We’re thrilled to announce that acclaimed author Tony Park, known for capturing the spirit and stories of South Africa, is hitting the road with us to promote his gripping new release,
Die by the Sword!
Die By the Sword is a gripping adventure that spans centuries and continents, from colonial-era Zululand to modern-day South Africa. Three mysterious deaths, one legendary weapon, and a race against time to uncover Napoleon’s lost sword. Packed with suspense, history, and high-stakes intrigue—this is a thriller you won’t want to put down.
Die by the Sword by Tony Park
👉WAS R369 NOW R339 SAVE R30
A personal message from our author, just for you:
Hi, I’m Tony Park and I’m really excited to be touring South Africa to promote the launch of my 23rd African thriller, Die by the Sword, with help from the wonderful people at Bargain Books!
The thing I love most about visiting Bargain Books stores is the warm welcome that I, and readers, get from their dedicated and friendly staff. I hope to see you on the tour!
Want to meet Tony in person and have your books signed? Look out for the dates below—he’ll be launching or popping into a store near you!
Wondering what the difference is between a launch and a pop-in after checking the schedule? Here’s a quick breakdown:
A launch is a scheduled event where Tony will be in-store to sign copies and meet readers in person. A pop-in, on the other hand, is a more casual visit—Tony will stop by to greet booksellers and sign books, which will be available for purchase afterwards. We’ll do our best to notify you through our stores when a pop-in is planned, but please note that these times may vary.
During your visit, you’ll have the chance to ask Tony a variety of questions. To get you inspired, here are a few questions we asked—with answers straight from Tony himself:
- Tony, being from Australia, we’re curious—what is it about African soil that keeps drawing you back? It was Africa’s wildlife that first drew my wife, Nicola, and me to the continent, back in 1995, but as someone who was getting serious about writing, I found that it was the people I was meeting and their stories that gave me a glimpse into the true heart and soul of Africa. It’s the many friends we’ve made over the last 30 years, and the wonderful support I’ve received from South African readers that keep us here now. In fact – newsflash – my wife and I are applying for permanent residency as we want to retire here!
- What was it about Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword that intrigued you so deeply? Maybe not many people know that Napoleon’s great Nephew, Louis Napoleon, travelled to Zululand in 1880 with the British Army as an observer of the Anglo-Zulu War, and was killed in action. While researching this footnote to history I came across some historical anomalies – some accounts said Louis Napoleon was carrying his famous great uncle’s sword when he died, while other said he wasn’t. In fact, it was an ordinary sword, but these discrepancies gave me an idea for a novel: what if the young prince really was carrying a priceless sword, but it got lost!
- Why was the Anglo-Zulu War such a strong fit for your storyline? I’m very interested in South Africa’s history, and I’m also interested in military history, so this seemed like a good fit. I live part of the year in KwaZulu Natal these days, so I’ve become even more engaged in the province’s rich cultural history.
- What’s something you’re especially looking forward to on this tour, the first to be cone in conjunction with Bargain Books? I’m looking forward to visiting parts of the country where I haven’t been, and meeting more of my readers. As well as visiting South Africa’s major cities, on this tour, I’m really trying to reach parts of the country that maybe don’t get as many authors visiting as other areas.
- What inspired you to choose Bargain Books as your partner for this tour? I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bargain Books because I always find I get a warm welcome from their super-friendly staff whenever I visit. Bargain Books has a fantastic network of stores across South Africa, bringing reading to as many people as possible – that’s what I’m about as well!
Stay tuned across our social media for live updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and tour highlights.
Catch Tony at a store near you—we can’t wait to see you there!