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samdalefox's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I read this upon recommendation from my mum. Pulpy thrillers aren't usually my bag, but I adored this book. I read the second one in a day, and I'm already on to the third. There are 6 books total in the series, and a seventh, shorter novella. What I love about the China Thriller series is that they're so easy to read, there's an interesting but not difficult murder plot, intertwined with the romance between the main characters Detective Li Yan and Pathologist Margaret Campbell, as well as giving you a healthy dose of Chinese history and culture. I'm hooked.
Specifics to the first in the series 'The Firemaker', Peter May clearly knows and loves writing about Beijing and the Chinese police. I also like the characterisation of all the characters. Yes Li and Maragret (especially Margaret) are a little caricaturish to emphasise culture differences and are largely unlikeable, but they're interesting to read. I especially loved Yongli, Lotus, and Old Yifu. The time is was set in is also interesting as you see Beijing becoming more globalised as it accepts capitalism. The pace moved at a steady pace and although I had guessed the overarching theme/motive/big baddie (again, very relevant for the time it was set in), there were still plenty of twists and little shocks that got me, especially in the last third of the book!
Specifics to the first in the series 'The Firemaker', Peter May clearly knows and loves writing about Beijing and the Chinese police. I also like the characterisation of all the characters. Yes Li and Maragret (especially Margaret) are a little caricaturish to emphasise culture differences and are largely unlikeable, but they're interesting to read. I especially loved Yongli, Lotus, and Old Yifu. The time is was set in is also interesting as you see Beijing becoming more globalised as it accepts capitalism. The pace moved at a steady pace and although I had guessed the overarching theme/motive/big baddie (again, very relevant for the time it was set in), there were still plenty of twists and little shocks that got me, especially in the last third of the book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
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