Visit the settings in the novel set in Bejing


Having watched Strangers on TV also set in China, I started to read this series of thrillers having read a lot of Peter May beforehand. For some reason, I’ve never taken a second look at these, until now!

From the first page, I was thrown in at the deep-end. This is the centre of Bejing and in the weird and wonderful world of Chinese forensics. A police investigation can be very territorial between any two cities, so imagine between China and America. This is the crux of the novel and it brings up so many interesting threads of how investigations are carried out, why motive is more valued in America and how the Chinese are conscious of ‘saving face’

The plot is fast and thrilling. There’s a international conspiracy involved here and the details and the twists and turns are page-turningly good. The setting is what grabbed me from the off and it was really unique to have a dual country investigation in the bustling city of Bejing. A bit of science and a conspiracy theme rounds things off nicely even if it did go a bit Dan Brown at times. There’s a fair bit of suspending your sense of disbelief but that was ok with me.

I found the whole relationship between Li Yan and Margaret really interesting. At first she’s the balshy and I-know-best American and Li Yan strictly conditioned by his Chinese and police upbringing but things start to become more complex.

I really enjoyed this and am already on book three having bought the others to find out what happens to test my favourite new couple in crime fiction. When you read the author note to the book and the level of access Peter May had to get some of the facts and background in the book, well this is an author who knows and loves his research

Enjoyed getting to find out about this series!

This book taught me a great deal about China but also bored me brittle in many places. Why do some writers feel the need to outline all the roads that their characters travel down by car? It’s like listening to your great uncle relay his journey to the party once he arrives. Dull. There is rather a lot of that in this book and very little happens until the last chapters when the plot deepens and improves. It is an interesting premise.
I bought this book as a set of three so I will read the others in the series, I am undecided as to whether I would otherwise, I feel overall as if I have been taught something by an unentertaining supply teacher.

The setting of “the firemaker” is what makes it stand out amongst other thrillers for me. Peter May has really done his homework on China, and creates a vivid picture of Beijing. He also provides a lot of historical context for the reader, whilst still keeping the book fast paced and exciting. I’m interested to see how the rest of the series will unfold!

Nice dynamics between infuriating but interesting characters. Great descriptive work and sheer pace hide what I perceive as obvious plot holes.

I...just...don't really know what to say here. This book was saved by the last third. That's when I finally got the mystery/thriller I was waiting for, although the Big Reveal wasn't terribly compelling.

Spoiler

oh noes, GMOs. gimme a break.

The first two thirds were just a lot of angsty wandering around Beijing, a lot of cultural stereotypes and quasi-racism (this was written in the 90s, after all), and one too many mentions of tingling loins and juddering breasts.

I got this for free from a Little Free Library and now I understand why it was donated.

4.5 stars.

Not as good as the Lewis trilogy but still interesting

I don’t remember why I picked up this book, but it started quickly and was a compelling story all the way through. This book was published in 1999, and by some of the genetic engineering technology that was discussed, this was clear. However, I did enjoy the insight into modern-day China. I put the next installment of the “China Thriller Series” on my to-read list.