BOOK 9 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH 'Smith will take you on an exciting, taut and thrilling journey you will never forget' - Sun 'With Wilbur Smith the action is never further than the turn of a page' - Independent 'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily Mirror A DEADLY MISSION. A HEROIC BATTLE. It is 1667 and the war between the Dutch and the English is escalating rapidly. Sir Francis Courtney, his son Hal and their crew are carried around the southern tip of the African colonies by the good ship Lady Edwina, licensed to attack and seize the treasure-laden ships of the Dutch East India company. When they capture a Dutch trader and hold the passengers to ransom, Sir Francis hopes only for a good price and a small sense of satisfaction. But this is unlawful territory they sail in. An unexpected betrayal will mean those on board must face greater peril than they ever have before - and many good men may never see home again . . . A Courtney Series adventure - Book 1 in the Birds of Prey sequence. Birds of Prey is the ninth novel in the Courtney family saga from Wilbur Smith and the first novel of the Courtney series chronologically. Exploring the thrilling era of the Dutch East India Company, Birds of Prey is perfect reading for historical fiction and adventure fans, and those new to Wilbur Smith.