Reviews – Steely-eyed Killers

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A ripping yarn!  Again Daryl grabs our attention with his unique mix of characters, their aspirations and tragedies, set in the geo-political maelstrom that signaled the end of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).  We get to feel the emotions which drove the conflict from both sides, with a relevant message for us today, from the not so distant past. – John Bucknell

*

The dust, the heat, the fear and the humour, and the pervading smell of cordite make this book a riveting read.  The complex weaving of the story as seen by both sides of a conflict will have wide audience appeal; but it is also a fitting tribute to those who were privileged enough to have played some small role in this great adventure.  The characters are so well portrayed that the ghosts of the real soldiers who took part can be felt peering through the veil of fiction.  It is a story of tough men and boys spurred to great heights by an overwhelming bond of comradeship. – John Smith

*

Daryl’s new book makes for an exciting and compelling read.  Rhodesian Light Infantry was recognised at the time as being amongst the best guerrilla warfare soldiers in the world and Daryl has done a tremendous job of capturing the life of an RLI soldier both off duty and on operations.  This book is full of twists and turns, spies in high places, lies and deceit.  He describes the life of a Territorial Army mortar team at an isolated base on the Mozambique border down to a tee.  Both funny and tragic.  A great read for any audience.  I could not put the book down. – Ian Livingstone-Blevins

*

I finally got to ‘Steely-Eyed Killers’ on our recent cruise.  What a great read, well done.  Once again I felt like I was there in the thick of the action.  In particular, the depth of the characters and the story made it impossible to put down and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.  Well done, again; I am ready for the next one. – Scott Leonard

*

This is another exciting read and a fine follow-up to the author’s prizewinning first novel ‘A Skirmish in Africa’.  It’s in the same vein drawing on first-hand experience as well as detailed knowledge of Southern Africa. – Jeremy Martineau

*

This dynamic, action packed, novel weaves in historical events of the Rhodesian Bush War when young and committed combatants found themselves undermined by the machinations of Cold War era politics and espionage.  The soldiers receive difficult or impossible warfare assignments, cooked up by their political masters playing power politics in the presence of double agents and moles.  I could not put it down. – James Knox.

*

A stirring account of the men in the Rhodesian Bush War in their fight for survival against the combined power of the communist backed Liberation movements.  The story gives a fascinating insight into the struggles for leadership supremacy amongst the Freedom Fighters, both the winners and the losers.  A must read book for anyone interested in a better understanding of how Zimbabwe arrived at the point it is at today. – Philip Morgan

*

Daryl’s second book is a must read!  With many plots and much action, this is a riveting story that blends fact and fiction in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading.  Congratulations on the book Daryl and looking forward to the next one!!  – Mike Harrold

*

Just finished both of them, the other being ‘A Skirmish in Africa’.  Thoroughly enjoyable, and very informative.  Highly recommended. – Nick Fergus

*

‘Steely-eyed Killers’ is a must read for everyone; not just the Southern African diaspora.  The contact descriptions are in such detail that the reader easily gets the feeling of being right there.  The blending of fact and fiction is totally absorbing and often difficult to tell them apart.  This is testament to detailed research and a fertile but realistic imagination – almost as if the author himself was the mole of both sides in the conflict.  Bring on the sequel! – Butch Zeederberg

*

I enjoyed ‘Steely-eyed Killers’ and found it very gripping.  As I have recently read a book called ‘Dinner with Mugabe’ which mentions Tongogara, was interested to read about him in Daryl’s book.  Also had a laugh at all the old slang that I had forgotten.  Again the characters in the book were so very ‘real’. – Joan Bishop

*

Could not put this book down and enjoyed every page.  Apart from being a well told and balanced story it brought back floods of memories and nostalgia about the times and the places – a lost time and a scattered generation.  Thank you Daryl – I will be looking for the first book. – Miles Morton