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Hell's Gate
Set in the Rift Valley in 1898, HELL'S GATE is about colonial expansion and political intrigue in the British East African Protectorate, which we now know as Kenya. Inspired by historical fact, HELL'S GATE is a tale of love, power amd man's inhumanity to man. It recalls the struggle and race to build a railway from the coast at Mombassa to the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, known as the 'Jewel of Africa'. At the heart of this story is the beautiful Rift Valley and tented city of Nairobi camp where Major Web, commandant of the British East Africa Rifles struggles against overwhelming odds from the Masai hordes and the threat to his love for the beautiful Hannah from Reuben Cole, widowed farmer to whom she was indebted for saving her life.
252 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
About the author
Michael Parker
18 books804 followersBrought up in London. Attended Sir Walter St. John's Grammar School for boys in Battersea until the family moved to Portsmouth in 1954. Continued education at Southern Grammar. Left school with no qualifications and started work as a Junior deigner at Twilfits (Corset/Brassiere manufacturer). Left after one year and joined the Merhcant Navy as a Steward. Two years later married Pat, my teenage sweetheart and went to work on a building site. Three months later I joined the RAF as an electrician. Left 16 years later on a redundancy package and worked in a food factory for a couple of years. Left and worked in the Middle East for a year. Then back to another food manufacturer (Mars) for 17 years until early retirement in 1996. Moved out to Spain with Pat in 1997. We have four sons, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Sadly, my wife passed away with terminal cancer. We'd been married 60 years. Pat and I moved back to England in 2014.
I have written all my adult life with moderate success. My first novel, NORTH SLOPE was published by Macmillan in 1980. My second, SHADOW OF THE WOLF in 1984 by Robert Hale. My third, HELL'S GATE was published in 2007 by Robert Hale followed by THE EAGLE'S COVENANT (2007) and THE DEVIL'S TRINITY in 2008. This was followed by THE THIRD SECRET, in 2009 and then A COVERT WAR in 2010. THE BOY FROM BERLIN was released in December 2011, and has now been picked up by Harlequin who have purchased (leased) the paperback rights for North America and Canada. Harlequin have also released my thriller, THE EAGLE'S COVENANT in paperback. I have self-published WHERE THE WICKED DWELL, NO TIME TO DIE and A SONG IN THE NIGHT. I have also written and publsiehed three Cozy Romance novekls under the pen name of Emma Carney. I also have three non-fiction titles poublished.
Robert Hale published my novel, PAST IMPERFECT, in January 2015. This is an romance with a hard edged back story. It has now been published by The Wild Rose Press in America.
I have written all my adult life with moderate success. My first novel, NORTH SLOPE was published by Macmillan in 1980. My second, SHADOW OF THE WOLF in 1984 by Robert Hale. My third, HELL'S GATE was published in 2007 by Robert Hale followed by THE EAGLE'S COVENANT (2007) and THE DEVIL'S TRINITY in 2008. This was followed by THE THIRD SECRET, in 2009 and then A COVERT WAR in 2010. THE BOY FROM BERLIN was released in December 2011, and has now been picked up by Harlequin who have purchased (leased) the paperback rights for North America and Canada. Harlequin have also released my thriller, THE EAGLE'S COVENANT in paperback. I have self-published WHERE THE WICKED DWELL, NO TIME TO DIE and A SONG IN THE NIGHT. I have also written and publsiehed three Cozy Romance novekls under the pen name of Emma Carney. I also have three non-fiction titles poublished.
Robert Hale published my novel, PAST IMPERFECT, in January 2015. This is an romance with a hard edged back story. It has now been published by The Wild Rose Press in America.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 12, 2020
All the Genres I love in one Book , Action , History, Romance. I as slow to warm in the first pages.
I did continue and once I got into it I was hooked.
I felt various emotion for each of the characters who were described in such wonderful detail.
The Author set each scene in realistic detail and the inclusion of the history of the region was fantastic.
You just knew this Author had done their research. I closed the book and was so glad I had stayed with it till the end. I would recommend this read. Hell's Gate
I did continue and once I got into it I was hooked.
I felt various emotion for each of the characters who were described in such wonderful detail.
The Author set each scene in realistic detail and the inclusion of the history of the region was fantastic.
You just knew this Author had done their research. I closed the book and was so glad I had stayed with it till the end. I would recommend this read. Hell's Gate
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2013
I was intrigued by prolific author Michael Parker's repertoire of novels across genres and did not know where to begin. All the descriptions of his books appealed to me. Finally, I read that he considers Hell's Gate his masterpiece, so I could think of no better place to start than with the book the author is most proud.
