunetti’s investigation uncovers a toxic secret regarding environmental pollution and the health of the factory workers. Leon uses the mystery to critique the industrial neglect of the Venetian lagoon, balancing a classic police procedural with contemporary social issues.

22. Gothic Pursuit / Mortal Ruin by John Malcolm This omnibus features two mysteries starring Tim Simpson, an art dealer and amateur sleuth with a knack for finding trouble. In Gothic Pursuit, a search for Victorian architecture leads to murder, while Mortal Ruin involves a missing painting and financial skulduggery. Malcolm combines detailed knowledge of the art and antiques world with fast-moving plots, offering an entertaining mix of culture and crime.

23. Power of the Sword by Wilbur Smith Continuing the saga of the Courtney family, this novel focuses on the rivalry between half-brothers Shasa Courtney and Manfred De La Rey during the Great Depression and the rise of Afrikaner nationalism. The story spans the gold mines of Johannesburg to the boxing rings of Berlin, depicting the political struggle for the soul of South Africa. It is a sprawling epic of ambition, power, and the deep ideological divides that shaped the nation.