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A review by shihangh
Death Notice by Zhou Haohui
5.0
4.6 stars out of 5
Summary:
18 years ago, a mysterious bomber calling himself/herself Eumenides first murders the vice commissioner of police Xue Dalin, then takes life of Captain Pei Tao's girlfriend and best friend. The case was never solved.
18 years later, Captain Pei Tao receives another declaration that the murders are restarting. The police reform a task force, the 4/18 task force, to combat the killer. However, the killer is able to outsmart the police at every turn, and even blackmail the leader of the task force with knowledge of his past mistakes.
The book climaxes with Eumenides's declaration of murder against Deng Hua, a business magnate who, in his early life, got his start as a criminal who worked with the police. Truths are dredged up from the past - Deng and Xue were partners in corruption who had silenced Xue's secretary, Shi's ex girlfriend. Driven to revenge by his feelings of powerlessness against injustice, Shi orchestrated a fake death, with Pei's girlfriend, Meng, as a sacrifice. Things did not go to plan as Meng triggered the bomb before Shi could get away. This crippled him, and with this, his ability to execute his revenge died with him. However it is revealed that in the 18 years since, he has trained an apprentice, who is now committed to helping him execute his vengeance.
Comments:
- I really liked this book. This is a pulpy thriller where a detective faces off against a criminal, like the games between Holmes and Moriarty, and Light and L.
- While cliched, Shi's motivation was believable and in my opinion well characterised.
- The way the murderer overcomes the police's preparation was convincing and interesting. A major source of intrigue was how the criminal would thwart the police. However, there are some elements of disbelief, making this more a show like Luther rather than a more serious police procedural. How does the man get so many explosives? How was he able to apprehend so many criminals that the police could not?
- The modern day cast, particularly Mu, who is set up to be a kind of eventual love interest, feel weak. As does the computer whiz Zeng. On the other hand, I liked the characterisation of the arrogant Han, who could not own up to his mistakes and failures, and in so doing, digs his own grave.
I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next instalment!
Summary:
18 years ago, a mysterious bomber calling himself/herself Eumenides first murders the vice commissioner of police Xue Dalin, then takes life of Captain Pei Tao's girlfriend and best friend. The case was never solved.
18 years later, Captain Pei Tao receives another declaration that the murders are restarting. The police reform a task force, the 4/18 task force, to combat the killer. However, the killer is able to outsmart the police at every turn, and even blackmail the leader of the task force with knowledge of his past mistakes.
The book climaxes with Eumenides's declaration of murder against Deng Hua, a business magnate who, in his early life, got his start as a criminal who worked with the police. Truths are dredged up from the past - Deng and Xue were partners in corruption who had silenced Xue's secretary, Shi's ex girlfriend. Driven to revenge by his feelings of powerlessness against injustice, Shi orchestrated a fake death, with Pei's girlfriend, Meng, as a sacrifice. Things did not go to plan as Meng triggered the bomb before Shi could get away. This crippled him, and with this, his ability to execute his revenge died with him. However it is revealed that in the 18 years since, he has trained an apprentice, who is now committed to helping him execute his vengeance.
Comments:
- I really liked this book. This is a pulpy thriller where a detective faces off against a criminal, like the games between Holmes and Moriarty, and Light and L.
- While cliched, Shi's motivation was believable and in my opinion well characterised.
- The way the murderer overcomes the police's preparation was convincing and interesting. A major source of intrigue was how the criminal would thwart the police. However, there are some elements of disbelief, making this more a show like Luther rather than a more serious police procedural. How does the man get so many explosives? How was he able to apprehend so many criminals that the police could not?
- The modern day cast, particularly Mu, who is set up to be a kind of eventual love interest, feel weak. As does the computer whiz Zeng. On the other hand, I liked the characterisation of the arrogant Han, who could not own up to his mistakes and failures, and in so doing, digs his own grave.
I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next instalment!