The novel is simply stunning. A masterpiece it is, by any definition, and fully satisfying for the reader on several levels. The author says he put sweat and tears into the research behind this work of historical fiction, set in Africa in 1898, but what he does not say is this: Mr. Parker is an author's author. His writing is disciplined and masterful, intelligent, human, and full of the spirit that only an artist who loves to write can deliver in his or her work.
I know next to nothing about African history and its colonial period, and I have never visited the continent. This is probably true for most readers. However, there is no need to be intimidated by a personal lack of background. The novel informs as it moves at a perfect pace. In addition, it is a total sensory experience that sets the reader in another place in time, complete with the smells, noises, feelings and visual experience of everything in that world. Hell's Gate is replete with descriptive imagery, but never to the point where this becomes distracting or annoying. Here is just one small example from the novel:
"They turned to look at the lake. The ground sloped gently into the water. There was no indication on the surface that the water was bleeding away. A squacco heron picked its way carefully among the beds of papyrus reeds searching for food, ignoring the pied wagtails that bobbed from one lily pad to another. A flash of shimmering blue and red announced the fleeting passage of a malachite kingfisher, its scintillating plumage dazzling against a background of purple lotus flowers. A black crake poked its head from the reeds and then disappeared as quickly as it has come, leaving no sign of its presence. Around the shores of the lake the flat-topped trees provided sanctuary for thousands of birds..."
Nature plays a huge role in the novel. It both manipulates and is manipulated by the characters. The author shows how history is altered when humans and nature exert force one upon the other.
The plot of the novel is tight and well directed to an exciting and satisfying climax. The denouement is brief and excellent. There are war and civilization here, and tense and emotional conflicts, but what held my interest the most were two love stories: that of two men vying for a beautiful woman, and one of a father and young son trying to hold onto each other.
There is a large cast of characters from several international backgrounds and races. This could have been very unsettling in the hands of a lesser writer, but Mr. Parker took care to remind the reader who each was when he or she appeared in the novel.
I will read more of Michael Parker's works. The author in an interview stated that he believes good writers can write in any genre. I am not certain, but I have a high degree of confidence that he can. This is a writer who truly is one of the masters. Hell's Gate is a masterpiece that deserves the attention of millions of readers. Put this one on your shelf to read!
The novel is simply stunning. A masterpiece it is, by any definition, and fully satisfying for the reader on several levels. The author says he put sweat and tears into the research behind this work of historical fiction, set in Africa in 1898, but what he does not say is this: Mr. Parker is an author's author. His writing is disciplined and masterful, intelligent, human, and full of the spirit that only an artist who loves to write can deliver in his or her work.
I know next to nothing about African history and its colonial period, and I have never visited the continent. This is probably true for most readers. However, there is no need to be intimidated by a personal lack of background. The novel informs as it moves at a perfect pace. In addition, it is a total sensory experience that sets the reader in another place in time, complete with the smells, noises, feelings and visual experience of everything in that world. Hell's Gate is replete with descriptive imagery, but never to the point where this becomes distracting or annoying. Here is just one small example from the novel:
"They turned to look at the lake. The ground sloped gently into the water. There was no indication on the surface that the water was bleeding away. A squacco heron picked its way carefully among the beds of papyrus reeds searching for food, ignoring the pied wagtails that bobbed from one lily pad to another. A flash of shimmering blue and red announced the fleeting passage of a malachite kingfisher, its scintillating plumage dazzling against a background of purple lotus flowers. A black crake poked its head from the reeds and then disappeared as quickly as it has come, leaving no sign of its presence. Around the shores of the lake the flat-topped trees provided sanctuary for thousands of birds..."
Nature plays a huge role in the novel. It both manipulates and is manipulated by the characters. The author shows how history is altered when humans and nature exert force one upon the other.
The plot of the novel is tight and well directed to an exciting and satisfying climax. The denouement is brief and excellent. There are war and civilization here, and tense and emotional conflicts, but what held my interest the most were two love stories: that of two men vying for a beautiful woman, and one of a father and young son trying to hold onto each other.
There is a large cast of characters from several international backgrounds and races. This could have been very unsettling in the hands of a lesser writer, but Mr. Parker took care to remind the reader who each was when he or she appeared in the novel.
I will read more of Michael Parker's works. The author in an interview stated that he believes good writers can write in any genre. I am not certain, but I have a high degree of confidence that he can. This is a writer who truly is one of the masters. Hell's Gate is a masterpiece that deserves the attention of millions of readers. Put this one on your shelf to read!
January 26, 2017
A GREAT TALE
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in East Africa at the end of the last century, it tells of the times when they were building the railway from Mombassa to Uganda. The characters are well drawn, and you grew to love them and care about their future. Parker describes the landscape using beautiful imagery, and from what I can remember, with accuracy. I was surprised he painted the Masai as being so warlike, but the plans to upset the balance of power from western governments in their expansionist plans in the region were intriguing. Parker has also highlighted the cruelty and savage nature of life in Africa which may sound unbelievable to those living in first world countries, but he paints an accurate portrayal of life on that continent. There were a few places where the point of view changed and I got a little confused. However it is a great read and I’ll be looking out for the other books by this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Set in East Africa at the end of the last century, it tells of the times when they were building the railway from Mombassa to Uganda. The characters are well drawn, and you grew to love them and care about their future. Parker describes the landscape using beautiful imagery, and from what I can remember, with accuracy. I was surprised he painted the Masai as being so warlike, but the plans to upset the balance of power from western governments in their expansionist plans in the region were intriguing. Parker has also highlighted the cruelty and savage nature of life in Africa which may sound unbelievable to those living in first world countries, but he paints an accurate portrayal of life on that continent. There were a few places where the point of view changed and I got a little confused. However it is a great read and I’ll be looking out for the other books by this author.
October 17, 2019
This is a book that I was thoroughly looking forward to reading due to it being a historical book and once I’d worked out the downloading issues - it was fine and I did enjoy reading it.
As I had been to various countries in Africa, it was great to find an author who had written about those early days. Full marks for the historical information, well researched.
The story had a lot of intricate details, setting the scenes so well I could easily have imagined I was there. It was fast paced at times, while still taking time to develop a romance that was threaded throughout. The conspiracy between the Germans, Mwanga, Piet Snyder and Masai controlled the story while the unexpected treachery by Major Webb was unexpected.
I got confused at the beginning until I realised that the little * actually meant a change of scenery and/ or characters.
The middle part felt to me a bit long and left me looking for the end which was a touch predictable which is why I gave it 4 stars not 5 stars.
This was a free book and I am writing a free and unbiased review.
As I had been to various countries in Africa, it was great to find an author who had written about those early days. Full marks for the historical information, well researched.
The story had a lot of intricate details, setting the scenes so well I could easily have imagined I was there. It was fast paced at times, while still taking time to develop a romance that was threaded throughout. The conspiracy between the Germans, Mwanga, Piet Snyder and Masai controlled the story while the unexpected treachery by Major Webb was unexpected.
I got confused at the beginning until I realised that the little * actually meant a change of scenery and/ or characters.
The middle part felt to me a bit long and left me looking for the end which was a touch predictable which is why I gave it 4 stars not 5 stars.
This was a free book and I am writing a free and unbiased review.
March 18, 2020
A free book from Voracious Readers thank you
A wonderfully written book. So descriptive you could feel the beauty of the countryside, the emotions of characters and the tension of battle.
Top notch reading
A wonderfully written book. So descriptive you could feel the beauty of the countryside, the emotions of characters and the tension of battle.
Top notch reading
October 11, 2008
I am the author of this book. I first presented it for publication twenty six years before it was finally accepted. In between that I wrote more, which are now in print. HELL'S GATE is what I call my 'masterpiece'. I sweated blood and tears, researching for almost a year. It is set in British East Africa, in 1898, and was inspired by the building of a railway line by the British Government from Mombassa to Uganda. HELL'S GATE is what I would call an adventure/romance. Reuben Cole is a widowed farmer with a twelve year old son, David. The boy is kidnapped by a notorious slave trader. Reuben goes in search of his son and meets Hannah Bowers, beautiful daughter of the Reverend Aubrey Bowers, Chaplain to the East Africa Company who are building the railway line. Hannah is unofficially bethrothed to Major Kingsley Webb, commandant of the British East African Rifles. Hannah and Reuben fall in love, but Reuben's priority is to rescue his son. The story involves political intrigue by the German Government, the Prince of the Bugandans and ten thousand Masai warriors, primed to attack and destroy Nairobi Railway Camp, now deserted save for the two hundred and fifty men of the African rifles and a few volunteers. For those who like their historical adventures to contain drama, love and intrigue, then this is the book for you. Highly recommended.
October 16, 2019
The story is predictable and not particularly exciting; it takes a long time to build up to any sort of events occurring. The only female character that shows up for more than a few pages is only there as a love interest with zero character development and barely more thoughts than "who do I love more, the soldier or the rugged farmer? Oh who should I choose?" When something bad happens to the characters it's hard to care as there's a disconnect between the reader and the written characters. The descriptions of the landscapes were lovely, though. Overall, would not recommend.
October 30, 2012
Hell’s Gate combines history, action, adventure and romance into one highly entertaining package. The characters are well drawn and engaging. As a bonus, there are lyric descriptions of Kenya’s Riff Valley.
March 3, 2016
New author for me to read quite a good book good story line half way through
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews